imported post
Oh and MPD does carry on the grounds. When Hugh Jarmis wrote that MPD checks their guns at the gate I can only but assume that he was being facetious in such a statement. The carry their Glocks and also their newly assigned S&W Sigma's and a few officers carry TASER's as well.
Yes, of course I was being facetious. My point there are people open carrying at Summerfest. And the only real difference between them and any other law abiding person is they have a badge. Every "risk" you cite for a law abiding citizen is a risk that exists with the police that open carry in summerfest. Ifopen carry was a risk, why do police do it? They are NO different than law abiding citizens. IN FACT, they are more of a risk because a law abiding citizen doesn't go looking for trouble and seeking out bad persons.Law abiding would be far less likely to ever drawtheir weapon to use. As i've stated in other threads, Leo's use the guns for offensive purposes. Law abiding citizens may not draw their gun in ANY circumstance unless its a defensive purpose. And because of the deterent to a criminal, just having the gun on your hip pretty much guarantees you'll never have to use it because criminals would move on to another target.
Now I may not be reading the statement correctly or perhaps may be reading more into into than is actually intended but in what context am I being labled as "anti"? Anti what specifically? If you mean anti open carry at Summerfest then you would be correct. Any other meaning would need to be stated clearly.
I use "anti" to refer to any stance which is either wholey or partly anti-right/anti-gun. You claim not to be anti-gun, but some of your positions are anti-rights as they place your personal desires over the rights of others. Truth be told though, you are in good company there. MOST people fall of the "freedom" train somewhere along the line. There are people on this forum who only believe in "some" rights.
I believe in the right to open carry? The answer to that is yes.
No its not. The answer to that (from you) is "sorta"
Unfortunately right now all we can handle are things like backpacks, camera's and stuff you may have bought on the grounds but dont want to carry around all day. Should that day come, folks can check in their legal to carry open sidearms and then pick them up on the way out so they can feel safe and secure. It may happen one day, who's to say?
I think that is a good start. That way people have an opportunity to be protected while they return to their vehicle, condo, whatever. Selfish and inconsiderate doesn't begin to describe a policy of a place like summerfest that would prevent people from having the opportunity to protect themselves once they step outside the gates. Almost a "hey, F you, you're on your own"
One point in that regard...Obviously right now EVEN if summerfestWANTED to allow open carry, we still couldn't open carry there because of the alcohol consumption issue. IF wisconsin dropped its rediculous "no guns where alcohol is sold/consumed" policy so that the only thing keeping people from being able to defend themselves was summerfest policyI'll be honest... KNOWING people have been assaulted leaving summerfest, I think its shameful of summerfest to not afford people a way to protect themselves once they leave the "safety" (yes, quotes indicate sarcasm) of your gates.
Anyway.. I must say VR, I think you debate honestly. I disagree with your opinions and think they are short-sighted and selfish in a way, (just your positions on open carry at summerfest, not judging you as a whole)but I completely respect your hoenstly when you admit things like:
I will agree that my objections are directly related as to how I believe open carry would affect my job at Summerfest.
Its one thing to debate with someone who has self-serving opinions. Its entirely another to debate with someone who has self-serving positions and then claims they aren't self serving. (and I"m not being patronizing by saying that)
I believe you that outside of the summerfest 'similar venue' issues you support open carry, but I feel like your personal selfishness clouds your judgment on the open carry issue at summerfest and similar venues. There is always risk in everything we do. But what is the "role" of the redshirts? Are they there to protect themselves or protect patrons? How are you protecting patrons by removing their ability to protect themselves? What IS your mission statement?
If all you are concerned about is your own safety, then you shouldn't be a security guard. It doesn't fit you. If you are going to embrace your job description, then you should be willing to accept the PERCIEVED risk you think open carried guns would bring. (I say percieved because I 100% believe it
wouldn't add any risk to your job)
Its counter intuitive to have your role be to protect patrons while you support a policy that makes them vulnerable.
