You See a Man Carrying a Gun - Do you Alert the Police?

WhitePony wrote:

Saw a video posted to Facebook where a man was horribly offended that he was stopped for carrying a gun down in crowded shopping area. I am all for the 2nd Amendment, but I also appreciate the police watching out for everyone's safety. Is it wrong for the police to stop a man with a gun and talk with him considering the recent shootings? I know they have the right to carry that gun, but does it cause more panic having a random person carrying it around in plain sight?

Doesn't necessarily have anything to do with "recent shootings," but obviously it's the job of the police to be watchful...so no, it's not unreasonable whatsoever for the police to question a guy with a gun.

Open carry is legal in my state.

I don't see why police should be harassing people without cause.

Open carry is legal in my state as well.

I grew up in a state with open carry, it was nothing to see two guys standing in line at Burger King with pistols in their holsters.

While running yesterday I saw three different GROUPS shooting at targets. There were probably ten people or more with guns. Pretty cool.

Open carry is legal here, and many do. Yes, it would be wrong for the police to stop someone here considering it is within the law to carry.

But is it wrong to open carry an AR 15??

Does open carry mean you can carry any type of gun or just handguns?

If you see someone brandishing the gun, waving it around, threatening others, definitely call the police. But if it's holstered, smile and nod.

Anyone carrying a gun should be reported to the police, and let the gun owner prove he/she has proper registration/license to carry. Unless the local law states otherwise, as in the old Wild West.

WhitePony wrote:

Does open carry mean you can carry any type of gun or just handguns?

Rifles and Shotguns may also be open carried legally in my state.

let the police sort it out wrote:

Anyone carrying a gun should be reported to the police, and let the gun owner prove he/she has proper registration/license to carry. Unless the local law states otherwise, as in the old Wild West.

Don't need a licesne or registration to carry in my jurisdiction. Do you report people to the police for walking on the sidewalk? For driving safely?

sleeping with evil wrote:

But is it wrong to open carry an AR 15??

That is a good question, I guess it depends where you live. I feel like I would alert the police if I say someone carrying a weapon like that even if it was legal.

Mr. Obvious wrote:

WhitePony wrote:

Does open carry mean you can carry any type of gun or just handguns?

Rifles and Shotguns may also be open carried legally in my state.

That is straight up stupid.

Every time I see someone carrying a holstered gun, I just feel bad for them. It's kind of pathetic.

turkey leg wrote:

If you see someone brandishing the gun, waving it around, threatening others, definitely call the police. But if it's holstered, smile and nod.

Dennis Reynolds wrote:

Mr. Obvious wrote:

Rifles and Shotguns may also be open carried legally in my state.

That is straight up stupid.

Check your local laws but in most states, open carry of long guns (i.e. rifles and shotguns) is legal. And you'd be surprised at the number of states in which open carry of hanguns is legal.

I think that if people who don't own guns took the time to get educated in firearm use and safety, they would be a lot less scared of firearms.

If you scroll down there is an interesting chart about Right-to-Carry and an animated gif.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concealed_carry_in_the_United_States

Probably a couple of small D!cks

WhitePony wrote:

Saw a video posted to Facebook where a man was horribly offended that he was stopped for carrying a gun down in crowded shopping area. I am all for the 2nd Amendment, but I also appreciate the police watching out for everyone's safety. Is it wrong for the police to stop a man with a gun and talk with him considering the recent shootings? I know they have the right to carry that gun, but does it cause more panic having a random person carrying it around in plain sight?

I seem to remember a certain thread awhile back on concealed carry where I was criticized for not carrying my gun in the open.

To answer your questions, no it isn't wrong for police to question someone carrying a gun, but yes it does cause more panic to carry it out in the open.

neanderthal dream wrote:

To answer your questions, no it isn't wrong for police to question someone carrying a gun, but yes it does cause more panic to carry it out in the open.

Do the police talk to people for walking on the sidewalk? For driving safely?