Quote:
Originally Posted by CrazyPhuD
Personally I think the open carry movement is counterproductive but they do and should have the right to do it.
What it exposes is a discriminatory nature in our society. Why does the mere act of someone carrying a gun make you think they present a threat?
Do you feel threatened if you see a cop in uniform with a pistol on his hip?
Now take that exact same person and put him in regular clothes. Do you now consider him to be a threat where he wasn't before in uniform?
What happens if you change him from white to black, does that now make him a threat?
You see the real issue in play here actually isn't about the second amendment, etc. It's about people who chose to discriminate and judge people based on appearance.
How is this any different than the terrible practice police use to 'stop and frisk'? Police in those cases are using race to stop and question someone. In these cases they are using the presence of a firearm without any other actions.
That's what makes this bad for everyone. If someone chooses to express themselves by wearing a firearm why should they be discriminated against? That's the biggest issue, it's a violation of your 1st amendment rights, much less any others.
We should make stops based upon people's actions not based upon their appearance. If someone is doing something suspicious and carrying a firearm, or something threatening then by all means stop and investigate.
But no one should be stopped just because of their appearance, whether that appearance is racial or the presence of a firearm.
|
In this case, we would be reactive instead of proactive if we waited until this individual acted in a suspicious manner. At that point, you may have an accidental or intentional death on your hands because this guy wanted to carry a rifle without being disturbed. It is absolutely intuitive to feel threatened when someone has the capability to easily end your life at his or her discretion.
And, questioning one's sanity when they feel the need to carry a rifle for protection when no imminent danger is present seems to be reasonable to me.