Mike wrote:
I guess I don't see any easy to understand message from this expressive conduct - did the G20 group propose an open carry ban? Not that I know of.
And as for open carry of long guns in urban areas, this has been discussed here before - highly inappropriate behavior in a 3 dimensional urban environment considering the muzzle control problem and absence of holsters with trigger guards - that's why Justice Scalianoted some of the advantages of handguns in the Heller case, e.g., handguns "can be pointed at a burglar with one hand while the other hand dials the police." The corollary is that they can be secured in holsters while not in use while you go about your normal business.
I think there are 2 good bright line rules to consider when thinking about open carrying as a form of expressive conduct: First, will the message be understandable and tailored to achieve a goal? And second, are the circumstances so unique that the police will under almost any circumstance have qualified immunity if they cart you off and possibly subject you to a trial that might bankrupt you?
I think that if the answer to either question are pretty much in the yes column, then open carrying as expressive conduct in those circumstances is both illogical for you and counter-productive for the cause.
In the main, the open carry movement is about open carrying while minding your own beeswax in your daily life. Targeted expressive conduct sometimes has value, but can have high risk and be counter-productive too.
The Message
Simple enough.
1) YES WE CAN.[/b] We are free people in a free country. Open carry is a right that is not infringed simply because of a visit from a candidate for a government job or a summit or any other whim of a government official. That was Mtn Jack's message. It bears repeating. Pennsylvania State Police, are you listening?
2) SHAME ON YOU G20 Leaders.[/b] G20 leaders, while not openly condemning open carry in Pennsylvania, have put in place and enforced tyrannical laws that violate the natural rights of mankind. Remember the 2nd Amendment does not grant us the right to keep and bear arms, it merely confirms a pre-existing right of all mankind. On this I think we can agree and these leaders ought to be reminded that a free nation trusts its citizens.
Long Guns in an Urban Environment
1) You are entitled to your opinion, but frankly it sounds very hoplophobic to me. Muzzle control is a complete red herring. Slung rifles (especially if slung Israeli style with the barrel pointed down) do not have muzzle control issues.
2) Using scabbards, safeties and carrying with an open boltmake for safe carry. They are safer than the open carry of many handguns, with defective or no safety devices such as the CZ 52 or Jennings .25.
3) Is that a handgun without a trigger guard that I seeon the home page of OCDO?
Courts and Beeswax
1) All it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.
2) This event is taking place in the same part of Pennsylvania as the persecution of Jack Noble. What happened there was an incredible slap in the face to liberty, freedom and justice. It is a fitting place and time for a walkabout.
3) The walkabout is all about beeswax. OCers walking about will be outside of the restricted area minding their own beeswax. If law enforcement minds their bees wax it will be a non event. If law enforcement does not mind their beeswax, then there will be problems of course. Law enforcement violation of civil rights will be on U-Tube the same day.
4) If being “expressive” is a bad thing, then I guess that I have been bad many times. At Waterside, at the Norfolk, VA city council meetings and at many VCDL meetings. The message is the same every time, YES WE CAN[/b].
Live free or Die,
Sic Semper Tyrannus,
Thundar
