It raises my eyebrow a bit when he's carrying a sign that intimates the spilling of blood over political issues.
Being around guns a lot, I don't even think anything special of seeing someone carrying one.
In a state where open carry is the norm, it's not a big deal. The only ones that freak out are people uneducated on firearms. People see guns and think of the hidden gas station camera catching a shooting or gangsters on television/movies. Most people who own firearms are some of the more responsible people in this country.
I thought it was comical for Chris Matthews to try and make the connection of armed citizen present = assassination attempt.
At the same time, Chump is right. It will only lead to escalation. During these events, there are plenty of law enforcement officers available.
Last edited by SonOfAGun; 08-18-2009 at 12:48 PM.
It raises my eyebrow a bit when he's carrying a sign that intimates the spilling of blood over political issues.
The guy in the pic is clearly trying to be clever. He succeeded.
so thats what cons utes clever.
I'm ok with open carry; however, I think there is a slight difference between open carrying a pistol, and open carrying an automatic rifle. There is certainly an unspoken 'threat' in open carrying large weapons, even if the person has no intention of causing damage, simply because of the inherent theat of the weapon.
I agree that there should probably be some venues where open carry is forbidden, as well, there should probably be some weapons that are limited to the home. Otherwise you have people with RPGs strapped to their backs while at parent/teacher conferences.
DR, are you saying that kids shouldn't be allowed to carry guns to school, or that adults shouldn't bring guns onto school grounds? Because frankly, if it's the latter, I don't think that children are any stupider than the average adults when it comes to having guns. Maybe you think so because they can't be held legally responsible for their actions? After all, I'd like to think that adults open carrying would be sensible enough to be wary around little ones.
Without even getting into the legality of their action, I find it silly that someone can openly carry a gun to a political rally with no problem, but my fingernail clipper is confiscated if I try to board a plane.
Additionally, I'm very curious to see how differently the right would react to someone carrying a gun to a town hall meeting if he was brown and/or named Ahmed.
Neither. No guns on school premises.
As it stands, and without research, I *think* a citizen with a CCW cannot carry on school grounds, church, banks or courtrooms.
I am not opposed to any of those restrictions. Nor would I be opposed to a ban on carry pieces where public officials are appearing.
Why not churches?
To be clear, my only issue with current gun laws are the assault weapon ban on automatic weapons.
First, its lame and ineffective. Google "ar15 full auto conversion" and for around $30 and an hour's work, you have yourself a legally purchased but modified, fully automatic assault rifle.
Second, in my paranoid mind that says my government is my enemy, it speaks to the government not wanting its citizens armed to the teeth while passing it off under the Columbine pretext of mayhem.
The killing power and efficency of an assault rifle is leagues above that of a handgun and said individual needs no training to be ruthlessly deadly (see every third world country the globe over).
But for the sociopath with a grudge and time to plan, he is no untrained stooge. He is a weapon, a mildly trained weapon, but a weapon nonetheless. A few weekends at target practice is all it takes.
Much like terrorism, you cannot stop this. You cant deter it, you cant regulate it out of people's minds. If someone wants to kill someone, with a gun or not, they will, period. The question is, if youre the (random) target, do you retaliate or become the subject of grieving? Do you fight back or do you duck and cower and pray to an unlistening God?
I have never been even remotely in a situation where I needed a gun and I will probably live a full, media-driven, cancer-stricken-to-death life where I never will. But I dont live life on probables, I am a boy scout afterall. Be prepared, son.
Only because I dont oppose the ban, not because I condone it. Its like abortion...to me, its a non-issue of no national importance. Sure, I have an opinion, but the entire scenario is meaningless to me.
If it were me writing the law, churches would not be an exception. As it is, they are, and I dont have a problem with it.
You mean, like this man in Arizona?
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/...fle/index.html
I just don't see why you're cool with guns around people, but not children.
As far as the church goes, aren't those privately owned? The owner could choose whether to allow guns or not.
For banks and courtrooms, as well as areas with public officials, why the ban? If the point of open carry is to protect oneself, then why the difference in these areas? Are they considered 'protected'? Or is the threat of possible action enough to outweigh the ability to protect oneself?
(Note: I know I'm getting specifics, but the specifics are where the friction is)
Edit: Nvm on churches... saw it above.
Well, I like weapons. I've been handling firearms for more than 30 years.
Absolutely. Only private property owners have the right to say "not on my property."
No, except for felons who used a weapon to commit a crime.
Only if you are brainwashed to believe such.
Like what? To cross that line would be to use that weapon illegally. Please explain where that thought comes from.
Shouln't is your opinion. Myself, I wouldn't. However, that is you and me. I have no problems with people doing as they please, until it harms others.
Well, without a special license, automatic weapons are illegal to buy and carry.
REPG is going a bit overboard. Hype much? Some forums, yes. However, in the normal day to day public environment, I am glad to see responsible people armed.
I think it's claer he meant adults. For some years now, we have had this controversy in Oregon. Colleges are trying to ban weapons by people with conceal and carry permits. Those with permits are winning because of our cons ution. The liberals in Oregon don't always get their way here.
Well, you cannot board a plane with a firearm either. Different argument.
I have no problem with that. Why? You assume we are a racist as you? Otherwise, how do you come across that belief?
You can only enforce that in a private school. Public schools have the 2nd amendment to deal with.
Not true in the case of schools. Private property owners like banks can say no to guns, but not public en ies.
You don't make sense.
There are plenty of restrictions the carrying of guns, concealed or not, on public school property all over the country. You need to refer to actual laws and not your warped reading of the cons ution.You can only enforce that in a private school. Public schools have the 2nd amendment to deal with.
Not true in the case of schools. Private property owners like banks can say no to guns, but not public en ies.
I can respect his opinion on the matter, and I do agree a little. Not sure if for the same reason. If they are not our children, then we don't have the right to impress kids with what their parents may disagree with. An openly carries weapon will make kids curious. My personal opinion of weapons in k-12 schools is "don't ask, don't tell." Don't be a target by letting a would be criminal know you have it, and keep the questions away from inquiring minds who may have parents that disagree.
Yes, a church has the right to allow or disallow weapons.
Courtrooms are special cases. Because proceeding occur dealing with real cri8minals of various degrees, that is the one of the few places the courts agree with limiting firearms of public property.
Those are being overturned in the courts as cases are being heard. A few years ago, a teacher was fired in Oregon for carrying a concealed weapon. Since then, the courts are overturning such illegal laws.
i say if you are capable of building your own army, go for it.
What do you mean?
If someone kills a politician at a town hall meeting with a gun would you have a problem with everyone carrying guns to these events? Or are you saying you would only have a problem with the person who did the killing?
No. If laws were written against the public for what one person might do, then we may as well all be executed.
Yes. That person would stand trial and face the possibility of the death penalty.
I'm glad you can't carry guns on airplanes.
I was a little wrong on this. I just researched the material. The teacher was fired for violating work rules, and the firing was upheld for that reason. However, the ruling clearly stated that her employer had already banned such actions for employees. They cannot for non-employees on public school grounds.
That was always a legitimate safety issue. Look at what is possible if one accidentally discharges at high al ude!
How about weapons or intimidation at polling places? Obviously our justice department
thinks it is alright.
For instance... what about miniguns? Rocket propelled grenade launchers? How about unconventional weapons, such as swords, nunchucks, or bow and arrows? How about sticks of dynamite? All of these acceptable?
As you said, you think RPG's are overboard. Well, some people think that assault rifles are overboard. What makes your opinion more valid than theirs? Where do you draw the line, and what is your justification for such?
I mean, personally, if you can buy a tank and drive it around on your property, I don't care. I can see some limitations on size/lethality of weaponry in public areas that might be reasonable though.
An interesting point: Are weapons only prohibited from polling places because of their 'intimidation' factor?
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