Orygunner
Regular Member
imported post
I've read some of the discussion on a few news websites and other places regarding Open Carry, and wonder if we're doing the right thing. It seems many people, law enforcement, judges, and even gun owners think OC is a bad idea because either A) It disturbs them, or B) It disturbs other people.
I've seen the arguments that those that OC at akidssoccer game/the mall/a school/church/anywhere publiclack Common Sense[suP]tm[/suP], are just Looking For Attention[suP]tm[/suP], or even Just Plain Nuts[suP]tm[/suP].
WE know we're not any of those things. We each have our own reasons, often most of them co-incide with other OCers, and make total sense to us. We've got our witty comebacks why we're carrying a gun at all (a cop is too heavy!), our legitimate issues for OCing (It's too HOT to CC!),our political agenda (A right unexercised is lost!), and other reasons.
Some of us DO encounter the curious citizens, and the ignorant ones we get opportunity to educate. Others get the unfortunate experience of run-ins with freaking-out know-it-alls who believe it can't POSSIBLY be legal to OC a REAL LOADED GUN, won't STHUand won't listen to reason (even worse when it's a cop:banghead: )
So what's the problem? I think the majority of the public believes it's OK for Law-Abiding people to carry a gun for protection at least some of the time, otherwise I don't think we'd have most of the states licensing CCW in one form or another.
I think Open Carry has much less public support, because of some of the blatently ignorant ideas out there. "Guns don't belong around kids!" "Guys Open Carry just because it makes them feel like a MAN (or they're compensating)!" "What is this, the Wild West?" "OCers are just looking for attention!" "It's disrespectful of others!" "The OCer will get shot first!"
So what can we do to change these misconceptions?
I've only been following the Open Carry movement for about 8 months now, and I think I'm seeing a change in the amount of press OC is getting, but I'm not sure whether to frown or cheer. For example,the press Meleanie Hain has gotten with her battle. Some articles seem positive, others seem rather editoralized to show the author's anti-gun slant. Comments (on those that allow online comments) seem split as well, with most reader comments chiming in solidly favorable toher right to OC, while others spew illogical hoplophobe lunacy.
We're always going to have the anti-gun nuts hellbent on the destruction of our rights, but what about the ones that are just ignorant? "I'm a gun owner/hunter/NRA member/gun collector , but I think she needs to just conceal it so she doesn't scare people/scare kids/call attention to herself/get mugged for her gun."
So here's my question to all of you, especially those who've been involved in Open Carry longer than I:
Are OC get togethers really doing any good? Is the media attention helping or hurting our cause? is public opinion swaying for or against us?
And what can we do to push Open Carry further in the public eye, or is what we're doing enough? Do we need MORE OC get togethers? MORE letters to the Editor of our local papers?
...Fire away!...
...Orygunner...
I've read some of the discussion on a few news websites and other places regarding Open Carry, and wonder if we're doing the right thing. It seems many people, law enforcement, judges, and even gun owners think OC is a bad idea because either A) It disturbs them, or B) It disturbs other people.
I've seen the arguments that those that OC at akidssoccer game/the mall/a school/church/anywhere publiclack Common Sense[suP]tm[/suP], are just Looking For Attention[suP]tm[/suP], or even Just Plain Nuts[suP]tm[/suP].
WE know we're not any of those things. We each have our own reasons, often most of them co-incide with other OCers, and make total sense to us. We've got our witty comebacks why we're carrying a gun at all (a cop is too heavy!), our legitimate issues for OCing (It's too HOT to CC!),our political agenda (A right unexercised is lost!), and other reasons.
Some of us DO encounter the curious citizens, and the ignorant ones we get opportunity to educate. Others get the unfortunate experience of run-ins with freaking-out know-it-alls who believe it can't POSSIBLY be legal to OC a REAL LOADED GUN, won't STHUand won't listen to reason (even worse when it's a cop:banghead: )
So what's the problem? I think the majority of the public believes it's OK for Law-Abiding people to carry a gun for protection at least some of the time, otherwise I don't think we'd have most of the states licensing CCW in one form or another.
I think Open Carry has much less public support, because of some of the blatently ignorant ideas out there. "Guns don't belong around kids!" "Guys Open Carry just because it makes them feel like a MAN (or they're compensating)!" "What is this, the Wild West?" "OCers are just looking for attention!" "It's disrespectful of others!" "The OCer will get shot first!"
So what can we do to change these misconceptions?
I've only been following the Open Carry movement for about 8 months now, and I think I'm seeing a change in the amount of press OC is getting, but I'm not sure whether to frown or cheer. For example,the press Meleanie Hain has gotten with her battle. Some articles seem positive, others seem rather editoralized to show the author's anti-gun slant. Comments (on those that allow online comments) seem split as well, with most reader comments chiming in solidly favorable toher right to OC, while others spew illogical hoplophobe lunacy.
We're always going to have the anti-gun nuts hellbent on the destruction of our rights, but what about the ones that are just ignorant? "I'm a gun owner/hunter/NRA member/gun collector , but I think she needs to just conceal it so she doesn't scare people/scare kids/call attention to herself/get mugged for her gun."
So here's my question to all of you, especially those who've been involved in Open Carry longer than I:
Are OC get togethers really doing any good? Is the media attention helping or hurting our cause? is public opinion swaying for or against us?
And what can we do to push Open Carry further in the public eye, or is what we're doing enough? Do we need MORE OC get togethers? MORE letters to the Editor of our local papers?
...Fire away!...
...Orygunner...