Carrying a handgun is not "unecessary." It is a compromise. It provides people a means to protect themselves against criminal attack and possible loss of life by leveling the "playing field" between them and their aggressor. It is neither "necessary" nor "unecessary." It's simply a precaution similar to that of fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, car insurance, vehicular air bags, etc. It is highly unlikely that any of those things are ever needed by most people but having them on hand can save you in many ways, including your life. Of course, you could get by without them but in the off chance you need them they make life a little easier.Devil's advocate: carrying a handgun is unnecessary. Plenty of other alternatives for self-defense. Why is a long gun any different?
And why don't we normally carry long guns anymore? Could it be because somewhere in our storied past some squeaky wheel minority out-shouted the well-behaved gun-toters resulting in the obligatory "Fine, if it causes you that much grief I just won't bring it into town anymore?"
I would argue that normal is fluid. There was a once a point in time where homosexuality was considered abnormal. And how did that change? By repeated and obnoxious in-your-face exposure in the public domain.
Not that I'm advocating obnoxious behavior, but carrying long-guns will never be normalized unless and until people start doing it.
It's over used but I like comparing carrying a gun to keeping a condom in the wallet. Rather have it and not need it.Carrying a handgun is not "unecessary." It is a compromise. It provides people a means to protect themselves against criminal attack and possible loss of life by leveling the "playing field" between them and their aggressor. It is neither "necessary" nor "unecessary." It's simply a precaution similar to that of fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, car insurance, vehicular air bags, etc. It is highly unlikely that any of those things are ever needed by most people but having them on hand can save you in many ways, including your life. Of course, you could get by without them but in the off chance you need them they make life a little easier.
The advant of modern pistols changed the way people can protect themselves by again, making it easier. It's much more practical to carry than that of a long gun and still more than capable of performing its intended task. For that reason, they have made the need for carrying long guns obsolete. They did not become so due to "oppression" as you wish to imply but rather though technological advancement.
Contrary to what you wish to believe, homosexuality throughout the majority of the world has always been far more "normal" and accepted than what modern Christian based faiths would like to believe. Which I find amusing seeing as how our entire belief systems, modern sciences and mathematics came from a period where homosexuality was very "normal" as was what we today would consider "incest."
I would however agree with the premise of your argument, be it that in order to make something "acceptable" in the public's eye they must be around it, see it, and experience it. The problem with that though is that you are surrounded by such corruptness that every action you take can have dire consequences. The media, regardless of source, rarely reports the 100% unbiased truth simply because they have too much to gain from reporting however they see fit. This means that the odds are MORE than stacked against you and in turn means that one should take baby steps towards the overall goal(s).
Yeah, I've used that one a lot too. The surrounding "company" determines my approach in explanation for me.It's over used but I like comparing carrying a gun to keeping a condom in the wallet. Rather have it and not need it.
When and what I carry I look at as a practical matter and not to try and make a statement. For me it is more practical to carry a handgun which I do as an EDC.
I have no use at this time to carry a rifle so if I were to do so it would be outside of my normal SOP and I would have to be carrying one contrary to my reason to carry as a practical matter.
I don't carry to make a statement or to try and educate or just to say "Hey I carry whatever I want just because I can".
I only carry a firearm as a tool for one primary purpose only and that is for protection.
Well, I agree. I stated that I don't carry just to educate but I also know as I've stated in a previous post that if I'm OC'ing I don't intentionally try to attract attention but if for some reason an issue should arise about my legally carried firearm, good or bad, I am prepared to deal with it in a respectful and appropriate manner and continue on about my business.I think everyone who OC's would agree. The issue is that when you OC you are going to attract attention and spark conversations with people who are less knowledgeable of their rights and so it's important to handle those situations respectfully and appropriately. Sadly, not every OC'er is capable of that.
I wish everyone shared in a similar frame of mind. I fear that too many people who may choose to OC are not very social and can misrepresent the firearms community when those situations happen.Well, I agree. I stated that I don't carry just to educate but I also know as I've stated in a previous post that if I'm OC'ing I don't intentionally try to attract attention but if for some reason an issue should arise about my legally carried firearm, good or bad, I am prepared to deal with it in a respectful and appropriate manner and continue on about my business.
Yea that's true.Yeah, I've used that one a lot too. The surrounding "company" determines my approach in explanation for me.
Who's talking about not exercising rights?A right unexercised is a right lost.
Gotcha I did'nt know if you might have been referring to anything in the recent discussion.Nobody is as far as I can tell.
To the contrary, the OP is discussing exercising rights.
A right unexercised is a right lost.
Let me know when you are going.
Perhaps I can join you.
Carrying an AK-47 in a public setting .....
Im sure other gun owners... cough... cough... will be called and they will join you fellas 5-10 minutes later. They have those cool looking and tricked out M4's! I am sure you would get the opportunity to see them.
Who's talking about not exercising rights?
Not to stir crap up with you but it doesn't matter if your breaking any laws, they will most likely show up anyways and put you at gunpoint.And what law will have been broken?
Not to stir crap up with you but it doesn't matter if your breaking any laws, they will most likely show up anyways and put you at gunpoint.