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Open Carrying: Provocative Conduct, Dangerous Consequences

Open carry increases the risk that someone will be injured or killed from the accidental or intentional use of firearms

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First of all, my safety has nothing to do with anyone else's comfort level. If they are uncomfortable with the way I carry, they can jolly well go somewhere else.

Secondly, one of the main reasons people are so uncomfortable with openly carried firearms is that people like you have demonized them so much. Open carry is as much about educating the public as it is about personal safety. The vast majority of people you may see with an openly carried handgun will probably be better versed in safety and the state and local handgun laws than your local police department.

Thirdly, using anything coming out of California that concerns handguns is highly suspect as they are currently in violation of the US Constitution, having banned open carry and restricted conceal carry. I guarantee you they are going to end up in court over it.

Fourthly, I defy you to come up with a single instance in recent history where a criminal was openly carrying a handgun. It just doesn't happen. Criminals are cowards. They don't want anyone to know what they are up to. They will, therefore, conceal their presence, motives, and any weapons until it is absolutely necessary to reveal them. Thus, the "hyper-vigilance" touted by your source from San Mateo is a condition they induced themselves.

Fifthly, what is the real difference between a concealed handgun and an openly carried one? I'll tell you. It's about 3 mm of cloth in most cases. Why that makes you feel safer is something I will continue to refuse to understand. It's like an ostrich sticking it's head in the sand. "If I don't see it, it isn't there"; not exactly critical thinking.

Sixthly, (is that a real term?) in most states, (especially Washington State, where the number of active concealed pistol licenses is above the 360,000 mark) you are probably encountering someone with a handgun every time you set foot out of your home. You just don't know it because of that 3mm of cloth that makes you feel so safe.

Lastly, no matter what you may think, my right to BE safe trumps your right to FEEL safe every single time.

Jon Hutcherson of WA 3:28AM May 04, 2012

It was never put to a public vote, who the hell do these politicians think they are, I would love to see them live in downtown Oakland without a firearm for protection!.

dan of CA 10:54PM May 03, 2012

and driving a car "....increases the risk that someone will be injured or killed from the accidental or intentional use of...." an automobile.

Dennis of VA 12:32PM May 03, 2012

I don't see how seeing a gun is exposing someone to violence. Using the same train of thought we should censor TV and movies because of the violence. We are Americans. Firearms have been a fundamental part of our culture from the beginning. Most of us grew up playing Cowboys and Indians or Cops and Robbers. Seeing a gun does not lead to violence. There are people in the world that would like there to be no weapons in the world. Weapons are the great equalizer. Without weapons/firearms citizens would have to rely on their own strength to fend of threats and attacks. The rule of might makes right would resurface and citizens would become the subjects of the strong. The founders of our country went down that road and rebelled against the strong. One of the reasons they were successful is because of armed resistance. Openly carrying arms will not cause additional violence. Furthermore, it will not cause apprehension and unease in the populace. Guns are a tool. I have never been afraid of a tool.

SFC Williams of TX 9:37AM May 03, 2012

This website is spreading dangerous, anti-American ideas. It is trying to undermine the Constitution by advocating States enact laws banning a constitutionally protected activity, one that is at the very core of individual liberty. Websites that advocate such ideas should be prohibited and banned for the public welfare, while their owners be fined and/or imprisoned.

It doesn't matter if you think it benefits some undefined public's welfare, you cannot just ignore the Constitution. And by the way, ignoring the Bill of Rights is never in anyone's best interest.

Nextdoor Neighbor of VA 4:58PM May 01, 2012

If Open Carry is "dangerous", why would Lindsay Nichols freak out and call the police? After all, police openly carry pistols.

It seems to me that Lindsay has a problem with thinking clearly. If she is truly opposed to seeing people carrying pistols openly, the last thing she would do (if she thought logically) would to be to request that more people (police) show up on the scene openly carrying pistols.

Brent H of WA 10:00PM April 30, 2012

You say that open-carry creates a dangerous situation, but it seems only a hypothetical one! Is there any evidence of open-carryers creating a volatile situation where police were called and the end result was a shoot out? Furthermore, have there been any cases of armed 'vigilantes' shooting and injuring or killing innocent bystanders? With a complete lack of evidence in your article, Lindsay, your story is just that: a story.

Erwin of CA 5:36AM April 29, 2012

This isn't a debate in a republic. This is just another way to get people to talk openly about trying to take peoples rights away by democratic vote. Good thing we live by rule of law in this country. My Constitution has a Bill of Rights. Unalienable and protected through firearms if challenged. Make no mistake. Open carry of firearms is a Right. Not a debate.

Brett Tedder of WA 11:12PM April 27, 2012

I agree with John Pierce. Gun control advocates and those opposing OC always react out of fear. This fear has been bred in by those who oppose our inalienable rights throughout America. Doctors see sick people, so no one is well in society. Cops and the justice system sees only criminals so there can't be any law abiding citizens out there. Thus ban guns.

Sanjeev Dhawan of WI 9:45PM April 27, 2012

It appears mankinds search for the missing link in the evolutionairy chain between simple primates (chimpanzee) to man (homosapien) has made themselves known.

They apparently have some level of intelligence, and even opposable thumbs. But just like lower primates, are unable to grasp or process emotions in a human, much less adult fashion. Always seeming to believe that everyone else should be just as scared as they are.

You can see this inability to control their emotions in any documentary on lower primates, seeing how one gets afraid and stampedes the other family members of lower primates into a frenzy, something biologists have known for years.

Not to mention the anti gun zealots/extremists flinging lies and insults like this article, just like chimpanzees fling poo.

Their brains just arent developed enough to comprehend how developed intellects can control and overcome their emotions to recognize facts, and actually apply that as the decision making process for a solution to a problem.

Or it could be evidence of devolving, as like the Romans, who sweetened their wine with lead, the progressive mind set has been drinking that prozac/lsd laced kool-aide for several decades now, and shows mental symptoms of chronic lead poisoning in their actions.

We highly suggest such individuals like Lindsay submit themselves for testing and treatment so that they can rejoin the public in a safe fashion, or prove that the missing link truly exists.

Jarhead1982 of DC 4:06PM April 27, 2012

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