Second Amendment Activists: Don’t Tread on Ourselves
The perfect is the enemy of the good.
In a recent column about how concealed carry saves lives, I related that one of the armed citizens we profiled had his openly carried firearm taken from him by his attacker. In a bit of a throwaway comment, I mentioned that the incident seems to bolster a common anti-open-carry argument (that it’s a temptation to criminals). One of our commenters made an excellent point:
Fact is, the Great Concealed vs. Open Carry Debate (and others like it) is probably never going to go away, and that’s okay…but every time the pro-2A community lets its debates become too fractious, Nancy Pelosi does that crocodile thing that sort of looks like a smile.
While we’re on the subject of reptiles, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the Gadsden Flag and its historical (as well as its current) meaning. The snake depicted on it is a rattlesnake, and the warning not to tread on it is both metaphorical and literal. Like other venomous snakes, the rattler has the ability to deliver what’s called a “dry bite.” It’s exactly what it sounds like–a bite that contains little to no venom. They do it because venom “costs” the snake a lot of energy from a metabolic perspective, and although the snake can always make more it can’t do so immediately. So rattlers sometimes just give you a little “love nip” instead of actively trying to kill you. (The phenomenon has, in the past, caused some folks to mistakenly believe that they’re immune to the venom.)
What does this have to do with internal “gun guy debates”? Well, other than the fact that Yours Truly is a master debater (heyo!), the crux of the matter is that the urge to do it is as natural and healthy as my sixth-grade teacher said in the sentence right before the one where she sent me to the principal’s office. Jokes aside, when we discuss these things we’re discussing safety, efficacy, and morality from a number of different angles. Should armed defenders never shoot to defend a stranger? Do “We Don’t Dial 911” signs make us safer or set us up for trouble? Do weapon-mounted flashlights make you a target for home invaders? These are all discussions we absolutely should have, and keep having, as firearms technology and legal precedent evolve (usually out of sync).
The trouble comes in when we let these debates divide us. Remember Jim Zumbo? It was 12 years ago when he maybe had one too many road sodas around the campfire and suggested in his blog that AR-15s don’t belong in the hunting fields. To this very day, anti-gun pundits in publications like The Trace (no, they don’t get a link and I assure you I’m aghast at sharing “Trace” with them) are continuing to use that one ill-considered and immediately-deleted blog post to claim that “even famous lifelong hunters and gun guys like Jim Zumbo think AR-15s are for terrorists!” None of this is to dogpile on Zumbo; it’s only to point out that the pro-2A activism community is absolutely under scrutiny by anti-gunners and that they will divide and conquer whenever they can.
Just like the British tried to do when America was in its infancy, come to think of it. Which brings me back to the Gadsden flag and the rattlesnake. When we’re giving each other guff about whether or not a brushed stainless-steel finish is dangerous in a firefight (which is an actual argument that I have heard), what we’re basically doing is dry-biting one another. It’s just important to remember that we only have so much venom, and it would be a shame to waste it on our allies. Let’s save it for the antis…
…Also it’s completely silly to worry about a gun’s finish in a firefight, who even says a thing like that? I bet they also carry their gun cocked and locked but open on their hip while putting a “Keep Honking, I’m Reloading” bumper sticker on their car. Dummies!
You have to laugh WITH the person who can laugh AT themselves. So it isn’t the Gadsden flag, but the meaning is still the same.
Can a link to this article be posted to Farce Book?
Vision problems led me away from the AR to the Ruger field. I don’t denigrate anyone’s choice of firearms, including the low cost weapons now on the market. I live in a “print” state and am reluctant to carry concealed because of the hot weather for most of the year. I keep my weapon available while in my auto, though. Our state is leaning more toward gun control now and it seriously worries me…..Florida. We have to turn back the ideologies of those northerners moving here from gun control states when we vote.
If there were no downsides to open carry, my first choice would be full size 1911 in the same hip or shoulder rig I wore for decades in the Marines, because I’m most proficient and comfortable with that combination. Many will think that’s silly for one reason or another, but that would be my choice, a 1911 in a leather service holster on my hip or shoulder.
But, because there are downsides to open carry, serious ones, I choose not to do so even though I live in an open carry state, at least in legal theory. So, facing the reality of life I choose to conceal carry one of several different semi-auto handguns in an outside the waistband pancake style holster at three o’clock. Again, that’s my preference based on what’s most comfortable for me and that’s where my highest proficiency lies.
But, that’s not the point. We have a responsibility to protect our firearms from being stolen from us whether kept in our homes, cars, work or on our person. There is more than one way to do this and will differ for each person. The bottom line is that we each have a responsibility to consider that the unlawful taking of our weapons is always a possibility and we must take whatever precautions are necessary for us, in our lives and daily circumstances to accomplish that mandate.
For some that might be a Safariland® Model 7360 7TS™ ALS®/SLS Mid-Ride, Level III Retention™ Duty Holster. under a full length overcoat. Ridiculous? Maybe, but maybe not for just that one person. For others that might be an a belt slide holster or anything in between, as long as that person can defend that gun. We all have different capabilities.
The point is to know what YOU need and to do what you need to accomplish that end.
https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/news-stations-concealed-carry-drill/
This was an interesting study.
I have often said this about the NRA argument. Those who gripe about the NRA openly are just adding ammo to the anti-gun rabble. It is my belief that it does not matter. The opposition will say and do whatever they think will advance their agenda. They do not care what the facts are.
What we really need is a positive coalition of ALL pro gun people and organizations banning together. The NRA only has about 6 million members out of 252,063,800 adults (total population 2017 = 325,719,178). The NRA membership is nothing compared to the total. As of October 2017, Gallup polling found that 31% of Americans identified as Democrat, 24% identified as Republican, and 42% as Independent.[3] Additionally, polling showed that 46% are either “Democrats or Democratic leaners” and 39% are either “Republicans or Republican leaners” when Independents are asked “do you lean more to the Democratic Party or the Republican Party?” These numbers, though constantly in flux, tend to indicate that the nation is presently split nearly equally.
We need to stand out. We need to present a unified front. The NRA can not save 2A on it’s own. Neither can any of the other pro-gun groups. Together, we can overcome without having to all agree with the NRA on every position. The NRA (or someone) should make contact with every pro-gun organization in the nation to coordinate a position from which we can fight with strength rather than be an uncoordinated collection of small independent groups who disagree about where we stand. We don’t all have to be members of the NRA, but we should not be attacking those who are
The progressives follow a plan of divide and conquer. They divide We the People based on our races, ages, religious views, political views, support for the Constitution, etc. We have watched them as they attack people whose views do not match theirs.
I think the Anti-gunners should wear clothing that says I’m Anti-gun so if in the event of a horrific thing happening we can choose NOT to save them. I live in Oregon and we are an open carry state which is great but I choose to conceal carry just to try not to make others feel uncomfortable. They have a right to feel safe just as I do and I would not want to put them in that situation. That being said, I do feel safer when I carry so I will but in a “as respectful way as possible”. I don’t want to bite or hurt anyone but I want to be able to protect myself and others from real threats that will exist even in a world without firearms. Like Mr. Obama said, “these things DO NOT happen in other countries”, well, I hope he and all of the others that share his views have been watching the news because it does and it is. That’s my two cents.
I don’t open carry. I also don’t put stickers on my truck that might provoke some idiot into vandalizing my truck or breaking into it to see if they can find a gun to steal. This is my personal choice. If you choose to carry open or put pro gun stickers on your vehicle that’s your right and I support you all the way. Molom labe.
I prefer to keep a low profile and carry concealed, but that’s just me. The obvious thoughts that come up when people carry openly are usually, in no particular order, “That person is making themselves the primary target of the bad guy;” and “I hope they have that weapon in a retention holster and know how to hang on to that weapon should someone make a grab for it.” (Or words/thoughts to that effect.” A non-scientific poll conducted among pro 2A types revealed that less than 1% carried openly.
Yes, the police carry openly, have a lot of training in order to carry openly and they also carry a radio to ask for similarly outfitted individuals to come to their aid in a hurry. “Civilians” don’t have that luxury. Then again, some cops are killed by their own weapon before they can use their radio.
That got me to thinking, what if my “concealed” weapon becomes detectable to the bad guy and I’m unaware of this unpleasant development?
I’m still thinking.
Yes, a well trained person can detect a concealed firearm. Clothing isn’t the only thing which prints. A person’s gait prints, too.
Walking down the street, if one is carrying concealed or open, they have a natural tendency to use more stress on the side the weapon is carried on. It doesn’t have to be much for a trained observer to note. Over distance, everyone naturally favors one leg over the other. This is why a hiker will walk in a circle while thinking they are walking in a straight line.
Believe it or not, these things are taught in prisons and jailhouses, just as they teach how to spot an undercover cop by his/her shoes and clothing. Prisons are nothing but places of higher education where the experienced criminals teach the inexperienced criminals.
Tell me about it….my edc is a glock 23 and crossdraw holster. The only time it isn’t “hot” is for cleaning and swapping out range ammo. Just be happy that I will have your back if needed!!!
I liked the article, and some very good points were raised. Yes we need to save our strength for the real fight against the anti-liberty forces.
I’m not sure who selected the picture in the article, but it is the “Navy Jack” picture, with the snake “straight”, on a red-and-white striped background.
The “Gadsden Flag” is the one with the coiled snake on a yellow background.
Keep up the good work!
D. Fosdick
Now the question becomes: Did I deliberately include an incorrect image to bait people into pointing it out, or am I just a dummy who figured that I was looking at a stylized version of the classic Gadsden flag? 🤔
(Spoiler alert—it’s the latter.)
Navy Jack, I do believe. regards, Alemaster
Right-o Alemaster. Gadsden features the coiled snake 🐍 on a Yellow (some would say, “we don’t have any yellow in anything we do”). It’s an off shade of Gold! Either way it’s a great old ensign that says who we were and who we must be again.
‘Don’t Tread on Me’!
jaxxwill
Amen that. The AR forums have become a hate filled bastion of people waiting like grammar nazis for someone to do something askew with their furniture or optics, or ask what THEY perceive to be a silly question. The newest battle seems to be against the ‘poors’ (Poors are people that can’t afford high end gear and get knocked even at the entry level to the shooting sports). If you can weed through the BS, there are still some good people that are willing to help, but I fear that those good ones will reach a frustration point and bail on the sites.
Glad to see this article address what I’m seeing as well. A house divided cannot stand.
I’ve seen the same thing On-line, but the funny thing is I hardly ever see it on the range. Sure we’ve all run into a few gun snobs that will look down their noses at anyone (and pretty much everyone) but by far, the people I run into at the range are always helpful and courteous and friendly. Everyone wants to show you what they have and let you shoot it. Forgot some tool? Need Ammo? Eye/ear protection? Need to borrow a magazine or a loader? Shooters at the range are some of the nicest people I’ve run into anywhere. Sometimes I wonder about the keyboard commando’s….
If you open carry, you should probably make a plan or three as to how you’ll retain your weapon should someone try to get it away from you.
Same goes for concealed carry.
Nice article. To the point with a little extra sting. We realy should should focus our frustrations on those that would like to remove, or limit our freedom, and respect each others practice of our 2nd Amendment. What works for one pro-2A will not always work for me, and that’s okay. I think we call it “Freedom of choice”. Stay safe, Stay alert, stay alive, but most of all Stay on Freedom’s side.