Pondering open carry....

[Drewski]

I have been reading a lot as of late on open carry in California. I have read everything on californiaopencarry.org. I was wondering how many if any of my fellow calgunners participate and what stories or experiences they have to share. I know if I do decide to o.c. that i'll get a lot of odd stares and oh my gods. Does anybody keep a pro gun attorney on stand by just in case? I was thinking of purchasing a new sr9 for the occasion.

[flatovercrest]

Not worth the hassle.
Besides, all you are going to do is piss off people and LEOs which will result in "them" being generally negative about gun owners/enthusiasts.

[Drewski]

Point taken.

[Turo]

The official standpoint of the CalGuns Foundation is that people not open carry until incorporation has gone through. Basically means that CGF will not represent you in court if you get in trouble OC'ing. Some people still do it, but it's still quite a big risk if you do.

[gotime]

well if you do decide to OC, forget the ruger... strap this on and you'll get your point across.

[xxsleepyxx]

You should do it so we can see how it ends up in court and you can FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS ! Be a guinea pig

[boredin818]

If enough people open carry, California is going to have to make a decision soon enough. Allow open carry, and make CCW's impossible, or ban open carry and make California a shall issue state.

[CSACANNONEER]

If enough people open carry, California is going to have to make a decision soon enough. Allow open carry, and make CCW's impossible, or ban open carry and make California a shall issue state.

Or, ban UOC and ban CCW too. You might not think it could happen but it is a very realistic possibility.

[nn3453]

Or, ban UOC and ban CCW too. You might not think it could happen but it is a very realistic possibility.

^^

I don't know what the official NRA or Calguns policy is, but I personally think it is unwise to provoke the state in public view. This kind of attention is very likely to cause lawmakers to exclaim "Look nice people of California! Those crazy right wing nuts are brandishing guns in public. We must pass this new law to keep them in check." Most Californians are not gun owners. It is best to stay out of view, try to convert more people into being gun owners and quietly work through the courts.

[cyberhh]

^^

I don't know what the official NRA or Calguns policy is, but I personally think it is unwise to provoke the state in public view. This kind of attention is very likely to cause lawmakers to exclaim "Look nice people of California! Those crazy right wing nuts are brandishing guns in public. We must pass this new law to keep them in check." Most Californians are not gun owners. It is best to stay out of view, try to convert more people into being gun owners and quietly work through the courts.

I tend to agree. There is enough working FUD already with non-gun owners that adding more would be a bad idea. Ultimately I do not see UOC being the issue allowing for a new ban, but rather someone carrying unloaded, open being shot that will be enough to get one written. Ultimately if someone is shot while UOC by an officer - then UOC will be seen as a danger to law enforcement, and if shot by a criminal (thus the UOC becomes a victim of violent crime) then it would be to "protect" the people.

I have said this before, and I will continue to say it. We, the gun owning minority in California, have a responsibility to recognize that we represent ALL gun owners when we talk about firearms, or with any actions we do with firearms. All too many people would be fine with a complete ban on guns, as they have no exposure they do not feel it would affect them. Too many non-owners see us all as "gun nuts", see an AR-15 as a "Machine Gun" and feel that the police are the only ones who should be armed.

It is a frustrating uphill battle to attempt to swing popular opinion to our side when there is so much FUD, but it is our responsibility to help swing it any way we can, and not to aid in the FUD in any way.

Just my opinion, take it as you will.

[Legasat]

I basically understand the motivation of the UOC movement, but I choose not to participate at this time. I'm no expert on this, so I chose to follow the guidelines put forward by the CalGuns Gurus. No UOC until incorporation. It should come this summer?

[flyinghi]

I basically understand the motivation of the UOC movement, but I choose not to participate at this time. I'm no expert on this, so I chose to follow the guidelines put forward by the CalGuns Gurus. No UOC until incorporation. It should come this summer?

+1

Isn't it ironic how UOC in other states (Texas) is understood and perceived as a safe experience. Here in the PRK it's seen as a extreme and unsafe issue. I guess I will have to either move out or teach my kids safe and responsible gun ownership in Cali.

[groats]

Total misunderstanding of PR here.

The ONLY people with guns the average public sees are either police (who are mean and give you speeding tickets) or gang members.

So, do which do you think they associate GUN owners as being:

1. Your nice retired neighbor who invites people over for BBQ,
or
2. Violent gang bangers.

If you make no effort to dispel the false impression that the media tries so hard to promote, you are part of the problem.

[groats]

well if you do decide to OC, forget the ruger... strap this on and you'll get your point across.

I saw plenty of those in Santa Barbara, but they were loaded.
Carried openly in old western holsters, too.
But this was before the infection...

[boredin818]

how come we all say "banned" under our names?