Xequecal wrote:
Elmarnieh wrote:
Open carry is a different story. If someone is openly carrying a gun in a place where guns aren't normally carried, like a school or a political rally, there's a good chance he's just showing it off to deliberately stir up trouble/draw attention to himself/show everyone how big his penis is. This is exactly the person you don't want carrying a gun. Of course it doesn't justify just shooting him, but that's probably the cop just being an Internet Tough Guy anyway. If I was a cop I'd be very suspicious of anyone openly carrying a gun.
Or it is more comfortable, or its because its a faster draw, or because its their only legal way of carrying (don't have a CCW permit) or because its a form of political speech and awareness for them, or any other perfectly valid non - penis related reasons. Seriously why is a gun always about ego or something? Everyone I know who wakes up and puts on a gun considers it just like their wallet - something they don't leave home without.
Read this:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/ ... ick-bigger.
"Political speech" that involves showing off a firearm is exactly what police officers should be worried about. Open carry isn't always about ego but it's pretty likely. Not only are you broadcasting to any potential criminal that you're the one they need to shoot first, but usually when you see this it's a gun that can't possibly be safely used to protect yourself or the public. That guy with the rifle at a crowded political rally with thousands of people? Even if there is someone there that deserves shooting the bullet is going to go through six people behind him.
Ok first of all there's no reason the cops should be worried about a guy that carries a gun openly as a form of speech. If he was going to attack them, he wouldn't advertise it unless he's a total fool in which case he ought to be easy to defeat anyhow because he'll make other mistakes.
Second, no, it is not likely at all that "open carry is bout ego".
Third, so what if you're broadcasting to a criminal that you're the one they need to shoot first? That's better than having no option at all at all to defend yourself with.
Fourth, it is not "usually not possible to safely defend yourself". Most of the time criminals do not attack people in crowded places like political rallies and that would be one place where you wouldn't need a gun because you and a bunch of other people can dogpile the guy.
Fifth, while there is some risk of overpenetration with rifles, it is not universal and it sure as **** is not going to go through 6 people unless it's one of those antitank rifles from WWII or maybe one of those gigantic sniper rifles, and no one would lug those monsters around anyhow.