# It is wrong to bring guns to a protest **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 20, 2010, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751 "2010-04-20T15:38:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/81 "2010-04-20T19:49:27Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > The OP has admitted that he doesn’t believe that guns should be carried anywhere in public. Add to that universal list political demonstrations. > > I think you are wrong on that count just like you are wrong on your general idea of gun control. Law abiding citizens, as a rule, do not pull out their legally carried guns and start blasting away. This argument gets repeated if we are talking about concealed in public, in restaurants, in bars, in churches, in amusement parks, in schools, in national parks, etc. etc. etc. etc. > > Now we have to go over it again regarding political demonstrations. If you have the right to carry guns everywhere, _should_ you carry guns everywhere? Are there places where you _personally_ would not carry a gun? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/82 "2010-04-20T19:56:18Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If you have the right to carry guns everywhere, _should_ you carry guns everywhere? Are there places where you _personally_ would not carry a gun? Well, swimming. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/83 "2010-04-20T19:58:53Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Well, swimming. Now that you’ve had your “humorous” moment, would you mind answering seriously? Can you conceive of a situation where it might be legal to carry a weapon, but it wouldn’t be, in your own judgment, prudent? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/84 "2010-04-20T20:04:26Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Well, swimming. Actually, aren’t there guns that’ll fire underwater? And sharks live in the ocean. As do jellyfish! (Are guns effective against jellyfish?) ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/85 "2010-04-20T20:04:32Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Law abiding citizens, as a rule, do not pull out their legally carried guns and start blasting away. If they did, they wouldn’t be law-abiding, now would they?😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/86 "2010-04-20T20:05:47Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Now that you’ve had your “humorous” moment, would you mind answering seriously? Can you conceive of a situation where it might be legal to carry a weapon, but it wouldn’t be, in your own judgment, prudent? How about this - do you think it would be imprudent to carry a gun while drinking in a bar? What if you’re going out on a proper pub-crawl - is it imprudent to carry a gun then? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/87 "2010-04-20T20:07:56Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Actually, aren’t there guns that’ll fire underwater? And sharks live in the ocean. As do jellyfish! (Are guns effective against jellyfish?) I think there is something called a “Bang Stick” that will fire a 12 gauge shotgun shell underwater. From what I understand, effective range is limited to having the muzzle touching the target when the device is triggered. I’ve never seen or fired a Bang Stick, though. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/88 "2010-04-20T20:08:32Z")
**Mr. E** : Or, if you don’t, is it OK by you if the violent drunk a few stools down has his own? ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/89 "2010-04-20T20:09:50Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Now that you’ve had your “humorous” moment, would you mind answering seriously? Can you conceive of a situation where it might be legal to carry a weapon, but it wouldn’t be, in your own judgment, prudent? > > > [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > > > How about this - do you think it would be imprudent to carry a gun while drinking in a bar? What if you’re going out on a proper pub-crawl - is it imprudent to carry a gun then? Psst. Post #74: > [@me](#): > > I think it is a good thing for law abiding people who wish to carry, to carry where ever it is legal. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/90 "2010-04-20T20:10:41Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > How about this - do you think it would be imprudent to carry a gun while drinking in a bar? What if you’re going out on a proper pub-crawl - is it imprudent to carry a gun then? I couldn’t say, because I have never felt the need to carry a weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/91 "2010-04-20T20:11:50Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I think there is something called a “Bang Stick” that will fire a 12 gauge shotgun shell underwater. From what I understand, effective range is limited to having the muzzle touching the target when the device is triggered. I’ve never seen or fired a Bang Stick, though. Are there places you wouldn’t carry a weapon because you didn’t feel it was prudent to do so? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/92 "2010-04-20T20:13:05Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > By the same token they could be saying, “If my small penis won’t convince you I’m a man, my huge gun will!” > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Because the right wing is full of thugs. This partisan sneering needs to stop. It belongs in the Pit, maybe, but not in here. > [@Oakminster](#): > > Unless and until you respond appropriately in the ATMB thread I’ve already linked, you do not exist to me. Please resolve your issues with **Czarcasm** by private message, email, or somewhere outside this thread. > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The examples were to demonstrate culture and human nature, not law or even the respect thereof. Unless you’re trying to say that Americans are fundamentally different from people anywhere else, you’re full of crap there. And if you are saying that, you’re full of crap about _that_. Leave out the personal remarks like “you’re full of crap,” please. They’re not appropriate for this forum. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/93 "2010-04-20T20:18:15Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I couldn’t say, because I have never felt the need to carry a weapon. I’m sorry, my mistake - that question was directed towards **Bricker**. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/94 "2010-04-20T20:21:48Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > I’m sorry, my mistake - that question was directed towards **Bricker**. Watch where you point those questions, mister-an innocent bystander could get hurt! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/95 "2010-04-20T20:35:09Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No, you simply made a remarkably silly and unfounded statement - this one > and failed to back it up in any significant way. > > It’s like **Der Trihs** ’ silly rants - you don’t have to refute anything that hasn’t been established. It doesn’t take “significant” backing to support the position that it’s stupid for the the pro-gun side to present itself as a mob of unprincipled thugs inclined to bring excess firepower in order to exert intimitation as political pressure, is a bad idea. This is what we call “obvious”. I can see why you wouldn’t want to have to refute the obvious - you know you haven’t got a shred of a hope of a prayer. Hence, your crappy adhominimeny drek-shoveling here. Responding to others who at least _attempted_ to argue the position, I would suggest that to think that the above-mentioned PR cost is outweighed by the gains from increasing debate (when the debate will largely be against you) is pretty dim, despite the meme that any advertising is good advertising. > [@Shodan](#): > > If you want to make a stupid remark and declare yourself winner, that’s fine - it is a gesture of surrender in the battle of wits. If you were to look at the foolishness I responded to, you’d be quite aware that I was being presented with any wits to battle against. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/96 "2010-04-20T20:49:26Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > It doesn’t take “significant” backing to support the position that it’s stupid for the the pro-gun side to present itself as a mob of unprincipled thugs inclined to bring excess firepower in order to exert intimitation as political pressure, is a bad idea. This is what we call “obvious”. It is stupid for the anti-gun side to see this as anything other than a group of citizens lawfully exercising their constitutional rights. This is what is truly obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/97 "2010-04-20T20:54:24Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > If you were to look at the foolishness I responded to, you’d be quite aware that I was being presented with any wits to battle against. [my emphasis] For the last time in this thread - this kind of sniping isn’t allowed in this forum. If there is any more of this, posters will start getting warned. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/98 "2010-04-20T20:54:49Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > It is stupid for the anti-gun side to see this as anything other than a group of citizens lawfully exercising their constitutional rights. This is what is truly obvious. **Oakminster** , I think we all agree that this was lawful. The question is just whether or not it was a particularly good idea. Is there anyplace you think it’s inappropriate, rude, or just plain foolish to carry a firearm, even when it’s legal? ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/99 "2010-04-20T20:55:34Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > [my emphasis] For the last time in this thread - this kind of sniping isn’t allowed in this forum. If there is any more of this, posters will start getting warned. Heh… he said “sniping.” ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/100 "2010-04-20T20:58:20Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > It is stupid for the anti-gun side to see this as anything other than a group of citizens lawfully exercising their constitutional rights. This is what is truly obvious. It doesn’t matter if you’re _right_. Pretend for a moment that liberals all reacted with horror and terror from the color purple - it truly intimidated them, for no reason whatsoever. In this case, wearing excessive amounts of purple, presenting a veritable \*wall \*of purple, is **fricking stupid** to do at a peaceful pro-purple rally, because it’s deliberately provoking the maximum negative visceral response. Unless your _goal_ is to terrify and intimidate. Then you’re terrorists (of purpledom!) but at least you’re not too stupid to realize the extremely predictable reaction to what you’re doing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751.md?page=6)