What would you do ? (open-carry rifle in Utah mall)

SeaBreeze said:
Neither is every gun-toting law enforcement official for that matter.
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There has been an increasingly disturbing number of MURDERS of unarmed citizens by the police. They are ALWAYS determined "justified" and the officers are exonerated. "The cops don't need you and they expect the same." -- Bob Dylan
 

Yes, I recall a case where a trigger-happy cop shot an innocent man in his own home, because through the window he saw the man holding a silver soda can, and he thought it was a gun. :rolleyes: Let's not get into all the poor friendly pet dogs they murdered for no valid reason, yeah...we'll tase them until their punchdrunk, then we'll noose them, and finish them off by emptying our revolver in them, yeah...that's the ticket! :mad:
 
After posting above, I thought all day and night about the tough job cops have. They deal with the dregs of society on a daily basis and most are truly doing the best we can expect. BUT (and a huge butt it is . . .) There are too many "cowboys" on a power trip, jacked up on adrenaline. Have had my share of encounters with the good, the bad and the ugly and would rather avoid them at all cost.

Speaking of innocent people being shot by cops . . . I think the latest "fad" is innocent people being shot by stand-your-grounders who get away with it!
 

I wouldn't do anything. I know we have laws allowing the carrying of guns but it should not be necessary in a civilized country. We are a civilized country, aren't we? Or have we slipped a few notches toward the Cockoo's nest?


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We are a civilized country, aren't we?
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Let's see... You work it out, Drifter

Civilized: adjective

  • having a high state of culture and social development
  • cultured; polite ⇒ a civilized discussion
Synonyms

cultured, educated, sophisticated, enlightened, humane,
polite, mannerly, tolerant, gracious, courteous, affable, well-behaved, well-mannered


Insanity: noun

  • relatively permanent disorder of the mind; state or condition of being insane(law)
  • a defect of reason as a result of mental illness, such that a defendant does not know what he or she is doing or that it is wrong
  • utter folly; stupidity
Synonyms

madness, mental illness, dementia, aberration, mental disorder, delirium, craziness, mental derangement,
stupidity, folly, lunacy, irresponsibility, senselessness, preposterousness,

I hope you can identify more with the first set of definitions than with the second
 
drifter said:
I wouldn't do anything. I know we have laws allowing the carrying of guns but it should not be necessary in a civilized country. We are a civilized country, aren't we? Or have we slipped a few notches toward the Cockoo's nest?
.
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A few notches?

The gear has broken off all of its teeth and is free-spinning at a high velocity ...
 
As an outsider looking in I would think that the police's job would be a lot easier if just about everyone wasn't armed. Having lived my entire life in a country where very few would even contemplate owning a firearm it all seems way over the top. My daughter is moving to the USA this year and I'm quite nervous about her safety.
 
Hi Mitchell, welcome to the forum. Most of us can live a lifetime in this country and never encounter any violence. Opinions are many when it comes to a discussion of guns. Not only do Americans like guns, we seem to like to argue about their place in our society. Police would be safer if there were no guns or if fewer people carried them. On the other hand we as a society have been too liberal in allowing police officers to discharge their weapons. We allow a knockout blow or the taking of aa life when a slap on the wrist would be sufficient. We have always been a nation of people where large portions of us liked to hunt game. In our early days hunting was necessary, then hunting became sport when hunting became unnecessary to feed the family. I come from a family of hunters and although I own no weapons now, I have in the past both owned weapons and hunted. I think the problem in the US is the great proliferation of guns. I feel it is entirely to easy for most of us to own a hand gun. Then there is the liberal interpretation of our constitution's second amendment where we all feel it is our right to own a gun, and it is, according to the laws off the land. Others, most I guess, find no fault with everyone owning a weapon . Still, law abiding people are generally safe in this country and very few encounter violence. I hope your daughter enjoys her stay in the USA.
 
Anyone who has concerns about open carry in Utah (and that should be everyone) stay out of Arizona, here you can not only open carry but conceal as well and I mean WITHOUT a permit of any kind! Thank you teaparty.
 
drifter said:
Hi Mitchell, welcome to the forum. Most of us can live a lifetime in this country and never encounter any violence. Opinions are many when it comes to a discussion of guns. Not only do Americans like guns, we seem to like to argue about their place in our society. Police would be safer if there were no guns or if fewer people carried them. On the other hand we as a society have been too liberal in allowing police officers to discharge their weapons. We allow a knockout blow or the taking of aa life when a slap on the wrist would be sufficient. We have always been a nation of people where large portions of us liked to hunt game. In our early days hunting was necessary, then hunting became sport when hunting became unnecessary to feed the family. I come from a family of hunters and although I own no weapons now, I have in the past both owned weapons and hunted. I think the problem in the US is the great proliferation of guns. I feel it is entirely to easy for most of us to own a hand gun. Then there is the liberal interpretation of our constitution's second amendment where we all feel it is our right to own a gun, and it is, according to the laws off the land. Others, most I guess, find no fault with everyone owning a weapon . Still, law abiding people are generally safe in this country and very few encounter violence. I hope your daughter enjoys her stay in the USA.
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Thanks for the reassurances Drifter. I just don't understand the whole gun culture...if I had have had a gun during my marriage I may well have been writing this from a gaol cell....too easy to pull a trigger. Life isn't perfect with gun control.....the crims still can get them and sometimes the police are too quick to shoot....but I think the majority of Australians are very happy they don't have guns.
 
Sounds like most of you folks would never live long in Switzerland. They often do go about with rifles on their back. Going to military duty, gun shoots, lots of ways for them to use their rifles. They walk with them, ride on buses and other public transport. The idea of having weapons available in homes for sport or self defense is well understood by the Swiss. We should have some of that knowledge right here in the US.
 
We've had guns for 40 years now, always a loaded one at the ready if needed. Thankfully, we've never had to use the gun for self defense, like a home break-in, but rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Neither of us have concealed carry permits, but will get one in the future if we feel the need to.

We don't hunt, mostly do some target practice now and then, but would hunt for food if need be. There's nothing wrong with responsible law abiding citizens owning guns, there may be a time of civil unrest, homegrown terrorists attacking Americans or whatever, and those who can protect themselves and maybe others will be much appreciated by those without guns. I don't think I'll see anything like that in my lifetime though, hoping not to anyway.
 
BobF said:
Sounds like most of you folks would never live long in Switzerland. They often do go about with rifles on their back. Going to military duty, gun shoots, lots of ways for them to use their rifles. They walk with them, ride on buses and other public transport. The idea of having weapons available in homes for sport or self defense is well understood by the Swiss. We should have some of that knowledge right here in the US.
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They'd be happy in the UK. Not a gun culture unless you count those who go hunting. Even the cops don't have guns - only the special weapons squads.
 
Guess what!!! The NRA is not allowing loaded guns that their convention in Tennessee!! AND the pin must be pulled... It wouldn't be safe after all.. lol!!! oh the Irony!!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/07/1376216/-Gun-Control-at-NRA-Convention

While guns may be great in churches, schools, universities, bars and sitting in handbags next to toddlers in Walmart shopping carts — the National Rifle Association (NRA) isn’t so keen on guns at their Annual Convention.

The convention (April 10-12 in Nashville) is expected to draw a crowd of 70,000 people. Naturally all of them are do-gooders — there to ogle, stroke and cling to the “16 acres of guns” (according to an ad for the event). Among the 555 Exhibitors (according to the NRA’s event website) are Smith & Wesson, SigSauer, Beretta USA and Remington Arms. So will there be guns? — you betcha. Will they work? — uh, no. Sorry, but these guns won’t fire.

According to the security plan that was adopted by the NRA soon after Nashville was chosen to host their annual convention — all guns on the convention floor will be nonoperational with the firing pins removed. In addition, any guns purchased during the NRA convention will have to be picked up at a Federal Firearms License dealer (near the purchaser’s home) and will require a legal identification (I expect they mean at the time of pickup of said merchandise.)
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SifuPhil said:
Don't forget the stats from 2001 - we lost over 3,000 people to just four airplanes. Maybe we should make THOSE illegal as well ...
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Fair enough Phil.... But at least then we should regulate guns as stringently as we do air travel.. Strict rules for ownership like stringent licensing and proof ability to handle the weapon... Like a pilot needs.. Let's make sure that all gun owners carry a whopping big liability insurance policy to protect any one who is injured or killed by their gun.. Like airlines carry. Lets make sure that the location of ALL guns is known at all times.. Like planes in the sky.. Sound ok to you? I mean if you want to make a comparison like that lets go for it.
 
QuickSilver said:
Exactly..... so to that I also say.... ok... of course we cannot ban cars... BUT let's regulate guns like we do cars then..
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Yes. And a mental health exam for anyone buying one. And NO automatic weapons for anyone. The only purpose of those is to kill many people very quickly.
 
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