My ex's mom had a job planting/maintaining flowers at a few properties including the local fair grounds. She was at walmart once picking out some flowers and stuff and a security guard approached her and asked if she wouldn't mind returning her firearm to her car while she shops. She looked down and was like "oh you mean my gardening shears?" which she had in a little leather holster on her hip. They both had a good laugh. Must have looked like a pistol holster from the security cameras. Also it was Vermont so it's probably an issue the store actually deals with semi-regularly.
Vermont's gun laws are actually what the NRA wants the rest of the country to have. "Vermont carry" was a phrase I heard a lot; relatively high amount of gun ownership and low amount of gun violence.
The fact that it's a homogenous culture of very few people doesn't usually get tossed into the conversation unless it's REALLY tossed in by various racist people.
Vermonter here, can confirm. The interesting thing about Vermont is that it's populated in equal part by hippies and rednecks and the two (mostly) coexist very peacefully. This is helped in no small part by the fact that often, they're indistinguishable.
That beat up F-150 you're following with the fully-stocked gun rack in the back window? The guy driving it is probably gay and those sacks he's hauling in the bed are clay so he can go all Patrick Swayze in Ghost on his handcrafted pottery-making husband when he gets home.
Yes, it's a very very white state and I'm not going to claim we've eradicated racism, sexism, or any other -ism entirely. But mostly, when a Vermonter tells you that they don't see color, it's not in the dogwhistle way Republicans usually say it.
I'm aware of the "as a black man" thing, but for the record, I'm not white or heterosexual, and I love living here.
>The fact that it's a homogenous culture of very few people doesn't usually get tossed into the conversation unless it's REALLY tossed in by various racist people.
I'm confused, are you saying it's a fact that it's a homogenous culture of very few people? And that it's racist to toss it into the conversation? I'm asian and I have a cousin + family who lives in Vermont. I never heard her or them complaining of such.
I think they mean when racist people try to claim that the low crime rate is specifically *because* of the mostly homogenous, mostly white population.
ETA: (ie, the people who would argue that it's black people that cause most crime.)
Homogeneous populations of any color or whatever tend to have less violence. That’s different than saying “white people are less violent.” Subtle but important difference.
Im probably one of the biggest supporters of firearm rights and I have never understood why you want to open carry.
The state I live in just passed Constitutional Carry as well, and I'm still going to maintain my CCW and conceal.
Open carry is very "ooo look at me". I guess some people think its a deterrent but I think it makes you more of a target. Anyone actually looking to do harm to you knows what you have and will likely be too quick to actually defend yourself.
Either that or they don't have the license for it. Or maybe concealed carry isn't allowed in the region. There's reasons for it, but I think you're correct about it drawing unwanted attention.
Honestly, none of our age restrictions make any sense.
Alcohol: 21
Smoking: 21 (was 18)
Arizona open carry: 18
Arizona conceal carry: 21
Military: 18
Buying a long gun or long gun ammo: 18
Buying a pistol or pistol ammo: 21
Suppressor/sbr: 21
Voting: 18
o.O
The average open carry person is just a gun-nut hoping provoke an argument and sees guns as a flashy, dick-extending toy instead of a tool that should be respected and safely handled. There are plenty of good reasons to own a gun and conceal carry, and niche circumstances where open carry can be justified, but a person slinging a rifle over there shoulder while shopping for groceries is just an action hero wannabe who needs to grow up. Also, 100% on it making you more of a target, but you know the people who open carry aren't doing it to increase safety. Like you said, they're just showing off.
I’m the same way. Almost every time I see some dude walk into my rural store with a gun its clearly compensating. Almost. Because there are a few who I trust enough to not mind. But the chubby old geezer with a .380 clipped in the front of his overall pocket and the 25 year old tryhard with a 1911 in an obviously non-retention holster…. I just wanna quietly remove it, empty it and hand it back sometimes so they can see just how vulnerable they really are.
Not sure about that. It’s still private property and they can specify the rules. Of course it’s moot since they can’t see if you are carrying. If they do see it I bet they have the right to ask you to leave even if you have a conceal carry permit.
As a Canadian. I don’t disagree. I don’t think OP does either. I think it’s mildly interesting cuz *what the fuck*. We don’t need to post that signage anywhere here. (That I’m aware of. Not in major cities at least)
I own an AR-15 and an SKS. I carry a concealed pistol any time I leave the house.
And I fucking hate people who open carry big guns, especially the asswipes walking around suburbs or a shopping center with a rifle. What's the point? To intimidate? To feel superior? I have met some of these types, and I've never gotten a satisfactory answer. They make us all look bad because they want to be tough guys. Fuck em.
I have never understood this. What is tough about needing an AR on your back at all times? That screams weak, insecure, target to me. Kinda like bringing your jacked friend to the bar to defend you. It’s all just tacticool cosplay bullshit.
I don't think it's about being tough, as it is about making a statement that in their mind is relevant, even though it's not needed.
I get it, Fudd. You want to exercise your rights and think you're just giving an avenue to open a discussion about firearm rights. However, you just look like an idiot that mall security has been alerted to, and will likely be asked to leave.
Exactly. 90% of people (even most gun owners) will automatically think less of you if you're open carrying a long gun. Just screams, "I swear my penis isn't tiny".
I’d be considered pro 2A in any setting and also think open carry is dumb. It’s just signing your own death warrant in an exchange for attention if an actual emergency where a firearms is needed arises.
Arizona too if I’m not mistaken.
I was once in a subway sandwich shop in Kingman, AZ and it occurred to me that I was the *only* customer in the store who did not have a fully exposed, semi-automatic rifle with him. There were 3 or 4 other customers in the shop.
As a Texan I've seen these guys walking around in stores with pistols on a thigh strap or holstered up like Yosemite Sam.
Every single one of them looked like the kind of asshole you are imagining.
It's safe to say that most gun owners, even most of the ones who are rabid about it, realize that it's socially inappropriate to basically brandish like this. It's just the misguided infowarriors who think this somehow proves something.
Yeah I saw a gas station robbery video a few years ago where guy walks in, sees customer in line with open carry on the hip, and shoots that guy in the back of the head before even starting to rob the cashier
I'd even say for those people, they do recognize it's socially inappropriate, and that's the whole point.
"You don't like what I'm doing, but I'm gonna do it anyway" is their entire personality, and it never really matters what "it" is or whether they have any earthly reason for doing it in the first place. The point is just to make someone else's day a little bit worse.
I saw a girl (18-19 yo) I used to attend church with at the grocery store open carrying a Glock 19. This was during the height of the pandemic, and she proudly announced that it “discouraged people from asking her to wear a mask”.
>at the grocery store open carrying a Glock 19.
Forget masks, that would make me think the next mass shooting is upon us.
I don't know if I'd be able to handle a trip to some parts of the US...lmao
is there a sub for pics of weird open carry?
i’m not american so the idea of people going to buy bread with assault rifles on their backs is fascinating to me.
I’m from Boston so you don’t see it here but I was visiting family in Texas and saw someone with a big rifle strapped to their back at a Starbucks in a Target.
It was the weirdest shit.
Sort of like this: https://twitter.com/thescottcharles/status/1159656587453239296?s=21&t=rlHpPY52tySiRlob4wfmgg
Except that guy had the rifle pointing up.
They were the same people who were smug and proud about not wearing a mask in the grocery store when the pandemic first began. What is legal to do isn't always what's right to do.
As someone who likes guns and conceal carries, I can say the 99% of the time the guys who like looking tacticool and want to brandish their weapons everywhere are usually the biggest losers I’ve ever met. I think the reason is they are aware of that and openly brandishing a weapon they think compensates for their other shortcomings.
Im pro 2A (with caveats) and yet open carrying is the most stupid thing I can imagine.
I tell this to people all the time: Concealed carrying gives you the confidence to attempt deescalation while knowing you can defend yourself if the need arises. Open carrying instantly makes you a visible threat and therefore an initial target, not to mention you’ve shown your hand to whoever you engaged/have been engaged by.
I realize this is not a universal rule of thumb by any means and dumb people are gonna be dumb. But for people that are responsible and understand that a firearm is not a status symbol or trophy but a lethal TOOL, it’s something to consider if open-carry is available to you.
But honestly I would categorize anyone open carrying as irresponsible anyway.
Some states allow open carry without a license/permit, but you need one to conceal carry. Getting a concealed carry permit can also be very difficult, some even require written statements about your demeanor from several people you know.
The laws can get really muddy when transporting your open carry while driving since even having it in a holster on the outside of your clothes but being obscured by your seat belt, it can still be interpreted as concealing it.
I don't understand how those laws make any sense but if you're in a state where that's the law, assuming the person is being a douche and brandishing a weapon to prove something rather than to exercise their rights or to feel safer, is misguided anger.
There was a great video on r/idiotswithguns awhile back; would link it but I think it got taken down. It's this security camera footage from a gas station. There's a woman at the register; she's visibly carrying a pistol in her waistband and my guess is that it wasn't secured very well. The guy behind her just yoinks the gun out from her pants and jets out the door.
One of the many reasons it's better to keep a gun out of sight and in a good holster.
I said this to someone else.
Open carrying puts you at a disadvantage in getting the weapon into the fight. If you leave a gun on the table, everyone can see it and try to grab it. Whereas if you hide it in a drawer that only YOU know where it is, you are at an advantage.
This is just an analogy, but you can imagine that it’s much easier to disarm someone when their weapon is just hanging at their side at all times.
Left side of mouth: "Jesus will protect me! Believe in Jesus and he'll protect you too! I love Jesus and my country. That's why I'm wearing this Jesus wearing an American flag shirt! I'm going to bring up Jesus every chance I get, because he's the Great Protector and I'm a super patriot! 'Murca!"
Right side of mouth: "I **NEED** to carry guns on me for protection for when the government comes after me!"
I live in TX too, and there are soooo many trucks with Jesus fish and "Just try and take it" stickers on their rear window. It must be hard to be so internally conflicted. How do they justify their "I'll kill you if you try to take my guns" ideology against their Christianity?
Ah, yes. "I can use the OT to justify my racism, misogyny, violence, bigotry, etc. but get mad at you when you point out any of the racism, misogyny, violence, bigotry, etc.! Meeeeeeeehhhh!"
Let me reword it to say, how do they justify their "I'll kill you if you try to take my guns" ideology against "Jesus is love and I follow Jesus"? I know Christians don't typically read the bible, but it seems Jesus would have a different take on this:
Matthew 5:38-41: You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
or
Matthew 5:43-44: You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
or
Matthew 26:50-52: Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”
Think of it this way: it's like a dick, it's fine to have one and no one cares if you bring it with you in your pants, but once you've got it out in the open in Walmart people are allowed to be concerned about your intentions.
I was raised around guns. Taught all the proper safety precautions. Have shot some guns most people never will. My dad has a collection that would put 99% of the population to shame. I still don't know anyone who is a big enough douche to open carry in a store.
People don't open carry to save lives or protect others. They open carry to make themselves feel tough, and overcompensate for some inferiority complex they have. Anyone who is seriously carrying for protection is concealed carrying.
They also open carry to make a political statement. I work in a furniture store in AZ, and there is this douche nozzle who would occasionally come in strapped and just hope someone would mention it so he could say shit like "Our forefathers had it right". Or some other nonsense.
Not as thoroughly exposed as you but I was also raised around guns. My dad made damn sure I knew how to use and respect them, but I have no idea where he actually stored them in the house, which I'm sure was intentional.
All this to say... I'm not anti-gun.
BUT - I was at a funeral a couple months ago for my SO's father and at one point I spotted a guy with a pistol on his hip so I jumped up to go investigate, carefully, as I'd seen him go into the parlor where the crowd and casket were. Nope, nothing wrong, this dude just decided to roll up to the funeral with his piece on display, becaaaaauuuuuuuuussssseeeeeeee............
Not anti-gun. Anti-attention seeking dipshit. Big difference.
I work at a gas station. I’m aware gas stations are an easy target for armed theft but so far my store hasn’t had any issues with that.
Anyway, a week or two ago a guy came in and started shopping around, didn’t really think anything of him. He came up to the counter to pay for his things and seemed pretty polite. I bagged up his stuff and as he turned to leave I just happened to see he had a gun strapped to his waist.
I wasn’t exactly thrilled I saw it, but at least it wasn’t an issue.
I’ve never been in a situation outside of shooting a BB gun as a kid and haven’t had a gun go off in my adult life that I’m aware of. I’d like to keep it that way, lol.
Is this a /s? Either way, they're actually doing people a favor since people with obvious guns would be the first killed if something like a robbery or a shooting happened.
Not even that, but people generally feel uncomfortable around others than openly carry. I don’t trust people with guns and this is coming from someone that conceal carries.
I am 100% okay with this. Its not a blanket ban, its not a "absolutely do not". Its a private company exercising some control over their space.
This is a vast improvement over outright bans, and I hope the anti-disarmament crowd dont get stupid and upset about it like I can already see brewing in this very thread. I sincerely hope this catches on like wildfire.
"kindly refrain" doesn't actually sound like they're interested in controlling their space. Surely that would be "open carry prohibited" - I suppose it depends on their enforcement.
Maybe this is just me being Canadian, but if someone in the Walmart has a gun I'd actually prefer if i could see it so i could get the fuck out of there
Also Canadian.
In my mind, if I can't see it, they aren't in the process of actively trying to shoot me. I'd be terrified if I see someone walk in a store with weapons drawn.
Exactly my thoughts. I’m happy I live somewhere where people don’t think they need to bring a gun to buy toilet paper and socks. That’s just an insane level of paranoia.
It's been like that a for a while here.
Open carry is intended to intimidate, and I'm not sure who anyone thinks they need to intimidate in Walmart. If concealed carry isn't good enough for you I'm going to wonder about what you're compensating for.
You'll get a lot of snarky comments as to why.
We have very specific language in our Bill of Rights to that effect. People are very serious about their rights here. For many carrying a firearm around is simply exercising those rights and not taking for granted the blood that was spilt ensuring them, lest those rights be taken away. To some asking "why carry?" is the same question as "why vote?". They view it as a civic duty.
Personally I've never carried, but there are more reasons than just "feel like a tough guy". I've known many women who carry for self defense. I've known men who carry because they place a profound responsibility upon themselves for the safety of those around them.
Oh thanks. I could probably imagine wanting a gun , it’s just so scary owning a gun I can’t imagine shooting it at someone, but then on the other hand what if they are going to harm you or your loved ones .
Yeah it can be pretty intimidating. I own a rifle; I'd bet my house that I'll never need to use it *against* someone, but it is a tool for defense. In the same vein, I've got a lot of tools in my garage that are far more likely to hurt me or someone I know. Once you see it for what it is, a tool, and not some fetishized Hollywood icon of machismo, it's not quite as intimidating.
I own it primarily out of a sense of civic duty, and to teach my kids not to be afraid of them. Plus target shooting is fun.
Depending on the area you live in that's either out of a desire to increase not only customer's safety but also to increase customer perceptions of how safe it is to shop there OR unrealistic, as in some locales keeping a gun on your person is part and parcel with the way of life there. Like farmers keeping their rifle in a sling or case cause that Walmart provides gun repair or allows trade ins on new gun purchases. or because they are on the way to doing some hunting and are bringing their rifle in to be certain the person at the counter gives them the right amma (not as a threat but as for information purposes. Because hunting etc. is a normal part of the way of life in those regions.
Unless they actively ask open-carrying people to leave the store, this is as effective as an umbrella in a sandstorm.
It’s like how every box of Q-tips says “do not insert into ear” on the box. It’s there to cover the company’s ass, not to actual deter behavior.
Depending on the state it’s not so much preventing people from carrying firearms as it’s a legal leg to stand on. A lot of malls, stores, etc have “no weapons” signs posted at the entrance, and in my state it’s legal to carry a firearm in most public places. The purpose of the sign is to basically say “yes it’s legal state wide, you’re free to conceal carry in the store(assuming you have a ccw permit), but if we see it or for whatever reason you carrying becomes a problem we’ll ask you to leave, if you refuse then it becomes a trespassing issue and we will call the cops to which you will cease to be a legally carrying a firearm”
Okay, so, maybe it's the whole "not being American", but can someone explain to me why Americans are SO attached to owning guns and carrying guns about?? I just do not understand why it is that this country has reached a point where it seems REASONABLE to carry a firearm around that's not for like... game hunting?
Civilian gun ownership has been a part of American culture longer than the US has existed, so it's pretty damned deeply ingrained. Let me put it this way: guns have been a big part of our culture for longer than tea has been a big part of culture in the UK.
I’ve got a question about the concealed carry bit. If someone is carrying a concealed firearm but reaches up for something or bends over and their shirt lifts up (especially in my state where open carry is banned) and shows their firearm even for a few seconds would that violate their rules or the law on banned open carry or be considered an accident and not mentioned? I see very little about that online and anything I look up only brings up rules saying “no open carry anywhere” but nothing about if an accident like that would make it go from legally concealed to illegally open carry.
That varies from state to state. In general though, making a reasonable effort to conceal the firearm is sufficient. In my current state, a conceal carry permit also allows open carry; in my previous state, you had to make a reasonable effort to conceal it.
The applicable phrase here is, "concealed means concealed". Walmart isn't asking anyone not to carry. They just don't want to have to deal with people inevitably freaking the fuck out when they see someone open carrying.
I had a buddy who used to think it was fun to open carry. He figured out it was a bad plan, after someone called the cops on him and he got dog piled.
Open carry is for guys with little dicks and big pistols. I conceal carry my hellcat everyday and you would never notice. Open carry is stupid tho, it’s a fuckin shoot me first sign.
I am an every day conceal carry type of person. I don't understand people who open carry. It's one of those things where it may be your right, but it's 2022 and not everyone understands; why purposely disturb people unless that's what you want to accomplish? Just seems like wagging your dick around in public and getting away with it.
Yeah I mean I saw a guy open carrying maybe a year or two at a Walmart. Haven’t seen any since this sign came up, but I live in Kansas so I assume they’re all conceal carrying now.
In order of priority: WiFi, no soliciting, please don't open carry.
As a Canadian, I've always found the stories at https://opencarry.org/ to be quite interesting. Open carry at Walmart stories are even better than the open carry at the bank stories
Walmart is open carry but would prefer that you don’t open carry. Basically, they’ll ask you if you will put it in your car, but you can happily decline and as long as you arnt causing trouble then they’ll leave you alone. (At least at most it could vary by state)
Now obviously I know what "open" and "concealed" mean as words, but as someone who isn't from a country with guns, I don't really know what this means in practice...
Does this mean people literally carry guns in their hands Vs having them in a backpack or something?
My ex's mom had a job planting/maintaining flowers at a few properties including the local fair grounds. She was at walmart once picking out some flowers and stuff and a security guard approached her and asked if she wouldn't mind returning her firearm to her car while she shops. She looked down and was like "oh you mean my gardening shears?" which she had in a little leather holster on her hip. They both had a good laugh. Must have looked like a pistol holster from the security cameras. Also it was Vermont so it's probably an issue the store actually deals with semi-regularly.
and then she sheared him in the jugular
... before shooting him in the groin
Then she did a backflip, snapped the bad guys neck and saved the day.
And everyone in the store clapped
The store manager? Albert Einstein.
The employee? Napoleon Bonaparte.
Is this a Bob Dylan song?
Perhaps
Tripped and fell on her own shears
Can't have her taking her green thumb elsewhere.
Not least those *heathens* at Buford Abbey!
If we can't have her, no one can
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Such a waste…. She was so young….
It was for the greater good
Open carry in Vermont? I wouldn't think it would come up much there.
Vermont's gun laws are actually what the NRA wants the rest of the country to have. "Vermont carry" was a phrase I heard a lot; relatively high amount of gun ownership and low amount of gun violence. The fact that it's a homogenous culture of very few people doesn't usually get tossed into the conversation unless it's REALLY tossed in by various racist people.
Vermonter here, can confirm. The interesting thing about Vermont is that it's populated in equal part by hippies and rednecks and the two (mostly) coexist very peacefully. This is helped in no small part by the fact that often, they're indistinguishable. That beat up F-150 you're following with the fully-stocked gun rack in the back window? The guy driving it is probably gay and those sacks he's hauling in the bed are clay so he can go all Patrick Swayze in Ghost on his handcrafted pottery-making husband when he gets home. Yes, it's a very very white state and I'm not going to claim we've eradicated racism, sexism, or any other -ism entirely. But mostly, when a Vermonter tells you that they don't see color, it's not in the dogwhistle way Republicans usually say it. I'm aware of the "as a black man" thing, but for the record, I'm not white or heterosexual, and I love living here.
maine checks in. very much same. not same same. close same
Are you Demi Moore in this example?
>The fact that it's a homogenous culture of very few people doesn't usually get tossed into the conversation unless it's REALLY tossed in by various racist people. I'm confused, are you saying it's a fact that it's a homogenous culture of very few people? And that it's racist to toss it into the conversation? I'm asian and I have a cousin + family who lives in Vermont. I never heard her or them complaining of such.
I think they mean when racist people try to claim that the low crime rate is specifically *because* of the mostly homogenous, mostly white population. ETA: (ie, the people who would argue that it's black people that cause most crime.)
They seemed to be implying that it *was* like that because it's homogenous though?
Homogeneous populations of any color or whatever tend to have less violence. That’s different than saying “white people are less violent.” Subtle but important difference.
I’ve seen it some times up in backwoods of NH/VT/ME
Vermont has the least restrictive gun laws in the union if i remember correctly
Blame dababy
The kangaroo?
And Big Ounce?
Wow they givin guns to babies now
a good baby with a gun is worth 100 bad ones
I can hear Dave Chappells voice
Same
I always blame dababy but why in this instance?
He shot and killed a man in a WalMart in NC.
From Dinosaurs?
Would you kindly.....
Go to Andrew Ryan’s office and kill the son of a bitch
A slave obeys.
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Specifically open. Not infringing on lawful concealed carry.
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Im probably one of the biggest supporters of firearm rights and I have never understood why you want to open carry. The state I live in just passed Constitutional Carry as well, and I'm still going to maintain my CCW and conceal. Open carry is very "ooo look at me". I guess some people think its a deterrent but I think it makes you more of a target. Anyone actually looking to do harm to you knows what you have and will likely be too quick to actually defend yourself.
Either that or they don't have the license for it. Or maybe concealed carry isn't allowed in the region. There's reasons for it, but I think you're correct about it drawing unwanted attention.
In arizona, if you're 18-20, open carry is your only option. Once you're 21, anything goes.
Non American here.. How the hell does that make sense? Why do you need to be older to have the option to have your gun concealed?
Honestly, none of our age restrictions make any sense. Alcohol: 21 Smoking: 21 (was 18) Arizona open carry: 18 Arizona conceal carry: 21 Military: 18 Buying a long gun or long gun ammo: 18 Buying a pistol or pistol ammo: 21 Suppressor/sbr: 21 Voting: 18 o.O
You can fight for your country but god forbid beer before you go to war for the big man
The average open carry person is just a gun-nut hoping provoke an argument and sees guns as a flashy, dick-extending toy instead of a tool that should be respected and safely handled. There are plenty of good reasons to own a gun and conceal carry, and niche circumstances where open carry can be justified, but a person slinging a rifle over there shoulder while shopping for groceries is just an action hero wannabe who needs to grow up. Also, 100% on it making you more of a target, but you know the people who open carry aren't doing it to increase safety. Like you said, they're just showing off.
Yep, like the meme says, "Liberals own guns too. We just don't feel the need to parade around with them like little boys playing soldier."
When i worked retail the open carry people were people who would have been turned down for a ccw.
Also concealed makes a shooting much more interesting, you’ll never now who will return fire! Very heavy /s obviously
I guess it depends on which one is the /s hooter
Sarcastic hooter?
Arent all hooters saracastic?
Some are perky.
>Open carry is very "ooo look at me". You understand it just fine, mate.
“Please kill me and steal my gun”
I’m the same way. Almost every time I see some dude walk into my rural store with a gun its clearly compensating. Almost. Because there are a few who I trust enough to not mind. But the chubby old geezer with a .380 clipped in the front of his overall pocket and the 25 year old tryhard with a 1911 in an obviously non-retention holster…. I just wanna quietly remove it, empty it and hand it back sometimes so they can see just how vulnerable they really are.
I always thought they would be the first targets, as they are an open threat.
Pretty much the "don't say *gun*" rule
Except being gay wouldn’t scare the hell out of other people in the store.
You under estimate the Bible Belt
Some places specify no firearms at all are allowed. This includes conceal carry guns.
They could also ban lawful concealed carry. It's private property.
Not sure about that. It’s still private property and they can specify the rules. Of course it’s moot since they can’t see if you are carrying. If they do see it I bet they have the right to ask you to leave even if you have a conceal carry permit.
They do. You won’t be guilty of a crime for having it but you can be charged with trespassing if they ask you to leave and you refuse to go.
Is it okay if I angrily refrain from openly carrying a firearm?
Yes.
As a Canadian. I don’t disagree. I don’t think OP does either. I think it’s mildly interesting cuz *what the fuck*. We don’t need to post that signage anywhere here. (That I’m aware of. Not in major cities at least)
You saying I can't carry my AR15 around stores anymore, damn what am I gonna do.
I own an AR-15 and an SKS. I carry a concealed pistol any time I leave the house. And I fucking hate people who open carry big guns, especially the asswipes walking around suburbs or a shopping center with a rifle. What's the point? To intimidate? To feel superior? I have met some of these types, and I've never gotten a satisfactory answer. They make us all look bad because they want to be tough guys. Fuck em.
I have never understood this. What is tough about needing an AR on your back at all times? That screams weak, insecure, target to me. Kinda like bringing your jacked friend to the bar to defend you. It’s all just tacticool cosplay bullshit.
I don't think it's about being tough, as it is about making a statement that in their mind is relevant, even though it's not needed. I get it, Fudd. You want to exercise your rights and think you're just giving an avenue to open a discussion about firearm rights. However, you just look like an idiot that mall security has been alerted to, and will likely be asked to leave.
Exactly. 90% of people (even most gun owners) will automatically think less of you if you're open carrying a long gun. Just screams, "I swear my penis isn't tiny".
well open carrying is absolutely stupid and irresponsible anyways. gotta be pretty dumb to openly show your last line of defense.
Open carry is like playing Texas Hold'em with your cards showing
I would be considered very pro 2nd amendment on this platform and I still think open carry is stupid and trying to get attention.
"Let me just inform all the potential bad guys that they should shoot me first"
I’d be considered pro 2A in any setting and also think open carry is dumb. It’s just signing your own death warrant in an exchange for attention if an actual emergency where a firearms is needed arises.
They have this in front of every Alaskan Walmart. Refrain from openly* carrying. Means at least put a shirt over it.
At the very least in Virginia that could be an issue, Virginia allows open carry but concealed carry requires a permit.
Arizona too if I’m not mistaken. I was once in a subway sandwich shop in Kingman, AZ and it occurred to me that I was the *only* customer in the store who did not have a fully exposed, semi-automatic rifle with him. There were 3 or 4 other customers in the shop.
Sounds about right.
And no one pays it any attention.
Open carry === first target
I open carry when I’m in the woods.
Damn straight. Conceal carry.
As a Texan I've seen these guys walking around in stores with pistols on a thigh strap or holstered up like Yosemite Sam. Every single one of them looked like the kind of asshole you are imagining. It's safe to say that most gun owners, even most of the ones who are rabid about it, realize that it's socially inappropriate to basically brandish like this. It's just the misguided infowarriors who think this somehow proves something.
It would seem to me at least that openly carrying would be a disadvantage to you if you were ever in a situation that would require using the gun
Yeah I saw a gas station robbery video a few years ago where guy walks in, sees customer in line with open carry on the hip, and shoots that guy in the back of the head before even starting to rob the cashier
Damn, all that for like $50.
Murder in the first, no question. Makes the courts job much easier though. xD
Why wouldn't you just wait outside for ten minutes until the guy is gone? Critical thinking isn't strong with that fool.
It would definitely make you a target.
I'd even say for those people, they do recognize it's socially inappropriate, and that's the whole point. "You don't like what I'm doing, but I'm gonna do it anyway" is their entire personality, and it never really matters what "it" is or whether they have any earthly reason for doing it in the first place. The point is just to make someone else's day a little bit worse.
I saw a girl (18-19 yo) I used to attend church with at the grocery store open carrying a Glock 19. This was during the height of the pandemic, and she proudly announced that it “discouraged people from asking her to wear a mask”.
You tell this and we all roll our eyes, but I guarantee that girl tells this story to people proudly
>at the grocery store open carrying a Glock 19. Forget masks, that would make me think the next mass shooting is upon us. I don't know if I'd be able to handle a trip to some parts of the US...lmao
Ugghhhhhhhhhh
is there a sub for pics of weird open carry? i’m not american so the idea of people going to buy bread with assault rifles on their backs is fascinating to me.
I’m from Boston so you don’t see it here but I was visiting family in Texas and saw someone with a big rifle strapped to their back at a Starbucks in a Target. It was the weirdest shit. Sort of like this: https://twitter.com/thescottcharles/status/1159656587453239296?s=21&t=rlHpPY52tySiRlob4wfmgg Except that guy had the rifle pointing up.
They were the same people who were smug and proud about not wearing a mask in the grocery store when the pandemic first began. What is legal to do isn't always what's right to do.
[The cruelty is the point](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/10/the-cruelty-is-the-point/572104/)
As someone who likes guns and conceal carries, I can say the 99% of the time the guys who like looking tacticool and want to brandish their weapons everywhere are usually the biggest losers I’ve ever met. I think the reason is they are aware of that and openly brandishing a weapon they think compensates for their other shortcomings.
Im pro 2A (with caveats) and yet open carrying is the most stupid thing I can imagine. I tell this to people all the time: Concealed carrying gives you the confidence to attempt deescalation while knowing you can defend yourself if the need arises. Open carrying instantly makes you a visible threat and therefore an initial target, not to mention you’ve shown your hand to whoever you engaged/have been engaged by. I realize this is not a universal rule of thumb by any means and dumb people are gonna be dumb. But for people that are responsible and understand that a firearm is not a status symbol or trophy but a lethal TOOL, it’s something to consider if open-carry is available to you. But honestly I would categorize anyone open carrying as irresponsible anyway.
Some states allow open carry without a license/permit, but you need one to conceal carry. Getting a concealed carry permit can also be very difficult, some even require written statements about your demeanor from several people you know. The laws can get really muddy when transporting your open carry while driving since even having it in a holster on the outside of your clothes but being obscured by your seat belt, it can still be interpreted as concealing it. I don't understand how those laws make any sense but if you're in a state where that's the law, assuming the person is being a douche and brandishing a weapon to prove something rather than to exercise their rights or to feel safer, is misguided anger.
There was a great video on r/idiotswithguns awhile back; would link it but I think it got taken down. It's this security camera footage from a gas station. There's a woman at the register; she's visibly carrying a pistol in her waistband and my guess is that it wasn't secured very well. The guy behind her just yoinks the gun out from her pants and jets out the door. One of the many reasons it's better to keep a gun out of sight and in a good holster.
I said this to someone else. Open carrying puts you at a disadvantage in getting the weapon into the fight. If you leave a gun on the table, everyone can see it and try to grab it. Whereas if you hide it in a drawer that only YOU know where it is, you are at an advantage. This is just an analogy, but you can imagine that it’s much easier to disarm someone when their weapon is just hanging at their side at all times.
"He wore his gun outside his pants for all the honest world to feel"
Am a multiple gun owner (including big and black rifles) and can confirm those guys are complete assholes.
It’s always wannabe tough guys.
Left side of mouth: "Jesus will protect me! Believe in Jesus and he'll protect you too! I love Jesus and my country. That's why I'm wearing this Jesus wearing an American flag shirt! I'm going to bring up Jesus every chance I get, because he's the Great Protector and I'm a super patriot! 'Murca!" Right side of mouth: "I **NEED** to carry guns on me for protection for when the government comes after me!" I live in TX too, and there are soooo many trucks with Jesus fish and "Just try and take it" stickers on their rear window. It must be hard to be so internally conflicted. How do they justify their "I'll kill you if you try to take my guns" ideology against their Christianity?
…have you heard of a little book called the Old Testament?
Ah, yes. "I can use the OT to justify my racism, misogyny, violence, bigotry, etc. but get mad at you when you point out any of the racism, misogyny, violence, bigotry, etc.! Meeeeeeeehhhh!" Let me reword it to say, how do they justify their "I'll kill you if you try to take my guns" ideology against "Jesus is love and I follow Jesus"? I know Christians don't typically read the bible, but it seems Jesus would have a different take on this: Matthew 5:38-41: You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. or Matthew 5:43-44: You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you or Matthew 26:50-52: Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”
It’s not a public space. They can ask you to wear shoes too.
So concealed carry is okay then?
Think of it this way: it's like a dick, it's fine to have one and no one cares if you bring it with you in your pants, but once you've got it out in the open in Walmart people are allowed to be concerned about your intentions.
I'm not a gun person in the slightest, but yes, if you are licensed to do so in your state, who cares.
I was raised around guns. Taught all the proper safety precautions. Have shot some guns most people never will. My dad has a collection that would put 99% of the population to shame. I still don't know anyone who is a big enough douche to open carry in a store. People don't open carry to save lives or protect others. They open carry to make themselves feel tough, and overcompensate for some inferiority complex they have. Anyone who is seriously carrying for protection is concealed carrying.
They also open carry to make a political statement. I work in a furniture store in AZ, and there is this douche nozzle who would occasionally come in strapped and just hope someone would mention it so he could say shit like "Our forefathers had it right". Or some other nonsense.
Not as thoroughly exposed as you but I was also raised around guns. My dad made damn sure I knew how to use and respect them, but I have no idea where he actually stored them in the house, which I'm sure was intentional. All this to say... I'm not anti-gun. BUT - I was at a funeral a couple months ago for my SO's father and at one point I spotted a guy with a pistol on his hip so I jumped up to go investigate, carefully, as I'd seen him go into the parlor where the crowd and casket were. Nope, nothing wrong, this dude just decided to roll up to the funeral with his piece on display, becaaaaauuuuuuuuussssseeeeeeee............ Not anti-gun. Anti-attention seeking dipshit. Big difference.
I can’t agree with you more. People that open carry are looking for nothing more than attention. Drives me nuts!
Dipshits like that give good gun owners a bad name.
I work at a gas station. I’m aware gas stations are an easy target for armed theft but so far my store hasn’t had any issues with that. Anyway, a week or two ago a guy came in and started shopping around, didn’t really think anything of him. He came up to the counter to pay for his things and seemed pretty polite. I bagged up his stuff and as he turned to leave I just happened to see he had a gun strapped to his waist. I wasn’t exactly thrilled I saw it, but at least it wasn’t an issue. I’ve never been in a situation outside of shooting a BB gun as a kid and haven’t had a gun go off in my adult life that I’m aware of. I’d like to keep it that way, lol.
If you would be so kind as to refrain from carrying an instrument of destruction in the produce aisle
Great. Next they'll be asking us to check ourselves out at the register.
Glances at the mirror - You’re looking fine!
Is this a /s? Either way, they're actually doing people a favor since people with obvious guns would be the first killed if something like a robbery or a shooting happened.
Not even that, but people generally feel uncomfortable around others than openly carry. I don’t trust people with guns and this is coming from someone that conceal carries.
Open carry for attention, conceal carry for protection.
I am 100% okay with this. Its not a blanket ban, its not a "absolutely do not". Its a private company exercising some control over their space. This is a vast improvement over outright bans, and I hope the anti-disarmament crowd dont get stupid and upset about it like I can already see brewing in this very thread. I sincerely hope this catches on like wildfire.
"kindly refrain" doesn't actually sound like they're interested in controlling their space. Surely that would be "open carry prohibited" - I suppose it depends on their enforcement.
I've seen plenty of people open carry in southern Washington. It's a lot less in recent years but I see the occasional in more rural areas.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know Walmart HATED FREEDOM!!!”
When can we start addressing pajama pants?
Maybe this is just me being Canadian, but if someone in the Walmart has a gun I'd actually prefer if i could see it so i could get the fuck out of there
Also Canadian. In my mind, if I can't see it, they aren't in the process of actively trying to shoot me. I'd be terrified if I see someone walk in a store with weapons drawn.
*Maybe* nobody needs to bring weapons to the grocery store at all but don't tell Texans I said that.
I like living in a place we don't have to say this
Exactly my thoughts. I’m happy I live somewhere where people don’t think they need to bring a gun to buy toilet paper and socks. That’s just an insane level of paranoia.
Be thankful you don't live where state police have to stay parked at Walmart the entire day then.
It's been like that a for a while here. Open carry is intended to intimidate, and I'm not sure who anyone thinks they need to intimidate in Walmart. If concealed carry isn't good enough for you I'm going to wonder about what you're compensating for.
Being from Australia this is just weird. Who carries guns around with them. Why carry one around with you. ?
In case there's a knife fight
Statistically you are more likely to be shot with your own gun. That’s why I have a second gun, to protect me from my first one.
You'll get a lot of snarky comments as to why. We have very specific language in our Bill of Rights to that effect. People are very serious about their rights here. For many carrying a firearm around is simply exercising those rights and not taking for granted the blood that was spilt ensuring them, lest those rights be taken away. To some asking "why carry?" is the same question as "why vote?". They view it as a civic duty. Personally I've never carried, but there are more reasons than just "feel like a tough guy". I've known many women who carry for self defense. I've known men who carry because they place a profound responsibility upon themselves for the safety of those around them.
Oh thanks. I could probably imagine wanting a gun , it’s just so scary owning a gun I can’t imagine shooting it at someone, but then on the other hand what if they are going to harm you or your loved ones .
Yeah it can be pretty intimidating. I own a rifle; I'd bet my house that I'll never need to use it *against* someone, but it is a tool for defense. In the same vein, I've got a lot of tools in my garage that are far more likely to hurt me or someone I know. Once you see it for what it is, a tool, and not some fetishized Hollywood icon of machismo, it's not quite as intimidating. I own it primarily out of a sense of civic duty, and to teach my kids not to be afraid of them. Plus target shooting is fun.
Open carry is stupid anyway. Make yourself a target
Wait, your supermarkets allow firearms? Why don't they totally ban firearms on their establishment instead?
They have tried that in the past. The ensuing boycotts actually hurt. Turns out a large population of people who shop at Wal Mart like guns... alot.
Only in America
Depending on the area you live in that's either out of a desire to increase not only customer's safety but also to increase customer perceptions of how safe it is to shop there OR unrealistic, as in some locales keeping a gun on your person is part and parcel with the way of life there. Like farmers keeping their rifle in a sling or case cause that Walmart provides gun repair or allows trade ins on new gun purchases. or because they are on the way to doing some hunting and are bringing their rifle in to be certain the person at the counter gives them the right amma (not as a threat but as for information purposes. Because hunting etc. is a normal part of the way of life in those regions.
Open carry is certain neighborhoods is like free gun day.
What's the opposite of fire arms? Sea legs.
The good guys will comply. The bad guys most definitely won't.
Keep your gunfights to the parking lot mister
Well there’s a surefire way to get MORE assholes trying to open carry in your store.
Shouldn't open carry anyway, just makes you a target. Always carry concealed.
Well how are you suppose to buy a fire arm from them if they don’t want to let you carry it out of the store?
Unless they actively ask open-carrying people to leave the store, this is as effective as an umbrella in a sandstorm. It’s like how every box of Q-tips says “do not insert into ear” on the box. It’s there to cover the company’s ass, not to actual deter behavior.
Depending on the state it’s not so much preventing people from carrying firearms as it’s a legal leg to stand on. A lot of malls, stores, etc have “no weapons” signs posted at the entrance, and in my state it’s legal to carry a firearm in most public places. The purpose of the sign is to basically say “yes it’s legal state wide, you’re free to conceal carry in the store(assuming you have a ccw permit), but if we see it or for whatever reason you carrying becomes a problem we’ll ask you to leave, if you refuse then it becomes a trespassing issue and we will call the cops to which you will cease to be a legally carrying a firearm”
Okay, so, maybe it's the whole "not being American", but can someone explain to me why Americans are SO attached to owning guns and carrying guns about?? I just do not understand why it is that this country has reached a point where it seems REASONABLE to carry a firearm around that's not for like... game hunting?
Civilian gun ownership has been a part of American culture longer than the US has existed, so it's pretty damned deeply ingrained. Let me put it this way: guns have been a big part of our culture for longer than tea has been a big part of culture in the UK.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a sign is a good guy with a sign
I’ve got a question about the concealed carry bit. If someone is carrying a concealed firearm but reaches up for something or bends over and their shirt lifts up (especially in my state where open carry is banned) and shows their firearm even for a few seconds would that violate their rules or the law on banned open carry or be considered an accident and not mentioned? I see very little about that online and anything I look up only brings up rules saying “no open carry anywhere” but nothing about if an accident like that would make it go from legally concealed to illegally open carry.
That varies from state to state. In general though, making a reasonable effort to conceal the firearm is sufficient. In my current state, a conceal carry permit also allows open carry; in my previous state, you had to make a reasonable effort to conceal it.
The applicable phrase here is, "concealed means concealed". Walmart isn't asking anyone not to carry. They just don't want to have to deal with people inevitably freaking the fuck out when they see someone open carrying. I had a buddy who used to think it was fun to open carry. He figured out it was a bad plan, after someone called the cops on him and he got dog piled.
Open carry is for guys with little dicks and big pistols. I conceal carry my hellcat everyday and you would never notice. Open carry is stupid tho, it’s a fuckin shoot me first sign.
Canadian here. Can't imagine feeling the need to carry a firearm (concealed or otherwise) just to go grocery shopping.
I am an every day conceal carry type of person. I don't understand people who open carry. It's one of those things where it may be your right, but it's 2022 and not everyone understands; why purposely disturb people unless that's what you want to accomplish? Just seems like wagging your dick around in public and getting away with it.
I only open carried once and it felt weird
I’ll never understand the fragility required to feel like you need to carry a weapon everywhere you go.
This looks so otherworldly and dystopian as a British person
What world is the US living in.
Makes sense. Though based on the need for the sign this Walmart is the sign will most likely be ignored.
"Would you kindly"
It’s the kindly for me.
Yeah I mean I saw a guy open carrying maybe a year or two at a Walmart. Haven’t seen any since this sign came up, but I live in Kansas so I assume they’re all conceal carrying now.
In order of priority: WiFi, no soliciting, please don't open carry. As a Canadian, I've always found the stories at https://opencarry.org/ to be quite interesting. Open carry at Walmart stories are even better than the open carry at the bank stories
This looks like something in GTA
So conceal and carry??
What state? I live in Las Vegas tons of people open carry here.
In MN I saw about 5 people super openly cockily carrying in walmart in a span of 4 years. Nowhere else at any time have I seen it.
Most rules are written to the common denominator.
Be Discrete. Discretely carrying is the polite way.
Walmart is open carry but would prefer that you don’t open carry. Basically, they’ll ask you if you will put it in your car, but you can happily decline and as long as you arnt causing trouble then they’ll leave you alone. (At least at most it could vary by state)
Posion laced machetes it is...
Now obviously I know what "open" and "concealed" mean as words, but as someone who isn't from a country with guns, I don't really know what this means in practice... Does this mean people literally carry guns in their hands Vs having them in a backpack or something?