Quote:
Originally Posted by jyl
I haven't thought real hard about whether this theory is valid, but I tend to agree with it. When my wife and kids are out and about, I don't really want them surrounded by gang-bangers displaying their weapons. Also, I don't see how a law-abiding person benefits by carrying openly. Besides ensuring that you're the first one to be shot in an armed robbery.
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There is just so much wrong with this statement that one is left to wonder if you even thought it through.
Open carry (where legal) is a cop magnet like no other. Even honest, law abiding citizens better have all of their ducks in a row if they even want to try this. Gang-bangers attract enough attention as it is. Do you honestly think they are going to hang out with firearms on display?
Any armed robber looking for a target is going to keep looking if they see anyone openly armed. There are just too many easy targets out there to have to take any unnecessary risks. These people are, by definition, cowards. They are not looking for a gunfight. They are looking for the easiest possible target, with the lowest chance of getting caught or getting hurt.
Your statement represents, to me, a perfect example of one made by someone who has learned everything he knows about guns and crime from televison and/or the movies. A fantasy land where criminals are bold and fearless. The reality of the average street thug could not be more different.
Open carry is legal here in Washington. Any "gun guy", however, will strongly dicourage anyone from taking advantage of this. We have a provision in that law that stipulates no firearm be carried openly that in any way intimidates another. With the propensity for your average hand-wringing ninny to be intimidated by damn near anything at all, and their utter lack of exposure to guns (outside of their TV's or the big screen), this effectively rules out open carry in Washington. Unless you are in a rural area, well away from our decidedly liberal population centers.