Saw another OC!

[gringo pistolero]

TAM,

When the fanatics are challenged with common sense, they become uncommonly upset.

Frankly, I wonder if they're part of the anti crowd...or just plain stupid?

For more than ten years, I have wondered the same thing about Texans who oppose decriminalizing non-concealed handguns.

[Seabear]

Open carry of handguns simply doesn't bother me. Open carry of long guns in an appropriate context doesn't bother me. Open carrying an M1A in a Sage stock into a Target Superstore is not an appropriate context.

Although handguns are almost certainly used in crimes more than long guns, the general perception I think (and probably the correct one) is that handguns are for personal defense, and long guns are more of an offensive weapon. I make no value judgement at all. I own both kinds. But I AM reminded of the old story about a Texas Ranger who shows up at a social function in uniform, with a sidearm strapped on. A matron approaches him disapprovingly and says "why do you have a pistol? Are you expecting trouble?" And he replies, "No ma'm, if I was expecting trouble I would have brought a rifle".

And THAT is exactly what these long gun OC protestors are overlooking...... no, not "overlooking" so much as refusing to admit the obvious because it is inconvenient to their under-brained massive egos.... that it's bad enough that they walk into a Target with a long gun slung over their shoulder, but that almost universally they are doing so with guns that LOOK like a battle rifle to the uninitiated.....and that they are expecting trouble.

And they KNOW it. They could carry Ruger 10/22s, or Marlin 60s, or Over and Under Browning Citori, or Remington 700 bolt rifles. But they don't. They are almost universally carrying AR15s, AK47s, M1As, SKSs, and FALs......or if it is a shotgun, they're carrying a clearly combat designed black shotgun with an extended magazine tube. It is really hard to avoid the obvious conclusion that they are compensating for a lack of adequacy in.....ahem.....other areas....

I've got no problem with those kinds of guns. I own a few of them myself. I've got no problem with "tacticool". Some of my stuff is "tacticool". But I do have a brain, and I DO understand that, not only are some people not going to share my particular tastes in firearms, they are going to be downright scared to death of guns that LOOK like they were made for the jungles of Vietnam, the deserts of Iraq, and the mountains of Afghanistan. It. Does. Not. Matter. if these are the civilian versions of those weapons......most civilians don't know that, and those guns scare the pee out of them.

Anybody who insists in the face of common sense that they just don't see that is just squeezing their eyes shut and refusing to see reality.

I have been VERY busy this season with Fishing Guide biz. I have been reading but seldom log in to make a comment. I want to say that as usual I 100% agree with you TAM on this subject. AS usual you have a very intelligent and honest response. Way to go my friend!