# 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:** 6
**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, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/101 "2010-04-20T21:18:51Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > 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. Why should the pro gun crowd care what the anti-gun crowd thinks? This isn’t about them, it’s about the lawful exercise of constitutional freedoms. If they’re intimidated by lawful conduct, the fault lies with them and no one else. ---
**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, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/102 "2010-04-20T21:20:44Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Why should the pro gun crowd care what the anti-gun crowd thinks? This isn’t about them, it’s about the lawful exercise of constitutional freedoms. If they’re intimidated by lawful conduct, the fault lies with them and no one else. Do you think that there are times when it might not be prudent to bear arms, or are you of the opinion that guns should be carried everywhere? ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/103 "2010-04-20T21:23:13Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > 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. On the contrary, it could also be asserted that the objective is to show that people who wear purple, and the color purple itself, represents NO DANGER to people, and that the idea that anyone who wears purple must be out to shock and horrify are embracing an irrational beleif. ---
**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, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/104 "2010-04-20T21:25:31Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Why should the pro gun crowd care what the anti-gun crowd thinks? This isn’t about them, it’s about the lawful exercise of constitutional freedoms. If they’re intimidated by lawful conduct, the fault lies with them and no one else. What is the point of a peaceful protest again? Oh, right - to convince the people who already agree with you! > [@crazyjoe](#): > > On the contrary, it could also be asserted that the objective is to show that people who wear purple, and the color purple itself, represents NO DANGER to people, and that the idea that anyone who wears purple must be out to shock and horrify are embracing an irrational beleif. While calling for them to die? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/105 "2010-04-20T21:27:45Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Why should the pro gun crowd care what the anti-gun crowd thinks? This isn’t about them, it’s about the lawful exercise of constitutional freedoms. If they’re intimidated by lawful conduct, the fault lies with them and no one else. :rolleyes: Yes, it’s completely irrational to be afraid of armed members of the same political faction that has been threatening violence and engaging in violence. ---
**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, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/106 "2010-04-20T21:40:18Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > :rolleyes: Yes, it’s completely irrational to be afraid of armed members of the same political faction that has been threatening violence and engaging in violence. You got that cite I asked for yet? No? OK. Come back when you’ve got it. ---
**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, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/107 "2010-04-20T21:44:55Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > What is the point of a peaceful protest again? Oh, right - to convince the people who already agree with you! Maybe all they wanted to do was have a meeting and carry a gun at the same time, because the law says they can do that. Persuading people like you and \*\*Der Trihs \*\* isn’t on the agenda, because there is nothing that could persuade you that guns are not the horribly scary things you think they are. If you don’t like it, have your own gun-free rally. Pass out flowers to everybody that attends, have them all join hands and sing Kumbaya or the 70s Coke Commercial. ---
**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, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/108 "2010-04-20T21:53:45Z")
> [@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? Not really, no. I mentioned swimming because it would be difficult to safely secure the weapon while I was in the pool, and I suppose you might reach a bit and call that an exercise of prudence, although it’s not quite what you’re thinking. Carrying a weapon would certainly place limits on other things you might do. But there’s nothing imprudent about those situations – “impractical” might be a better word. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/109 "2010-04-20T21:56:47Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Why should the pro gun crowd care what the anti-gun crowd thinks? If one group within a democracy is interested in changing public policy–or forestalling change the other way–it makes sense to take note of others’ opinions on the matter, and try to understand where those opinions come from. ---
**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, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/110 "2010-04-20T22:01:06Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Actually, aren’t there guns that’ll fire underwater? There are – I did a Staff Report on this very subject several years ago, but it seems to be in Reformatting Limbo at present. ---
**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, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/111 "2010-04-20T22:04:46Z")
> [@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? Sure, and in fact that would be illegal in Virginia. But note that we’ve moved from discussing places to discussing activities. There’s nothing imprudent about carrying a weapon in a bar. Choosing to drink, however, is highly imprudent. ---
**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, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/112 "2010-04-20T22:07:12Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > 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. And of course yo feel the same way about the outrageous, over-the-top sexualized behavior one sees at a Gay Pride Parade - right? ---
**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, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/113 "2010-04-20T22:14:28Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And of course yo feel the same way about the outrageous, over-the-top sexualized behavior one sees at a Gay Pride Parade - right? Yes. Doesn’t mean it should be _illegal_, but it’s still not good PR. On the other hand, since they can merely shock and not really intimidate, I would not consider it to be along the lines of terrorism lite. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/114 "2010-04-20T22:14:33Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And of course yo feel the same way about the outrageous, over-the-top sexualized behavior one sees at a Gay Pride Parade - right? Are they carrying guns? ---
**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, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/115 "2010-04-20T22:18:38Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Maybe all they wanted to do was have a meeting and carry a gun at the same time, because the law says they can do that. You’re not serious. ---
**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, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/116 "2010-04-20T22:35:07Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And of course yo feel the same way about the outrageous, over-the-top sexualized behavior one sees at a Gay Pride Parade - right? “Hey! Never you mind what’s happening over here-Look over _there_!!” ---
**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, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/117 "2010-04-20T22:40:10Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > There’s nothing imprudent about carrying a weapon in a bar. Choosing to drink, however, is highly imprudent. You may not choose to drink while in the bar, but assuredly most everyone else is. Asking again: Is it OK for the the guy a few stools down from you, a “law abiding citizen” who happens to get nasty when he’s had a couple, to carry a gun? ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/118 "2010-04-20T22:51:54Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > these protests have not been the cause of a single gunshot injury or death. You left out one word: _yet_. I remind you of Kent State. And in that case the shooters were professionals. I don’t think fear is inappropriate in this situation especially after seeing videos of such angry, angry people. You might not be intimidated by people with loaded hand-guns and rifles slung over their shoulders but I am. Especially when I’m in a National Park on vacation armed only with my camera. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/119 "2010-04-20T22:56:08Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > You got that cite I asked for yet? > > No? > > OK. Come back when you’ve got it. A cite for what? Have you been in a cave? The health care bill alone created a wave of violence and the threats of it. ---
**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, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751/120 "2010-04-20T23:04:06Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > A cite for what? Have you been in a cave? The health care bill alone created a wave of violence and the threats of it. A cite for this: > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Who are they attacking and killing? Are they a major force in the left, with support from the highest levels of the Democratic Party? > > There is simply no comparison between the two. Violence and the threats of violence from the Right is common, and encouraged at all levels; Who are the “highest levels in the Republican Party” that are actively supporting violence? Can you cite to a Senator or Congressman that is supporting this violence? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-wrong-to-bring-guns-to-a-protest/536751.md?page=7)