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The Annoyed Man wrote: THAT is the effect that these OC long gun demonstrations have on even people who might be erstwhile friends of the 2nd amendment. When I asked him at church today what his major objection was, he said "It's just too much "in your face", and I don't like it."

You could argue that his fear is irrational, but that is actually irrelevant because he is a college educated conservative who votes, and he would support passage of a law which does exactly the opposite of what the demonstrators intended. It alienated him. And that is somebody who is an erstwhile lukewarm ally, and at worst neutral. Imagine someone who is lukewarm against, or an outright enemy of the 2nd amendment.

Baby steps. It is the only rational way. These in your face protestors are going to destroy the movement.

As I said "don't scare the people"

SewTexas wrote:

The Annoyed Man wrote: THAT is the effect that these OC long gun demonstrations have on even people who might be erstwhile friends of the 2nd amendment. When I asked him at church today what his major objection was, he said "It's just too much "in your face", and I don't like it."

You could argue that his fear is irrational, but that is actually irrelevant because he is a college educated conservative who votes, and he would support passage of a law which does exactly the opposite of what the demonstrators intended. It alienated him. And that is somebody who is an erstwhile lukewarm ally, and at worst neutral. Imagine someone who is lukewarm against, or an outright enemy of the 2nd amendment.

Baby steps. It is the only rational way. These in your face protestors are going to destroy the movement.

As I said "don't scare the people"

Problem is the "lone wolf" type OC carry does. Perfect example...This man has the audacity to call himself a Texas patriot. Ill keep what I like to call him to myself.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=rzw8jW0aCys[/youtube]

You know I am not there. I am not in TX seeing the effects of the demonstrations. The OC rallies here are mostly low key and nearly no one notices. I am not fighting that battle (I have plenty of battles here in VA to fight). So you who are there, who have eyes and ears on the ground, would know better how to handle your particular situation.

In general I find OC to be a non-issue where it is legal and it seems a huge problem where it is not or is marginally legal. If you can get it, I highly recommend it.

mamabearCali wrote: In general I find OC to be a non-issue where it is legal and it seems a huge problem where it is not or is marginally legal. If you can get it, I highly recommend it.

It's an issue where it's legal also. You'll find the same sort of demonstrations in states where OC is already legal. Again, it goes back to the value of "exercised" rights. We don't think twice seeing someone who has a badge and a firearm, but we are often substantially alarmed if that someone isn't wearing blue. That difference causes problems.

Even in OC states, the same "solve the problem" charges can generally be applied. There are a few states that explicitly protect OC and prevent charges like "disturbing the peace" from being applied to situations where a firearm is displayed, but is not used a hostile manner. In most states, this isn't the case. I've looked at laws in Michigan on it - and they're complicated, especially when you take into account "no gun" zones and exclusions for people that are licensed to carry. It's like CHL and knife rules - they get a little funky and officers don't know all the fine details.

To me, it seems that it should come down to the fact that if we don't want openly carried firearms in public, then the laws - maybe the constitution should be changed. If we do want to allow OC, then we need to provide protections so that carrying a firearm isn't the real reason for a straw arrest. Right now, we're in between and it causes confusion.

It's unreasonable to expect OC demonstrators to go away even if OC was legal. If OC was legal, it needs to be exercised. Without exercising it, the rights erode... If those rights no longer fit modern society, then they should be changed.

Relatively uncommon here in VA. I am sure it happens. I know of two occasions where an OC-er was detained for a while. Both were in cities. Most people I know that OC have no trouble and no one notices.