Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

My wife texted me yesterday afternoon from Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Apparently a group of young men were open carrying while having lunch there. She said they looked to be under 20ish, and wondered if it were legal. I answered in the affirmative, if they were 18.
The behavior that she described from the group was bad... loud, arrogant, obnoxious, immature. My wife is used to me carrying, usually CC but occasionally open, so she has a level of comfort with it. But she said the display that she saw from these young guys was unsettling. Said it made her a bit nervous.
This just made me mad. This kind of behavior makes us all look bad. I sorta wondered if I had been there if I would have said anything. You know... reminded them that they needed to set a good example while OC. Although the conversation may have been lost on them. Who knows...
Rant off...

I think this is a good rant. If I had been there, I would have likely said something to them, though as you stated, it would have likely been ignored. Kids...

This is a good subject. I'm 21 so i understand people my age can be very obnoxious but when I OC I am very respectful and present myself in a profession manner.

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It makes me mad just thinking about , These young punks are setting a bad example for the rest of us, it is situations like this that make businesses to post the ugly little no carry sign's at the front door. I am not saying all youngers are punks or anything of the such as I am only 27 myself. I OC most of the time , but even when I'm not armed I think it is still important to be respectful and use my manners. RANT OFF

Immature and OC is definitely not a good combination. Immature and ANY possession of a handgun is a very bad thing.

ShotgunBlast wrote:They also probably play loud music and don't use their turn signal. You gonna lecture about how they're making other drivers look bad too?

This is all second-hand information from your wife but as long as they weren't doing anything illegal and the shop owner didn't seem to have a problem with their prescence, what's the problem?

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True, but unsafe/inconsiderate drivers, though probably more dangerous than an OCer who acts in an immature and intimidating (to non-gun friendly types) manner do not usually foster frantic and fanatical efforts to ban automobiles; while the behavior complained of is very likely to fuel efforts to ban OC, CC, or even handgun ownership. So I'd have to concede that being P.O.'ed at the behavior as a bad reflection on gun owners is understandable and at least arguably justified.

ShotgunBlast wrote:

dorminWS wrote:True, but unsafe/inconsiderate drivers, though probably more dangerous than an OCer who acts in an immature and intimidating (to non-gun friendly types) manner do not usually foster frantic and fanatical efforts to ban automobiles; while the behavior complained of is very likely to fuel efforts to ban OC, CC, or even handgun ownership. So I'd have to concede that being P.O.'ed at the behavior as a bad reflection on gun owners is understandable and at least arguably justified.

BAC limits? Speed limits? Click it or ticket? Yearly inspections? While not an outright ban on automobiles, there are some pretty strict rules on how I can legally operate one in the name of safety. I don't drive the speed limit and wear a seatbelt because some law tells me to do so, I do it because I perceive it as the sensible thing to do.

Anti-gun people are going to be anti-gun whether these kids are goofing off or all gun owners dress up real fancy and give a generous dose of southern hospitality. All we can do is mind our own business and keep putting in elected officials that want to help us fight government tyranny in the name of safety on all fronts.

But some people aren't "Pro-gun" or "Anti-gun". Some people are ambivalent, or don't really have an opinion for some reason. Putting a bad image on OC by acting like a stooge could turn some of these people off to the idea of allowing carry of firearms in public.

The less people that are against us, the better off we are.

poor or obnoxious behavior, no matter what one is otherwise doing... driving, oc'ing, walking, talking... is *always* in and of itself, unacceptable. that's how i was brought up and that's how my family's next generation is being reared. feel free to agree or disagree with the model, but i've seen that it works, and quite well.

allingeneral wrote:But some people aren't "Pro-gun" or "Anti-gun". Some people are ambivalent, or don't really have an opinion for some reason. Putting a bad image on OC by acting like a stooge could turn some of these people off to the idea of allowing carry of firearms in public.

The less people that are against us, the better off we are.

+1000, Rick.

I definitely think if you OC you need to be on your best behavior. Laugh, have fun, but don't be obnoxious.

Lately I have been getting upset if I see an OC'er breaking fashion rules. I think everyone should do their best to dress well, but I think it's a must if you are OCing. Especially if you are carrying a pretty piece. I've seen some OCer's wearing black belts with brown shoes... Or even worse a brown holster on a black belt. Really?

If I'm going to OC I really want to look well groomed and put together. There needs to be a What Not to Wear show for people who carry. I'll volunteer to host.

m4a1mustang wrote:Lately I have been getting upset if I see an OC'er breaking fashion rules. I think everyone should do their best to dress well, but I think it's a must if you are OCing. Especially if you are carrying a pretty piece. I've seen some OCer's wearing black belts with brown shoes... Or even worse a brown holster on a black belt. Really?

If I'm going to OC I really want to look well groomed and put together. There needs to be a What Not to Wear show for people who carry. I'll volunteer to host.

LOL! +1

allingeneral wrote:

ShotgunBlast wrote:

dorminWS wrote:True, but unsafe/inconsiderate drivers, though probably more dangerous than an OCer who acts in an immature and intimidating (to non-gun friendly types) manner do not usually foster frantic and fanatical efforts to ban automobiles; while the behavior complained of is very likely to fuel efforts to ban OC, CC, or even handgun ownership. So I'd have to concede that being P.O.'ed at the behavior as a bad reflection on gun owners is understandable and at least arguably justified.

BAC limits? Speed limits? Click it or ticket? Yearly inspections? While not an outright ban on automobiles, there are some pretty strict rules on how I can legally operate one in the name of safety. I don't drive the speed limit and wear a seatbelt because some law tells me to do so, I do it because I perceive it as the sensible thing to do.

Anti-gun people are going to be anti-gun whether these kids are goofing off or all gun owners dress up real fancy and give a generous dose of southern hospitality. All we can do is mind our own business and keep putting in elected officials that want to help us fight government tyranny in the name of safety on all fronts.

But some people aren't "Pro-gun" or "Anti-gun". Some people are ambivalent, or don't really have an opinion for some reason. Putting a bad image on OC by acting like a stooge could turn some of these people off to the idea of allowing carry of firearms in public.

The less people that are against us, the better off we are.

........................................

Very true; plus:
(1) There is already a strong organization advocating gun control and ready to pounce on any argument for it, and
(2) More people don't have/(at least THINK they) don't need/do not (they THINK, at least) depend upon a gun in their daily lives than is true of automobiles, so restrictive/proscriptive legislation is easier to sell for guns than cars.

I agree it is very tempting to say of the anti-gunners: "P!ss on them and a mile around them" and not worry about what they say/do. But it is a mistake, because they are zealots. They never give up and they never go away, and they'll take what they can get on progress toward their goals an inch at a time if they must. And beyond that, basic civility is an obligation. If you were raised right, you'll practice it. If not, you need to be enlightened. In a world where folks carry firearms, this is perhaps marginally more important.

ShotgunBlast wrote:

m4a1mustang wrote:I definitely think if you OC you need to be on your best behavior. Laugh, have fun, but don't be obnoxious.

Lately I have been getting upset if I see an OC'er breaking fashion rules. I think everyone should do their best to dress well, but I think it's a must if you are OCing. Especially if you are carrying a pretty piece. I've seen some OCer's wearing black belts with brown shoes... Or even worse a brown holster on a black belt. Really?

If I'm going to OC I really want to look well groomed and put together. There needs to be a What Not to Wear show for people who carry. I'll volunteer to host.

Coming this fall on the Bravo network. 16 contestants compete for the top prize of being America's best lookin gun slinger. From the same people that brought you Project Runway and Top Chef!

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I can hardly wait to see what they do to the ones that get voted off the island.

dorminWS wrote:I can hardly wait to see what they do to the ones that get voted off the island.

S S S, maybe??

i keed, i keed!

Yeah, if someone lectures me about my appearance when OC'ing? I'm just gonna raise an eyebrow, and walk away..

People come in all different sizes, shapes, colors, and preferences. I'm not gonna look like a "cop-wannabe" when I O/C... I'm a redneck.

Get over it.

I don't think it is or ought to be about how you dress. Clothes truly do not make the man. It is about your demeanor.