Open Carry Of Firearms: Yea Or Nay?

I'm not exactly sure what's being argued here, but it seems everyone is basically correct.

Yes, the more guns there are, the chances that one COULD be used increases.

Yes, just because there are more guns does not mean that there WOULD be more uses.

I think realistically speaking, the more people that have guns the more instances we will see of them being used. However, this does not mean I am anti-gun. Undoubtedly many of those uses would be in defense of one's self and family.

On a side note, I think the nuclear missiles analogy is a bit off, as we should not count the number of missiles themselves, but rather the number of those in possession of said missiles with the ability to launch them.

This applies to guns also. The number is irrelevant to me. The number of owners is the real idea. Neither nukes nor guns can fire themselves.

That's weird - I don't base my identity on the fact that I own guns at all.

Whatever though, you're obviously unwilling to talk rationally about it, and would rather invent motives, attitudes, and actions for people in another country than yours. I will say, though, that you can google "Concealed carry saved my life" just as easily as "California salon shooting."

It's the bluff effect. That's why your first two (quoted) statements are incorrect. That is why Jet is right. The act of knowing that someone can retaliate with the same force keeps people honest. It's the same way a game of poker works. If you have 4 Aces, you bet it all because you know no one can trump you (royal flush aside). If you have a mediocre hand you play it safe, because someone could have something as good or better as you.

With open carry, people know someone has the same, if not a better hand as them. This keeps them from going all in.

Here in Georgia we have a city that requires all homeowners own and maintain ammo for a gun BY LAW. Crime rates are less than half the US average for this city and home invasions dropped from 65 to 11 the year it was implemented.



Not to derail because I know this is about 'open carry'...I do feel it's your right to open-carry but iirc, you have to have the gun visible at all times under open carry which just makes you a d.bag because you make everyone else nervous around you.

@OP I don't think open-carry would help with stuff like columbine but It sure does make thieves and the like think twice before doing bad things if its required(see above statistics)

oh yes fun facts time
comparison facts for this city: per100,000citizens(*year 2004 reported crime index)

city***************Near by citys****US Average
rape: 7.6************26.8***********32.4
robbery 34.3************153.1**********136.7
burglary:327.7**********930.6**********730.3
auto theft:171.5********496************421.5

Psst, straight flush beats four of a kind too. Also, that's a bad analogy.

Yes, knowing anyone could have a gun may act as a deterrent, but you can't count on how someone will necessarily react.

Just sayin'

I'm starting to think a lot of people in this thread are making stupid assumptions, based on having zero experiance with weapons.

also wtf canada? I thought you guys were cool...

I understand the logic behind it, I just think it's a little sad that so many feel the need to be armed to feel safe.

I suppose you didn't really create the situation, you're just dealing with it.

/shrug

OR! They see the other person has a gun, so instead of holding them up they just shoot them in the back.

We can go round and round with hypothetical situations.

There is also the chance that the result of everyone packing is something other than what we are discussing.

My personal feeling is that as long as people that have bad intentions are able to possess weapons, the innocent should have the right to properly protect themselves.

It is sad. one would hope we could work on ways to be more compassionate for our fellow man, unfortunately, we figure out new ways to kill him.

edit *that comment really wasn't directed at you*

In the city of Chicago you were not legally allowed to own a handgun unless you had purchased it before 1982. No one is allowed to sell guns in the city of Chicago either. There was talk of allowing citizens to own them but I'm not sure if that went through or not. Even if that went through you can only keep it in your house as open and concealed carry are both against the law in Illinois. You're not even allowed to transport weapons (loaded or unloaded) here.

Local law (City of Chicago) Ban on owning a gun since 1982. As I said earlier there was talk of repealing it recently but I don't recall if that went through.

Its funny when Jet asks for proof when he never provides any himself lol.

Even if it is a defect with the condom or not using birth control properly, etc. the person with 50 partners still has a greater chance for one of those occurences to take place. Not to say that the one with 5 wouldn't be the one to get it but with more partners increases your chances for one of those occurences to happen.

Using this to compare gun violence is faulty though as someone can take the stance that just the knowledge that a greater number of people own and are educated to use a gun can in fact deter the use that is already in place. Think of it like this... guy makes a living holding private citizens up in their homes as he knows no one in this town owns a gun. 1 year later all citizens in this town own a gun and have been trained to use it. This could in fact deter the man to continue to rob these people and in turn lowere the use of guns in that city.

The argument that it would act as a deterrent and lower gun violence is a real one so while I stand with you on the sex scenario Slip I'd have to argue against you on the more guns more shooting.

You haven't provided any facts yet either...

I was reading this and thinking to myself "what if everybody did this?" and "With only limited places doing this, does the crime it previously had dissapear or get pushed elsewhere?"

So if every city in America put something like into place do you think the crime would just up and dissapear? Right now it just seems to move away from one place and move on to a safer area. Criminals usually seem to target places they think they can get away with it anyways. Take Chicago for instance as the part of Chicago I live is is virtually crime free probably due to the constant police presence but most parts of the city aren't that bad off. Most of the crime takes place in certain areas of the city and the majority of gun related deaths are between the gang bangers and their colateral damage.

So do you think that if everyone had a gun that would completely reduce crime or would it reach a point where criminals are just willing to take that risk as there is a new bottom for low risk?

The problem with this is open carry doesn't mean they are going to be just running into 1 person with a gun, there will be multiple people in the convenience store, etc etc. Seeing 5 people packing deters a thief from making dumb decisions.

It would go to other countries.
(Here's looking at you Mexico + Canada)

The only thing that worries me in situations like this (and this is why i so strongly support gun education and training) is that what if the robber doesn't see all the guns and all of a sudden 5 people panic and all start shooting and the cross fire hits someone else.

I know its just another what if but thats a big what if and why I think ceratin laws should be in place to force people to educate themselves and receive training before they are allowed to own a gun. When someone who is just handed a gun gets one and they don't know how to use it or don't feel comfortable with it panic can still set in and panic is never good.

I agree. In order for open carry, it should be done just like concealed. Training must be completed so the people carrying are competent. Officers can ask for carry ID at any time (this could circumvent some crime too as criminals might be open carrying and get caught before the offence)

Yeah, the only difference I would point out is that I feel the requirements for training and education should be requirements to own a gun. Think of it like cars as you have to put in class time and 40 hours of driving with supervision in order to obtain your license. Why not get people to take classes and spend time at the range with an instructor to obtain a license to own a gun?

I don't own a gun personally but over the past couple of years I have had my dad (was in the marines) take me to the range to teach me how to use a gun in case some kind of event came up in my future where I might be required to or choose to use one. I didn't want to be completely clueless or feel akward when shooting as I grew up without weapons in the house.

One thing that's not on my mind when I leave my house is how some random person I don't know is going to feel about me, for any reason, including an OC'd handgun. What is on my mind is making it back home to my family. To help accomplish that, I go about my daily business with a certain mindset, skillset and toolset. If one of those tools makes someone uncomfortable, tough titties for them. If it makes them think I'm a douchebag, that's fine. We don't have to talk or be friends.

One thing I do find kind of funny is the people who are so enraged by a visibly armed person that they confront that person and yell at or attempt to argue with them. It makes you question the sanity of some closed minded people.

I probably shouldn't mention this at all, but I heard one of those cantankerous right-wing/libertarian talk show hosts ask something to the effect, "If you're against the ownership of guns would you be willing to post a sign outside your home stating that there are no guns on the premises?"

Why not if you believe so whole-heartedly in it?

All of the neighbours post their "Defended by Smith & Wesson" signs.

I'll give you 5sec to guess what house gets robbed. ; )

Because that doesn't promote the cause? Now if they had a sign that said something like "I'm against ownership of guns" It would sound better (still pretty much convey that you have no guns in the house). This guy is just trying to provoke people into a situation where they say no that would be like inviting someone to rob my house! (which isn't necassarily what it is doing)

Do you put a sign up in front of your house for everything you believe? Would you? Would a politician that cheats on his wife put a sign up in front of his house that says "I believe I should be able to stick my *** where ever I want to even though I'm married!" then ask for your vote in 2012? Its a silly thing to say imo.

Wouldn't it be funny if someone does put the sign up and they get robbed and assaulted then sue the guy arguing that they never would have put it up if it wasn't for that guy! lol...

To be perfectly honest, gun safety, range safety and proper handling should be taught to all citizens. You don't even have to get experience shooting the weapon, just a class on what to do when handling a gun, safety precautions and dangers of doing certain things if you do fire one.

The amount of stupid pictures I see on FB of people with their fingers in the trigger well piss me off to no end.

What if its a guy with a gun that puts that sign up cuz he wants to shoot the town robber? whos to say there will even be someone that is in town looking to rob you? Also, are there really that many robberies when the victims are home? (honest question I would assume the majority aren't but I'm sure there are at least some that are) Couldn't he see the sign wait til the people leave then break in and say oh hell yea new gun!!! lol...

I live in a ridiculously white safe neighborhood and I clear my house like it belonged to some Muj at least one night a week because I hear something.

Muj?