Luck I tell you. It was pure luck! :mad: ;)
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I'm not really sure what the Neo-Nazi's holding a demonstration at Gettysburgh has to do with a law abiding citizen with the proper concealed carry permits to legally carry a firearm in the parks. I didn't see anything in that article that linked the two issues together.
I have carried a firearm in the Smoky Mountains since the law was passed. However, because it is concealed, nobody would ever know I had it with me even if they were standing next to me fishing. Outside of hunting or back country camping, I'm not a big fan of open carry in crowded areas. I think it's asking for trouble or a reaction. Carrying a firearm for self defense is just that for self defense. It's not to go around saing "Hey look at me, I have a gun".
I've been to the Smoky Mtns. twice since the law was passed and so far, I've not seen anyone outside of rangers openly carrying a firearm. How many were like me with a concealed firearm is anyone's guess.
Jeff
Jeff, I think you understood my point perfectly
This new law is an open invitation for these sort of people to openly bear arms in a tense situation
They may or may not take advantage, but it's my thought that this is just the sort of publicity that these people are looking for.
I'm not predicting any sort of confrontation. Law enforcement will surly out number the rally goers, but when the media publishes photos of openly armed neo-nazies in a national park,
....you're gonna get some public opinion
But...not a revisit for me Marco. :wink:
In my opinion ......
Open carry around the general public, whether legal or not, is nonproductive for 2nd amendment rights.
Frankly I think the country has gone overboard. When we lived in Montana in the mid 1970's it was legal to carry a handgun and they were not registered. I can remember walking into the local Safeway on the way back from elk hunting with a pistol in a holster on my belt. I felt a little dumb afterward when I realized what I had done - BUT - it wasn't illegal!
I normally just post on the classified ads but looked down today to see this post.I too fish in the smokies in NC and i do think when overnight stays are in order that i feel better with it than without it,not so much for the animals but the
fools that are out here in the world today.Not to get off national parks topic but i also feel if more people had them at certain times crime would not be as rampent as it seems now,just look at chapel hill's president,maybe if she had been carrying,a decent person would still be alive and two !@#$%&*'s wouldnot be upkept by the state for the rest of there lives in prison.
I say if they look suspicious take em out.
Seriously, I have no problem with one pro-actively protecting themselves.
However, inappropriate open carry is problematic.
Since I am ALL FOR THIS LAW, i intend to be a HUGE monitor of it's implementation and to it's adherence. "Inappropriate" display is subject to interpretation. MINE is OBVIOUS. If there is a roof over your head and there are NO bear or hamsters around and all the folks around you are wearing shorts pulled up to chest high and knee high BLACK socks with Volvo's in the parking lot, PUT THE DAMN GUN AWAY. You're in NO imminent danger. I will have NO problem ( for the good of all) in airing my opinion if I observe a violation of MY interpretation. I can handle the licks ( hopefully, he said).
Mark
If I saw a gun on your hip Marco...well,,,, I'd have to get my pepper spray out.
Open carry around the public to make a point is ridiculous!
But looking at it again....that's what you said????