Hand Guns Carried Open - - - - >>

[schmedy]

We have legal open and concealed carry in VT, they did a "study" a few years back where they had a guy walk down Church St in Burlington (major outdoor shopping area) with a handgun on his hip in a holster, and following him about 30 feet back was a video camera to get peoples reaction. This was supposed to get the shock from people about people carrying firearms in public, and most people didn't even give the guy a glance, but they flocked around the camera to see what was being taped. If you are able to own a gun then a person carrying one shouldn't bother you.

 

[dougp]

I think it's funny that they had to point out they're white ... if they said any minority, it'd be claimed racist!

 

[slag]

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Wait, these people are in a militia? If not, the 2nd ammendment does not pertain to them.

/popcorn

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
cops carry, and i trust them about as much as i trust the average guy, so i must say no big deal

qft

 

[JakwoW]

Doesn't bother me because I likely have mine in my pocket anyway.

I don't carry open though. Draws WAY too much attention and kinda goes against the point.

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: Nik
Nope, doesn't make me nervous at all. I've seen one in Hillsboro, but open cary is illegal in Beaverton and Portland. Dude I saw in Hillsboro had it on his belt, was an off-duty cop. Said hello in passing, asked what he was carrying. Must be nice to be a cop, he was packing 40cal hydros :shocked:

Anyone can buy Federal HS ammo. Too much $$$ for me though. This is what I run day to day in my Sigma. Great cartridge and great price too!

 

[daniel1113]

Nope. I used to do it all the time until I moved to Texas.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: slag
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Wait, these people are in a militia? If not, the 2nd ammendment does not pertain to them.

/popcorn

Back then, everyone was the militia. There were no "state militias" established until much later.

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: slag
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Wait, these people are in a militia? If not, the 2nd ammendment does not pertain to them.

/popcorn

Title 10: Section 311 of the United States Code states:

The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

I automatically assume every person around me has a weapon. Why would I be nervous about being right?

 

[duragezic]

What?! I heard about open carry without permit being legal in some places, but I didn't believe it. 44 states? Wow.

I lived in Michigan for until I was 22 and I never once seen a civilian with a holstered handgun. Is it just extremely rare because people don't want to draw attention to themselves and do concealed carry if they want a weapon on them?

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: Analog
I was in a McDonalds once when someone was carrying in the open - I wasn't comfortable - and I'm a gun rights person. I think it makes you a target.

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http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs...80725/NEWS06/807250352


HASTINGS -- Most of us probably don't know it, but Michigan is among the 44 states where it's legal to carry a gun in public without a permit.
Advertisement

To make that point, about 40 gun advocates walked out of Richie's Koffee Shop Inc. late Thursday afternoon with handguns holstered at their sides, part of a small but growing national movement to stand up for the constitutional right to bear arms. They strolled down this tidy west Michigan town's main street, barely causing a stir among passing motorists and pedestrians.

When they finished, the group -- mostly white men -- gathered around a fountain at the Barry County Courthouse and heard a red-meat, pro-Second Amendment speech by organizer Skip Coryell, 50, who wore his .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun openly for the first time and extolled the virtues of carrying a weapon.

"Look at all the people around you carrying guns and not a criminal in sight," said Coryell, a gun instructor and self-styled publisher who lives near Holland. "Quite frankly, I don't feel criminals would feel comfortable among us right now." He said educating people about their right to carry guns openly is the "next wave of the Second Amendment."

The event, tinged with local gun politics, was the latest statement from gun advocates around the country to promote and defend the open toting of handguns.

Earlier this summer, a small group caused a minor stir when they showed up to picnic at a park near Flint wearing holsters on their hips. On Sunday, 10 people made headlines in Boise, Idaho, when they carried handguns into the local zoo.

Peter Hamm, spokesman for the Brady Campaign, the largest U.S. gun control organization, said he doesn't dispute the legal right to carry weapons openly but thinks those who demonstrate for such rights are pushy and aggressive. Does he think this way of other protesters or just 2nd amendment protesters?

"Their No. 1 mission seems to be making other people nervous," he said. "That's a little childish. Of all the issues that need volunteerism in this country, in Michigan, in Detroit, you'd think people would find a more useful way to use their volunteer hours than walking around showing they have a gun." lol, what? it's certainly not their intention for 99.9% of the people who do carry. WHat does carryign a gun in the open have to do with volunteering?

Organizers said they were defying Hastings Police Chief Jerry Sarver, whom they say wants to stifle their gun rights.

Sarver, who's running for Barry County sheriff, denies that he wants to step on anyone's rights and acknowledged that Michigan law allows people to carry their handguns in a holster. That's amazing. most police officers (at least in PA) seem to be clueless about gun laws - even goign as far to say that open carry is illegal, which it isn't.

"We're not going to interfere with them," Sarver said before the rally. "I think that's what they want." It's not what they want, although it's what happens a lot of times when the sheep get scared when they see a big bad evil gun. In most stories I've heard of open carry and the police, the police have no regard for constitutional rights.

The event was heavily promoted on the Web site OpenCarry.org, the premier place on the Internet for those who like their pistols at their side. Web site cofounder Mike Stollenwerk, a retired Army officer, said he and partner John Pierce started the site in 2004 out of a mutual interest in U.S. gun laws.

"It's a couple of geeky guys who put together some maps and a database, and it became a movement," Stollenwerk said.

Stollenwerk said the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that assured the right of individuals to own and carry guns stoked some interest in the open-carry movement, but he added that it's been growing on its own.

His Web site has more than 8,500 registered members and has been attracting 600,000 visitors a month, he said.

The Hastings event was posted, and this week Stollenwerk issued a news release about it that suggested a looming confrontation in the streets. It didn't happen.

Heather Reed, 37, of Middleville, an unemployed animal-control officer, was among about a half dozen women who participated in Thursday's event.

"I enjoy the freedom of the Second Amendment and I want to make a point that women ought to be able to defend themselves," said Reed, who packed an inoperable two-shot black powder antique derringer she had borrowed. "Right now I can't afford the .38 I want."

Another gun toter was Alex Walden, 73, a retired dairy farmer who lives near Hastings and often carries his .32 caliber pistol with him in his holster. He said it makes him feel safer.

About 155,000 Michiganders -- about one in every 75 -- have permits to carry concealed weapons. They must first pass an approved gun safety course -- something those who carry their weapons in the open aren't required to do.

Carrying a gun openly in public doesn't require a permit, though people who want to purchase a handgun must fill out a form and turn it in to their local police or sheriff's department. The police agency is to check the buyer's background and issue a permit good for 10 days, according to the Michigan State Police Web site.

In 2002, Michigan's law changed to require county gun boards to issue concealed weapon permits to adults who passed an approved safety course and did not have criminal records. Prior to the change, gun boards could deny permits for any reason.

Dave Stevens, 56, a high school teacher and an NRA instructor with a shooting range in his backyard, holds a concealed weapons permit and usually would rather carry his handgun out of sight.

"I don't want to advertise. You make yourself a target if you do."

Still, on Thursday, he carried a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic in the open. well duh, he's supporting the right to open carry at an event doing just that.

While the event brought some business to the restaurant where she works, Desarai Haight, 23, a waitress at Richie's, said it left her a little nervous.

"I think there should be some kind of screening or test to make sure people who carry weapons are of sound mind," she said. people with criminal history or mental issues aren't allowed to even purchase a gun. isn't that good enough? Why should she be afraid of law abiding citizens exercising their constitutional right? Is she afraid of the people who are carrying or is she afraid of the "big, bad, evil gun"?

 

[eleison]

Originally posted by: 43st
Anyone who self appoints themselves with the right to take another persons life is a problem, regardless if they flaunt it in public or not.

Every time I ride my bike on chicago's streets, numerous drivers can run me over and take away my life... but they don't ... so yea.. I'm ok with the public having firearms.

 

[0roo0roo]

flaunting it is vulgar.

 

[pontifex]

also, why is one of the poll options the sound a horse makes?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: child of wonder
People having guns don't scare me. What scares me is that they might also be driving around in a big SUV, with "W '04," "WWJD?," and anti-evolution bumper stickers on their way to their local schoolboard meeting to push "Intelligent Design" into schools and vote for politicians on religious grounds.

:thumbsup: Agreed, except about the SUV bit (their choice if they want to spend extra on gasoline).

ZV

 

[woodie1]

I've no problem with it.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: slag
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Wait, these people are in a militia? If not, the 2nd ammendment does not pertain to them.

/popcorn

DC vs Heller. Link.

ZV

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: LS8

Originally posted by: slag
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Wait, these people are in a militia? If not, the 2nd ammendment does not pertain to them.

/popcorn

Title 10: Section 311 of the United States Code states:

The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

I was not aware of the referenced Code however the aforementioned part of the Constitution should be clear to anyone with adequate reading comprehension. That is, since a militia is necessary then civilians must be armed for it to be possible. It neither states nor implies that only members may be armed.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: Analog
I was in a McDonalds once when someone was carrying in the open - I wasn't comfortable - and I'm a gun rights person. I think it makes you a target.

------------
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs...80725/NEWS06/807250352


"Look at all the people around you carrying guns and not a criminal in sight," said Coryell, a gun instructor and self-styled publisher who lives near Holland. "Quite frankly, I don't feel criminals would feel comfortable among us right now."

Bet he didn't know 7 of the 40 were cheating on their taxes, 3 stole regularly from supplies at work, 2 had killed men and burried the bodies that were never discovered and 9 of them molest their children.

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: Auric

Originally posted by: LS8

Originally posted by: slag
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Wait, these people are in a militia? If not, the 2nd ammendment does not pertain to them.

/popcorn

Title 10: Section 311 of the United States Code states:

The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

I was not aware of the referenced Code however the aforementioned part of the Constitution should be clear to anyone with adequate reading comprehension. That is, since a militia is necessary then civilians must be armed for it to be possible. It neither states nor implies that only members may be armed.

You would certainly think so.

 

[spidey07]

If anything it makes me feel ever MORE safe and secure.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: spidey07
If anything it makes me feel ever MORE safe and secure.

as long as it aint this guy

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
flaunting it is vulgar.

Flaunting freedom of speech is pretty vulgar too, so shut the hell up. Stop expressing your opinion.

 

[Kirby]

I'm not scared of guns, so no.