Should Open Carry of Guns Be the Law of the Land?

[Hazcat]

Posted April 15, 2010

Proponents say law-abiding citizens have a right to display their protection and that more states should allow it. Foes argue that the proliferation of guns on the streets and in the stores creates a deadly risk. Should open carry be the law of the land?
Edited by Steve St. Angelo


http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2010/04/15/should-open-carry-of-guns-be-the-law-of-the-land.html

POLL and comments at link

[deepwater]

a bit torn.... I don't particularly want everyone to know that I carry, but if all that can carry, do, then the public would accept it more.. also no doubt I have a gun if it's on my hip and 'hangin' out there'. I probably would not open carry, but I do like the idea. My 1st engineer lives in the people's republic of Kalifornia, and get's pissed when I tell him that, yes, he can carry open, it is legal. I've researched it and shown him.. but he does not believe it. I guess it's because of folks like him that it's not more common. of course you will have a lot of unwanted attention from the law, but if you're legal, then you should have nothing to worry about. I vote for it, but as I said earlier, I would not open carry.
deepwater

[ericire12]

A.96.42% Yes
B.3.58% No

[JC5123]

I would have no problem living in a society where the majority of people DID carry. Either openly or concealed. In fact I would prefer open. Lets create a culture where the upstanding citizens ALL carry weapons. Think about what that would do to the crime rate in this country. It would be the one place in the world where CRIMINALS would live in constant fear for their lives. How cool would that be!

[JC5123]

I would have no problem living in a society where the majority of people DID carry. Either openly or concealed. In fact I would prefer open. Lets create a culture where the upstanding citizens ALL carry weapons. Think about what that would do to the crime rate in this country. It would be the one place in the world where CRIMINALS would live in constant fear for their lives. How cool would that be!

Read: Politicians

[Sponsor]

[ericire12]

Read: Politicians

You just got put on a Govt watch list

[Pathfinder]

I would have no problem living in a society where the majority of people DID carry. Either openly or concealed. In fact I would prefer open. Lets create a culture where the upstanding citizens ALL carry weapons. Think about what that would do to the crime rate in this country. It would be the one place in the world where CRIMINALS would live in constant fear for their lives. How cool would that be!

We used to have that culture. 100+ years ago, every self-respecting man went about armed. Crime was also rampant, and the gummint not so involved in running everyone's day-to-day life. There were even ads for tailors and pocket inserts that would fortify your pockets to ensure that the pistol would not print or wear out the pants or coat pocket.

When Wyatt Earp walked to the alley behind the OK corral, he carried his pistol in the pocket of his frock coat, no holster. It was the custom of the day.

I agree, I would have no problem going back to that. That's why I carry.

[JC5123]

You just got put on a Govt watch list

Which one this time. Besides I think that everyone in congress should carry too! AND they should get into brawls like they do in Thailand! That would be great! I would watch C-Span just to see someone throw a chair at Pelosi!

[tombogan03884]

While I myself would not generally open carry my reasons have nothing to do with Gun rights. But instead hinge on the fact that it leaves the weapon exposed to the bumps and abuse of daily living while concealed carry methods keep it closer to the body and more protected from bumps, bangs, and dings.

From the OP "Foes argue that the proliferation of guns on the streets and in the stores creates a deadly risk"

The anti's argument is nothing but hysterical fear mongering that has been repeatedly disproved by the spread of concealed carry and the accompanying drop in violent crime rates .
Another issue raised by the article is that Carolyn McCarthy is a liar, In her piece she states " contrary to public perception, I have never been against people owning guns for protection, hunting, or sport"
That is an outright lie as she has based her entire political career on the banning of private arms.
I am surprised she did not go into her "My husband died at the hands of a nut with a gun" rant. What she always neglects to clarify is that the "Beloved late husband" was in fact her ESTRANGED husband as she had received a restraining order against him based on his weekend hobby of getting drunk and beating her, she also neglects to mention that his murder, which saved her the aggravation of a divorce also supplied the insurance money that financed her entry into politics.
In short, the murder of her estranged husband is the best thing that ever happened to her.

[Timothy]

I can legally carry openly in MA and don't.....

I guess the rest of the country can make their own judgments. 

I would like to see nationwide reciprocity for sure!  I'm working on my fourth state CC permit with CT.  It's costing too much money...