An "open" letter to my fellow gun owners

[vincehollaway]

Well said my friend. I myself carry according to what I'm wearing and the weather. If the clothing I choose to wear will allow for comfortable concealed carry, then that's what I will do. If not then I carry open. It's up to the local government to educate the citizens on open carry law so they won't be getting overwhelmed with "Guy with a Gun" calls all day long.

[mikendustingunnrz]

Carrying a firearm should be done in defense of yourself, not as a political statement. The political statement crowd who blatantly tell the police to go away and make a spectacle of their uncooperative behavior are the ones who are doing damage to gun owners' credibility among law enforcement. The officer in the recording even TOLD the "violated" that he would give him his stuff back and let him go on his way, he just wanted to check things out...but the OC dude decides to get belligerent....

[Bayhuntr]

As for the "bad guys don't open carry" do you actually think that will be the case as more people on the street with guns becomes common place? I'm kind of thinking the bad guys love the concept of a cop not taking precautions before they verify if they have a license to open carry.

Most the the comments I've heard don't take into consideration what happens when everyone is carrying a gun, good guys and bad guys. ...like wars stop because one side gets a bigger gun.

[Bayhuntr]

What would have happened if the guy had followed the instructions of the cop, allowing the cop to gain some confidence that they guy with the gun was not a danger? Open gun carry is extremely uncommon, bad guys and nut jobs with guns are very common. How do the cops, who I rarely side with, prevent themselves from being shot. If the cop had believed the open carry claim, had not pulled his gun, the guy turned out to be a nut and killed the cop, would you have that video uploaded on your page?

[shambrawk]

I feel safer with citizens who carry firearms openly than I do with police carrying firearms openly. this is because a citizen with a gun is not going to arrest me for petty crimes by using their gun as a scare tactic.

[Bayhuntr]

@shambrawk What about the road raged guy with a gun?

[shambrawk]

@Bayhuntr Well, in that case I would prefer a police officer with a gun. unless he was a road raged police officer with a gun. There are just certain things that people should not be arrested for (growing or selling marijuana is one of those things, and people get arrested and incarcerated for both) just my opinion, it's all off topic

[Bayhuntr]

@shambrawk Again, I don't like defending cops, but I would trust a cop with a gun more then a stranger. I do believe there are a lot of creeps who could pass the tests to become a cop, but can own and carry a gun. I think the bliss the gun extremist describe and the reality of everyone owning guns are two different things.

If all the freedom loving gun owners, supported decriminalization of pot, it wouldn't be a crime, unfortunately, there are lots of hypocrites out there.

[shambrawk]

I feel safer with citizens who carry firearms openly than I do with police carrying firearms openly.

[AmericanMade72]

Excellent remarks my friend.

[Tebix1]

I live in Queensland, Australia and have been interested in becoming a junior firearm owner for a long time and have done research on the laws and regulations of owning a firearm. Quite frankly, it's ridiculous what is necessary to hold a license.

[MatriarkTerVel]

@NoldorinPrince: Why should anyone comply with unlawful orders from a law enforcement officer? By doing so, they could argue that you voluntarily waived said right by complying with the order, or worse...

[MatriarkTerVel]

Some law enforcement encounters go better than others. The worst part is when people are unlawfully detained, etc. based solely on the cop's _opinion_ of the law. Cops aren't judges nor attorneys. They have no standing to render judgements, or legal opinions. Two words always come to mind when I see similar videos: "Quo warranto."

[MatriarkTerVel]

I've been in the shoes of people like Mark. In retrospect, it's somewhat comical to watch them sit there and debate what they should charge someone with, after they've already detained the person. I wish I would have had the foresight to carry a voice recorder. It's certainly an invaluable tool. Without one, if your case makes it to trial, it's your word vs. the cop's word.

I simply wish the police would enforce the law, instead of their opinion as to what the law should be.

[NoldorinPrince]

I must here make a few points.

1.) The Philly Officer reacted, and acted wrongly in his approach.

2.) Mark acted wrongly when confronted, If you want to make a constitutional stand, the street is NOT the place. Do what the Officer tells you even if the request violates your rights.

3.) I think Mark went out looking for a confrontation, hence the audio, how many people go out with a digital recorder turned on in a pocket making it easy to record conversation when they go get an auto part.

[IVpoleBiker]

Well said.. BUT, please add this to your campaign.

The Deceleration of Independence, with replacing the "The King Of Great Britain" with the names of persons like BRADY, OBAMA, and others who blatantly walk all over human rights, our Constitution and Bill of Rights, and de-regulate the militia more and more seemingly daily.

Criminals conceal, legal non-criminals have no reason to conceal.

A concealed weapon is not easily accessed for self defense, or to defend the life of some one else.

[isthatfunny]

You nail it , and I for one, would like to open carry without the fear of being pulled over by a "band of brothers wannabees"the truth is that the law should not be infringed by any person,it is a God given right to all Americans as free men and women of a free republic. If that one law is now transposed of it's real meaning and intent,then only God will save this decaying Empire .This young man was trying to act in a responsible ,respectful,and honest way.The truth is stranger than fiction...

[tsharpmac420]

Im 100&% pro gun rights,both conceal and open carry, i will almost always take the side of the person who is legal, but there a big is differnce between someone being told once tos surrender the weapon. and someone like this kid he had to be told 15tmes, Im not good on the math but im pretty sure thats 14 times 2 many,next time he he needs to allow the cop to disarm him first, that would have instanlty changed the mood of the cop and the scene. He might have even just called for 1 back up car,

[CanadianReich]

criminals wont target open carry persons...not with so many many many unarmed sheep to victimize

[mrbeek88]

I agree 100 % Tim, thanks for the clarity of this topic... Lonnie...

[PrepperAZ]

How did you obtain that audio video? After the police discovered the recorder, I would have guessed that they would have turned it off and keep the recorder. Thanks for the great videos.

[Chriznak]

"people can be frightened by your gun" due to "ignorance." They've been trained to be frightened like Pavlov's dogs were trained to salivate.

[fastacker2]

If everyone carried a firearm, all of the time, there would quickly be no crime. Criminals stupid enough to ply their trade, would be quickly exterminated, and everyone left would respect the rights and boundaries of his or her fellow cxitizens.

[Partisandissident]

I'm sick of the debate-

The Second Amendment is THE LAW OF THE LAND.

It says that THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.

It does not stipulate who may own guns,what guns they may own,or how they are to be carried.

ONLY THAT IT SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!!!

OUR RIGHTS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE!!!!

[itsburkie]

Tim, you have changed my mind about open carrying a gun. I was one of those people who believed in "common sense" like, why would you walk around with a gun? But now that I think of it, I would rather know who has a gun.

But I do think the whole recording of Mark's encounter with the police is a little misleading. He knew he had the recorder on him, they didn't. Not that I totally side with the police, they should know the law and respect that, but Mark seems like he was pushing the situation.

[XxTavoRxX]

Tim, very eloquently said. We need more gunowners to speak in such a clear and inoffensive manner. Far too often gunowners go all hill billy on people and it is just counter productive. Once again, well done

[ElementalPlug]

@pistolpackintim I am a pretty strict liberal on most accounts, but this whole video has changed the way I view gun ownership and open carriers. Extremely well said my man, hopefully there are more out there like yourself, and more out there like me who are willing to change their views for a positive benefit to others.

[EndTheFedRes]

We make it harder and harder for law abiding citizens to carry, so more and more criminals carry.

Who obeys gun laws? Common sense people.

The biggest threat to our 2nd Amendment rights is the UN. A Treaty/international agreement will cede our Constitution. Watch our politicians closely, and remember..."A gun in hand is better than a cop on the phone."

[52Mik]

I am not only with you Timothy, but I would like to take it one step further. I wish to advocate for the right of peaceful, law abiding citizens to carry (openly or concealed) on a national level. In other words, I want to advocate for a National Firearms Carry permit which would enable the bearer to carry a firearm anywhere, in any state. Are you with me? Why can a person with a permit to carry in PA not carry his weapon to Maryland for example?

[rakrupski]

We need to have more open carry - to the point that it's natural to see someone carrying. Nobody blinks an eye when a cop is carrying, yet if a non-cop citizen is carrying, people freak out.

Honestly, I think the REAL problem is that carrying a sidearm is a "symbol of power" to a cop and they despise mere citizens doing the same... because it nullifies their feeling of superiority.

[TheOutlawbluesman]

The elitist politicians in DC are trying to take away our rights as they have in Chicago the hometown of Eric Holder, Obama and others. You cannot possess a gun outside of your home! Yet criminals have guns and the black market in guns is very lucrative. The 2nd Amendment is right after the 1st due to the excercise of free speech could get you killed! With Government Officials spending more time campaigning than serving and protecting the citizens to whom they are accountable, more own firearms.

[FreeinTX]

@TheOutlawbluesman

Cheers.

I always tell gun control nuts, "If you make guns illegal, criminals will buy their guns from their drug dealers." Law Enforcement has as much of a chance getting rid of .38 specials and 9mm Glocks as they do getting rid of crack and pot! And some of these "specials" are about as cheap!

[KJMEnterprises]

American police behave like animals and treat the public like idiots and animals...I would not stand for that crap here.

[grangersmith]

I don't own a gun, don't have a permit, not a thing, and I did feel uncomfortable with people openly wearing guns..I don't like the fact that police carry guns..But your speech made sense, criminals don't wear guns in a holster, that makes sense. It's the initial fear of someone who has flipped out carrying a gun in a holster, probably from the propaganda in the news and movies. It creates a initial fear of what the person is up to...Rationally I will still be on alert but aware and less afraid

[FreeinTX]

@grangersmith

Let me add. Every state in the nation prior to passing a concealed carry law, but post-making it illegal to open carry (illegally), as they tried to pass a concealed permit law, had opposition insisting that their state would turn into the wild west from people flipping out in anger and shooting other people with their gun. Yet, in every state, upon passage of concealed carry, crime DROPPED over 30% in the very next year.

A gun is a tool for protection, and open carry is best.

[sattanhellsing]

Thank you for this video ! It make more sense and I totally support you and Open carry !

[cowboykiller100]

and i'd rather be shot at when i am armed instead of shot at unarmed, and yes, i have been shot at unarmed...it sucks

[cowboykiller100]

think of it this way, if %100 of the american population carried a gun...how much would the crime rate go down? would you really want to try and rob some one knowing "joe-shmoe" has a gun on him, or knowing the people around him also have guns on them? guns don't kill people, it's the irresponsible assholes. and it's those assholes that fuck it up for ppl that do follow the law

[PorMansGold]

What Part of "Shall not be infringed" do liberal communist not understand.

[glashoppah]

"it is more likely that we have had encroaching laws that violate our second amendment because gun owners have not been visible exercising their rights. I am sure the individuals offering their saged advice would have condemned Rosa Parks for not taking the back seat because she was generating negative attention to the rights of African Americans. It amazes me to see fellow gun owners condemning legal, responsible activity that helps educate the public on gun rights."

I love it. Two thumbs up.

[marktakacs]

Great vid! Thank you so much!

[d37fan]

Thanks and Keep Up The Good Work. It's a shame we have to fight this issue "One" case at a time.

[RandalllFlagg]

The only problem I have with open carry is the scenario where the deranged nutjob is entering the area with the intent to harm. The open carrying folks are the first targets because the nutjob already knows that they are a threat to their intentions, and will take them out first.

And, yes. I am a CCW holder.

Personally, I wish every American would open carry or CCW carry.

(I have to admit, this is the first time I've heard of the Kennesaw robbery thing. WHAT were those boneheads thinking?!)

[MrKiddRobb]

And by the way, the 2nd amendment IS my gun permit.

[MrKiddRobb]

The 2nd Amendment states you have a right to keep AND BEAR, which means TO SHOW OTHERS, that you have a firearm. ANY LAWS which LIMIT OR PROHIBIT the EXERCISE OF A CONSTITIONAL RIGHT, ARE NULL AND VOID -- US Supreme Court.

[KancerKowboy]

Well said, Tim!

There are pros and cons to any particular situation. In general I'd like to stress I would prefer to see a well armed society rather than a less armed society. It tends to breed comfort and stability, at least from my perspective. 

[TheDRlZZT]

Very well said...

i personally am Not a gun owner.. but i'll be DAMNED if i'll stand by while those who DO own guns have their Rights taken away. it is the responsibility of EVERYONE to stand firm against the "police state" that has been created by those who think that it's ok to take away the RIGHTS granted to us by the founding fathers. it is your RIGHT to carry a firearm (and if taken literally a freaking sword if you want) as long as you have the proper license.

[Monteze187]

Couldnt have said it better myself, /and/ I am glad your wrote this in a calm logical way. The gun crowd arnt trigger happy loons. We just want to be left alone.

[dreis454]

Very,very well said Tim. I agree completely.

[tonyny77]

Excellent, Tim. Simply excellent. Thank you.

[Sn00zer99]

Not sure if it has been said but in my opinion if you do carry a gun it should be like your junk. Everyone knows you have one , but you can't just take it out anytime you want . If you do take it out, it had ought to be when you are ready to legitimately use it for the sole purpose for which it is intended.

[Minotaur009]

One criminal gun concealing troll dislikes this.

[loginregional]

I'm against having guns around. However, I would feel 100% safe around Tim. Best of luck to you. (and nice hat, pardner)

[thedriver1970]

@pistolpackintim; I do believe in the right to carry rather it be open or concealed. Just because those who wish to carry concealed doesn't mean they have some thing to hide, it's because for those who chose to carry concealed want the element of surprise for when an individual has criminal intentions on his/her mind it keeps them guessing who's carrying and who's not. In Wisconsin there's an open carrying law when i'm @ my summer place I carry openly. Remember it's an individual chose.

[sambnra]

Well Said!....................Thank­s

[edingerdj]

@whitevadder in states where open carry is legal and commonplace (such as michigan) open carry does not "cause a stir". many police are in fact supportive of it because it makes their job a lot easier when it comes to sorting out who the "bad guys are". the big city police "thug" mentality is what needs to change. not the 2nd amendment as you are essentially suggesting.

[bobdobalita]

SERIOUSLY... DID YOU HAVE TO WEAR THE F'ING COWBOY HAT THERE WYATT?!?!

[DFHartman]

Well said. It is hard to add any thing to that.

[eesnyder24060]

This is one of the best articulated arguments in defense of open carry that I have seen or read. As a concealed weapons permit holder, I too have viewed open carry proponents as drawing unnecessary attention to themselves and the Second Amendment issues. I am now rethinking my stance. While it is certainly less trouble to carry concealed, the author makes many good points. Indeed, if people were simply more accustomed to seeing others carrying firearms, it wouldn't be such a big deal.Gd wrk!

[gunitup234]

OPEN CARRY IS NOT A CRIME.

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[whitevadder]

I'm a gun owner and member to the NRA. You are risking other people lives of others. How about you taking a ride along and see what these brave men and women go through on a day in a night basis. Not in your small town but in Philadelphia, and other municipalities. You are only causing more stir up with law enforcement and they have better things to do then deal with your non-sense. I been pulled over and stopped by the Police and yet I never had a bad experience with the Police. You are trouble

[pistolpackintim]

@whitevadder please explain how I am risking the lives of others. There would be no stir up with law enforcement if they knew how to respect the law and the rights of their citizens.

[RLazar788]

@pistolpackintim  Totally agree. Voted down by mistake, sorry!

[TheGRH13]

@whitevadder Excellent Point! I wholeheartedly agree. I couldn't finish watching this "open" letter because the premise of the point pistolpackintinm makes is faulty. This isn't about open carry (in Lock Haven or other tiny villages scattered throughout the Commonwealth) but is about provoking Law Enforcement Officers in the crime plagued, 5th largest City in that Commonwealth.

[whoisjgalt100]

@TheGRH13

Provoking law enforcement officers? The citizens not only have to worry about provoking criminals but now law enforcement officers? Exercising a right should not be provoking and police should only respond to provocation within the law and their training. Police are trained to do a job, and they know there is a certain amount of risk when they take the job. They do whatever they can to minimize that risk, but if has to be within the law.

[anarchyprepping]

@whitevadder I under stand your concern and I know why you are scared to push the envelope. You have been conditioned like many others to be pacifists and sit back and accept what our government feeds us. The time has come to take back our rights that our government is strategically taking away from us. Our country is going to hell in a hand basket in a quick fashion and I for one am not going to let them tred on me!! Don't let our government put a mussel on you, exercise your rights.

[aknazer]

@whitevadder

Cops do a lot of good things, but sadly more and more bad eggs are popping up in their ranks. And things like open carry only causes a stir with those bad eggs who don't want citizens to be able to defend theirselves. And it causes a stir with citizens because they aren't used to it and 911 operators aren't properly trained on how to handle a call about a "man with a gun" and so they don't do things like just what is the man doing with the gun or inform the caller OC is legal

[whoisjgalt100]

@whitevadder

What about the brave men and women of those large municipalities who have to venture out in to streets that are far from safe without the benefit of being able to exercise their second amendment right due to the benevolent municipality deciding the police can protect them. Rights are given by God. Get a clue, man.

[FreeinTX]

@whitevadder

How does having a pistol on your hip put people in danger? Every cop in the city carries a gun on his hip. Are you imagining a world where peope run up and try to rip guns out of holsters and use other peoples guns against the public? Why would ANYONE do such a thing? If you want to shoot people, get your own gun. Then, you don't have to look for people open carrying.

Even a felon can get a gun for under $100 from his drug dealer!

[sucktackular]

@whitevadder Really? Taking the side of the police men in this case? I'd feel an urge to insult your intelligence, if you hadn't already done it yourself so eloquently. GTFO

[BennyIceEyes]

@whitevadder Yeah, he is putting people's lives in danger by exercising his constitutional right..... I don't give 2 shits about what cops go through every evening... Perhaps if cops werent such pussies about people carrying openly, more people would do so and thus lower crime rates through prevention.

[PhillyCheech]

@whitevadder You Sir are a douchebag!

[MrGlockallday]

@whitevadder your ridiculous every police officer that i know and i know quite a few,are proud to see somebody that is responsible enough to carry a firearm concealed or open you live in a fantasy world no disrespect intended but let people do what they want to do as long as its within the law

[IronRangeSurvival]

OPEN POST to my fellow Americans....

The UNITED STATES is a corporation. See the CAFR reports.

The U.S./D.C. is NOT America or the Constitution.

IF you don't understand this, watch: CORPORATION NATION. *full*. It will show you the who, what, how, when; and you can research for it your self.

Anyone with half a brain knows the 2nd amendment is straight forward, and not for hunting. It is for the 1st amendment, that's why it is second. It is to ensure that the Constitution and amendments remain.

[usmcbess]

This video was great!

[benjaminbartholomew]

Well said sir :)

[stainless1911]

Show me one time that an open carrier has been attacked, or had the gun taken, or was "taken out" first. IF it ever happens, the odds would be something like 1 out of 1,000000000

[stainless1911]

We support you both.

Those who conceal are path of the gun control problem. If all the CC people would simply open carry, instead of stuffing their rights in their pockets, then people would see how many guns and gun owners are actually out there. They would see that we are normal, responsible, law abiding people, the fear and assumptions would dissipate, and the gun free zones with them. Open carry is the only responsible way to protect yourself and your rights. There is no advantage to CC.

[CharleyCherokee]

@stainless1911 There's no advantage to CC unless you want to commit a crime. :P

[thedriver1970]

@CharleyCherokee I beg to differ

[CharleyCherokee]

@thedriver1970 You don't have to beg to differ. I understand well that people have differing opinions for different reasons. That being said, the major "advantage" cited for CC is that it allows you to surprise your attacker. If you are already drawn upon surprising your attacker is NOT the smart thing to do. If you're not being drawn upon and are a bystander you could argue it as an advantage, but really if you were oc'ing it is LIKELY that the offense wouldn't have taken place to begin with.