Just at my local Rite Aid...

[Freedomofspeech]

here in lovely, hillbilly Southwestern PA. Some nut was lurking in the store with a gun strapped on him. He looked so proud of himself. I wanted to tell him I was so sorry that he lost his penis but my husband did not think that was a good idea. I hardly leave my house since the election, these nuts have been so emboldened. Every other pickup truck still has their trump sticker and many houses still have their yard signs. We drink an awful lot now.

[otohara]

1. So Grateful I Don't Live in Open Carry

city - I'd never go out.

[Freedomofspeech]

2. It's horrifying.

I feel safer when we visit NYC than I do here in PA.

[dionysus]

55. Open carry is hella douchey, unless you live in the mountains or something...

But i wouldn't be too worried about some guy opening up inside of rite aid.

Scaring you, that's what they're going for. I'd say don't let it bother you, but it's easier said than done. I was in the diner once and a guy was open carrying, ot was hard not to think about it, what the hell he was doing... he was obese and too old to be a cop so i don't see how he was even carrying legally. I wonder if averyone else was thinking about it...

[HassleCat]

3. We visit your area in the summer.

And what you say is true. Some of those people are related to my wife. We have a fixer-upper house near Punxsutawney, so we get to hear all about how Obama moved black welfare moms to small PA towns from Philly and Pittsburgh.

[Freedomofspeech]

8. I forgot to mention the Confederate flags...

everywhere.

[HassleCat]

13. Yes, the tratorous shit rag.

My younger cousins in Wisconsin love that thing, too. Our neighbor in PA says the flags are specifically aimed at black people, to discourage them from moving to small PA towns.

[Freedomofspeech]

24. Wow...

How brutally honest and hateful they are.

[HassleCat]

39. I should clarify.

My neighbor is prejudiced, but not so bigoted he would fly a rebel flag. Some of his buddies, however, believe they can scare black families away, that an overt display of hostile racism will make them run back to the big cities. They explained their theory to him, and he gave me the lowdown.

[Amaril]

52. I grew up in northwestern PA in the late 60's/early 70's

There was a black family that moved into the area when I was in grade school. They didn't last long, and, yes, the local red necks ran them out of town (I remember hearing my parents -- who, unfortunately, were on the side of the red necks -- talking about it).

[doc03]

78. We had a yokel burn a cross in new black family's yard here a few years ago. nt

[gwheezie]

68. When I was house shopping

If I saw a house with a Confederate flag in the neighborhood I told the real estate agent I was not interested in the house because of the bad neighborhood.

[Jacob Boehme]

95. Ya' just gotta' love the irony....

Confederate flags all a flutter in the Union State of Pennsylvania during the Civil War. These ignorant spooge-monkeys flying their "Stars and Bars" have no friggin' idea everything that ridiculous flag actually represents.

I grew up in the segregated south... It was ugly, demoralizing, and humiliating for those poor souls who had to endure the taunts and threats that these racist hatemongers like to engage in.

[spin]

4. One reason why I prefer concealed carry is that I have no desire to upset ...

people who dislike firearms.

[Hoyt]

60. Open or concealed carry are both disgusting in our society, but agree concealed is slightly better.

[spin]

79. While some people are disgusted by those civilians who legally carry in our society ...

there are plenty who are not.

Obviously if enough people were disgusted the current carry laws would have never passed or would have repealed by now.

[Hoyt]

81. Naw, the white wingers, NRA, 3%ers, etc., have been behind lax gun laws for decades.

[spin]

84. So if there are so many people who oppose lax law gun laws and want to see the right ...

Last edited Thu Jan 5, 2017, 09:19 PM - Edit history (1)

to carry repealed why has it spread across the nation since 1986?

[not fooled]

100. ALEC, NRA, gun lobby, Faux Noise-spread propaganda, dumbing down of the nation...

...racism directed at the first black president, have all led to this. A determined minority with $$$ behind them.

[HoneyBadger]

101. Excellent map

Thank you

[SlimJimmy]

107. You have to remember who you ae arguing with here ... Hoyt.

No matter what good point you bring up, he'll be happy to shoot it down.

[spin]

108. i've enjoyed discussing gun control with Hoyt for years. ...

i realize it's a waste of time but hell I am retired.

[SlimJimmy]

115. Got it. Enjoy your retirement.

[KittyWampus]

113. I prefer open-carry with the provision the gun be strapped into a holster.

[spin]

114. In my opinion if you legally carry you should always use a holster. ...

i carry a snub nose revolver in my pants pocket. I use a pocket holster.

One time I was at the range and I noticed an instructor qualifying a rather loud mouthed individual.

I asked the range master what the story was and he told me, "The guy's a security guard. He was carrying a .45 auto in the small of his back without a holster. There was an AD (accidental discharge) and he put a nice crease in his ass. His company thought it might be wise for him to re qualify."

[Truth321]

5. What was his screen name? Was probably a DU member.

According to some of the recent threads here.

[libtodeath]

6. You should have told a clerk you didnt feel safe and were leaving

or ask that they call 911 for a possible robbery.

[Freedomofspeech]

10. That would have been brilliant.

But he might have started shooting....he was probably itching to.

[dionysus]

56. That's reckless and could get someone hurt. If i recall, the

Guy who got smoked in walmart carrying the toy gun had someone call like that.

[libtodeath]

66. Dont do stupid things like carry a realistic or real gun.

[dionysus]

70. If it's legal there, you'd be falsely reporting a crime.

[libtodeath]

72. A person carrying a gun and looking suspicious

just doing ones civic duty.

[SlimJimmy]

106. Bad move in many ways. But I can't stop you

from doing your "civic" duty. But you are stepping near the edge of reporting a false crime.

[libtodeath]

109. Person was looking suspicious,dont have to accuse directly but felt my safety was in danger.

[SlimJimmy]

116. Trust me when I say that local and state law enforcement aren't going to buy into that argument.

You might get away with it once, but the second time they respond, you are going to be looked at suspiciously, not the person with the gun.

[WiffenPoof]

7. I wish you would...

...have asked him that penis question.

[fleabiscuit]

9. It's still private property. Perhaps complain to corporate.

Maybe get them to issue company wide rule saying no open carry (or perhaps any carry).

I would imagine they are under the same pressure as all businesses. I have to drive past 3 pharmacies to get to my Rite Aid all within a mile.

[Lint Head]

11. These assholes have their bumper stickers and I have my

large black Magic Marker. And no. I have no fear.

[Freedomofspeech]

14. Good for you.

[louis-t]

12. I saw one at Subway.

He hung around inside for a while looking very self-important. I left and went to the pizza joint next door. When I left there, he was hanging out in front of his pickup trying to impress people.

[Freedomofspeech]

15. So pathetic.

and so very proud.

[A HERETIC I AM]

16. I'm waiting to see my first open carry nutbag.....

and when I do, I am going to walk up behind him and say "BANG". And then tell him that by carrying that stupid fucking gun he makes himself not just a target, but the FIRST target.

[2naSalit]

17. That's a good one!

Hope you have a Kevlar suit!

[A HERETIC I AM]

18. Assholes don't frighten me.

What is one of them going to do? Shoot me in public because I said "Bang" in his ear?

Fuck those terrified of their own shadow assholes. This isn't a war zone, and as many have pointed out, carrying a rifle or a gun of any kind around in the United States is just a way to cover for that fact that their manhood was left at the ammo counter.

And FWIW, I own a shotgun and a .38, but I would no sooner contemplate carrying either of them outside my house (except to go to a range) than I would going outside wearing a tutu.

OK...I wear a tutu when I mow the lawn...BUT STILL!

[2naSalit]

22. I hear you.

here in Montana, it's the norm. You see guys armed in any store around here, shotguns in a rack in the pick up very common. You have to be in a city in this state to violate open carry ordinances, and most of us have to drive quite a ways to get to a city.

I have a couple black powder guns, they work better as bludgeons in a self defense situation! I only take them to the range when I use them, and I haven't for years.

[ConnorMarc]

64. Is it common to see blacks walking around open-carrying there as well?

Same goes to the O.P., and to all the other posters in open-carry states.

Ever see any blacks walking-around proudly open-carrying?

[2naSalit]

67. No I haven't

mind you, we don't have very many POC here in the rural areas, in the progressive cities, yes. Do I ever see any of them packing heat? No. I don't condone open carry and will leave any establishment when someone is there and openly armed. Have to understand that in the rural west, like on days like today at -8F in the heat of the day, we rely on each other for survival and will not openly criticize our neighbors for that reason. In the town I just left, my mechanic and I have serious disagreement on several political issues yet I relied on him to fix my vehicle and trusting him w/my safety... and he let me take up to a year to pay for costly repairs w/o interest because he knew I would actually pay it all off asap.

There's a very different social dynamic in this kind of rural setting which we know city dwellers rarely understand.

ETA: Mind you also, that I am not pearly white skinned.

[ConnorMarc]

71. Well, I'm originally from a small island in the Caribbean, so I actually understand

the lifestyle you described.

Although, everywhere is kinda getting modernized these days, I get your illustration.

Thanks for sharing.

P.S. - Do you think blacks walking around the same way open carrying would go off the same way as whites by the people in your community?

[A HERETIC I AM]

73. This video should answer your question;

[2naSalit]

74. IN the progressive cities...

of which we have two or three, I would imagine the folks ho open carry would be soundly harassed by the state and local badges. In the summer I wear a badge, a federal one for resource violations only, and can write tickets and report "people crimes" to the law enforcement folks. I find that the federal LEs I work with are far more open minded... depends on where you are, what you're doing and who sees it.

I must say though, I have seen few onerous acts involving our local and state LEs than other places. We have a few Indian reservations and things are a little dicey around them as there is a contingent who would still like to annihilate that population, sadly.

Are you Carribe? I have met and worked with a few folks from the islands and they were really interesting and nice people.

[ConnorMarc]

96. So, the folks in your small town WOULDN'T be too bothered

by blacks walking around open-carrying then?

I couldn't quite make out the answer to that question in your response.

Yes, I'm Caribbean, been here for 20+ years now and folks from my highschool years say I have gotten a stronger accent than when they knew me back then. But living in NYC, where is basically a Caribbean outside of the Caribbean might be responsible for that.

[2naSalit]

98. That's interesting.

You know I have been thinking more about your question and I have to change my answer. I have seen a few African American cowboys up here who had side arms but they weren't hanging out looking for trouble in a grocery store, they were cowboys -we still have them here in the northern Rockies - and for them they are a tool not a weapon for terrorizin' with. And most would leave them in the truck unless they're in a hurry.

[Freedomofspeech]

75. Certainly not in our area.

They would be shot by one of the hillbillies. When we worked for President Obama both times, all the signs were stolen and bullet holes in many of them.

[doc03]

80. I don't recall ever seeing a black person open carry a gun other than a couple I saw

deer hunting and law officers. I think it would be extremely dangerous for a black person to open carry.

[brush]

35. I'm with you. Your last sentence is hilarious

[A HERETIC I AM]

36. ....

[leftyladyfrommo]

47. Don't be so sure.

There was the road rage guy who shot and killed a 3 year old because his grandmother was too slow at a stop sign.

[A HERETIC I AM]

62. I'm sure.

First, I drive for a living, so while I realize that certain people are going to go way overboard with road rage, I've had plenty enough experiences with it (one only a few weeks back where after the affront - he passed me on the shoulder and thought I was trying to run him off the road, I suppose - the guy "brake checked" me on a freeway, stomping on his brakes in front of the 18 wheeler I was driving, and when I pulled off to the shoulder to let him go, he did the same and BACKED UP, then jumped out and ran at my truck, screaming his fool head off!) I'm pretty confident in my understanding of how to avoid them or diffuse the situation.

However, referencing your example, there is damned little I or anyone else can do to avoid being shot at by someone determined to do so.

I'm not afraid of assholes like that, nor am I afraid to die, not that I want to get killed over a driving incident, but there you go.

[Initech]

19. I like something Bill Maher said last year:

"You know, if you deny that you have an intimate relationship with your gun, consider this - you're taking it out to dinner!"

The NRA is going to get a lot worse under Trump.

[otohara]

23. I Fear The Police Will Be Worse

if that's possible ... many unions endorsed him - and I'm sure they are feeling mighty emboldened.

[virgogal]

32. Amazing that this has become police bashing by you

when it is a post about open carry.

[otohara]

33. They Carry Guns

and they scare me after having a slew of police shootings of unarmed people this past year and a troubling conversation i had with a couple of DPD officers after attending an occupy protest where I spoke about loopholes.

They repeatedly called the protesters garbage, scumbags, dirtbags and more. So understand something, the police bash us all the time.

[Freedomofspeech]

26. The NRA is disappointed that trump...

Is being made the president (not elected). Gun sales are down because they can't accuse President Obama or Hillary Clinton of taking away their guns. Must be so disappointed that they can no longer lie.

[Truth321]

93. They are trying to convince Democrats that they need

Guns for protection. What could be more absurd?

[Freedomofspeech]

97. They only thing more absurd is...

What is going to happen on 1/20/17. A day that will go down in infamy.

[sarcasmo]

20. Here in middle Wisconsin, a lot more rebel flags, stickers and hats since the election.

[Cattledog]

30. Here in GA I don't see very many Trump stickers etc.

In fact there are probably fewer "Stars & Bars" flying than there were 20 years ago.

[randr]

31. Remember Rebel flags are the symbol of LOSERS!

[Docreed2003]

82. Ah....descendants of the unheralded Wisconsin Rebels??

Growing up in the south, I'm occustomed to seeing the "rebel flag". I have to SMDH when I've seen the flag in areas outside the south. I loathe the symbol enough having grown up around it, it's unbelievable to me that the descendants of those who fought for the Union could fly that rag.

[sarcasmo]

85. More like young kids with rebel flag sock hats, naked lady window stickers and flags in the truck.

[Docreed2003]

88. Oh I know the type....

[bowens43]

21. If you are not law reinforcement or a criminal and you carry a gun you are a coward.

[Bonx]

25. So a woman that carries a gun for self defense is a coward

but a criminal that carries a gun is not?

[Truth321]

27. Self defense is a myth. The greater good of society at large

Dictates that only police should have firearms

[Bonx]

28. I'll take 'non sequiturs' for $500 Alex.

[ileus]

49. That and guns kill people.

[atreides1]

57. No

Unlike you, I don't have that level of trust in law enforcement...never have and I never will!!!

[shadowrider]

89. Hang on. I'm confused

I thought the police were running wild gunning down innocent blacks randomly and with increasing frequency.

You're arguing these racist cops should be the only ones with guns?

Huh?

[Truth321]

90. If only Hillary had won we would

Not be having this silly conversation. We we be enacting the much needed gun control that the discussed so many times on the campaign trail. Now we have Democrats discussing the opposite? This is crazy

[shadowrider]

91. Hillary discussing needed gun control

cost us Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Those are hunting states that value the 2A.

For the record, I am a very pro-2A Democrat and I cringed every time she mentioned gun control.

[Truth321]

92. Sometimes the right answer is not popular. But being

That we've been passing gun control since the 1930's I don't think we need to copy the repug position on guns.

[shadowrider]

94. I didn't say we needed to copy their position

but touching the "third rail" is not a good thing.

[randr]

29. A simple 911 call to report a possible threat is all that is needed

The open carry people are just looking for attention. Give it to them.

[brush]

37. Cafeful. It's a roll of the dice calling 911. Remember Tamir Rice and John Crawford?

You get a poorly-trained, trigger-happy cop things could go way wrong.

No one wants that on their conscience.

[randr]

42. If I see a threat I will report it based on my fears

I will not be responsible for the actions of others, especially if they are armed and feel empowered.

[brush]

43. Real threats of course, but certainly not kids with toy guns or a shopper with a BB gun.

Some jump to conclusions too quickly and get people killed.

[SlimJimmy]

40. Forty minutes later, they show up so they can draw the chalk line around

your body. Not all law enforcement is just seconds/minutes away.

A simple 911 call to report a possible threat is all that is needed

[rockfordfile]

87. I agree.

[Kilgore]

102. You obviously dont live in a very rural place

Calling 911 in our county will get you a deputy in about 45 minutes. Why? Big county, little population, few deputies.

Our Sheriff recommends being armed and hands out carry permits.

Its just a fact of life in some places.

[randr]

110. I do live in a very rural place

and there have been instances where 911 calls have resulted in officers showing up. Mostly non-local hunters who are high on the freedom to display their symbolic manhood end up very embarrassed and sometimes with a disturbing the peace ticket.

[Kilgore]

111. Symbolic manhood? High on freedom?

WTF?? I'm talking about someone breaking into my home and 911 help is almost an hour away. A shotgun in the clost is rather comforting to have. This is not theoretical for me and my family, it has happened to us. Both of us have CCW permits and do regularly concealed carry.

[randr]

112. I have always owned guns and many times carry one with me

I do not think of it as concealed, though others would not know I am armed. Most of us think it common sense to have a fire arm along. There are many freedoms I cherish more than that right and, yes, I do see blatant displays of weaponry in public as indications of lacking manhood. Most everyone I know would agree with me.

[doc03]

34. I am sitting. in a Starbucks in ohio

right now looking at a pistol grip in someones pocket standing in line for coffee. Sign in window no firearms.

[SlimJimmy]

41. Some clarification

The "sign" in the window is not legally binding. If they have a concealed carry permit, or are allowed open carry in your state, then the sign is only advisory. However, if the management asks them to leave, and they refuse, then they can be charged with criminal trespass. A completely different situation.

[ProfessorGAC]

45. More Importantly, Jimmy. . .

. . .the store absolves itself (at least in theory) of liability if a shooting happens as they clearly told patrons to leave their guns outside. Those signs pretty much are protection for the establishment, not necessarily the patrons.

[SlimJimmy]

105. That's correct. It more of a liability protection than anything else.

[doc03]

77. I guess you would call his open carry since the gun was too

large to completely be concealed. I have a CC permit myself but I don't think I need an f---g gun to
get a coffee. You see these people and you don't know if they are planning on robbing the place or killing everyone
or just want to intimidate people. If I had my gun I could have shot him, I felt threatened. Just a joke. Just WTF is
everyone scared of that they think they have to carry a gun to buy coffee. A couple weeks ago I used the restroom
in a Macy's store and there was a 9mm cartridge on the floor by the toilet. Apparently someone had their gun out playing
with it while on the crapper.

[SlimJimmy]

104. Personally, as a CCW holder, I always carry my weapon concealed.

If I was buying a cup of coffee at a Starbucks, not a single person would know that I was carrying a weapon. IMHO, that's the way it should be. I remain safe, from staring eyes, and they remain safe in the non-knowledge that I have a weapon. A win win for everyone.

[doc03]

117. Say you are in Starbucks and someone pulls a gun out and

wants their cash. What are you gone to do? You gone to reach for your gun and maybe get yourself or other people in store killed just to
keep somone from taking some multi billionare's money? You can carry your gun but I don't get what everyone is afraid of. I hope I am not
in a Starbucks if something like that happens and someone tries to be a hero.

[SlimJimmy]

118. I was in law enforcement for 35 years, and am an expert shot.

I won't panic, as I've been in that situation more than once in my career. But with that said, I won't engage the shooter either unless he poses a direct threat to myself or others. It's not about being a hero, it's about stopping someone from injuring or taking someone's life. I would hope that someone like me actually is there during a situation like that.

[doc03]

119. But for every person like yourself there are probably 20 people that have no

experience other than a half day course on CCW and managed to land 5 rounds on a target 3 yards away.
So I will take my chances and pray there is someone like you there rather than Bubba that wants an excuse
to shot someone. I just don't get the open carry thing other than it is someone that just wants to make a statement
about their Ryts to carry a gun. If I am going to walk in and rob a place the first thing I would do is shoot anyone with
an open carry weapon.

[SlimJimmy]

120. I agree with you on open carry. Other than police officers (local, state and federal)

I don't particularly see a need for open carry, as it becomes more of a hindrance than a help. That's why I conceal carry even though I'm authorized to carry openly.

[Skittles]

38. don't let gun humping cowards make you drink

they're sick fucks

[hunter]

44. My mom would have said something...

... but that was, perhaps, the most terrifying aspect of my childhood.

We had to pack the car and leave Franco's Spain for France in the middle of the night because of my mom.

[linuxman]

46. Why do so many people's minds go straight to cock when guns are seen/mentioned?

Like, seriously. It's weird. I have a theory...

For the record, I don't care for open carry. Concealed is best, as it doesn't upset the delicate flowers.

[LanternWaste]

50. I imagine you do indeed, have a theory...

I imagine you do indeed, have a theory, regardless of your concealed, delicate flower.

[Hoyt]

61. Open or concealed carry are disgusting in our society, but I agree concealed is slightly better.

[ileus]

48. Main reason I prefer to conceal carry.

While I will open carry from time to time it's always during outdoor activities, even then I'll typically have a untucked shirt covering my EDC.

[underthematrix]

51. What I find interesting even after getting what they wanted they're still angry.

[dionysus]

53. You've actually let the election leave you housebound?!

[Freedomofspeech]

65. About 70% of the area voted for trump...

Every other man looks like he is a duck dynasty character and pink camo is very popular. We are lucky to have many liberal friends, so we stick with our fellow travelers. We are trying to figure out where to move but are afraid not knowing what we will be facing after 1/20/17.

[dionysus]

69. Yikes. Okay, id move, too

[roscoeroscoe]

86. Maryland

We moved here to Frederick MD a while back, it's a better mix with a lot more progressive people. We went up to a concert in PA a while back, we did notice a lot of Trump signs.

Come visit Frederick!

[Freedomofspeech]

99. Will consider that. ..

Thanks!

[HeartachesNhangovers]

54. You know they're just trying to wind you up ...

better to ignore them.

[DonCoquixote]

58. Pennsylvania has a lot of nice places, but

there is a portion of that state which frankly has much more in common with Dixie than anywhere north of the Mason-Dixon line. We're talking about people were crude, rude and damn proud of it. Sadly, these are the voters that Ed Randel was trying to appeal to back in the days when he was trying to kneecap Obama in favor of Hillary Clinton back in 2008. Indeed part of me would love to think that Ed Randel has to look at himself and realize that she emboldened this element in Pennsylvania and that is why Pennsylvania, not Florida, not Ohio was the nail in the Clinton coffin.

Admittedly, Pennsylvania is possibly the best example of genuine working-class frustration in the nation. many of its fine jobs,, it's steel mills its truck factories, it's railroads were all sold out by Wall Street, including a person that shot just hired as a secretary of commerce. Of course, this is also where churches exist that will go toe to toe with any church in Mississippi, or Texas. I still remember when I was going to a Catholic church in my hometown how the priest, who sincerely thought he was doing a heroic thing, talked about how we had to be more accepting of "those people."keep in mind, we Hispanics that were moving to that area were helping keep a lot of parishes alive,, and yet the sons and daughters of those who were called very nasty racial slurs pertaining to the Irish were among the first to say racial slurs about Hispanics.

The sad fact is, if a lot of these unions that currently have a golden halo pointed around her head were willing to integrate Hispanics and Blacks, they would've been stronger now. But one of America's oldest games is to put one group of whites against another group of whites and then crowned the winners in such a way that they think they won. Not that they actually won, after all Italians and Irish will not get into the more Tony country clubs, even Donald J Trump himself was not allowed into the older Palm Beach country clubs, because he was of poor lineage. They called him Trump the chump. Indeed,, people think a lot of why Trump asked boys he does is because he knows he is what is called "new rich." Pennsylvania has a lot of old rich and they still enjoy their power because they know how to play the sons and daughters of immigrants against each other.

[Freedomofspeech]

63. We used to be a beautiful blue state.

Several years ago Richard Mellon Scaife bought up all the local newspapers. His goal was to turn this area red and it worked. He never allowed a Democrat to be pictured on the front page of his papers. He used all of his children's money to keep the paper going and now the newspaper is being sued by his children.

[MindPilot]

59. threads like this make me grateful for the progressive and rarified part of the world I live in

Even though I spend 60-90 minutes every day on the freeway, live in place where about 15% of the population is active duty military, and work in the defense industry, I have seen exactly four Trump bumper stickers and one sign stapled to a power pole. And that has been over the entire election--like the past year and a half.

[Worried senior]

76. Freedomofspeech

I love what you wanted to tell him, guess it isn't a good idea under the circumstances but sure hits the nail on the head.

[DFW]

83. It is probably no consolation

But I'm sure they drink as much as you do (or more) and are heavily armed at the same time.

[redstatebluegirl]

103. Every time we see a big old pickup truck with Stars and Bars in the back window

and a gun rack he always laughs and says "small package".... Seems to fit but we don't piss them off either, they all have a very short temper.