Question for Open Carry Proponents

[ScubaSigGuy]

The argument is not whether OC is superior to CC; it is irrelevant. The argument for legalization is that there is no valid reason why OC should be illegal.

For me, it's a matter of choice. Just because you personally wouldn't choose to OC, for whatever reason, is not a valid reason to prevent others from doing so.

I understand your point and please don't misunderstand me I am not trying to keep you from doing so. What I am afraid of is that instead of walking quietly around the hornets nest unscathed, the open carry push might just be like running up to the nest and kicking it for a field goal. Who knows how many times you might get stung and how badly.

it's all about compromise which is essential if we hope to preserve our rights. So many people don't even know that concealed carry is legal. They just don't care. Many of them aren't with us or against us, they are just oblivious. We all know lots of folks like this. Well the first time these folks are at the grocery store with thier kids and they see you in line in front of them with your newest 1911 on your hip, what do you think is going to happen? I just don't want to take that chance and awaken the sleeping giant.

We might be better off quietly growing our ranks by education when we have the opportunity, rather than by shock treatment.

I know it's a matter of rights and we all want more, I get it. But pushing for something that really gives you minimal if any advantage just to have the right to do it if you want to could hurt all gun owners in the long run. It's a situation where you have to consider the greater good.

[tbranch]

We might be better off quietly growing our ranks by education when we have the opportunity, rather than by shock treatment. I know it's a matter of rights and we all want more, I get it. But pushing for something that really gives you minimal if any advantage just to have the right to do it if you want to could hurt all gun owners in the long run. It's a situation where you have to consider the greater good.

Scuba,

Exactly my position. We have to be careful as we move forward. Too much might cause a backlash that could move us in the wrong direction.

Tom

[WildBill]

I know it's a matter of rights and we all want more, I get it. But pushing for something that really gives you minimal if any advantage just to have the right to do it if you want to could hurt all gun owners in the long run. It's a situation where you have to consider the greater good.

If you support open carry for handguns, why don't you get the ball rolling by regularly carrying a rifle or shotgun in public? It's legal to carry longguns in many public places, it provides better protection than a handgun, and it will certainly put an exclamation point on any statement you may be looking to associate with open carry of handguns.

Believe it or don't, I'm not trying to be a smart aleck (that comes kind of naturally), but I'm curious why proponents of open carry may view open display of a handgun to be different from legally open carry/display of a long gun.

This type of behavior is exactly why California passed more restrictive gun laws [Mulford Act 1967].

Believe me, I understand. I have been watching the battles over gun control for many years. It may be illogical, but I have not been "pushing" for open carry. I have not signed any petitions for open carry or written to my representatives in Washington or Austin. For me, it is more about the messenger, than the message. That is why I typically do not participate in OC threads.

[anygunanywhere]

Legal open carry is really causing a ruckus in the 44 states where it is not illegal - even California.

Every night on the news you see story after story of OCers having their handguns taken away from them and innocent bystanders and LEOs massacred.

The mainstream media just keeps showing story after story after story where OCers are lying dead in the street from losing the element of surprise.

What about those states where OC and CC are legal with no permit! Are they crazy?!?!?!

The blood and carnage in the streets is just horrible. I just do not understand how those 44 states' legislatures do not do away with OC.

Think of all the lives that will be saved here in Texas if we never make OC legal.

Texans just can not be trusted to OC.

It is all about the children!!!

There. Plenty of OC hysteria to go around.

The 2A is about OC. If you do not support OC you do not support the 2A.

Anygunanywhere

[tarkus]

I wish they would get rid of the penalty for intentionally failing to conceal or make it a $5 civil infraction. I don't want to carry openly in downtown Houston or Austin or other city but I would like to be able to carry openly on family and friends' property (with their blessing) or when I'm hiking or camping (but not hunting) or similar situations. I have done that legally in other states but maybe people there were more progun than Texans.

[tbranch]

The 2A is about OC. If you do not support OC you do not support the 2A.

Anygun,

I'm not anti-OC but I do think we need to take a cautious approach to this process. The average person is afraid of guns thanks to all the media hype. I think our efforts are better spent on eliminating places where we cannot carry with our CHLs.

Tom

[CainA]

I'm not anti-OC but I do think we need to take a cautious approach to this process. The average person is afraid of guns thanks to all the media hype. I think our efforts are better spent on eliminating places where we cannot carry with our CHLs.

and this:

wish they would get rid of the penalty for intentionally failing to conceal or make it a $5 civil infraction.

You get a couple of peeps at my gun, don't go charging me with a crime!

-Cain

[anygunanywhere]

The 2A is about OC. If you do not support OC you do not support the 2A.

Anygun,

I'm not anti-OC but I do think we need to take a cautious approach to this process. The average person is afraid of guns thanks to all the media hype. I think our efforts are better spent on eliminating places where we cannot carry with our CHLs.

Tom

I agree with any measure that will restore the second amendment.

I respect different opinions on the subject. Mr. Cotton has warned us pro-OCers that the possibility exists where the OC movement could do us harm. His glass is half full.

The antis want more restrictions. Their glass is half empty.

I think OC would fit just right if we changed glasses because it is the wrong size.

Anygunanywhere

[Jason73]

Im having a hard time believing what Im reading here. What is wrong with you people? Open carry should be legal, end of discussion. The 2nd amendment says "Right to keep and BEAR arms" - it doesnt say anything about concealed does it?!

Yes its legal to walk down the street with a long gun, but who in their right mind is going to drag around a rifle or shotgun all day long? That borders on insanity if not downright stupidity. Rifles are for long range shooting, not close quarters combat.

As of right now 23,600 people agree with me. Are you going to tell each of them personally, to their face, that because you dislike open carry then they shouldnt be able to do it either? Whats next? You dont like suv's so they should be banned? You dont like a particular genre of music so lets ban it too?

Land of the free indeed.

[WildBill]

Open carry should be legal, end of discussion.

I agree. I also agree that this should be the end of the discussion.

[tbranch]

Im having a hard time believing what Im reading here. What is wrong with you people? Open carry should be legal, end of discussion.

SNIP

You dont like suv's so they should be banned? You dont like a particular genre of music so lets ban it too?

Jason,

I don't think anyone has said that OC should not be allowed. I happen to agree that it should be legal and I signed the petition.

I'm also old enough to know that sometimes you have to be careful when you ask for things--sometimes it doesn't turn out the way you wanted.

Tom

[KBCraig]

it's all about compromise which is essential if we hope to preserve our rights.

"Compromise" and "rights" are incompatible. If you compromise, you have lost your rights.

If you persuade the mugger to let you keep enough money for cab fare, that is not compromise: he has still stolen what was yours by right. There is no compromise between a tablespoon of arsenic and a teaspoon; either is poison.

[glockowner]

If you are married, first lesson, pick your battles. Works great in life.

[ScubaSigGuy]

it's all about compromise which is essential if we hope to preserve our rights.

"Compromise" and "rights" are incompatible. If you compromise, you have lost your rights.

If you persuade the mugger to let you keep enough money for cab fare, that is not compromise: he has still stolen what was yours by right. There is no compromise between a tablespoon of arsenic and a teaspoon; either is poison.

Well sir, if both choices result in a complete loss of our right to own firearms then that metaphor works. I respect your opinion as I hope you do mine. I am not against OC, I am just not willing to jeopardize the practical rights, that so many have worked hard to make possible, just to put a notch in the post. Our carry rights could definitely be better, and I hope that in time carry will be unrestricted but it has to be done the right way. You can eat an elephant one bite at a time as long as you are patient.

The 2A is about OC. If you do not support OC you do not support the 2A.
Anygunanywhere

The fact that I don't feel the need for open carry doesn't mean that I am not a staunch supporter of our 2A rights.

[ScubaSigGuy]

If you are married, first lesson, pick your battles. Works great in life.

Wel said, sir.