imported post
VERY interesting talk here. I've been on the fence on the long OC topic. I think there are better times and places to OC long guns than others. I think that long arm OC is fine for, say, our OCDO picnics and 2Amarches... but have no business being carried into Ponderosa or IHOP. I believe that we should be able to legally OC long arms, but I think someone should use good judgement as to where and when they do so. Whoever said it's a slippery slope hit the nail on the head - it IS a slippery, hypocritical slope. I hate being hypocritical but I see the reactions that the carry of an AR or AK creates.
I want OC to become commonplace, too. But the fact is that while we've been making wonderful progress in desensitizing the public to the sight of guns being OC'd, and holstered handguns are creating less and less concern... the sight of an AR or AK still scares the crap out of the masses. IMO, scaring the public isn't beneficial to our cause. And yes, I see the aspect that our "cause" isn't handgun-specific, which is where the hypocrisy comes in.
Another thing that I think interesting is about perception. I've found it a little funny, actually, at how the public percieves these rifles. As an example, let's say I'm enjoying a meal at ___________, while OCing a Springfield XD-M with a spare magazine. No reaction from the restaurant patrons. Then someone walks in with an AR slung across his back. The sight of the AR causes people to feel uncomfortable and leave, and probably resulting in a couple of MWAG calls. Now, what I find funny is that between my XD-M and spare mag, I've actually got more firepower than the guy with the AR and only one 30-rd mag. But which causes fear and overreaction? The AR. I just think it ironic.
Back to the point. I'm not firmly against long arm OC, but MY bottom-line is that there's better times and places to do it. I don't think it's a good idea to be walking into restaurants and convenience stores with it, while 2A marches, shoots, picnics are great places to long OC. That's my $.02.