Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should

This is the guy who was detained at gun point by a concealed carrier while the police arrived. He was arrested for his little open carry stunt in a Missouri Walmart. I can guarantee you this was to get him fame and publicity, while calling it, "an exercise of rights" or some such nonsense. Idiots like this want to get famous, even if it means they become infamous. He was likely influenced by the media attention on the shooters and wanted the same kind of attention, without hurting anyone. 

Instead, he made open carriers look bad. Again. We had enough damage done by Open Carry Texas in the first half of this decade. If you think OCT helped get open carry passed, think again. Email me and you can read my unpublished chapter from my open carry book (forthcoming) and see that they didn't have the affect they did. Also, crap like this is going to get our pistol braces bump fire stock banned. 

Open carry is not about showing off. Yes, it is a tool for activism, conversation, and in limited contexts, political speech. Yet is about comfort, ease of draw, and safety. Open carry should remain legal and unhindered because its easier than concealed carry and doesn't require getting prior government permission in most states. Open carry of rifles in urban areas is seldom appropriate.

As Red Forman of That 70's Show said, don't be a dumbass.