Now that California Governor Brown has signed a bill outlawing open carry, the Golden State’s open carry advocates are putting away their unloaded handguns—and picking up unloaded rifles. Responsible Citizens of California reckons some 50 members will rally at Hesperian Boulevard and Bay Fair Drive in San Leandro this Saturday to protest AB 144. At high noon. And why not? “The group’s spokesman said the new law does nothing to limit the right to carry long guns — rifles and shotguns — so long as they’re unloaded,” sanleandropatch.com reports. ‘Saturday will be kind of a breakout event,’ said Responsible Citizens spokesman Yih-Chau Chang. ‘It will be the first time long guns have been carried out in public in an event setting.'” Would a member of TTAG’s Armed Intelligentsia with some historical knowledge care to correct Mr. Chang? Then again, maybe not.
The sad part is that a few of these fools will show up with AR-15’s and scare the living daylights out of the public. This will only show Cali gun owners to be crazy loons with “evil” looking guns.
So how carrying an AR15 type rifle make them “fools”? Perhaps they should start with Red Ryder BB Guns to help ease the public? Maybe if more of the gun owning California citizens had exercised their right to open carry pistols that right wouldn’t have been taken away. Our rights are like muscles. If we don’t exercise them we will lose them.
But you don’t win friends when you show up looking like you’re coming home from the sandbox. People here cringe at the sight of a Remington 700, let alone an AR-15. I believe that we need to exercise our rights, but this is NOT the way to do it.
How is the way to do it? In a state like California I see few “friends” to be persuaded. Anyone looking like they’re back from the sandbox is a good and proud thing. If anyone that looks like a soldier back from his duty scares people there is something fundamentally wrong and if someone don’t like it there are about 195 other countries they can go pollute.
Wanna know the easiest way to persuade friends? Take them shooting! They almost always have a good time, and show interest later on. I find it amusing that you are railing on me about what I’m saying, when you most likely don’t even live in California. I volunteer time for groups that promote shooing sports here in California, and showing people an “evil” looking rifle only scares them away. I have nothing against these guns(I’m even building an AR right now), but they do not send a good message to the non-gun-savy people of California. There are many people that can be easily persuaded, you just have to go about it the right way.
“But you don’t win friends when you show up looking like you’re coming home from the sandbox.”
I understand and agree with you 100%. I was born and raised in CA. Numerous times open carried in my vehicle, trying (successfully) to not be noticed.
I could see it coming when the OC activists threw sand in the face of the anti-gun politicians. It was a game of double dare you, and they lost, for everybody.
If I still lived in CA I would be truly upset with those pompous self-righteous bunch of Z0Bz.
amen, i am in Kali as well and you guys in the “free” states need to take note that the freedoms in states like california are crucial to your own freedoms. Gun rights will flow one way or the other and often the most restrictive states are used as the yardstick for the “anti’s”. The better we can make states like Kali & NYC the better it will be for everyone.
That said, you will not win ANY friends by throwing stuff in the face of gun haters. A lot of them are decent people but have just been miseducated. We need to help them, not make enemies of them. These OC guys are really starting to piss me off! Now I won’t be able to OC in National Parks, and I might actually need it!
Look at this plea on Calguns
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=338401
Does this one count?
Gun rights advocates rally in Washington, Virginia
“Across the Potomac River, in Virginia, another group of protesters are defending the Second Amendment with a show of arms — holding an “Open Carry Rally.” Signs in the crowd pointed to the role of government, with one reading, “My rights come from God, not from the government.” Protesters had large rifles and other weapons strapped to their bodies.”
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-04-19/politics/second.amendment.rally_1_gun-rights-advocates-gun-owners-constitution-rally?_s=PM:POLITICS
I attended the Second Amendment March in DC (The one at the National Mall, not the nearby rally at Gravelly Point) Really glad I did, although I wish there had been more of a turnout, with more geographical diversity.
People attending sported some interesting paraphenalia. One fellow had a shoulder-slung wooden cutout in the shape of an AR-15. Quite a few wore empty holsters.
A couple of fellas that dressed up in colonial garb and carrying muskets had their firearms inspected by DC Police – a “safety inspection” the called it…
I seem to remember open carry events at Lexington and Concord.
I seem to remember the Declaration of Independence saying that it’s our duty to violently overthrow an oppressive government…
I must have missed that part.
Your title: CA Open Carry Avocates Plan Long Gun Rally
I think you meant “Advocates”
Maybe he was in the mood for an avocado?
“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
Ten bucks says within a week, Commissar Brown will outlaw long gun carry.
That’s the progressive mindset; oppress at whim.
I’m not a big fan of UNLOADED open carry, but have been to a few events to support in general.
I DO support their FIRST amendment right to free speech. If they choose to express themselves through lawful activity. I will support it.
I don’t think guys like these protesters do your cause any good.
I would say that is a good call.
+1
Normally I’d disagree, but I think you’re right in this case. Peaceful, symbolic protest only works in places where freedom, justice, and democracy truly matter…so obviously, not California.
Maybe they should just open carry umbrellas and canes.
It will have the same effect on the sheep in commiefornia.