The Open Carry Argument

[Charleybravo56]

Great essay. I’ve always followed the ”the most dangerous weapon is the one you don’t see” theory.
Playing it both ways and reading your surroundings makes sense at this point. Thanks!

 

[KellyinAvon]

Great essay. I’ve always followed the ”the most dangerous weapon is the one you don’t see” theory.
Playing it both ways and reading your surroundings makes sense at this point. Thanks!

Use "Reply with Quote" so we know the post to which you are replying. I figure it's the Purple Pachyderm's last post, but I could be wrong.

 

[Dead Duck]

Great essay. I’ve always followed the ”the most dangerous weapon is the one you don’t see” theory.
Playing it both ways and reading your surroundings makes sense at this point. Thanks!

Oh...
You mean Syphilis.

 

[Trapper Jim]

You may be surprised how many people care.

That essay should be a sticky.

I’m amazed at how much energy, time and resources are spent on OC, CC, lasers, optics, trick guns, trick holsters, dremel tool gunsmithing, you tube college, prepper doomsday vaults, politics or the lack of it, tactics (define that one) gun shows, gunbroker, and yet so many overlook the foundation of attaining at least an expert rating in a shooting skill set. The only good thing about those peeps is it is nice that the range is less crowded.

 

[rhino]

Today I had the first negative reaction to open carry . . . of a small knife.

I was at the Goodrich Eastside 10 theater in Lafayette to see "Once Upon a Time . . . in Hollywood," and we have not seen a movie in a theater in a long, long time (conserving money). I was about to push my credit card into the scanner when the person behind the counter (a manager) said, "You can't be in here with your knife."

I responded, "Okay. Let's go," and we left.

I've never had a negative reaction to carrying a knife before. In this case, it was my Bark River Mini Kephart, a little fixed blade. I've been neck carrying it outside of my outer shirt for convenience lately because I'm using a conventional leather sheath hanging from a lanyard that won't allow me to reach under my shirt and pull it downward like I do with my Kydex rigs. The thing is not much more weapon-like than a Swiss Army Knife (in fact, the blade is almost the same size and shape as the 111 mm SAK models). It's just a really handy utility tool that is unsuited for use as a weapon (the grip is too short, etc). When people notice it, it's always been either good-natured teasing or a question or straightforward admiration of the knife and/or how I carry it.

I had previously considered my response to such challenges (about guns), so I did not spend any time wavering back and forth or asking questions. I did not consider going outside and taking it to the car or hiding it and then returning. I did not attempt to debate with them. They told me that I was not welcome on their premises, I acknowledged that I understood, and then voted with my dollars. My choice will not have any effect on that business's policies or behaviors, but I am consistent with my own principles.

 

[KLB]

Good for you. I am the same with my principles. Much of my family doesn't understand it, but they are learning to accept it.

 

[rhino]

Good for you. I am the same with my principles. Much of my family doesn't understand it, but they are learning to accept it.

Thank you, sir.

 

[jamil]

Today I had the first negative reaction to open carry . . . of a small knife.

I was at the Goodrich Eastside 10 theater in Lafayette to see "Once Upon a Time . . . in Hollywood," and we have not seen a movie in a theater in a long, long time (conserving money). I was about to push my credit card into the scanner when the person behind the counter (a manager) said, "You can't be in here with your knife."

I responded, "Okay. Let's go," and we left.

I've never had a negative reaction to carrying a knife before. In this case, it was my Bark River Mini Kephart, a little fixed blade. I've been neck carrying it outside of my outer shirt for convenience lately because I'm using a conventional leather sheath hanging from a lanyard that won't allow me to reach under my shirt and pull it downward like I do with my Kydex rigs. The thing is not much more weapon-like than a Swiss Army Knife (in fact, the blade is almost the same size and shape as the 111 mm SAK models). It's just a really handy utility tool that is unsuited for use as a weapon (the grip is too short, etc). When people notice it, it's always been either good-natured teasing or a question or straightforward admiration of the knife and/or how I carry it.

I had previously considered my response to such challenges (about guns), so I did not spend any time wavering back and forth or asking questions. I did not consider going outside and taking it to the car or hiding it and then returning. I did not attempt to debate with them. They told me that I was not welcome on their premises, I acknowledged that I understood, and then voted with my dollars. My choice will not have any effect on that business's policies or behaviors, but I am consistent with my own principles.

I can't help but make the obvious observation. Perhaps your reputation precedes you.

Kidding aside, it's getting ridiculous. I'd have left too. If I'm going back to my car, it certainly isn't to put the knife back.

 

[rhino]

I can't help but make the obvious observation. Perhaps your reputation precedes you.

Kidding aside, it's getting ridiculous. I'd have left too. If I'm going back to my car, it certainly isn't to put the knife back.

Haha! I didn't consider that she may have been concerned for my safety, knowing what could happen if I had the urge to trim a loose thread from my shirt. Good call, sir!

 

[KellyinAvon]

Today I had the first negative reaction to open carry . . . of a small knife.

I was at the Goodrich Eastside 10 theater in Lafayette to see "Once Upon a Time . . . in Hollywood," and we have not seen a movie in a theater in a long, long time (conserving money). I was about to push my credit card into the scanner when the person behind the counter (a manager) said, "You can't be in here with your knife."

I responded, "Okay. Let's go," and we left.

I've never had a negative reaction to carrying a knife before. In this case, it was my Bark River Mini Kephart, a little fixed blade. I've been neck carrying it outside of my outer shirt for convenience lately because I'm using a conventional leather sheath hanging from a lanyard that won't allow me to reach under my shirt and pull it downward like I do with my Kydex rigs. The thing is not much more weapon-like than a Swiss Army Knife (in fact, the blade is almost the same size and shape as the 111 mm SAK models). It's just a really handy utility tool that is unsuited for use as a weapon (the grip is too short, etc). When people notice it, it's always been either good-natured teasing or a question or straightforward admiration of the knife and/or how I carry it.

I had previously considered my response to such challenges (about guns), so I did not spend any time wavering back and forth or asking questions. I did not consider going outside and taking it to the car or hiding it and then returning. I did not attempt to debate with them. They told me that I was not welcome on their premises, I acknowledged that I understood, and then voted with my dollars. My choice will not have any effect on that business's policies or behaviors, but I am consistent with my own principles.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to rhino again.

 

[rhino]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to rhino again.

I repped you for him! Oh, wait.

 

[CPT Nervous]

Good for you. I am the same with my principles. Much of my family doesn't understand it, but they are learning to accept it.

Exactly. I haven't been to Ihop in a long time. I wanted to go with my fiance, so we went. Walking up to the door, I noticed a "No Weapons" sign. I turned around and we went back to the car, and went somewhere else.

Ihop doesn't even know that they lost my business. It's not about that. It's about principle. They had a decent military/first responder discount, at least at some point. But I shan't be returning.

Also, I haven't been in a Walmart in at least two years. I refuse to shop there.

 

[KellyinAvon]

I repped you for him! Oh, wait.

You funny man! A regular Bob Hope.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Walgreens is the latest to take their stance on the OC/CC debate, asking customers to not OC in their stores. Like Kroger and Walmart.

That's all this is. There's no reason to even come out and do this, OC is 100% irrelevant to any event that took place recently.

So they simply picked a side: CC.

For now.

 

[Dead Duck]

Walgreens is the latest to take their stance on the OC/CC debate, asking customers to not OC in their stores. Like Kroger and Walmart.

That's all this is. There's no reason to even come out and do this, OC is 100% irrelevant to any event that took place recently.

So they simply picked a side: CC.

For now.

OK....
But what's their stance on Glock vs 1911? .....or 45 vs 9mm?

 

[protias]

Walgreens is the latest to take their stance on the OC/CC debate, asking customers to not OC in their stores. Like Kroger and Walmart.

That's all this is. There's no reason to even come out and do this, OC is 100% irrelevant to any event that took place recently.

So they simply picked a side: CC.

For now.

Asking people to not do something has no force of law, especially if they don't post a "rob us" sign out front. Why don't they just put a "please don't rob or murder in our stores" sign out front?

 

[rhino]

I have a request for all.

Recently there has been an upswing in otherwise pro-RKBA people denigrating open carry and the people who choose to do it. The word "stupid" is frequently used, with prime example of Dana Loesch saying during her radio show that "open carry is stupid."

Regardless of how you feel about open carry or why, it's going to harm all of us if people keep marginalizing the people among us who choose open carry. IT'S GOING TO HARM ALL OF US because when open carry is successfully outlawed or effectively negated by public opinion, the same thing is going to happen to concealed carry.

So my request has two parts:

1. If you choose to open carry, please do so as responsibly and respectfully as possible (I leave the definition up to you). Like it or not, we're all being judged and at times you will receive additional scrutiny due to your choices. Please keep that in mind moving forward.
2. To those who object to open carry: please express your objections in a civil and respectful manner. If you choose to provide reasons, please qualify your opinions with acknowledgement that it's an opinion (e.g. you lose the "element of surprise," or "you'll be targeted first,"). Using words like "stupid" and attributing character flaws to people who choose differently from you not only reflects poorly on you, it will be used against all of us by those who seek to disarm us when they parade the "see what the other gun people think of this" to people who are as yet undecided on RKBA issues.

Thank you!

 

[wtburnette]

I completely agree with you rhino! While I choose to CC about 90% of the time I carry, I fully support open carry and will continue to do so. Everyone should have the freedom to choose to carry however they feel best works for them.

 

[d.kaufman]

I have a request for all.

Recently there has been an upswing in otherwise pro-RKBA people denigrating open carry and the people who choose to do it. The word "stupid" is frequently used, with prime example of Dana Loesch saying during her radio show that "open carry is stupid."

Regardless of how you feel about open carry or why, it's going to harm all of us if people keep marginalizing the people among us who choose open carry. IT'S GOING TO HARM ALL OF US because when open carry is successfully outlawed or effectively negated by public opinion, the same thing is going to happen to concealed carry.

So my request has two parts:

1. If you choose to open carry, please do so as responsibly and respectfully as possible (I leave the definition up to you). Like it or not, we're all being judged and at times you will receive additional scrutiny due to your choices. Please keep that in mind moving forward.
2. To those who object to open carry: please express your objections in a civil and respectful manner. If you choose to provide reasons, please qualify your opinions with acknowledgement that it's an opinion (e.g. you lose the "element of surprise," or "you'll be targeted first,"). Using words like "stupid" and attributing character flaws to people who choose differently from you not only reflects poorly on you, it will be used against all of us by those who seek to disarm us when they parade the "see what the other gun people think of this" to people who are as yet undecided on RKBA issues.

Thank you!

 

[Skywired]

I have a request for all.

Recently there has been an upswing in otherwise pro-RKBA people denigrating open carry and the people who choose to do it. The word "stupid" is frequently used, with prime example of Dana Loesch saying during her radio show that "open carry is stupid."

Regardless of how you feel about open carry or why, it's going to harm all of us if people keep marginalizing the people among us who choose open carry. IT'S GOING TO HARM ALL OF US because when open carry is successfully outlawed or effectively negated by public opinion, the same thing is going to happen to concealed carry.

So my request has two parts:

1. If you choose to open carry, please do so as responsibly and respectfully as possible (I leave the definition up to you). Like it or not, we're all being judged and at times you will receive additional scrutiny due to your choices. Please keep that in mind moving forward.
2. To those who object to open carry: please express your objections in a civil and respectful manner. If you choose to provide reasons, please qualify your opinions with acknowledgement that it's an opinion (e.g. you lose the "element of surprise," or "you'll be targeted first,"). Using words like "stupid" and attributing character flaws to people who choose differently from you not only reflects poorly on you, it will be used against all of us by those who seek to disarm us when they parade the "see what the other gun people think of this" to people who are as yet undecided on RKBA issues.

Thank you!

I totally agree. Although I choose to CC carry for a variety of reasons, I fully support and ADMIRE those who OC. At time it takes guts and tenacity to do so. Those who OC, in my estimation, are those who continue to "fly the flag" concerning our right to bear arms. And there is nothing STUPID about that!