More Open Carry Nonsense in Wisconsin

[bshole]

I wonder why these gun-nutters don't just move down south and leave the rest of us alone.

A local police department is flooded with calls after dash-cam video captures a man walking with a long gun.

He wasn’t breaking the law, but people in Germantown were scared at the sight.

Germantown Police Chief Peter Hoell calls William Polster’s behavior “risky.” He says, if you’re this passionate about gun rights, take a positive approach. Don’t scare people.

Dashcam video shows William Polster walking on the sidewalk. He has a shotgun on his back, and a handgun holstered on his hip.

Officers stopped Polster to see what he was doing. Turns out, he was trying to educate the public about their second amendment rights.
He’s gotten a mixed reaction.

“I’ve had people come up and talk,” says Polster. “I’ve had people just go on about their business. Obviously people called and complained.”
Dispatchers answered those calls. “I know it’s kind of threatening and scary, but he is within his legal right to open carry,” said one dispatcher.
Officers saw he wasn’t breaking any laws, so they let him go.

“Trying to educate someone by shocking them – that’s just going to build up walls,” explains Chief Hoell. “And people are going to back away from it.”

He suggests next time, try an educational approach. Join a rally or an open carry organization. Or, at the very least, give police a heads up. That way they can tell 911 callers you’re simply exercising your right to open carry.

Polster knows what he’s doing is controversial. Still, he’s going to keep exercising his right to bear arms.

http://www.jrn.com/tmj4/news/Man-in-Germantown-stopped-for-openly-carrying-guns-250544371.html

 

[boomerang]

Remember everyone, you don't need to reply to this post. You're just feeding the troll if you do.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I am all for more gun oversight but yes I shouldn't feed this. I do have to say the Police Chiefs statement was pretty appropriate:

Germantown Police Chief Peter Hoell calls William Polster’s behavior “risky.” He says, if you’re this passionate about gun rights, take a positive approach. Don’t scare people.

 

[PokerGuy]

So, exercising your rights is a problem? No, the guy broke no laws, the problem is the idiots that are so scared of <gasp> a holstered weapon or a shotgun that's not even being brandished that they call for help.

Unless the guy was doing something illegal, the complainers should STFU and move on.

 

[PokerGuy]

I am all for more gun oversight but yes I shouldn't feed this. I do have to say the Police Chiefs statement was pretty appropriate:

Germantown Police Chief Peter Hoell calls William Polster’s behavior “risky.” He says, if you’re this passionate about gun rights, take a positive approach. Don’t scare people.

So, you shouldn't exercise your rights because to someone else it might be "scary"? That's absurd. He's not breaking any laws.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

So, exercising your rights is a problem? No, the guy broke no laws, the problem is the idiots that are so scared of <gasp> a holstered weapon or a shotgun that's not even being brandished that they call for help.

Unless the guy was doing something illegal, the complainers should STFU and move on.

I think the point is he may have caused a confrontation with a Police officer that may have had a bad outcome. Maybe a better plan would have been to have the gun in a bag or even not taking a stroll with it.

**crap I just fed this thread again**
I'm out, I promise

 

[fskimospy]

So, exercising your rights is a problem? No, the guy broke no laws, the problem is the idiots that are so scared of <gasp> a holstered weapon or a shotgun that's not even being brandished that they call for help.

Unless the guy was doing something illegal, the complainers should STFU and move on.

And Fred Phelps is just exercising his first amendment rights when he pickets the funerals of dead soldiers. Anyone who thinks Fred Phelps is being an asshole should just STFU.

Just because something is legal for you to do doesn't mean that you aren't an asshole for doing it. I believe that everyone has a constitutional right to own a gun and I also believe that this guy is a total douche for doing this.

 

[dphantom]

&#8220;Trying to educate someone by shocking them &#8211; that&#8217;s just going to build up walls,&#8221; explains Chief Hoell. &#8220;And people are going to back away from it.&#8221;

He suggests next time, try an educational approach. Join a rally or an open carry organization. Or, at the very least, give police a heads up. That way they can tell 911 callers you&#8217;re simply exercising your right to open carry.

This is how he should have handled it.

For those scared of guns, just lock your doors and shut your blinds. Keep you from seeing those scary black things.

 

[BUnit1701]

"In the way we have changed our attitudes towards cigarettes... that's what I think we need to do with guns."
"..and really just brainwash people into thinking about guns in a vastly different way" -Eric Holder 1995

Its all by design, get everyone wetting their pants at just the presence of a gun, and before long the drones are clamoring for them to be confiscated.

 

[Knowing]

So, you shouldn't exercise your rights because to someone else it might be "scary"? That's absurd. He's not breaking any laws.

That's kinda what I'm drawing from it. It's not illegal but it should be on a de-facto basis until we make it legit. It appears to be the natural result of the "you don't need that" mentality.

 

[thraashman]

This is almost as scary as playing loud music while black, since apparently that's threatening enough to kill over.

 

[thraashman]

And Fred Phelps is just exercising his first amendment rights when he pickets the funerals of dead soldiers. Anyone who thinks Fred Phelps is being an asshole should just STFU.

Just because something is legal for you to do doesn't mean that you aren't an asshole for doing it. I believe that everyone has a constitutional right to own a gun and I also believe that this guy is a total douche for doing this.

Fairly accurate assessment. Good analogy.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

LOL


Fact is, CCW and open carry rates have skyrocketed for years.

Gun sales are the strongest they've been in modern times.

Every time we have a 'gun grabber event' (sandy hook etc) gun sales go through the roof.



Bottom line, is america loves guns. This new young generation loves guns. Any logical person realizes that a gun itself is not dangerous, no more dangerous than acid or knives or any other "tool".



So... Get nice and comfy with the fact that guns are deeply embedded in our society and culture, and aren't going anywhere.

 

[bradly1101]

It's like the wild West all over again. Woohoo!

 

[PokerGuy]

And Fred Phelps is just exercising his first amendment rights when he pickets the funerals of dead soldiers. Anyone who thinks Fred Phelps is being an asshole should just STFU.

Actually, yes, that's correct. If someone calls 911 and complains about Phelps and his disgusting ilk doing their usual thing, they are complete idiots and need to STFU and move on.

Just because something is legal for you to do doesn't mean that you aren't an asshole for doing it.

Sure, but being an ass is NOT illegal, so the people calling 911 and complaining are idiots. Unless you see someone do something illegal or in need of help, why call 911? Just because it looks "scary"? Absurd. We need more of this, not less, so people can get over their irrational phobias and just get accustomed to seeing it.

 

[Knowing]

It's like the wild West all over again. Woohoo!

The wild west is a myth.

 

[fskimospy]

LOL

Fact is, CCW and open carry rates have skyrocketed for years.

Gun sales are the strongest they've been in modern times.

Every time we have a 'gun grabber event' (sandy hook etc) gun sales go through the roof.

Bottom line, is america loves guns. This new young generation loves guns. Any logical person realizes that a gun itself is not dangerous, no more dangerous than acid or knives or any other "tool".

So... Get nice and comfy with the fact that guns are deeply embedded in our society and culture, and aren't going anywhere.

Funny thing is that this is the opposite of reality. The GSS reported rate of household gun ownership has been steadily declining for years, with some of the steepest declines coming from those under 30. (it has fallen more than 50% since the 1970's from 47% to 23%)

What appears to have been happening is that people who already own guns are buying a lot more of them, while overall percentages of those who own them in society has declined somewhat.

I don't think guns are going anywhere either, but your post is based on some pretty wrongheaded ideas.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us/rate-of-gun-ownership-is-down-survey-shows.html

 

[PokerGuy]

Basically, some people seem to be advocating the position that because some have an irrational fear of guns, other people should not exercise their constitutional rights.

Would you be as comfortable advocating restrictions on exercising other constitutional rights because someone else might be uncomfortable with it??

"Hey, you 10 guys getting together is a little scary. In the future, don't be an ass and assemble in a way that might be scary!"

 

[bshole]

LOL
Fact is, CCW and open carry rates have skyrocketed for years.

Gun sales are the strongest they've been in modern times.

Every time we have a 'gun grabber event' (sandy hook etc) gun sales go through the roof.

Bottom line, is america loves guns. This new young generation loves guns. Any logical person realizes that a gun itself is not dangerous, no more dangerous than acid or knives or any other "tool".

So... Get nice and comfy with the fact that guns are deeply embedded in our society and culture, and aren't going anywhere.

Yea we had a thread on here a few months ago where the cops gunned down a kid with a toy gun. They basically ran up behind him, yelled "drop the weapon" and then opened up. Kid was dead instantly.

So yea if you are stupid enough to want to express your 2nd ammendment rights by carrying an AR in public, feel free to do so. Be aware that there is a risk to your life that the cops are going to shoot you in the back and ask questions later. The cops are NEVER prosecuted for such shootings and they never lose their jobs over it.

So by all means, I would like to encourage all our friendly gun-nutters to kindly strap up, head down to the local elementary school and strut around with their brand new AKs. Gamble your lives that the police will respect your "rights", it will be interesting for the rest of us.

 

[fskimospy]

Actually, yes, that's correct. If someone calls 911 and complains about Phelps and his disgusting ilk doing their usual thing, they are complete idiots and need to STFU and move on.

Sure, but being an ass is NOT illegal, so the people calling 911 and complaining are idiots. Unless you see someone do something illegal or in need of help, why call 911? Just because it looks "scary"? Absurd. We need more of this, not less, so people can get over their irrational phobias and just get accustomed to seeing it.

No, we don't need more people acting like assholes in order to make people more comfortable with people acting like assholes. Similarly, we don't need more Fred Phelps's in the world to make us more comfortable with funeral protesting. Gun owners need to grow up; I swear they are their own worst enemies.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Yea we had a thread on here a few months ago where the cops gunned down a kid with a toy gun. They basically ran up behind him, yelled "drop the weapon" and then opened up. Kid was dead instantly.

So yea if you are stupid enough to want to express your 2nd ammendment rights by carrying an AR in public, feel free to do so. Be aware that there is a risk to your life that the cops are going to shoot you in the back and ask questions later. The cops are NEVER prosecuted for such shootings and they never lose their jobs over it.

So by all means, I would like to encourage all our friendly gun-nutters to kindly strap up, head down to the local elementary school and strut around with their brand new AKs. Gamble your lives that the police will respect your "rights", it will be interesting for the rest of us.

So what's your solution?? Disarm the police as well?

 

[bshole]

So what's your solution?? Disarm the police as well?

I think this a problem that takes care of itself. If the cops gun down enough gun-nutters in the back, they will get the message.

Remember a cop is legally allowed to kill you if they feel threatened by you. If you have an AR and they feel threatened, well then they have all the legal justification they need to open up. This was demonstrated by the kid who got lit up for having a fake gun. No blowback for the shooter whatsoever.

LOL!!!

 

[Knowing]

&#8220;I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.&#8221; - Evelyn Beatrice Hall

It's a shame that the modern definition of liberalism is often the exact opposite of it's origins.

LOL!!!

I fail to detect what is lol worthy about a law enforcement officer shooting an innocent child to death.

 

[z1ggy]

Feeding troll b/c it's fun and everybody loves a trainwreck.

 

[fskimospy]

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” - Evelyn Beatrice Hall

It's a shame that the modern definition of liberalism is often the exact opposite of it's origins.

I fail to detect what is lol worthy about a law enforcement officer shooting an innocent child to death.

That's very strange, where did you get that idea from this thread?

I know what I've said is that he absolutely has the right to do this, he's just acting like an asshole by doing it. Again, there are zillions of perfectly legal things you can do that are antisocial and shitty.

I mean his basic thought process as best as I can tell is: "people are frightened by strangers walking down the street armed with multiple weapons. I don't think they should be. Therefore I will frighten people until they think the way I do."

That's called being an asshole.