Anyone see the gun rights supporter walking in Reston

[frostopsy]

Nothing wrong with open carry. It's actually safer than concealed carry for most LEOs. They know for a fact you have one and where it is.

[Golddots]

Concealed carry is always better. No need to hurt everyone's feelings as you do your thing at home depot and bed bath beyond.

[Old Guard]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

Do some research on cases where people carrying legally saved the lives of people being robbed, assaulted and so on. If you see the gun someone is wearing in public then this person is the one most likely to be a law-abiding citizen.

They are also a convenient gun rack for someone who is not or is angry or mentally unstable.

I grew up with guns, carried them as an infantryman in the Army and distance myself from the "But it's ma right!" movement.

I am not interested enough in looking up the statistics but I have always wondered if more people have been "saved" by guns than have been injured or killed by their own or someone in their families gun.

[Old Guard]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

Do you really need this explained? I know someone already did but I'm quite surprised you asked this.

I would like to see an explanation. We have an entire legal system that tries to figure out if some people are criminals or not and they do not always get it right.

So when someone tells me that there are good guys with guns and bad guys with guns it is similar to me as someone saying that they can tell if someone is guilty just by looking at them.

If it was so easy to tell just by looking Chris Kyle would probably be alive today.

[MedvedActual]

Honestly, and I say it as someone pro-guns (in a sense that I enjoy having the legal right to possess them and be able to use if necessary), the folks who walk around open carry on purpose, do not IMO add any benefit to the pro-gun debate if you will. Especially given the laws in VA, why would one not get a CCW and go about his/her business while keeping the firearm out of the potentially bad guys view? All that does is unnecessarily advertise possession of a firearm (yes, I know, its completely legal), but nevertheless. No reason to do so when one can pay the $50 do the paperwork and have the permit to them in a month or so. Typically, having also seen those that open carry, does not make it look as if they are the most proficient with a firearm/in great physical shape. Yes, I know looks may be deceiving, however perception is reality at times. Just saying...

[Bull Run Paradise]

Originally Posted by MedvedActual

Honestly, and I say it as someone pro-guns (in a sense that I enjoy having the legal right to possess them and be able to use if necessary), the folks who walk around open carry on purpose, do not IMO add any benefit to the pro-gun debate if you will. Especially given the laws in VA, why would one not get a CCW and go about his/her business while keeping the firearm out of the potentially bad guys view? All that does is unnecessarily advertise possession of a firearm (yes, I know, its completely legal), but nevertheless. No reason to do so when one can pay the $50 do the paperwork and have the permit to them in a month or so. Typically, having also seen those that open carry, does not make it look as if they are the most proficient with a firearm/in great physical shape. Yes, I know looks may be deceiving, however perception is reality at times. Just saying...

For CCW, I believe it's more that just money and paperwork, there's several hours of classroom time at someone else's convenience, as well. Open carry is no fuss (though, self-study on safety and hand's on practice is vital, no doubt)

[MedvedActual]

Originally Posted by Bull Run Paradise

For CCW, I believe it's more that just money and paperwork, there's several hours of classroom time at someone else's convenience, as well. Open carry is no fuss (though, self-study on safety and hand's on practice is vital, no doubt)

Yes, depending on the state, there is likely at least a safety type course to be taken, however that is pretty basic stuff. Also, at least in VA, those on active duty, retired military, etc. do not need to take that course; just show them a copy of military ID or DD214. Agree on being actually able to confidently using a gun being the most important, open carry or not.

[LynchburgLover]

Originally Posted by MedvedActual

Yes, depending on the state, there is likely at least a safety type course to be taken, however that is pretty basic stuff. Also, at least in VA, those on active duty, retired military, etc. do not need to take that course; just show them a copy of military ID or DD214. Agree on being actually able to confidently using a gun being the most important, open carry or not.

Amen to the last sentence. Husband and I go every 6 weeks or so to the range jut to refresh our memories on everything. Too many idiots don't get the proper training.