I'm actually particularly interested in the decision between open carry and concealed carry. I've heard the argument before about Second Amendment activism with open carry. However, I've always leaned toward the opinion of
9er, where he states that it's typically exercised by patriotic individuals or those who perhaps are begging for a confrontation with authorities so they can exercise their rights and make a point. Although I think the latter group would be a minority, I do believe the prior group would make up a large proportion of those who use open carry.
Whenever I picture a citizen with a handgun on his hip, walking around in public, I think "cowboy." Now much of that is likely my preconceived notions I've gotten from all those wonderful American films I've watched. So sue me. But I'd sooner think "zealous patriot" than I would "Second Amendment activist." I'm sure there are a fair number of those who do it for activist reasons, but I find it hard to believe that they'd outnumber the cowboys out there. I don't have that much faith in humanity. I could be wrong.
That said, I stumbled across this article:
Quote:
March 4, 2010
Guns Easier to Carry Not Just at Starbucks
The Brouhaha Over Packing Heat at Starbucks is Bigger Than the Coffee House, As Gun Restrictions Loosen Nationwide
(CBS) At a Starbucks in Cupertino, Calif., a group of guys had coffee in hand and handguns on their hips. Recently, gun rights advocates have been testing the limits of state laws allowing them to openly carry handguns.
The coffee house showdown has gun control supporters steaming, and Starbucks has been forced to take a stand. Though it could legally ban guns in its shops, the company decided to allow them where local laws permit. It says in a statement if it banned guns "we would be forced to require our partners to ask law abiding customers to leave our stores." That could get dangerous.
But this isn't really about Starbucks, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy. It's about the larger battle over gun control. In much of the country it's simply getting easier to carry a handgun.
In 2008 and 2009, 24 states, mostly in the South and the West, have passed 47 new laws loosening gun restrictions.
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Guns Easier to Carry Not Just at Starbucks - CBS Evening News - CBS News
What do the cowboys and activists do when they run into resistance in places of business? Just take their business elsewhere? See, this is where I view concealed carry as more sensible: you're exercising your right, yet you don't run the risk of being viewed as rubbing it in (likely unarmed) peoples' faces.
Surely there are better ways to carry out Second Amendment activism. It's not like people are also handing out brochures everywhere they go, explaining why they're carrying their weapon in public for all to see. (Though I'm sure some do.)