so does a police officer wearing his gun make you pause? i'm guessing not.

what about in states like virginia or arizona? Open carry is a state constitutional right and perfectly legal. Would you pause upon seeing someone wearing a gun who is not a police officer in either of those states?

Not unless I knew them personally and thought they were hot heads who would be better suited in another occupation.


I don't have much experience in those states. Haven't been to Va. My time in Az was mostly around Sedona. Don't remember seeing anyone practicing open carry. Had I seen someone doing so out and about on a trail it wouldn't have caused me any concern. In a bar where alcohol is being served, yeah I'd find another bar. Firearms and alcohol are a bad mix IMO and one of the main reasons I switched to bow hunting.

so cops carrying guns, ok. citizens carrying weapons, not ok. the next question would be do you trust people you CAN'T see wearing a gun?


I didn't bring a bar or alcohol in to the equation, did you do so to paint a bad judgement aspect to it? what if it was walmart? or mcdonalds? would you then go to another walmart or mcdonalds?

I don't remember saying "citizens carrying weapons, not ok." I remember saying seeing people practicing open carry in certain situations give me pause.

For the most part I trust people, whether they're carrying a gun or not. Though I would be more watchful of a person openly carrying a firearm. But thats simply due to the fact that I know they have the potential to reach out and hurt me and those around me. If I saw something in their behavior that caused me concern I'd leave.



I brought up the alcohol/bar scenario as an example of a situation where I would be concerned enough to remove myself if I saw firearms being openly carried. Again I just don't think they mix well.

In Wal-Mart or Mickey "D's"? In downtown Phoenix, probably not. In downtown Chicago or New York City, yes.

ok, i take this to mean that you look for behavior patterns instead of just wearing a gun. perfectly fine i think.



I agree. I'd be looking for someplace else to be myself.

considering the gun laws in chi and nyc, i'd be surprised they hadn't been arrested yet.

updating on open carry in Texas.

Push for Open Carry Gun Law Hits Texas | NBC Dallas-Fort Worth


Since 1996, people who want to carry a gun in Texas have had to apply for a license and conceal it in public, but some said the rules are too strict for a state known for its love of arms.

Now, there is a new push to loosen gun laws in Texas. A group of gun advocates are hoping the next legislature will consider a bill that would allow people to carry guns out in the open.

Texas is one of just six states requiring people to carry their handguns concealed. The law means people have to be licensed and pass a training course.

It's something gun advocates like Duane Suddeth don't like.

"So, for a person to exercise their right to self-defense, they needs to shell out about $225 or more," said Suddeth.

Suddeth is fighting for an open carry law in Texas; something 44 other states already have.

It would do away with all the fees and mean you could carry a gun on your hip for all the world to see.

"Criminals are not going to want to target a person who has the ability to fight back with lethal force," said Suddeth.

"Ever since this country was founded, the legitimate way to carry was open, so people knew what you were doing was legitimate, you had a gun and you're not trying to hide anything," said Daniel Vanhoose, employee at DFW Gun Range,

Most gun owners obviously support the law, but some said they won't benefit much from it.

"I think I would still conceal mine, because I think I would feel more safe," said Crystal Ellenbrook.

For many, like Louis Alexander, who don't carry guns, there's a concern that an open carry law would mean a return to the wild west.

"People walking around with guns in the wide open, they're just ready for a challenge. You know? I'm going to get you before you get me," said Alexander.

Interesting article, but this Duane Suddeth guy sounds like a nut job.

He's crazy insane brother. :eek:

Probably scarred by years of being a misguided child of Uncle Sam.

It seems like it would be difficult to get the necessary momentum to get an open carry law.

Do you think you have a good chance of pulling it off, or are you fighting the good fight as part of a more comprehensive activism portfolio?

Good luck either way.

It was difficult getting started. Not too many legislators showed any interest because we weren't the TSRA and we couldn't get the TSRA to support us. Once the billboard went up in Austin and the news articles came out, regular texans took notice and the amount of correspondence to legislators has been immense. It might even have more support than TSRAs concealed campus law they want passed.

What we want with open carry is no license and no extra restrictions like PA, WI, or KY has, meaning that we don't want to be told that open carry is legal but prohibited in Dallas, or that we can carry openly but in a vehicle it must be in the glove box unless you have a CHL.

Thanks. I think we have a great shot because it now has the governers support.
-----Added 2/12/2008 at 05 : 52 : 57-----
knows no fear after being a misguided child. Thats what makes him unpredictable and scary. total time bomb waiting to go off.

I find it disconcerting that the Police chief suggests to IGNORE the AG's orders. Police officers deciding how to interpret the laws.... :(

Wow that quote from the Milwaukee Police Chief is amazing, it's almost seems like something you would read on April Fool's day.

So he is telling his officers to "put them on the ground, take the gun away and then decide if the person has a right to carry it."

So using this logic, whenever they see someone driving an automobile in public they should also force the citizen to the ground and decide whether or not they can legally drive it. After all, automobiles are extremely dangerous and kill thousands of people every year.

Step 1: Move to Milwaukee and carry openly.
Step 2: Get "put on the ground"
Step 3: Profit.

I've had a CCW for over 10 years and I carry daily. But, I think it is rude to open carry and tactically unsound. Just my thoughts...

Im inclined to agree. I've spent a little bit of time around firearms and I am comfortable with them but thats because I know my own abilities and limitations. I just don't trust strangers walking around with guns. A random dude diddy-bopping around town with a pistol on his hip would make me (and most people) uncomfortable enough that we would leave the scene. To put it another way, open carry is a pretty quick way to put a lot of people on edge while drawing attention to yourself.

While I totally support the right to carry openly, I have never done it in my personal (as opposed to professional) life as a courtesy to the folks around me.

this. I may have to visit home.....real soon.


Though this may be just a lot of 'bluster' for ol' chief Flynn, the people in wisconsin that I know will be giving the chief and his 'troops' notice that his flagrant abuse of authority could lead to some very tragic endings.......for both sides.