Pro/con: Is open display of guns at rallies going too far? Yes

[Expat]

I thought some of you open carriers would appreciate this one.

Disclaimer: I did not write this.

Pro/con: Is open display of guns at rallies going too far? Yes | argusleader.com | Argus Leader

WASHINGTON - Are armed mobs becoming socially acceptable? Watching television coverage of gun owners eager to brandish their firearms in public spaces, that appears to be the desired goal of "open-carry" advocates.

Exploiting loopholes in state laws that don't explicitly ban the open carrying of handguns and other firearms is an omission of default rather than design - who would think people would actually want to live out their Wild West fantasies in real life - open-carry advocates take delight in thumbing their noses at societal norms by brandishing their firearms.

Some go further, portraying their display of weaponry as a visual warning shot against perceived enemies.

 

[Scutter01]

So, an editorial disguised as objective journalism?

 

[melensdad]

I stopped reading at "armed mobs" because at that point it was clear where this editorial was going.

 

[Blue Tile Spook]

Short as that may be, it's full of fail, IMO.

I don't have negative intentions and carry a firearm, I simply carry a firearm for defense. If I go to a certain place of my choosing and happen to have my OC'd firearm on my hip - so be it.

No brandishing, no fantasies, no enemies for me.

 

[Expat]

I posted this because I really do think it is important that we realize the impression the some parts of the general public still have about guns in general and these open carry demonstrations specifically.

 

[Blue Tile Spook]

Expat, I don't think anyone that has responded is implying that you shouldn't have posted this. My post wasn't a rebuttal to you, simply a rhetorical rebuttal.

Some people (general statement) seem to think that a person who carries has to have some form of negative agenda for doing so. I don't have a negative agenda.

 

[Delmar]

I posted this because I really do think it is important that we realize the impression the some parts of the general public still have about guns in general and these open carry demonstrations specifically.

I do to. The problem is this commentator is trying to influence the general public towards a negative impression. It is good to look at such editorials, so that we can counter what they say.

 

[4sarge]

I rarely OC in retirement but since I carried openly for 30+ years it's no big deal to me either way. BUT, Think - if guns are always to be kept hidden, out of sight, out of mind it actually IMO hurts the 2nd Amendment Cause.

Gays are out of the closet to almost universal acceptance, Sex & Nudity on TV is the norm. Movies, Computer Games are the most violent that we have ever seen.

Desensitize

de·sen·si·tize (d

-s

n

s

-t

z

)
tr.v. de·sen·si·tized, de·sen·si·tiz·ing, de·sen·si·tiz·es 1. To render insensitive or less sensitive.
2. Immunology To make (an individual) nonreactive or insensitive to an antigen.
3. To make emotionally insensitive or unresponsive, as by long exposure or repeated shocks: "This movie in effect may resensitize people who thought they were desensitized to violence" (Steven Spielberg).
4. To make (a photographic film or substance) less sensitive to light.

People need to see guns in a setting other than what is portrayed on TV or the movies. The GUN never shoots anyone it's the individual.

The editorial was anti gun and the author had an agenda for his opinion of the evil gun

 

[MTC]

The editorial was anti gun and the author had an agenda for his opinion of the evil gun

Written by Josh Sugarmann. From the last paragraph:

Josh Sugarmann is executive director of the Violence Policy Center, a nonprofit educational organization working to reduce firearms violence in America.

A much older quote:

Assault weapons—just like armor-piercing bullets, machine guns, and plastic firearms—are a new topic. The weapons' menacing looks, coupled with the public's confusion over fully automatic machine guns versus semi-automatic assault weapons—anything that looks like a machine gun is assumed to be a machine gun—can only increase the chance of public support for restrictions on these weapons. In addition, few people can envision a practical use for these weapons."

-Josh Sugarmann, Assault Weapons and Accessories in America, 1988

 

[E5RANGER375]

so we can legaly fire warning shots? hmmmmm, cool, ive been missing out all these years. "edna, get me another beer, as soon as i finish this rambo movie, im gonna play me some wizards and warlocks on the computer, and then im gonna go shoot me some naked gays. buuuuurrrrrrrrrrp"

in all seriousness though while i know its our right to assemble and OC in groups. i dont know if walking down the street loaded up with guns sends out the right message. i think it may hurt the cause, especialy here in Indiana where we already have it better than most. i was gonna participate in the OC event in indy, but i didnt make it, and after i saw the pics im glad i didnt. sorry guys but to the average citizen driving buy, they just saw a bunch of guys with guns and didnt learn crap. i think your better off working the media, or paying for billboard and newspaper advertisement to raise awareness. slap it in their face "profesionaly" where they cant run away. this all coming from a guy who OC's everyday!

 

[rhino]

Ohio probably would not have a license/permit to carry (at least not as quickly) had the activists not held large-scale demonstrations where everyone carried openly (which was legal before they passed their carry law).

Oh, and Josh Sugarmann is an idiot and has been demonstrating that for years now.

 

[tem375]

i guess i am carrying out unknown wild wewst fantasies everyday if this person is right, what an idiot.

 

[ATM]

Exploiting loopholes in state laws that don't explicitly ban the open carrying of handguns and other firearms is an omission of default rather than design...

I've mentioned before that some folks consider our remaining freedoms as nothing more than loopholes which need to be closed.

This clown has obviously thought so for years. I wouldn't choose to live in a state he designed.

 

[bigcraig]

I dissapprove of open carry merely for fashion curtesy, as my black gun clearly clashes with my Magnum PI signature series shirt.

 

[rhino]

If you choose to open carry with a shirt like that, I submit to you that you have but one choice: a stock, 1911A1 stuck in the back of the waistband of a pair of those Navy SEAL/UDT shorts. You know, the super short shorts that give you a good package.

Oh, and sneakers with no socks.

 

[Greenmonsta79]

I personally like to OC my Mossberg 500 strapped to my thigh alla Mad Max
I kid I kid, I always though open carry was the way to go although I don't
If everyone saw that weapon then obviously they know not to F with you right? Only exception I could see where it would lend itself maybe a disadvantage would be where a robbery occurred very quickly and you were seen by said attacker and were seen as a threat and therefor put in a situation before you could plan a attack.

 

[Bill of Rights]

Expat, I don't think anyone that has responded is implying that you shouldn't have posted this. My post wasn't a rebuttal to you, simply a rhetorical rebuttal.

Some people (general statement) seem to think that a person who carries has to have some form of negative agenda for doing so. I don't have a negative agenda.

Mental health professionals call that "projection".

 

[88GT]

I posted this because I really do think it is important that we realize the impression the some parts of the general public still have about guns in general and these open carry demonstrations specifically.

Their inadequacies in logic and rational thought are not my problem.

 

[38special]

1. Armed mobs? Really? Can't say I felt the "mob mentality" at the open-carry rally in Indy at ALL.

2. Eager to brandish firearms? I don't open carry to say "hey, look at me!" The idea is to get people used to GOOD GUYS carrying guns.

3. Exploiting a loophole? States don't explicitly ban the use of a toothbrush. The nonexistence of a law does NOT constitute a loophole!

4. Wild West Fantasy? This dude watches too much TV. I'm not shooting up bars and brothels picking fights with everybody. I'm bringing awareness to people that GOOD GUYS carry guns too, and it's entirely legal.

5. Thumbing our noses at societal norms? This guy also likely believes in a person right to be flagrantly gay or express themselves with all-black clothing.

 

[TRWXXA]

I wish we were living in the "wild west".

It wasn't as "wild" as Hollywood likes to portray it. Literacy rate was higher than it is in major cities, TODAY! With the exception of a few "boom towns", crime rates were actually lower than in today's urban areas (and it's funny how those violent boom towns also seemed to have some sort of gun control ordinances in effect). Criminals were dealt with swiftly and HARSHLY!!!

And just imagine how polite people were to their fellow citizens when everyone was going "healed".