Posted on Jun 9, 2014
An Open Letter to the Open Carry Community: Let’s Talk
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One of my leftist hoplophobe friends asked me to speak out about a trend that she finds terrifying. Since I agree with her (in his case), I obliged.
I have my asbestos undies on.
I have my asbestos undies on.
Firearms and Guns
Gun Control
Freedom
Open Carry
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
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I know this is an older post, and no I have not read all the responses but I have to say this. First off, I agree with most people that the open carry movement has been hijacked by a bunch of idiots who just want to take pictures at Starbucks with their mocha frocha gellato or whatever the hell it is they have in there. But that is not how or why it started.
Open Carry Texas gets a LOT of bad press (see the idiots described above for the reasons why), but how many people know why Open Carry Texas and similiar groups her got started? Was it because of a soldier arrested for walking down a country road with an AR? Nope. Was it because a guy that owned a tacticool shop in a mall was arrested for carrying his AR? Nope. Was it because people just wanted to wave their guns around just because they can? Nope. Here in the firearm friendly state of Texas it is perfectly legal for my to walk around with a long rifle or shotgun, as long as I do not carry it in a manner "calculated to cause alarm.". With a permit, I can concealed carry my pistol. What I cannot do legally is open carry my pistol off my property. Think about that for a minute. It is legal for me with no license or anything to carry my AR, AK, Enfield, Mosin, my shotguns, or any of my other rifles but not a pistol. I can concealed carry (with a permit) a pistol, but I cannot open carry it at all. If I own a firearm that is not a firearm (such as a pre 1899 black powder pistol or a black powder replica of a pre 1899) then I can legally open carry it without a permit. So I can carry a black powder pistol, an AR, but not any of my other pistols. Is it starting to make sense on why some of us here in Texas think the law is, well stupid? Do you see why we want it changed so we have the right to legally open carry a pistol if we decide to do so? The open carry of long guns was to point out to the media, voters, and most importantly our elected officials how stupid these laws are and that it is time to change it. And it's working. Gov. elect Abbot has said he will sign an open carry bill when it reaches his desk. And afterwards, I would expect all the starbucks idiots to start to fade away and go back to hanging out at their local tacticool shops talking about how they beat some 12 year old in whatever video game they are playing these days....
Open Carry Texas gets a LOT of bad press (see the idiots described above for the reasons why), but how many people know why Open Carry Texas and similiar groups her got started? Was it because of a soldier arrested for walking down a country road with an AR? Nope. Was it because a guy that owned a tacticool shop in a mall was arrested for carrying his AR? Nope. Was it because people just wanted to wave their guns around just because they can? Nope. Here in the firearm friendly state of Texas it is perfectly legal for my to walk around with a long rifle or shotgun, as long as I do not carry it in a manner "calculated to cause alarm.". With a permit, I can concealed carry my pistol. What I cannot do legally is open carry my pistol off my property. Think about that for a minute. It is legal for me with no license or anything to carry my AR, AK, Enfield, Mosin, my shotguns, or any of my other rifles but not a pistol. I can concealed carry (with a permit) a pistol, but I cannot open carry it at all. If I own a firearm that is not a firearm (such as a pre 1899 black powder pistol or a black powder replica of a pre 1899) then I can legally open carry it without a permit. So I can carry a black powder pistol, an AR, but not any of my other pistols. Is it starting to make sense on why some of us here in Texas think the law is, well stupid? Do you see why we want it changed so we have the right to legally open carry a pistol if we decide to do so? The open carry of long guns was to point out to the media, voters, and most importantly our elected officials how stupid these laws are and that it is time to change it. And it's working. Gov. elect Abbot has said he will sign an open carry bill when it reaches his desk. And afterwards, I would expect all the starbucks idiots to start to fade away and go back to hanging out at their local tacticool shops talking about how they beat some 12 year old in whatever video game they are playing these days....
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I agree with you all the way, your just saying be practical and courteous at the ssame time.
I teach C&C and I really bear down on the safety portion more thann annthing else.Down in your part of the nation it would not be surprising to see a hand or a rancher come to town for supplies and dressed the way he normally does might be carrying open, but he would be the first to lock it in the truck if asked.
you are also right every time they pass something they play CYAP and some of all of it infringes on our 2nd. amendment rights.Good article.
jim
I teach C&C and I really bear down on the safety portion more thann annthing else.Down in your part of the nation it would not be surprising to see a hand or a rancher come to town for supplies and dressed the way he normally does might be carrying open, but he would be the first to lock it in the truck if asked.
you are also right every time they pass something they play CYAP and some of all of it infringes on our 2nd. amendment rights.Good article.
jim
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I have to agree the two wannabes in the sandwich shop are over the top. They claim to be making a statement to support the 2nd amendment. Likely they’re a couple of dorks that didn’t have the nads to join the military, but constantly fantasize about a zombie apocalypse. That being said, I do support their right to carry openly. I don’t like it and would like to slap them both, but I don’t want people controlling my life based on their personal likes and dislikes. I carry concealed everyday even though it’s legal to do so in New Hampshire. I like to be low key and if God forbid I ever have to use it then surprise would likely help me.
I’ve read a few posts supporting mandatory training and only responsible people being allowed to carry. While training is advised before using any dangerous tool, I have a problem with it being mandated. For low income people is the government going to provide the training for free? People living in low income areas tend to have a higher need for a firearm due to higher crime rates. As far as only responsible people carrying, who’s going to decide who’s a responsible/suitable person? What’s the criteria? Joe veteran has PTS, so I guess he’s too unstable to carry. Timmy got caught with a bag of weed at 15 years old, so I guess he’s unsuitable. Mikey pissed of his wife one night and she called the cops claiming abuse, now he’s unsuitable. I don’t want big brother determining how and when I exercise my God given rights.
To answer one person that said good hunters don’t mow down deer with an AK-47 or an AR-15. It’s already been explained that both civilian versions of these rifles are semi-automatic. To add to that, I coyote hunt with my one of my ARs. The 5.56mm/.223cal is a very popular round for hunting game of this size. While the rifle looks scary the cartridge is not nearly as powerful as grandad’s 30.06 bolt action. The Ak-47 fires a 7.62X39 cartridge. The ballistics are very similar to the 30-30 cartridge. The 30-30 is a very popular deer cartridge. The benefit to both of these rifles would be the ability for a faster follow up shot. If the first shot isn’t clean the second shot can put the animal down for a humane kill. Believe it or not, most hunters don’t down a 12 pack of Coors and start blasting at everything that moves in the woods.
I’ve read a few posts supporting mandatory training and only responsible people being allowed to carry. While training is advised before using any dangerous tool, I have a problem with it being mandated. For low income people is the government going to provide the training for free? People living in low income areas tend to have a higher need for a firearm due to higher crime rates. As far as only responsible people carrying, who’s going to decide who’s a responsible/suitable person? What’s the criteria? Joe veteran has PTS, so I guess he’s too unstable to carry. Timmy got caught with a bag of weed at 15 years old, so I guess he’s unsuitable. Mikey pissed of his wife one night and she called the cops claiming abuse, now he’s unsuitable. I don’t want big brother determining how and when I exercise my God given rights.
To answer one person that said good hunters don’t mow down deer with an AK-47 or an AR-15. It’s already been explained that both civilian versions of these rifles are semi-automatic. To add to that, I coyote hunt with my one of my ARs. The 5.56mm/.223cal is a very popular round for hunting game of this size. While the rifle looks scary the cartridge is not nearly as powerful as grandad’s 30.06 bolt action. The Ak-47 fires a 7.62X39 cartridge. The ballistics are very similar to the 30-30 cartridge. The 30-30 is a very popular deer cartridge. The benefit to both of these rifles would be the ability for a faster follow up shot. If the first shot isn’t clean the second shot can put the animal down for a humane kill. Believe it or not, most hunters don’t down a 12 pack of Coors and start blasting at everything that moves in the woods.
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I have no problem with the open carry of handguns. When I was in NC, I was told by a bank teller that they'd rather see people exercising their open carry rights than turning to concealed carry. Their logic is that if someone is open carrying, they can see it, it's not a surprise and the person probably has no ill intent. It's when they see a firearm pop out from under a shirt or jacket that they start to get sketched out because then the "What is this person hiding" thought comes to mind.
I do feel that carrying a rifle or shotgun around town slung over your shoulder is over the top. There's no need to do that. You probably won't ever find yourself in a situation where having a long gun for self-defense outside of your home is needed or even practical.
The correlation made between open carry rights and gay rights is a big stretch. The Constitution states that every American citizen has the right to keep and bear arms. No where in the Constitution does it make any reference to sexual orientation. It doesn't say you can, nor does it say you can't swing one way or another. There are, however, laws against exposing your genitalia in public and any person with any common sense or reasonable amout of logical thought knows that outside of an establishment where people are paid to expose themselves, doing so is wrong and in most places against the law.
I do feel that carrying a rifle or shotgun around town slung over your shoulder is over the top. There's no need to do that. You probably won't ever find yourself in a situation where having a long gun for self-defense outside of your home is needed or even practical.
The correlation made between open carry rights and gay rights is a big stretch. The Constitution states that every American citizen has the right to keep and bear arms. No where in the Constitution does it make any reference to sexual orientation. It doesn't say you can, nor does it say you can't swing one way or another. There are, however, laws against exposing your genitalia in public and any person with any common sense or reasonable amout of logical thought knows that outside of an establishment where people are paid to expose themselves, doing so is wrong and in most places against the law.
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Cpl Westin Sandberg
Well said Sgt, especially regarding the open carry/open pecker content. I understand and respect your opinion regarding the open carry of long rifles, though i have to respectfully disagree.
You seem to be at least acquainted with the words of the second amendment, but I for one am curious as to your comprehension... Are you aware that the second amendment was put in place to overthrow the government if it were to become corrupt, and destructive to the rights of the people? The idea was to have the citizens armed with the same or comparable weapons to the government if the need to Renew our liberties were to arise. I think all of us service members can agree, that if that scenario were to ever take place, people walking on the street would have a hard time dealing with the police, CIA, FBI, BLM, CDC, Highway Patrol, and any other acronym of government agencies you can think of, which all have pistols, shotguns, ARs, and more, if the populace can only walk around with what us vets would call "sidearms".
You seem to be at least acquainted with the words of the second amendment, but I for one am curious as to your comprehension... Are you aware that the second amendment was put in place to overthrow the government if it were to become corrupt, and destructive to the rights of the people? The idea was to have the citizens armed with the same or comparable weapons to the government if the need to Renew our liberties were to arise. I think all of us service members can agree, that if that scenario were to ever take place, people walking on the street would have a hard time dealing with the police, CIA, FBI, BLM, CDC, Highway Patrol, and any other acronym of government agencies you can think of, which all have pistols, shotguns, ARs, and more, if the populace can only walk around with what us vets would call "sidearms".
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SFC (Join to see)
Cpl, you and I are very much on the same page except on the last part of your post. If the time ever came where we the people had to rise up, I doubt it would be so spontaneous that we need to carry long guns with us at all times. I conceal carry do defend myself against criminals, not the government. If the government ever became the enemy, I’ll likely have plenty of time to go home and retrieve a more suitable firearm. The vast majority of self defense shootings have shown that a handgun is sufficient. I laugh at the comments online when people post the handgun is just to buy them time to get to their rifle. Where the hell do they live that is that dangerous?
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Cpl Dennis F.
@SFC Paul P. There have been through out recent history, times that American cities were statistically more dangerous than some of the combat environments of those same periods. I recall vets in RVN in the sixties saying they felt safer there than at home in Detroit during the riots of that era. Stranger things have happened. Just because you have not seen it happen, is no guarantee that you wont.
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Sgt Jason West
The problem and the original point behind Open Carry Texas is that it is legal to carry long rifles here, but not a pistol. The early marches and demonstrations were done to to point out the absurdity of our current law. Check out any of my many posts on open carry threads to learn more about why we are pushing this here in Texas.
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You claim to desire an open dialogue but then contradict yourself by using antagonizing and deeply offensive references.
Maybe you need to do some self reflection and determine what makes you so damn afraid of someone carrying a weapon in a non-threatening manner?
It's time to grow up.
Maybe you need to do some self reflection and determine what makes you so damn afraid of someone carrying a weapon in a non-threatening manner?
It's time to grow up.
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SSgt Michael Hacker
I did it to make a point. I'm quite well-grown already, thank you. If you didn't GET the point, maybe it's because the letter wasn't written TO you.
Being offended is a choice, not a requirement.
Being offended is a choice, not a requirement.
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SSgt (Join to see)
There was no need to respond Mr. Hacker. I don't care to talk to people who phrase in divisive ways.
Being divisive never carries the point you want to convey to your intended audience. It just pisses people off even more. So congratulations, you've wasted your time... unless your point was to pat yourself on the back for being yet another in the small chorus of people trying to denigrate those people who wish to exercise their rights.
Just out of curiosity, did you happen to RESEARCH why those gentlemen open carried MSRs instead of hand guns? That would be because it is illegal to open carry a handgun in Texas. What else are they going to open carry?
Like I said, grow up.
Being divisive never carries the point you want to convey to your intended audience. It just pisses people off even more. So congratulations, you've wasted your time... unless your point was to pat yourself on the back for being yet another in the small chorus of people trying to denigrate those people who wish to exercise their rights.
Just out of curiosity, did you happen to RESEARCH why those gentlemen open carried MSRs instead of hand guns? That would be because it is illegal to open carry a handgun in Texas. What else are they going to open carry?
Like I said, grow up.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Why did you troll? Your post is an OBVIOUS attempt to troll.
Your down vote just confirms you don't care for dialogue. It also shows you don't know how to respond when someone gives you feedback that you don't like. Must have struck a nerve.
As long as you act like a petulant child, you'll never be able to be taken seriously and you will never earn any respect.
Your down vote just confirms you don't care for dialogue. It also shows you don't know how to respond when someone gives you feedback that you don't like. Must have struck a nerve.
As long as you act like a petulant child, you'll never be able to be taken seriously and you will never earn any respect.
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