Response to seeing open AR's and other guns

[revdej]

First, I'm all for open carry, even though I always conceal. Many open carriers choose to open carry as a political statement, carrying ARs and other assorted "big guns" in very public places where it's legal. Again, I'm ok with that as it is their right. HOWEVER, shooters with evil intent also carry "big guns" openly and proudly, just before blasting away in public. As concealed carriers and gun folks, if you see someone come into your restaraunt or coming near you in a parking lot with a lot of heavy fire power, what is your response? Does your SA go up? How do you let them make their statement but keep an eye on they just in case they are not a 2A mouth-piece, but a deranged psycho? Remember, I'm not talking about a gun club at starbucks with pistols strapped to their sides, but scenes like the teenager in Birmingham recently arrested because of his choice of carry equipment.

[MusaJames]

My SA would definitely go up. If the weapon is slung over his shoulder I don't think I would have a problem with that. However if he has the butt of the rifle tucked in his shoulder I might see that as way too aggressive. When I was Security Forces in the Air Force we weren't allowed to go into the PX because civilians were terrified of our M16A2's. I like the idea of Open carry but I don't see myself hanging around people that I don't know carrying weapons I am not sure they know how to use or their purpose.

[SGB]

I assume everyone I meet is armed.

"Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet." - Maj. Gen. James Mattis, USMC

Learning to read a person through body language is a skill associated with your situational awareness. It's the individual who is or isn't dangerous not the firearm.

"Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." - Col. Cooper

[Deserteagle]

I carried my M4 on my hiking trip and I am not a criminal and guess what? I didnt scare anyone!

So to your question- What is my response? I would be wondering what type of gun it is that the person is carrying.

[Iam2Taz]

Just be real careful where you point that thing.

[CRW]

I have never seen anyone carry a rifle in public other than military and LEOs. I see no reason anyone would want to carry one and if I did see that (in a public area, not while hiking) I would be a bit confused and you're damn right I will keep my eye on that individual.

[Bikenut]

First, I'm all for open carry, even though I always conceal. Many open carriers choose to open carry as a political statement, carrying ARs and other assorted "big guns" in very public places where it's legal. Again, I'm ok with that as it is their right. HOWEVER, shooters with evil intent also carry "big guns" openly and proudly, just before blasting away in public. As concealed carriers and gun folks, if you see someone come into your restaraunt or coming near you in a parking lot with a lot of heavy fire power, what is your response? Does your SA go up? How do you let them make their statement but keep an eye on they just in case they are not a 2A mouth-piece, but a deranged psycho? Remember, I'm not talking about a gun club at starbucks with pistols strapped to their sides, but scenes like the teenager in Birmingham recently arrested because of his choice of carry equipment.

My SA would definitely go up. If the weapon is slung over his shoulder I don't think I would have a problem with that. However if he has the butt of the rifle tucked in his shoulder I might see that as way too aggressive. When I was Security Forces in the Air Force we weren't allowed to go into the PX because civilians were terrified of our M16A2's. I like the idea of Open carry but I don't see myself hanging around people that I don't know carrying weapons I am not sure they know how to use or their purpose.

I have never seen anyone carry a rifle in public other than military and LEOs. I see no reason anyone would want to carry one and if I did see that (in a public area, not while hiking) I would be a bit confused and you're damn right I will keep my eye on that individual.

Jumpin' Jeepers in a wheat field!! That is the same damn thing the antis said about folks openly carrying an holstered pistol!

Now instead of total anti gunners being afraid to see a pistol we have gun owners afraid to see a rifle.

And I don't want to hear any crap about rifles don't belong being carried in cities/suburbs but only belong out in the woods because the antis say pistols don't belong in the cities/suburbs but only belong in your house... in the safe... unloaded... with the ammo locked inside a separate safe at the other end of the house... preferable the other end of your summer house 1000 miles away.

-sigh-

It's the right to bear arms.... not the right to only bear the arms that folks think are "reasonable", "appropriate", and "acceptable"... nor is there any mention of where bearing arms isn't "reasonable", "appropriate", and "acceptable".

I wish folks would stop trying to make other people keep and bear arms only according to what they think is ........

"reasonable", "appropriate", and "acceptable"....

because once we fall for that crap then all it takes is for someone powerful (government) to decide what is "reasonable", "appropriate", and "acceptable".

Oh wait... we all have been allowing the government to do that already because so many folks agree that unless they personally approve of the gun, who has the gun, or method of carry then it isn't .... "reasonable", "appropriate", and "acceptable".. someone should stop it.

"Shall not be infringed" not only means the government should not impose restrictions upon the right to bear arms... it also means folks should not allow public, or personal, opinions to restrict the right to bear arms.

Y'all don't think long gun carry in an urban environment is the thing to do? Don't see a reason to do it? Don't do it... but don't try to restrict others from exercising the right to bear arms (long guns are "arms") just because you don't like it.

By the way... in Michigan a person must be 21 to qualify for a concealed carry license so open carry is the ONLY option for a person 18 to 21. And when a person who isn't 21 yet doesn't own a pistol but does own a rifle... well... there is that pesky thing called the right to bear arms.. and a rifle IS an "arm".

[-06]

Can see absolutely no need to carry a rifle in public unless enroute to hunting/range/etc. Shopping center/etc. will get my immediate and close attention. Probably give the LEOs a call myself just to be on the safe side.

[SGB]

Can see absolutely no need to carry a rifle in public unless enroute to hunting/range/etc. Shopping center/etc. will get my immediate and close attention. Probably give the LEOs a call myself just to be on the safe side.

We fear what we don't understand and ridicule what we don't agree with. Because you wouldn't do it, it must be wrong even if it's lawful.

[Treo]

...troll....troll....troll