Would you be scared if I walked into a store with a grown male grizzly bear at the end of a chain? You should be. An AR in the hands of someone with judgment poor enough to carry it into a store is even more dangerous. This topic should unify us. It's not politics or an "agenda." It's just freaking common sense, no matter how anyone feels about guns.
Exactly! If someone says they don't feel comfortable without having an assault weapon on thier person at all times then they are paranoid and should not own a gun in the first place. I'm all for gun rights (to an extent) but this is just ridiculous and uncalled for.
Right? I mean, JFK's driver is probably out there carrying an assault rifle around, still driving with his top down too.
Reposted for truth. I support gun rights. I own guns. A guy openly carrying an assault rifle into a store is insane. I bet he doesn't try that when he goes to the bank or the post office.
I am assuming that this is in Texas? In Texas it is actually legal to open carry a long arm unless it is intended to alarm. It's not a far stretch to say that someone carrying an AR15 or similar into a store is calculated to scare people. If it's a rural area with a hunting rifle, no problem, but Clear Lake and an AR-type... Er, no, that is not really appropriate nowadays. He's lucky he hasn't kissed the pavement surrounded by LEOs doing that. Quite stupid, really. If there's a 2A rally in the area that's a different story. But otherwise, no. If you are the manager there then simply ask him to leave it in his vehicle. He has a right to carry by not on your premises without your permission. CHL does not cover long arms (and it's not concealed, anyway). It's obviously going to make your other customers uncomfortable. I'd tell him to put it away or leave. I say this as an owner of a rather large collection of firearms, a CHL holder who carries daily, NRA member, and an ardent supporter of 2A rights. But I have a very low tolerance for paranoid morons and mall-ninja wannabes. And I don't like stupid people as a rule; I especially don;t like stupid people with firearms. This guy is inviting a not-so-pleasant encounter with lots of guys with badges and guns who will press his face to the pavement hard if he's lucky and poke lots of unwanted holes in his body if he's not. I wouldn't want it around my store if I was you.
Second treeman. There are states, such as Arizona, which historically have law making them "open carry states". Texas is not one. Further, I believe that if this guy has a CHL, (and if he doesn't I'd be amazed) it is illegal to even state that you might be carrying a gun (assuming you are), much less brandish it.
Brandish, yes. Carry, not necessarily. It depends upon the manner in which it is carried, and the circumstances. LEOs have a lot of leeway in this matter. It really boils down to their judgment. And theirs might differ from the DA's.
I was clarifying that brandishing and open carry are not the same thing. I would almost say if a person has the weapon in their hand, it could be said they are brandishing it. Anyways, the person is ignorant and they are encouraging stricter gun laws...and if more people did this, I would encourage it too. Like most people, I don't like it when people flaunt their personal beliefs, regardless of the issue.
OP indicated the guy has the rifle "over his shoulder" when he's in the store and "never causes a problem". Seem like a pretty clear attempt at open carry.
For the record, the "wild west" was really not as cool as people think and this guy should not be allowed to own a gun at all. He's too paranoid/stupid. Gun policy in the US is all ****ed up.
In his mind, probably yes. I actually have no problem at all with responsible open carry. In certain circumstances it's fine. But in this particular situation it seems like at the least the guy has poor situational awareness. IMHO good situational awareness is a prerequisite for responsible open carry. This guy may not have meant to alarm, but it all boils down to the appropriateness of the action.
We're talking guns...not bears (sheeeesh) And if you want to be intimidated by a weapon, fine be afraid. Really. Move to a community that supports your fears. Do what ever you want to feel more secure in your life. But don't sit there and try to convince me that guns are suppose to scare ME because a grizzly would. And please, don't try to use that argument on the nation. We're much smarter than that...as you can witness by the slowly lacking support of ocare. If you've doubts and fears, fine, peace to you. But I am personally tired of loosing my freedoms and liberties for every emotional tom dick and harry.
However, that was immediately followed by stating that it makes other customers uncomfortable and he gets complaints. That seems to me to be the textbook definition of causing a problem.
Having the terrible judgment to carry an assault rifle into a retail store is a "freedom" that only you want in this thread. Noted conservative gun owners have agreed with people you assume have "fears" that common sense should prevail in a civil society. It's not about someone is a scaredy-cat, and you are more tough. It's that you somehow lack the ability to assess a situation and question the mental health of someone who would carry an assault rifle into a retail outlet. Most of us assess that person as an unhealthy, and thereby less predictable, person. It's not me that should move. If you like people carrying assault rifles around in the public sector, there are several fairly lawless nations in the world that would welcome you with open arms (an I do mean arms). They have low cost of living as well, and very few "liberals".
I know if I see a man walk into a mall with semi-automatic rifle my first reaction isn't "O, another mass shooting about to occur."
It's funny, I have never seen a gun (except for police) in my life, I would have a heart attack of someone was just walking around with a assault rifle, but hey when in America
Lol then I wouldn't come to Texas cause it's our "right" I just don't know why I don't have the right to not get shot when I'm shopping?
