Well, Diogenes suggested that he would physically assault someone exposing a firearm (open carry) in the vicinity of his children, considering the mere display of a firearm to be a threat against his kids. (Definitely an insane thing to do.) So unless he’s just blowing smoke (a very real possibility), then I look forward to seeing the local news story (since he’s local to me) about him being shot and killed by a plainclothed police officer, or simply beaten bloody and arrested for assaulting a police officer.
Oh, I guess I’ve also seen an Armed Security Supervisor open carrying too. Our Asset Protection Manager open carried and didn’t wear a uniform, because it was his job to check on the route drivers. As did the Operations Manager and some of the Leads (Supervisors) on occasion. So maybe Dio should reconsider this whole “visible gun = threat to my children” angle before it gets him killed.
I don’t think it’s a matter of courage. It’s a matter of practicality, and being prepared. It’s not courageous to go out into the desert with no water. It’s not courageous to go into the jungle with no bug spray. It’s not courageous to go walking around in dangerous areas without a gun. It’s just stupid.
In my local Starbucks, the likeliest danger is that of overpaying for a stale blueberry scone. Properly brandished, I suppose a gun might encourage the barista to haul out a fresh tray…
All things considered, unless you have some pressing need to be in that dangerous area, you shouldn’t be there. With or without a gun.
If you’re talking about an urban area, even a gun isn’t the best solution all of the time. I had enough “confrontations” with groups of young men when I lived in north Minneapolis, all of which I resolved with nothing more than my tongue and my brain, without ever being attacked or robbed (even when that was their goal). A gun might have removed one threat (at a severe cost), but made the others far more dangerous.
If you’re talking about a wilderness area, then damn skippy you should have a gun. You can’t talk down a dangerous animal, nor can you outrun a lot of them.
I’m willing to bet that in North America you would be in more danger of coming to harm from the gun than from any animal. I am not stating this as a fact, just willing to bet that there would be less chance of an animal attacking you than most people think. Yes, even in Alaska. I suppose I don’t know much about gators, they could pose a greater threat than I am aware of. Not sure if there’s any way to settle the wager… I’m sure someone will have an idea.
Lots of Africa you’d be nuts to be going about without a gun though.
Depends on the area–in particular the Rockies have potential–there’s a appreciable risk that grizzlies know you’re food. Snakes are also a big problem–I used to carry an air pistol when hiking (I’m in PA) to deal with Eastern Diamondbacks, which could get aggressive. I’m told by my Aunt that the western diamondbacks are bigger and more aggressive.
Most male elk and moose will attack if you’re perceived as a threat. Wild pig will attack for the hell of it, again so I’m told by relatives in Texas, if you’re out in their brush and get too close.
Gators are mostly harmless though unless you get stupidly close or bother their nests.
Is carrying an exposed gun to everyday shopping & social events OK manners wise?
I personally don’t view public open carry as a mannerly thing to do. It just seems rude and odd to me. Even for an off duty Law Enforcement Officer. I wouldn’t want it outlawed, but it’s just something that I don’t care for.
For the record, I live in the non-open carry state of Texas, but for many years lived in the open carry state of NM (where I hardly ever recall seeing it practiced). I am a gun owner and a former TX CHL holder.
My son’s 18. 16 years ago just this time of year, we went strawberry picking out on Long Island. There we are. Surrounded by a hundred or so other people, families, kids of all ages. Picking strawberries.
I move a leaf aside to get some berries and put my hand into a loaded pistol in a clip type of holster. Revolver. Bullets. Yes. Fully loaded.
I put it into my basket, made my way to the farm owner and had him signal me if someone went looking for it and asked him questions. The owner showed up a while later. We went for a little walk towards the parking lot. ( My 2 year old son still sitting on my back in a Gerry backpack). The man was a P.I. License to carry in NY State. Deeply upset that his weapon had fallen off of his belt as he bent way over to pick strawberries.
Not an urban legend. Not some fourth-person word of mouth rumor. I held that loaded weapon. One that any child in the field could easily have picked up and discharged.
So. You have a weapon. It is on your hip. You are not quite self-aware enough to realize it’s gone and might easily have landed into the hands of a child instead of the hands of a 28 year old man.
Your statement quoted up there is not nearly as true as you make it sound.
As for the O.P., I am quite anti-gun. An adult shows up at a child’s party with a loaded gun strapped to their hip, I and my children leave. Period. They feel so insanely threatened by a group of children and their parents that they must appear at that event ready to commit a mortal act? We’re gone. Period.
