re: which OBer open carrying in walmart scaried a customer

What so many, including myself, struggle with is, at what point do we stand up for our rights against the unwarranted discrimination as listed above? How much farther do we allow the baseline for normal to be pushed in the wrong direction so we don't infringe on someone's perception and fear?


When other legally performed actions and habits by the general public may be considered offensive, disgraceful, or fearful, the current trend is to educate, preach tolerance, or belittle those that find the actions offensive, disgraceful, and fearful. All the while those participating in these issues or actions make every effort to more blatantly increase the frequency and volume of said actions.

And guess what? Those tactics are working for them.

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Political battles aren't won by "in your face" activism

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Go tell the gays, they didn't get the memo.. Maybe they were too busy making "in your face" activism win political battles

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And guess what? Those tactics are working for them

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How about using the same tactics they have used? "They" have convinced not only the public, but politicians and some big city LEO officials to put restrictions on second amendment rights.

It's a PR war, the second amendment supporters need to fight with their pocketbook and PR tools the other side has used for so long.

"In your face" activism will backfire. We don't control the narrative.

This is obviously a topic that we, as the mature OB members, are going to have to agree to disagree on. You wont convince BP and I that we should shy away from practicing our freedoms, and we wont convince you that some folks actually do it for their own personal reasons and aren't out to make a statement or prove a point

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You wont convince BP and I that we should shy away from practicing our freedoms, and we wont convince you that some folks actually do it for their own personal reasons and aren't out to make a statement or prove a point

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You don't have to shy away, but don't be shocked when some people take offense to it

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You wont convince BP and I that we should shy away from practicing our freedoms,

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I absolutely think people should feel free to practice their rights, with common sense.

Open carry in public spaces could lead to an erosion of your rights. I think that's a fairly accurate statement seeing who controls the narrative.

Simply because something is allowed doesn't mean it's always prudent.

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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.

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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.

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Some are simply suggesting that you be a little more discreet, so as not to turn the tide of public opinion against gun owners

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Yep. Unfortunately some will see this as "rolling over."

1n the 1960's a lot of radicals learned their point of view could be better expressed by putting people in power, academia and the media than it could demonstrating and rioting. Years later, things people couldn't conceive 50 years ago have come to pass.

There are times to demonstrate and times to use discretion. Sometimes the former works against your cause. I think this is one of those cases.

I, as a tax paying contributor to society, am pretty of tired of everyone telling me I have to accept their lifestyle and agendas that they continue to push in my face, but those same people wont accept my lifestyle in the same way.

Rolling over- its what Americans are doing on a daily basis.

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who the hell gets to decide whats unreasonable?? you?

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common sense? tact?