I’ve lived in urban or suburban areas my entire 56 years on this planet. I see absolutely no reason or advantage to open carrying in that environment.
Now before someone jumps in on how they have the god given right to carry openly…I’m not disputing the right (which I have too)…I’m disputing the need. Unless you live in a rural area where you’re outdoors and are carrying more for hunting or protection from four legged animals, I don’t see how open carrying in populated areas protects you more than concealed carry or reduces your potential for an armed encounter.
So I never open carry and frankly when I see someone in Academy Sports or other places where it’s sometimes seen, I just question the wisdom, not the legal or constitutional right.
Just because you have the right to do something, that doesn’t always make doing it right. Something some people on all sides of the political spectrum forget.
"I’ve lived in urban or suburban areas my entire 56 years on this planet. I see absolutely no reason or advantage to open carrying in that environment." - Can see your point, and mostly agree. But, others may not? Like some tests, there's no wrong answers?
"I just question the wisdom, not the legal or constitutional right." - Your comments may have raised other thoughts and things and opened up some other doors as well?
Sometimes it's tit and tat or this and that? Taking in a different perspectives if any one's able to anymore?
Depending on what's what and where is where, where many things are accepted, considered normal or in some cases and sometimes not?
Sometimes it doesn't really matter in what some people may think or to are used to or not, if something is just there? And, really sometimes it's not what's considered right or wrong either, it's just accepted as commonplace? Sometimes, it may be very surprising on when and where if thought about?
For example, in many present locations, police officers openly carrying pistols or other weapons and is considered normal in most places, right? Those same officers are people too, correct? So, what or who's to say the average person and citizen should or shouldn't openly carry firearms as well? The firearms fairy, if there is such a thing? Yes, it can be a strange world with strange creatures sometimes?
Why is that? Unfortunately, some things may have been changed or in some ways really warped over the years in our society? In many places besides hunting or at the range, firearms of all sorts are and were common place in many to most cities and elsewhere. Many firearms, in a better likely safer society not too long ago here in this country, were displayed and used openly. Was no big deal. Sometimes firearms were displayed on fireplace mantles, gun racks of all sorts, open or not, glass faced gun cabinets, some guns hung on wall pegs, guns placed on open shelving and displayed for use and ease in pickup truck window racks. All was commonplace and out in the open.
Out in the open? EEK! ....Sometimes, that's the best place to ensure something is there for safety. Out of sight can sometimes mean something may be missing when needed if not also visibly seen? For example: Visibility can also mean safety for other purposes? - So, where's the kids we may ask?
"Oh, I see them, they're okay." You see them, so things are then okay, right? Another example
: Glass front display cabinets for firearms, so a person can see them may come to mind? Sounds sort of crazy, unsafe and unsecure? Not everything may be as it seems?
There were also firearms, mostly rifles, called Parlor Guns, where many people in many locations cleared a space in their living rooms and other areas and enjoyed shooting practice with firearms together. There were also shooting booths using actual firearms used commonly at many city and county fairs. - All commonly out in the open for both young and old to enjoy.
Just because you, me or someone else saw or use firearms or not, didn't mean they did or didn't exist, were right, wrong or anything else. Safety for example is first for a reason, it isn't always seen to be believed in, but is still an action. Safety of many sorts is taught and reinforced by good and proper education. Education is key to everything. - So is awareness, it's part of safety. Just like firearms or most anything else and just because something is or isn't seen doesn't mean it's right, wrong or doesn't exist, it may just be out of mind and someone's not aware of it is all? - Safety's always out of sight? Not always though?
"Where are those kids at? Hope they're okay?"
Concealment for what reason? To help avoid what? Just that thoughts of guns that may scare or annoy someone? - Like a pillow or throw to possibly covering up a stain on furniture? Or, for the
"Doily People" that cover up most anything they can with something else and sometimes fail to enjoy things for what they are?
That type of concealment may also touch on the lack of firearms education and safety that has been obviously neglected in our schools. I believe it should be taught early on in our schools for safety's sake. The other thing that same education could do is raise awareness in both kids and adults as well. Another
very important thought is the reasoning behind firearms education and use, firearms are an important part of our country's heritage, amendments and our foundation. Firearms safety should be widely taught and not ignored or covered up by our educational systems in my opinion. Radical thoughts? Possibly, but those very same thoughts and Amendments are still part of our countries heritage and history aren't they? - Those same Amendments are and were meant for everyone in this country to learn, understand, know, realize and feel. So, where else should those facts be taught? In our schools is a very good place to start. - In the other direction w/o the average person having using and owning firearms? Is it feasibly possible, practical or financially sound to have a police officer at every street corner or in every home? - Just set another plate for dinner is all? Where's that going?
Only firearms? Knives as well? They're dangerous if not used properly. But, usually still considered safe when they're used for intended purposes. I've carried knives for many years, more than 50. I've never hurt another person with one, but easily could if need be. Knives come in handy for many reasons and purposes just like firearms. - Getting back to firearms. Firearms or powder actuated implements of many sorts are used for something else besides defending or hurting others. There are many things that could be considered firearms, but really aren't. Like powder actuated tools used in construction. Some are considered hammers, some are some sort of other drivers as well. All used to build something constructively. It is how something's used that is most important, not just what it is by itself.
It isn't only firearms we need to be prepared to protect ourselves with against ignorance and violence sometimes.
The world we live in is outright huge, there's many different things considered commonplace, normal or average all over the globe. You, me and others are only very small parts of this world. Our knowledge of it all is generally very tiny in comparison. Some people may not actually realize the scope of that magnitude where we all should? For example: Had a 17-18 year old family member from another country visiting us one time for example, they had thoughts it was possible we could go to Disney World and Disneyland all in one day. Likely is, but no one's likely having too much fun? Guessing their geography needs brushing up on? Where's that educational system at on what should be a fairly simple thing to figure out?
The thing to usually consider important is there's advantages and disadvantages with many things, that it can vary from place to place, person to person and sometimes even in the same location. The 1st and last consideration is safety.
