Hi Justin,
I live in Oregon and out here firearms rarely get a second look (outside of the cities like Portland).
One possible way to start re-educating the anti-gunners is to let them see guns, not being used for crime, all the time. I am referring to one of our
basic rights that is still "allowed" (how can a right be allowed?) called "Open Carry."
In many states, while a person requires a permit to carry a concealed weapon, it is perfectly legal to carry a loaded firearm. Yes that is correct.
For state by state laws one can refer to
OpenCarry.org
To reiterate, it is perfectly legal to go about one's business with a loaded handgun strapped to one's waist, as long as it is clearly visible, in
most states.
My mother in law from Chicago was out visiting a few weeks ago and we were out walking and two gentlemen came walking by with pistols worn outside the
waistband in holsters. She freaked out!!! She is thinking these fellows are going to shoot her etc. I had to explain to her that if they were
criminals they would not be wearing their guns in plane sight, they would be hiding them. That these were in fact gentlemen whom, if she were to
encounter trouble on the trail in the form of a bear or a not-nice human, would take it upon themselves to protect her.
It is ironic as well that she freaked out over the sight of guns when I have my LICENSED concealed carry piece tucked away where it always is and she
hasn't figured it out in many years. How many concealed handguns have all the anti-gunners been standing next to at the movie theater for years and
never knew?
Point being though there is a huge misperception about firearms in this country and many times people who are not familiar with them think that
somehow this inanimate object will jump out of its holster and start gunning folks down.
I purpose that where legal, everyone start Open Carrying. You will probably get hassled by the cops but know your local laws and be polite with
them.
Open Carry is a RIGHT, it is not a priveledge.
If enough folks start doing it maybe we can head this gun control thing off.
There are arguments for and against Open Carry in regards to safety. I'm not going to get into them and folks can lok into that themselves and make
their own choice.
Think about it. 4 patrons standing in line in a convenience store all Open Carrying. A criminal walks in with a plan to commit a crime. If he is
smart enough to notice the guns and do the math he'll walk out, if not then we cannot be responsiblee for that fellows actions and the outcomes he
visits upon himself.
I was in line at a gorocery store, Open Carrying, with wife 4 year old daughter and 6 month old son. Woman behind us in line freaks over the gun,
asking why I have it etc. I explained that it was a right, which she didn't seem to get or care about, so I stole a line I had read someone else
used, "Ma'am, I want you to imagine both of our families walking out into the parking lot and walking past the pedophile hiding in his van looking
for a victim. When he looks at your daughter walking along with her unarmed mom and he looks at my daughter walking along next to her daddy who is
carrying a gun, which kid do you think he would pick...? What if we all had guns, which kid would he pick?" Lightbulbs...
Bottom line... it is our right as American citizens to defend ourselves... from criminals or a corrupt government, just as the founding fathers
intended.