Mike
Site Co-Founder
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/...cle_23828920-2b8c-5169-8c34-08bb73c432a9.html
SNIP
Steve Randall strolled into the Starbucks at Mid Rivers Mall Drive and Mexico Road one recent Thursday evening wearing his Glock 21C pistol in a holster at his side.
Randall's imposing height and short haircut might have led some to believe he was a police officer. Perhaps they were too busy to notice the gun on his hip or the hips of two men who joined him. For Randall, 39, of Overland, this was just another "open-carrying" gathering with friends, something he says he does for two reasons — to provide personal protection and to let Missourians know they have the right to do so.
Open carry is legal in most states, but in recent years has become part of the national gun debate, which had primarily been dominated by battles over carrying concealed weapons. . . . supporters such as Randall want to affirm their rights.
"My wish is to show that open carry is a viable form of carry and a legal option in many places," Randall said.
. . . Ted Bruce, an assistant attorney general, said Missouri generally allows a person to carry guns openly with a few restrictions such as polling places, schools, churches and government buildings. It is also illegal to carry a firearm while intoxicated, he said.
. . .
Mike Stollenwerk, co-founder of OpenCarry.org, said gun rights advocates usually have three issues. They want the right to carry, the right to transfer ownership and the right to use their weapons for self-defense. But he and other advocates see open carry without requiring a permit as a practice courts have upheld for years based on the constitutional right to bear arms.
"Open carry is the Second Amendment," Stollenwerk said.
Stollenwerk said those who carry properly holstered handguns rarely receive much attention. "When people do notice, they disregard it or ask friendly questions like, 'Hey, do I need a permit to do that?'" he said.
"In the end, even most concealed carriers want the right to choose open carry when it suits them and their circumstances, just like open carriers want the right to choose concealed carry sometimes."
Randall posts regularly on OpenCarry.org. He said he decided about three years ago to wear his gun to a Walmart in St. Charles. He was nervous, he said, but nothing happened. No one seemed to notice.
Since then, Randall has gone to Starbucks shops throughout the area. He has posted videos on YouTube, and his gun-toting coffee shop ventures drew the attention of others who have joined him.
One, Jared Miller, 39, of Lincoln County, said Randall helped him overcome misgivings about open carrying in more-populated areas. "I've always wanted to do that, but I was a little nervous," he said.
. . .
SNIP
Steve Randall strolled into the Starbucks at Mid Rivers Mall Drive and Mexico Road one recent Thursday evening wearing his Glock 21C pistol in a holster at his side.
Randall's imposing height and short haircut might have led some to believe he was a police officer. Perhaps they were too busy to notice the gun on his hip or the hips of two men who joined him. For Randall, 39, of Overland, this was just another "open-carrying" gathering with friends, something he says he does for two reasons — to provide personal protection and to let Missourians know they have the right to do so.
Open carry is legal in most states, but in recent years has become part of the national gun debate, which had primarily been dominated by battles over carrying concealed weapons. . . . supporters such as Randall want to affirm their rights.
"My wish is to show that open carry is a viable form of carry and a legal option in many places," Randall said.
. . . Ted Bruce, an assistant attorney general, said Missouri generally allows a person to carry guns openly with a few restrictions such as polling places, schools, churches and government buildings. It is also illegal to carry a firearm while intoxicated, he said.
. . .
Mike Stollenwerk, co-founder of OpenCarry.org, said gun rights advocates usually have three issues. They want the right to carry, the right to transfer ownership and the right to use their weapons for self-defense. But he and other advocates see open carry without requiring a permit as a practice courts have upheld for years based on the constitutional right to bear arms.
"Open carry is the Second Amendment," Stollenwerk said.
Stollenwerk said those who carry properly holstered handguns rarely receive much attention. "When people do notice, they disregard it or ask friendly questions like, 'Hey, do I need a permit to do that?'" he said.
"In the end, even most concealed carriers want the right to choose open carry when it suits them and their circumstances, just like open carriers want the right to choose concealed carry sometimes."
Randall posts regularly on OpenCarry.org. He said he decided about three years ago to wear his gun to a Walmart in St. Charles. He was nervous, he said, but nothing happened. No one seemed to notice.
Since then, Randall has gone to Starbucks shops throughout the area. He has posted videos on YouTube, and his gun-toting coffee shop ventures drew the attention of others who have joined him.
One, Jared Miller, 39, of Lincoln County, said Randall helped him overcome misgivings about open carrying in more-populated areas. "I've always wanted to do that, but I was a little nervous," he said.
. . .
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