Can a rifle be carried openly in public

[Younggun]

Absolutely not. Some folks here believe officers have ESP and should know the guy with the rifle is Joe the Goodguy and not some criminal returning from or going to his next job. And anyone that thinks a crook would not openly display a tool of his trade is wrong. Plus, the fellow might have warrants, a felon in possession of a weapon or simply in need of an attitude adjustment.

Really, OCing a long gun calls for an attitude adjustment?

I won't even ask how you would go about this adjustment but I hope that attitude never gets you hurt.

I'm starting to understand why cops catch so much crap now days. Guess I will continue avoiding cities like Austin and Houston and stick to areas where common sense still plays a role.

 

[Sugar Land]

Come on YG. You know Houston is a safe place...

 

[CZ guy]

Really, OCing a long gun calls for an attitude adjustment?

I should have known better on this forum to even say attitude adjustment. But when trying to investigate a situation and you are met with an uncooperative attitude and a foul mouth, we have a whole thick book of stuff that can be applied. The "citizen" determines the degree used.

 

[40Arpent]

Really, OCing a long gun calls for an attitude adjustment?

Reread what he wrote....he said MIGHT. Do you really expect a cop to respond to a call about a man with a gun without any cause for concern or his senses heightened?

 

[Younggun]

Reread what he wrote....he said MIGHT. Do you really expect a cop to respond to a call about a man with a gun without any cause for concern or his senses heightened?

I expect them to consider the person MIGHT be a law abiding citizen and starting with a rifles pointed at him may be over the top.

For some reason that didn't seem to be one of the considerations.


There seems to be a refusal to acknowledge law abiding citizens don't deserve to be detained at gun point for a rifle slum over their shoulder.

Not brandishing or waving around, just walking and rifle slung over their shoulder. We aren't talking about somebody pacing back an forth grumbling at the low ready yet it seems the LE who are commenting would handle both with the same force. Maybe I'm reading it wrong but that is what bothers me about this whole scenario.

 

[40Arpent]

YG, I think what also should be considered is the setting. Crossing a rural road with your deer rifle on your way to your stand is a lot different than me walking thru downtown Houston with my AR slung across my chest. I suspect the cops contributing to this thread are thinking more along the lines of the latter than the former. Also, I didn't see where anyone said "at gunpoint" without provocation....it sounded more like equally armed to me.

 

[matefrio]

This is why Open Carry (Handguns) NEEDS to be passed. It's about education as much as rights.

 

[CZ guy]

Okay Younggun, you teach us how it should be handled. We'll change the scenario up a little and pretend you own some property and a neighbor calls you to report there is a guy walking across it with an AR 15 slung across his shoulder. You head out and .............?

THEN...... please tell the guys that are paid to investigate crimes how they should respond. We all will learn from your infinite wisdom

Isn't law enforcement great? It is the only job where every common citizen knows more about doing the job than the people actually doing it.

 

[Younggun]

This is why Open Carry (Handguns) NEEDS to be passed. It's about education as much as rights.

That's my main reason for supporting it.


Seems this thread has gotten to far out of whack to reach any agreement.

It seems I'm looking at a scenario with a person such as myself walking down the road with my AR for whatever reason, slung on my back or chest(shouldn't matter much) while the LE on here are envisioning a shady character ducking through a the shadows at night.

I really don't see why it would matter whether someone was crossing a dirt road or walking down a sidewalk in Houston, both are equally legal. But I see there will not be much agreement.

I can say that if I have any reason to walk down the road with my AR I will do so and have no expectation of being cuffed, whether I'm walking my dirt road or through downtown Waco.

I hope we can get to the point that gun owners are not approached as if they were criminals and I think OC would be a big step in the right direction.

I'm gonna try to step away for
this now.

Y'all have a good'un.

 

[Old Timer]

Well, the question was asked, "How would you handle it?" Or words to that effect. I have been retired for a long, long, long time (1990), but here is how I would have handled it.

Roll up on the MSGT and his son. "Hi, Deputy Old Timer from __ __ Sheriff's Department, can I talk to you for a minute?"

MSGT, "Sure. What's up?"

Me, "We got a 911 call about a man with a gun. Is this your son?

MSGT, "Yes. We are on a hike to finish his qualifications for Eagle Scout."

Me, "Great! I was an Eagle Scout a long time ago! What's the rifle for?"

MSGT, "As I am sure you are aware we have a wild boar problem here, so the rifle is to protect myself and my son."

Me. "Yes, a car hit one on the road east of here last night. Totaled the car. Stay alert, and stay safe. Have a nice day."

Get in car, radio "10-8, unfounded."

Drive to Dunkin' Donuts to do my paper work. (Okay, okay, the last part was a joke, don't get all upset with me for perpetuating a stereotype!)

 

[Glockster69]

We all know it was Shipley's.

 

[Old Timer]

We all know it was Shipley's.

I didn't want to make it too personal.

 

[Shotgun Jeremy]

I've had to go check out suspicious people on my friends' land before. We pulled in with our guns, strolled up and had a friendly chat until we realized they were just trying to take a short cut. Never even drew our weapons. What's so hard about that?

 

[kyletxria1911a1]

Well, the question was asked, "How would you handle it?" Or words to that effect. I have been retired for a long, long, long time (1990), but here is how I would have handled it.

Roll up on the MSGT and his son. "Hi, Deputy Old Timer from __ __ Sheriff's Department, can I talk to you for a minute?"

MSGT, "Sure. What's up?"

Me, "We got a 911 call about a man with a gun. Is this your son?

MSGT, "Yes. We are on a hike to finish his qualifications for Eagle Scout."

Me, "Great! I was an Eagle Scout a long time ago! What's the rifle for?"

MSGT, "As I am sure you are aware we have a wild boar problem here, so the rifle is to protect myself and my son."

Me. "Yes, a car hit one on the road east of here last night. Totaled the car. Stay alert, and stay safe. Have a nice day."

Get in car, radio "10-8, unfounded."

Drive to Dunkin' Donuts to do my paper work. (Okay, okay, the last part was a joke, don't get all upset with me for perpetuating a stereotype!)

amen amen amen!!!! Done and done!!!! Coffee and a bear claw!!!
Move one to the next one!

 

[CZ guy]

Okay, we got the problem solved where there's a guy with an AR strolling about in the country...... and nobody got hurt or offended.

Now, the guy is strolling about on a city street with an AR. How is it handled, especially since the cop can remember every call he's made where someone got shot with a rifle in that vicinity and would just as soon not be the next victim. Little things in your memory can determine how you act in response to a given scenario.

Sort of like when I was quite new to the job, I had occasion to get in a foot chase with an assault suspect. I caught him just as he turned the knob to enter a garage and we tumbled inside.....right onto a table of about half-dozen gamblers. Money, beer and playing cards went flying everywhere. I'm here to tell ya those boys were pissed. I learned a lesson about jumping onto the back of suspect.....and though retired, it still sticks with me!

 

[Shorts]

This is why Open Carry (Handguns) NEEDS to be passed. It's about education as much as rights.

I agree with that. Seems all the hiding, out of sight out mind, feels like sneaking around. IMO adds to the stigma of guns and the agenda that gun grabbers want to present. Well, I don't think that's right. There's nothing wrong with guns. Nothing wrong with having guns. Nothing wrong with carrying guns. And seeing a gun doesn't = bad. All this fear mongering is why we are losing. And we keep backing down, and backing down some more. All this 'try not to offend' people. Well, I'm kinda sick of being the one trying "not to offend" and instead I'm getting trampled, between religion and guns, I'm a whipping post. I'm a very bad person apparently. Add in that diesel truck I drive, I might as well club a baby seal between my cups of coffee every morning and kick kittens when I go get my mail in the afternoon.

 

[Younggun]

I agree with that. Seems all the hiding, out of sight out mind, feels like sneaking around. IMO adds to the stigma of guns and the agenda that gun grabbers want to present. Well, I don't think that's right. There's nothing wrong with guns. Nothing wrong with having guns. Nothing wrong with carrying guns. And seeing a gun doesn't = bad. All this fear mongering is why we are losing. And we keep backing down, and backing down some more. All this 'try not to offend' people. Well, I'm kinda sick of being the one trying "not to offend" and instead I'm getting trampled, between religion and guns, I'm a whipping post. I'm a very bad person apparently. Add in that diesel truck I drive, I might as well club a baby seal between my cups of coffee every morning and kick kittens when I go get my mail in the afternoon.

Thank you for finding a way to put my feelings on the computer screen.

 

[Shorts]

Thank you for finding a way to put my feelings on the computer screen.

You bet. I've got to put my proverbial foot down. Hopefully in my day to day life I can put my real foot down and stand for what needs standing for. Because this is unacceptable!

 

[IXLR8]

Anyone that is openly carrying a modern sporting rifle in an environment that has no use for such a weapon is only doing it to garner attention for himself. If there is not any legitimate use for a long gun, why carry one? There are better places to peacock around with a rifle. This subject seems to only be supported by individuals seeking attention, and alarming law enforcement, civilians, and liberals. Legal or not, why do you feel the need parade around with a firearm?
Please spend your time in a more constructive manner. Ramming your 2nd amendment rights down the throats of people that do not fully understand them will only cause you unwanted attention, and give the liberals more ammunition to repel lawful individuals.

 

[Shorts]

lol Was wondering when that would show up.