An "Open Carry" Picnic
 

Not sure if this belongs in the Politics forum or the Lounge.

On Saturday, there will be a "open carry" picnic in a park here. There's also a Little League baseball game going on. That's right: jackasses will be standing around drinking Bud, packing heat in a park filled with children and families.

I'm not against their guns but how is it a good idea to take them to a peaceful, safe park on a Saturday June afternoon?

Does your local law allow the guns to be loaded? Around here they can't be loaded and the police are free to stop you whenever you want and check.

I don't really have a problem with such things in theory as I don't really fear those people. I just don't understand living in such a state of paranoia and fear of society that one would feel the need or desire to do so.

The short answer is yes. The state leaves it up to the local municipalities.

The longer answer is the picnic was originally to be in a park policed by the county. The sheriff said that anyone carrying a firearm that was not unloaded and in a carrying case could be cited for violating county ordinance. This is why the organizers moved the picnic to a park in a town which allows loaded guns. The guns must be holstered.

Sadly, for some, nothing says family outing like the presence of guns or pitbulls.

They're afraid that all the darker skinned people will be coming for them now that one of them is President.

After Obama won the election a certain relative of mine and her husband stated that they were stocking up on ammunition for just that eventuality.

And they are strong tea party supporters....

you know, not all of us who support the 2nd amendment are racists. some may indeed be a bit more radical than others and have some very strange ideas of how to show it...and still others may indeed not agree with some of the current presidents policies. however that surely shouldnt pidgeon hole us all into the "backward, redneck, racist, white hood wearing cross burners" that many seem to see us as.

just sayin

Would you show up to a public park within sight of a little league baseball game with a gun holstered at your side, just to prove a point?

I'm guessing not. And I think it's a fair bet that, among those who would, there exists a higher than average (either the average among the general population, or even the average among gun owners) density of folks whose attitude towards race I would have serious issue with.

I wasn't referring to all people who use guns, just the paranoid tea bagger kind.

I'm not sure what about it is made worse by there being a Little League game nearby.

Perhaps that, if one of these loonies goes off and starts shooting, there's a higher likelyhood that a child will be injured or killed.