If it is legal, why the hassle?

[mel]

I live in Minnesota and while open carry is legal with your permit, I don't see it very much. My question to all of you is this:

There are only 7 states that don't allow open carry, and there are a mess of them that will allow it if you have a CCW permit. If it is legal why do the law enforcement officers in the cities and states actively suppress the rights of the individual knowing full well that they are in violation of the laws of their state?


This is very disturbing. I was always taught that if I follow the law I don't have to worry. I was also taught that ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Backnblack]

I believe its due to the fact that some LEO's just don't know the law on this...

[farronwolf]

What do you mean by actively suppress the rights?

If 911 gets a call of man with gun, and relays that information to the officers on duty, what are the officers supposed to do?

Do you open carry in MN? Have LEO's suppressed your rights in some way that you could give us an example of, so we might know where your coming from?

Open carry of a long gun is legal here in Texas but I don't find many people doing it. Why because is isn't prudent to walk into Walmart or the grocery store or the bank with a rifle in hand or slung over your shoulder. Others may have a different opinion, but based on the lack of folks walking around with long guns in their hands, it is a minority.

[RockBottom]

Open carry is legal in my state also, however the vast majority of people don't do it. People who do choose to open carry stand out and draw attention to themselves. The only way that police know that they are carrying legally is to stop them and ask them. I avoid that hassle by carrying concealed.

[sgb]

I believe its due to the fact that some LEO's just don't know the law on this...

This is true, just as there are many LEO that don't think anyone but LE should be armed and operate out of the you may beat the wrap but you can't beat the ride mentality

[ksholder]

This is true, just as there are many LEO that don't think anyone but LE should be armed and operate out of the you may beat the wrap but you can't beat the ride mentality

That could get expensive for their jurisdictions.

[WHEC724]

That could get expensive for their jurisdictions.

I wish this were true, but it likely isn't. Unless the judge is looking to make a point, you might get your legal expenses covered if you win, and you may not even get that.

[justherenow]

Open carry is legal in my state also, however the vast majority of people don't do it. People who do choose to open carry stand out and draw attention to themselves. The only way that police know that they are carrying legally is to stop them and ask them. I avoid that hassle by carrying concealed.

Absent any RAS (which doing a legal activity is not) the police should not bother someone just to check their papers.

Sent from my EVO via Tapatalk pro.

[Xader]

If 911 gets a call of man with gun, and relays that information to the officers on duty, what are the officers supposed to do?

Some jurisdictions actually train their 911 operators.

Sheep: "There's a guy with a gun!"
Operator "What is he doing?"
Sheep: "He's grocery shopping, but there's a gun on his hip!"
Operator: "Ma'am, that's perfectly legal in this state. Further calls of this nature will result in a charge of misuse of emergency services."
Sheep: "....." *click*

[mel]

What do you mean by actively suppress the rights?

If 911 gets a call of man with gun, and relays that information to the officers on duty, what are the officers supposed to do?

Do you open carry in MN? Have LEO's suppressed your rights in some way that you could give us an example of, so we might know where your coming from?

Open carry of a long gun is legal here in Texas but I don't find many people doing it. Why because is isn't prudent to walk into Walmart or the grocery store or the bank with a rifle in hand or slung over your shoulder. Others may have a different opinion, but based on the lack of folks walking around with long guns in their hands, it is a minority.

Yes, I have open carried in Minnesota as it is within my rights.

No, LEO's have not suppressed MY individual rights to open carry in the state of Minnesota. What I was trying to convey through that statement was the fact that there are cities, municipalities and states in this country that do suppress the rights of their citizens. If it is legal in a given state and there is no ability for subdivisions of the government that can enact a law preventing it then why do the elected officials and their minions take it upon themselves to create what could only be viewed at the simplest level as a police state. I can use the incident in Madison, and yes to even some degree the one in Philadelphia as prime examples.

I do understand the concept and advantage of carrying concealed and I am a firm believer in it. My only gripe is if it is legal why the oppression, that is all.

[Harryball]

Yes, I have open carried in Minnesota as it is within my rights.

No, LEO's have not suppressed MY individual rights to open carry in the state of Minnesota. What I was trying to convey through that statement was the fact that there are cities, municipalities and states in this country that do suppress the rights of their citizens. If it is legal in a given state and there is no ability for subdivisions of the government that can enact a law preventing it then why do the elected officials and their minions take it upon themselves to create what could only be viewed at the simplest level as a police state. I can use the incident in Madison, and yes to even some degree the one in Philadelphia as prime examples.

I do understand the concept and advantage of carrying concealed and I am a firm believer in it. My only gripe is if it is legal why the oppression, that is all.

Because, we think we are free, when in truth, we are a whisper away from being slaves to the state.

[Stubborn]

Because, we think we are free, when in truth, we are a whisper away from being slaves to the state.

AMEN "Harryball" like I say...we are one generation away from this country being unrecognizable. The SAD part is, that will mean every brave man and woman that has died defending this Country over the last 235 years will have died in vain. and thats pretty hard to stomach.

[Harryball]

AMEN "Harryball" like I say...we are one generation away from this country being unrecognizable. The SAD part is, that will mean every brave man and woman that has died defending this Country over the last 235 years will have died in vain. and thats pretty hard to stomach.

It should make every man, woman, and child cry for what we have lost, and will, over time lose all together

[OldVet]

"Open carry of a long gun is legal here in Texas but I don't find many people doing it. Why..."

Well, it's pretty tough to CC a long gun...

"Open carry is legal in my state also, however the vast majority of people don't do it. People who do choose to open carry stand out and draw attention to themselves. The only way that police know that they are carrying legally is to stop them and ask them."

Didn't you just say OC is legal in your state? Then why should it be questioned?

OP, some love to say OC makes you a target. I'm willing to say more (far, far more) people without a visible means of SD are targeted by BGs than those who are OC'ing. Are OC'ers occasionally targeted? Sure. Are those who don't OC targeted? Sure, much more frequently. If anyone thinks the lack of a visible means of self defense makes a BG think twice (Humm, does he or doesn't he pack?) before pouncing, I think they are seriously underestimating the mentality involved.

[Xader]

"Open carry is legal in my state also, however the vast majority of people don't do it. People who do choose to open carry stand out and draw attention to themselves. The only way that police know that they are carrying legally is to stop them and ask them."

Didn't you just say OC is legal in your state? Then why should it be questioned?

I question this as well. IF open carry is legal, then by definition, they are all carrying ​legally. The only way to know is to acknowledge their existence.

OP, some love to say OC makes you a target. I'm willing to say more (far, far more) people without a visible means of SD are targeted by BGs than those who are OC'ing. Are OC'ers occasionally targeted? Sure. Are those who don't OC targeted? Sure, much more frequently. If anyone thinks the lack of a visible means of self defense makes a BG think twice (Humm, does he or doesn't he pack?) before pouncing, I think they are seriously underestimating the mentality involved.

It's a simply matter of risk vs reward.
Target A has a visible gun. Risk is getting shot.
Target B is not visibly armed. Risk is minimal.