imported post
I have not posted heavily on the board, but I have been an active reader for a little while and I have an issue I would like to bring up for discussion.
I am aware that open carry is legal in many places in the state of Utah. However, I hink that some members of this community are not acting for the OC communities best interest.
For example, peoples personal opinions will vary but I would say that OC in schools, some banks, hospitals, etc, may have greater potential to alarm people than OC'ing out in the hills, at a shooting range, in stores that don't protest, or for an extreme example, in your own home. I would like to state that I am not questioning the legality of OC in any situation, or suggesting that the legality should be changed to attempt to suppress OC. I am questioning the wisdom and the responsibility of some who choose to OC in certain situations.
I have read on this board about an individual that has repeatedly attempted to enter the University Mall while OC'ing, despite being asked by mall security to conceal his gun or leave. The University Mall does not seem to have adequate signs at the entrances to preemptively bar firearms on the premises, however I believe repeatedly trying to go against the guards requests reflects poorly on both the OC and the gun owning community as a whole.
If the mall or any privately owned business decides to ban OC, or CCW for that matter, that is their right to do so. I respect a private property owners rights even if I don't agree with their decision. If I felt strongly enough I would take my business elsewhere and explain why, rather than repeatedly causing a scene by continuing to go against their wishes.
Another post that I read on this board is one dealing with OC at state colleges in Utah. Since state run schools are state entities, they do not have the same right to dictate peoples actions that a private entity does. It is allowed to carry a gun onto a public school campus in Utah with a CCP, but I don't think that it is always wise.
What would happen if someone insisted on OC'ing their gun to the college and got into some confrontation with a teacher, fellow student, administrator, or campus police. What if the story made it into the local media? It would likely not portray the person with the gun in a good light, and the bad media may eventually convince people to vote for anti-gun representatives.
I will contrast these above negative observations with that of the OC dinners. Before the dinner, the business's where contacted and asked if they would allow us to hold the dinners. The dinners let everyone get together, have a good time, make a political statement, and educate the public. They have been an overwhelmingly positive experience for everyone involved, including the attending media. I have read some of the press coverage about the OC dinners and it seemed largely positive. I would like people that see someone OC to leave the situation feeling like the person was polite, intelligent, and not threatening.
People in this community that make OC a positive experience for everyone, are assets to our gun rights. Those that are trying to connect OC to other organizations (the minutemen has come up several times on the board), do odd things like make police style badges, carry a gun without presenting themselves professionally, or make decisions without the slightest thought or concern for the community around them, are a liability to the continuation of our rights
I have read posts about people that chose to OC places and had opportunity to talk to people, and even educate police officers about what they where doing. Those people carried themselves well, and made it in to a positive experience, rather then a negative confrontation.
I would urge that our community use good judgment and remember that just because we can, does not always mean we always should. I think if we don't act responsibly, courteously, and politely, we may eventually lose our right.
I would like to hear everyones thoughts on the matter
I have not posted heavily on the board, but I have been an active reader for a little while and I have an issue I would like to bring up for discussion.
I am aware that open carry is legal in many places in the state of Utah. However, I hink that some members of this community are not acting for the OC communities best interest.
For example, peoples personal opinions will vary but I would say that OC in schools, some banks, hospitals, etc, may have greater potential to alarm people than OC'ing out in the hills, at a shooting range, in stores that don't protest, or for an extreme example, in your own home. I would like to state that I am not questioning the legality of OC in any situation, or suggesting that the legality should be changed to attempt to suppress OC. I am questioning the wisdom and the responsibility of some who choose to OC in certain situations.
I have read on this board about an individual that has repeatedly attempted to enter the University Mall while OC'ing, despite being asked by mall security to conceal his gun or leave. The University Mall does not seem to have adequate signs at the entrances to preemptively bar firearms on the premises, however I believe repeatedly trying to go against the guards requests reflects poorly on both the OC and the gun owning community as a whole.
If the mall or any privately owned business decides to ban OC, or CCW for that matter, that is their right to do so. I respect a private property owners rights even if I don't agree with their decision. If I felt strongly enough I would take my business elsewhere and explain why, rather than repeatedly causing a scene by continuing to go against their wishes.
Another post that I read on this board is one dealing with OC at state colleges in Utah. Since state run schools are state entities, they do not have the same right to dictate peoples actions that a private entity does. It is allowed to carry a gun onto a public school campus in Utah with a CCP, but I don't think that it is always wise.
What would happen if someone insisted on OC'ing their gun to the college and got into some confrontation with a teacher, fellow student, administrator, or campus police. What if the story made it into the local media? It would likely not portray the person with the gun in a good light, and the bad media may eventually convince people to vote for anti-gun representatives.
I will contrast these above negative observations with that of the OC dinners. Before the dinner, the business's where contacted and asked if they would allow us to hold the dinners. The dinners let everyone get together, have a good time, make a political statement, and educate the public. They have been an overwhelmingly positive experience for everyone involved, including the attending media. I have read some of the press coverage about the OC dinners and it seemed largely positive. I would like people that see someone OC to leave the situation feeling like the person was polite, intelligent, and not threatening.
People in this community that make OC a positive experience for everyone, are assets to our gun rights. Those that are trying to connect OC to other organizations (the minutemen has come up several times on the board), do odd things like make police style badges, carry a gun without presenting themselves professionally, or make decisions without the slightest thought or concern for the community around them, are a liability to the continuation of our rights
I have read posts about people that chose to OC places and had opportunity to talk to people, and even educate police officers about what they where doing. Those people carried themselves well, and made it in to a positive experience, rather then a negative confrontation.
I would urge that our community use good judgment and remember that just because we can, does not always mean we always should. I think if we don't act responsibly, courteously, and politely, we may eventually lose our right.
I would like to hear everyones thoughts on the matter