Sorry, didn't realize it wasn't obvious: Yes, it was the Zimmerman/Martin Event that I was referring to. At the time of this taping, the prevailing story was that Martin was trying to take away Zimmerman's openly carried gun during the struggle.
That said, the point of the reference was to refute the frequent cry of OC defenders that "no one" has ever had their gun taken or that there are "zero" examples of gun grabs.... a quick Google Search reveals how that's just simply not true. BehindBlueI's provided two OC gun-steals which he referred to as "local" in this thread apparently off the top of his head.
Regardless, it's a silly thing to argue about anyway, as my point is that it COULD happen... anyone who can't admit that is just being stubborn or ignorant. If you are properly concealing your gun, a "gun grab" can't happen.
The worst argument that I hear from OC defenders is the idea that they are "educating" the public (or, even worse, the police!) by carrying openly. There are many ways that one can educate the public about "normal people" carrying guns or their rights to carry guns without taking the OC route, much less the Confrontational OC route. As for law enforcement, I always encourage people to drop off legal notices or letters stating the law from State AG's office at the PD, or offering to give a presentation to supervisors or during shift meetings. That represents a sincere effort to educate and, importantly, to avoid confrontation.
****
ATM, I have learned that most of the firearms community, including the vast majority of the defensive shooting training industry, agrees wholeheartedly with my position about the defensive advantage of CC and "gets" the point in regard to the negative impact of Confrontational OC.
I have learned that most people OC'ing are well intentioned, polite folks who are not looking for trouble and think what they are doing is prudent. I would say the same thing about women carrying revolvers around in their purses that they've never trained with and never practiced trying to use under any kind of stress.
Unfortunately, I've also learned that there are still people like this guy out there causing problems, embarrassing the community, wasting the time of law enforcement officers and clearly using Open Carry to cause Confrontation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBWghJrVeYA
****
As I've said several times and alluded to in this video clip, if someone really wants to make a statement and OC on the steps of The Capitol or in Times Square in order to try to get laws changed, I would at least respect the effort and the non-violent-civil-disobedience. Such an act would lead to a court case that could result in a challenging of existing laws and (possibly) lead to positive change. That would be a "Rosa Parks". I certainly don't advocate such action, but it would actually be someone taking a stand for something. As is evident by the Very Loud Outcry Against the planned "OC March on DC", the majority of the firearms community also agrees that such action would do more harm than good. What the kid in the above video did (and what all those who carry openly just for the sake of confrontation or causing anxiety do) is the equivalent of holding your foot 3 inches above first base and teasing the pitcher because he can't throw fast enough to get you out.
His actual issue appears to be that the police are asking him for his ID without the legal right to do so...but he is using a gun to cause the confrontation. That is just reckless. Firearms should be carried for the defense of yourself or others, if necessary... that is what the Second Amendment is about. Carrying to cause a confrontation and address the issue of police illegally asking for ID is an abuse of the right to bear arms.
***
I support the legal right to carry openly... just like I support the right to be allowed to spend all your money on lottery tickets, but they're both bad ideas. I'm not a financial planner... so do whatever you want in that regard. I am a personal defense instructor and I believe strongly that you are better off carrying a defensive firearm concealed, which is why I advocate it. I advocate training for multiple round strings of fire as well, as opposed to just firing a single shot and then lowering your gun to assess the results. I am also a staunch defender of the Second Amendment and I believe that abusing the right to carry openly impacts our community negatively, which is another reason that I try to educate people about the importance of taking the CC option when it is available.
-RJP
That said, the point of the reference was to refute the frequent cry of OC defenders that "no one" has ever had their gun taken or that there are "zero" examples of gun grabs.... a quick Google Search reveals how that's just simply not true. BehindBlueI's provided two OC gun-steals which he referred to as "local" in this thread apparently off the top of his head.
Regardless, it's a silly thing to argue about anyway, as my point is that it COULD happen... anyone who can't admit that is just being stubborn or ignorant. If you are properly concealing your gun, a "gun grab" can't happen.
The worst argument that I hear from OC defenders is the idea that they are "educating" the public (or, even worse, the police!) by carrying openly. There are many ways that one can educate the public about "normal people" carrying guns or their rights to carry guns without taking the OC route, much less the Confrontational OC route. As for law enforcement, I always encourage people to drop off legal notices or letters stating the law from State AG's office at the PD, or offering to give a presentation to supervisors or during shift meetings. That represents a sincere effort to educate and, importantly, to avoid confrontation.
****
ATM, I have learned that most of the firearms community, including the vast majority of the defensive shooting training industry, agrees wholeheartedly with my position about the defensive advantage of CC and "gets" the point in regard to the negative impact of Confrontational OC.
I have learned that most people OC'ing are well intentioned, polite folks who are not looking for trouble and think what they are doing is prudent. I would say the same thing about women carrying revolvers around in their purses that they've never trained with and never practiced trying to use under any kind of stress.
Unfortunately, I've also learned that there are still people like this guy out there causing problems, embarrassing the community, wasting the time of law enforcement officers and clearly using Open Carry to cause Confrontation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBWghJrVeYA
****
As I've said several times and alluded to in this video clip, if someone really wants to make a statement and OC on the steps of The Capitol or in Times Square in order to try to get laws changed, I would at least respect the effort and the non-violent-civil-disobedience. Such an act would lead to a court case that could result in a challenging of existing laws and (possibly) lead to positive change. That would be a "Rosa Parks". I certainly don't advocate such action, but it would actually be someone taking a stand for something. As is evident by the Very Loud Outcry Against the planned "OC March on DC", the majority of the firearms community also agrees that such action would do more harm than good. What the kid in the above video did (and what all those who carry openly just for the sake of confrontation or causing anxiety do) is the equivalent of holding your foot 3 inches above first base and teasing the pitcher because he can't throw fast enough to get you out.
His actual issue appears to be that the police are asking him for his ID without the legal right to do so...but he is using a gun to cause the confrontation. That is just reckless. Firearms should be carried for the defense of yourself or others, if necessary... that is what the Second Amendment is about. Carrying to cause a confrontation and address the issue of police illegally asking for ID is an abuse of the right to bear arms.
***
I support the legal right to carry openly... just like I support the right to be allowed to spend all your money on lottery tickets, but they're both bad ideas. I'm not a financial planner... so do whatever you want in that regard. I am a personal defense instructor and I believe strongly that you are better off carrying a defensive firearm concealed, which is why I advocate it. I advocate training for multiple round strings of fire as well, as opposed to just firing a single shot and then lowering your gun to assess the results. I am also a staunch defender of the Second Amendment and I believe that abusing the right to carry openly impacts our community negatively, which is another reason that I try to educate people about the importance of taking the CC option when it is available.
-RJP
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). I think A LOT of it depends on where you live. Here in my area OC is VERY common. I see law abiding citizens open carry at least 3 times a week, just during my daily travels around town, gas station stops, ect. People don't really give it a second glance, most, in fact don't even notice. Do I OC, sometimes, sometimes i don't. I support CARRY, how you do choose to do it, is your call. I biggest beef with the whole OC/CC debate is the CC only crown trying to force their opinions on others, why?? If you personally don't think OC is a good option, then don't do it, but why try to tell other that they are wrong in their choice to OC????
worth just about what you paid for it......
