Policing ourselves

[Gallstones]

NRA Issues Statement about Open Carry of Long Guns in Private Businesses

Here at NRA, we are big fans of responsible behavior … legal mandates, not so much. We think the Founders of this country were right to trust its people with the freedom to make their own choices. We also think they were wise to build checks into our constitutional system so that one view could not easily dominate the others and so that officials could be held accountable for their decisions.

As gun owners, whether or not our decisions are dictated by the law, we are still accountable for them. And we owe it to each other to act as checks on bad behavior before the legal system steps in and does it for us. If we exercise poor judgment, our decisions will have consequences. These consequences could be simple and transitory, such as watching a trophy buck bound away into the woods after a missed shot from an improperly sighted rifle. They could also be lasting and consequential, such as turning an undecided voter into an antigun voter because of causing that person fear or offense. In ways small and large, we are all in this together, and we all have a role to play in preserving our cherished freedoms for ourselves and future generations.

Let’s take just a couple of examples. In each case, just because something can be done doesn’t mean it should be done. In each case, gun owners would do well to consider the effect their behavior has on others, whether fellow gun owners or not.
...
...so-called “smart” guns...Certainly, the NRA doesn’t oppose anything that would make firearms more appealing or accessible to a larger segment of the American public. Not everybody has guns for the same reason, and we believe people are perfectly capable of determining for themselves what best suits their needs.
...
...the Lone Star State, which is second to none for its robust gun culture. We applaud Texans for that, but a small number have recently crossed the line from enthusiasm to downright foolishness.
...
it is a rare sight to see someone sidle up next to you in line for lunch with a 7.62 rifle slung across his chest, much less a whole gaggle of folks descending on the same public venue with similar arms.

Let’s not mince words, not only is it rare, it’s downright weird and certainly not a practical way to go normally about your business while being prepared to defend yourself. To those who are not acquainted with the dubious practice of using public displays of firearms as a means to draw attention to oneself or one’s cause, it can be downright scary. It makes folks who might normally be perfectly open-minded about firearms feel uncomfortable and question the motives of pro-gun advocates.

As a result of these hijinx, two popular fast food outlets have recently requested patrons to keep guns off the premises (more information can be found here and here). In other words, the freedom and goodwill these businesses had previously extended to gun owners has been curtailed because of the actions of an attention-hungry few who thought only of themselves and not of those who might be affected by their behavior. To state the obvious, that’s counterproductive for the gun owning community.

More to the point, it’s just not neighborly, which is out of character for the big-hearted residents of Texas. Using guns merely to draw attention to yourself in public not only defies common sense, it shows a lack of consideration and manners. That’s not the Texas way. And that’s certainly not the NRA way.

Complete text at the link.

[JimC]

I'm gonna start by reading myself my rights...

Then I'll use the baton if I get a bit frisky...

[JacksSmirkingRevenge]

I'm gonna start by reading myself my rights...

Then I'll use the baton if I get a bit frisky...

I prefer the no-nonsense approach to policing, so I'm gonna pepper spray myself and 'falldown the stairs'.

[JimC]

I'm gonna start by reading myself my rights...

Then I'll use the baton if I get a bit frisky...

I prefer the no-nonsense approach to policing, so I'm gonna pepper spray myself and 'falldown the stairs'.

See you at the hospital!

[Tero]

Send me a sling shot. I'm not paying for weapons. I'll take it into McDonalds and swagger about.

[Robert_S]

The NRA has turned into a bunch of socialist pansies.







[/sarcasm]

[FBM]

I'd report myself for self brutality.

[JimC]

I'd report myself for self brutality.

Can I be a character witness at the trial?

[FBM]

I'd report myself for self brutality.

Can I be a character witness at the trial?

Depends. Have you ever engaged in self abuse?

[JimC]

I've been abusing myself for years...

Or was that amusing myself?

[JimC]

I'm resisting arrest by that gin-sozzled old bastard!

[Gallstones]

[Gallstones]

[pErvinalia]

I always carry my assault rifle when I go to Target.

[Gallstones]

I always carry my assault rifle when I go to Target.

The point of this thread seems to have gone over your head, or else (more charitably) you didn't read the OP which directly addresses Texas Open Carry demonstrations.

BTW open carry of rifles is very uncommon and is rather contentious among the majority of firearm enthusiasts and carry supporters.