Open Carry... Home Depot Vancouver

[korntera]

Open carry is a right. For better or worst, it is a RIGHT.

If this thread goes off the wall with anti-OCers belittling OC'ers like children (Again), I will not return to NWFA.

Then maybe they shouldn't act like children giggling when people dont' like them using their rights. They should act like adults and maybe tell people why it is a right or say sorry I didn't mean to offend you, I was just observing my rights in a respectful manor.

 

[USMC1911]

I dont think any of us carry because we are scared for our life when we go out the door, but we do carry because we all know anything can happen. I feel the comment regarding the gun being real was inaproprate. Back to my question, without a ccw should he leave his gun at home?

 

[Joe Link]

What's that saying again? Oh yeah...

A right not exercised is a right lost.

Though I don't personally open carry, I appreciate those who do. I will defend their right to do so the same way I defend concealed carry.

 

[wichaka]

There was a time many many years ago when concealed carry was considered suspicious. My oh my, have times changed!

 

[Jerry]

Open carry is certainly not prohibited in Washington.

Remember, a right not excercised becomes a right that is lost.

Because of public perceptions fostered by the media, we need to be perceived as responsible, sober citizens however we carry.

 

[coctailer]

Then maybe they shouldn't act like children giggling when people dont' like them using their rights. They should act like adults and maybe tell people why it is a right or say sorry I didn't mean to offend you, I was just observing my rights in a respectful manor.

I agree. Being respectful goes a long way.

I would like to see more people open-carry though. It would help make the non-gun guys more used to seeing it.
Perhaps that would make them not so afraid.

 

[ob1]

I concealed carry at home depot all the time. Out of sight, no problems ever. The pistol is still there when I need it, and I won't ever run the risk of getting hastled. It's up to you, if you want to go around town testing stores' policies, on firearms carry. But if they don't know you have it, then they can't hastle you. that's my thought anyway.

He has the point right there. Go about your business, carry your gun, no problems. .....or you can.....

If it is your intention to visibly profess your version of "gun rights" , then go ahead, knock yourself out. But please, dont then post another one of those threads about the shocked reaction that you created. Everyone can predict what is going to happen, it is not a surprise.

Why do you get such immediate reaction in an urban setting when you O/C ?... Simple, alot of people dont like guns, gun ownership, the second ammendment etc. You are not serving the lofty cause of a "gun rights evangelist", you are simply pissing people off and validating anti-gun sentiment when you throw it in to someones face. Counter-productive.

Why do you get a negative reaction from many on the site here ? Guys, we all get it, open carry exists. But the question remains, when another one of these O/C stories surfaces, are these people aware that they are not necessarily contributing to our shared "cause" ?

Hello people.... we are living in an era where the politicians are not going to protect the gun rights we still have. Is this really the time to stir the pot ?

 

[gunnails]

He has the point right there. Go about your business, carry your gun, no problems. .....or you can.....

If it is your intention to visibly profess your version of "gun rights" , then go ahead, knock yourself out. But please, dont then post another one of those threads about the shocked reaction that you created. Everyone can predict what is going to happen, it is not a surprise.

Why do you get such immediate reaction in an urban setting when you O/C ?... Simple, alot of people dont like guns, gun ownership, the second ammendment etc. You are not serving the lofty cause of a "gun rights evangelist", you are simply pissing people off and validating anti-gun sentiment when you throw it in to someones face. Counter-productive.

Why do you get a negative reaction from many on the site here ? Guys, we all get it, open carry exists. But the question remains, when another one of these O/C stories surfaces, are these people aware that they are not necessarily contributing to our shared "cause" ?

Hello people.... we are living in an era where the politicians are not going to protect the gun rights we still have. Is this really the time to stir the pot ?

=========================================

I respectfully disagree 100%.

The OP did absolutely nothing wrong. And although I have never open carried, I wish more would.

 

[coctailer]

The problem is your thinking in a Right frame of mind when you need to think in the LEFT frame of mind. Scare tactics are not going to make non gun owners want to learn about open carry, its going to make them fight harder against it when they see it, I know this because most of my friends are liberal democrats. What works on you i.e. the news and all the stories of murders and crimes to get you to carry does the exact opposite to somebody on the other side of the spectrum it makes them think people like the OP are the problem. Do I think its right NO, but thats the fact of the matter. To change somebodys mind don't use your way of thinking, be smarter than that and use their way of thinking.

=========================================

I respectfully disagree 100%.

The OP did absolutely nothing wrong. And although I have never open carried, I wish more would.

I think the only thing the OP could have done better was pointed out by Korntera.
When the mother expressed concern about it, he should have apologized and explained that his intention wasn't to offend, and that he was simply exercising his rights.

If the lady gave any more flak, then continue to apologize and back away.

Overly respectful and meek. That is the way to project a positive image.

The guys that argue and demand respect simply don't get it.

 

[22many]

So if home depots policy is no firearms then I highly doubt they are going to "escort" a police officer out the door. Just because he has a uniform it makes it ok?

 

[coctailer]

So if home depots policy is no firearms then I highly doubt they are going to "escort" a police officer out the door. Just because he has a uniform it makes it ok?

Totally different.
Apples and Oranges.

Cops can carry everywhere (Everyone wants them to also)

The point is to get people used to ordinary law-abiding citizens carrying guns without feeling threatened.

 

[ob1]

=========================================

I respectfully disagree 100%.

The OP did absolutely nothing wrong. And although I have never open carried, I wish more would.

And I respectfully support your ability to disagree, 100%. I am curious though, since I already have listed the reasons why I dont choose to open carry, why dont you ?

BTW perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I did not mean to infer that the OP did something wrong, it is his right to do so, at least at present. However, as you elude to in your post, not many choose to do so. It would seem that since the vast majority choose not to openly carry, there must be a prevalent reason.
Kornterra and Cocktailer seem to be making the point that was my original intent. You can't convince someone of your point by slapping them in the face with it. It just enforces their own belief system. "Shock and Awe" might work on the battlefield, but it wont change anyones oppinion.

 

[deadeye]

I think one perspective that is being overlooked is that there may have been several (if not dozens) of people in Home Depot (where I NEVER shop...Lowes guy going to the store management about 'a guy w/ a gun.' So yeah, they may have made up a policy on the spot to ask 1 guy to leave in response for the many complaints I can imagine it drummed up. Do I agree w/ you, too. **** yes, its your right to open carry. BUT you were on private property. At least they asked nicely rather than just called 911 & had you booted out by the police at best, or maybe a face-down-on-the asphalt moment at worst.
Pick those battles IMO.

+1

 

[timbernet]

Hmm I wonder if there's a Lowes around here

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...584763&spn=0.011657,0.027874&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A

Just a wee bit down the road from you.

 

[korntera]

I agree. Being respectful goes a long way.

I would like to see more people open-carry though. It would help make the non-gun guys more used to seeing it.
Perhaps that would make them not so afraid.

Exactly! I don't think I put it very eloquently in my first response, it takes my slow brain a while to formulate my full thought process. I have no problem with Open Carry if people are respectful and meek, it just seems that not many that do are. I have friends that OC and do it just to show off and when i see stuff like i posted it brings out the worst. I personally would not OC but i support anyone who does in a respectful and thoughtful manor.

 

[22many]

Totally different.
Apples and Oranges.

Cops can carry everywhere (Everyone wants them to also)

The point is to get people used to ordinary law-abiding citizens carrying guns without feeling threatened.

I have to disagree. If there policy is no firearms then that is their policy. I understand that the police are there to "protect" but I would not trust my life to one.

Anyways, back to the matter at hand.

 

[gunnails]

And I respectfully support your ability to disagree, 100%. I am curious though, since I already have listed the reasons why I dont choose to open carry, why dont you ?

BTW perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I did not mean to infer that the OP did something wrong, it is his right to do so, at least at present. However, as you elude to in your post, not many choose to do so. It would seem that since the vast majority choose not to openly carry, there must be a prevalent reason.

=================================================

To answer your question, I do not open carry because lugging a shot gun or a rifle around would be quite the hassle, and I have never perceived a need to carry other then for hunting and target practice, and lastly I have never owned a pistol till about 6 weeks ago and unless I am in fear of a barn I could not hit anything smaller..

I see no rational reason someone should be intimidated or put off by open carry, other then preconceived notions created by the media and some liberal bleeding hearts. Cops open carry and no one seems to mind that, cops don't open carry to intimidate, that is a given. It just does not make sense to me that because someone is carrying a gun openly or concealed that I should fear them.

I do better on short posts, I never seem to get my thoughts properly expressed.

 

[BUZO71]

I'll chime in with a few of the same thoughts. It is a right to OC but you result shouldn't shock you. Specifically to Home Depot, they have all sorts of goofy policies but that particular policy has been around and discussed on many forums.

To the people who say, 'A right not exercised is a right lost.' I can't believe you believe that, because if you did, you would OC. Under that assumption, its your duty to OC or the right to OC will be lost?

If that were the case, the whole legal system would be different. Think of the idiots who have the right to remain silent (refrain from self incrimination) but talk to police anyway. Under your logic we could have done away with that right looooooong ago.

I OC. but I do it if I'm going to the range, camping, gold mining or in a rural setting where that is more accepted. Could I walk OC in downtown Eugene? Sure- but its just bad decision making. Am I going to walk down the street, some guy says "Hey, that guy's wearing a gun, I'm sure glad we have that right. Let's all vote for his gun rights."

More likely, you will get what what the OP got, "look Johnny, gun are dangerous and that man is too."

I'd like to know what the OP's motivation was to OC. Not that he has to say, but I'm guessing looking at the thread, its exactly what most people would guess- stirring the pot.

 

[huntpotter]

I agree with Buzo, It depends on your motivation to OC. I always OC too, if camping, in rural areas, cutting wood, going to Wilco Farm and ranch supply. Some places, especially the "country" areas will have no problems with OC. If I was to OC down MLK Blvd in Portland, I might get shot by a jumpy cop, and at the least get hastled. I believe it is an important right, that needs to be excersized, but if you are on private property, or in an inner city area, then you should CCW, to avoid any problems. I used to be a rebel, and would stir the pot, just to prove I'm right, but nowadays, I fly under the radar. I don't want any cops, or store managers, or any nosy moms, to even know I exist.

 

[coctailer]

I have to disagree. If there policy is no firearms then that is their policy. I understand that the police are there to "protect" but I would not trust my life to one.

Anyways, back to the matter at hand.

You may be trying to put too fine of a point on things. There are no absolutes.

We can go the other way. Guns are allowed.

If guns are allowed, would you agree that a terrorist or robber should be allowed in the store with a gun?

your point is that if no guns are allowed then NOBODY can carry open in the store.

Terrorists take over the Home Depot, but the cops/FBI/Sheriff cannot go in with guns and take them down?

That is as far to the opposite as I can imagine from your point.

just sayin'..........