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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?
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Because they are a potential threat.
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Do you feel threatened if you see a cop in uniform with a pistol on his hip?
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Yes. I notice when I come in contact with armed people and I don't necessarily trust policemen. I alter my behavior when I'm around an armed person that I don't know.
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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?
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It's not much difference to me.
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What happens if you change him from white to black, does that now make him a threat?
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Nope. Couldn't give any less of a shit.
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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.
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To a degree we have to. The denser your local population, the more you have to do this.
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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.
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Meh. I have no problem with the cops asking you questions and checking you out if you're carrying a rifle around town. It's unusual behavior. It does get ignored (or at least it used to) in some remote places.