Read Tom Robinson's response very carefully. I won't voice an opinion just yet but he won't be getting any Christmas Hams from Old Va.
http://news.oldva.org/blogroll/peninsula-patriots-tell-gun-owner-to-cover-up/
"... Never, however, have I felt the necessity to display it openly as a “badge of courage”, although I will fight to the death to defend my right, and yours, to do so."
A "badge of courage" ????
"An open display of “gun totin’ Patriots, not Rednecks”, is very unsettling to many Americans, and we can’t afford to alienate current, and potential, members at this crucial time in our movement."
That's just the point of open carrying - to educate the public that it is legal and your right - society has been trained to think otherwise.
"Please allow me to ask you a few questions…
1. Knowing that you have the right to own and carry a weapon virtually anywhere throughout Virginia, WHY do you feel the need to brandish your weapons openly in a friendly, non-threatening, environment? Were you concerned that you were going to be attacked by some unknown alien forces while attending a Patriotic rally?"
When did anyone "brandish" a weapon?? Wearing a holstered firearm is NOT brandishing!!
"2. Several of those attending were actually making comical statements about one of your members who felt the need to not only openly carry a fully-loaded, semi-automatic weapon to a conservative rally, but also felt it necessary to carry multiple extra clips and other paraphernalia, just in case we came under a massive attack. Do you not realize that the legal, but inappropriate, “in your face” display of weaponry probably did your, and my, movement more harm than good?"
Actually, they are magazines, not "clips", why do the police carry extra magazines? Is their safety more important than regular citizens?
"3. To put this in a more logical perspective…Virtually every Virginian, with the exception of felons and nut cases, has the right to openly carry a weapon, so that part is no big deal. It is your license to carry a CONCEALED weapon that sets you apart from those who don’t possess a similar permit."
The Second Amendment has nothing to do with a Concealed Carry Permit, in fact in those days it was considered cowardly to conceal your handgun.
"Law enforcement agencies train their officers to pay close attention to anyone who feels compelled to openly brandish a loaded weapon in public."
Again using the word "brandish", when did that occur yesterday?
"Those openly carrying are put in various categories and observed accordingly. 1st. Power trip – The need to present the appearance of power to overcome feelings of inadequacy. 2nd. Need for authority - All too often, those individuals openly carrying weapons wanted to be a police officer with the power, but not the responsibility, that goes with the job. They were rejected for various reasons, usually psychological, followed by obesity, at which point many of them applied for positions as deputy sheriffs, then private security officers…anything that would give them a feeling of power over others".
How does protecting ones self and family equate to a "power trip" or "need for authority"? This is elitist BS.
"Although I am not accusing any members of your group of fitting into that category, it is a profile observed by most agencies and officers.
Don, I am 100% behind you, and I applaud your continuing efforts to protect our 2nd Amendment rights. I am just trying to use years’
of experience to assist you..."
Assist us????
