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re: which OBer open carrying in walmart scaried a customer

Posted on 2/17/14 at 12:32 pm to
Posted by Bleeding purple
Athens, Texas
Member since Sep 2007
25315 posts
Posted on 2/17/14 at 12:32 pm to
so the real problem is creating public fear.


There is a clear line between public fear and public panic. Yelling "FIRE" repeatedly in a crowded building will create public panic. This is an example of an intentioned action with a predictable result and thus is illegal.


Intentionally open carrying and drawing attention to your firearm and yourself in an effort to create concern is intended to create a reaction and id foolhardy at best and illegal if the weapon is brandished.

However, going about your day and open carrying for those of us that carry every day, is an action with no intent of causing public panic. True it may create some public fear for some members of the public. But we have strived in this country to move away from governing against illogically feared persons and objects.


I could easily say that a group of young black men wearing all red and black clothing with gang tats on their arms and necks, or a group of young Hispanics with clear gang tats and corresponding apparel, or a couple of skinny un-kept nervous mid 30 yr old whites with bad acne and black teeth and swastika tats, all create more logical fear than the illogical fear created by an open carried firearm.

Do we make these people conceal who they are? Do we make laws against their appearance? Do we do these things just because it scares some of the general public? Of course not. That would be discrimination, bigotry, and possibly racism.

Posted by Bleeding purple
Athens, Texas
Member since Sep 2007
25315 posts
Posted on 2/17/14 at 12:37 pm to
quote:

I agree with all of this but I believe you need to recognize that perception is everything. Most people, even gun owners, are not comfortable with open carry it is simply something they tolerate. there are numerous gun owners in this country that own nothing but a shotgun and they have an opinion that can be swayed either way. Those are the people that stop the Feds from limiting gun rights and those are the people we need to worry about. If they decide to start voting with the other side the battle is lost. To those people there is little difference between open carrying a revolver and carrying an AR on a sling.




Sadly this is also true.

Posted by WildTchoupitoulas
Member since Jan 2010
44071 posts
Posted on 2/17/14 at 1:32 pm to
quote:

so the real problem is creating public fear. There is a clear line between public fear and public panic. Yelling "FIRE" repeatedly in a crowded building will create public panic. This is an example of an intentioned action with a predictable result and thus is illegal. Intentionally open carrying and drawing attention to your firearm and yourself in an effort to create concern is intended to create a reaction and id foolhardy at best and illegal if the weapon is brandished. However, going about your day and open carrying for those of us that carry every day, is an action with no intent of causing public panic. True it may create some public fear for some members of the public. But we have strived in this country to move away from governing against illogically feared persons and objects. I could easily say that a group of young black men wearing all red and black clothing with gang tats on their arms and necks, or a group of young Hispanics with clear gang tats and corresponding apparel, or a couple of skinny un-kept nervous mid 30 yr old whites with bad acne and black teeth and swastika tats, all create more logical fear than the illogical fear created by an open carried firearm. Do we make these people conceal who they are? Do we make laws against their appearance? Do we do these things just because it scares some of the general public? Of course not. That would be discrimination, bigotry, and possibly racism.

You're missing my point.

I think Roger has hit the nail on the head.

I'm not against open carrying, I am against unreasonable open carrying because I fear it could lead to restrictions on carrying. You can make all of the most rational arguments you can think of, but when it comes down to public perception influencing the courts, reason and logic can take a back seat.

It's up to gun owners to police themselves, because if they don't, the State will police them.
Posted by DanTiger
Somewhere in Luziana
Member since Sep 2004
9480 posts
Posted on 2/17/14 at 1:34 pm to
quote:

But we have strived in this country to move away from governing against illogically feared persons and objects.


I totally disagree with this statement. I believe we are almost totally governed by illogical fear at this point.
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