IF you have to bring a gun to a protest....You have already lost...

[Drew Richards]

Sorry got tired of having to reply same answer to so many threads....figured this is easier :)

So if you are one of those individuals asking that question, perhaps you should be asking, why am I not willing to be involved in these protests if I honestly believe in them...

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. In some cases the bringing of the firearm is the form of protest

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=470269&mesg_id=470269

[soryang]

2. Bringing a firearm to a "protest" is illegal in many states

Namely, it is a crime. Even if you have a carry permit, a political assembly is one place you can't carry.

So better check your state statutes if you are foolish enough to carry a firearm in a crowd.

[PavePusher]

3. Yeah, because limits on the number of Civil Rights one can exercise simultaineously...

is probably a great idea.

Did I get that right?

[Callisto32]

8. As long as it's only the rights important to "those people."

Amirite?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. Really, name some...

Did you even read the link?

[soryang]

10. Maryland, Montana, Oregon, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi,

Pennsylvania (Phil). I didn't look at all the states, the illegality arises in most cases I saw from municipal or county ordinance permitted by state statute or constitution, or it may arise circumstantially because the grounds appurtenant to public buildings or facilities are included. Some states have laws prohibiting firearms possession in state parks and recreational areas including the right of ways. If you do it, you need to do your legal research. I don't get nor give legal advice from places like this.

If you think it's a good idea, knock yourself out. I'd consult a good local criminal defense attorney if I intended to carry out such a hare brained plan.

[Kennah]

12. Maryland isn't a Right To Carry state

[ProgressiveProfessor]

16. They are indeed based on location and have nothing to do with it being a politcal demonstration

which was your original claim.

[SteveM]

22. You may not be completely correct...

While most states do NOT allow open-carry (I assume that is what the OP has in mind; I mean, who cares if you carry-concealed?). But there is no law which prevents one from openly-carrying at a demonstration as long as he/she is not brandishing. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I believe I am correct in saying that concealed-carry laws do not prevent one from attending a rally, even when armed. Thanks for bringing this up.

[ileus]

4. Go prepared...

[Oneka]

5. Or maybe thier strategy is working as planned.

these protests have allready goaded the legislature to "overreach" and ban the open carry of unloaded handguns.

Legislation was sparked by the growing "open carry" protest movement, which encourages participants to display their guns to show opposition to gun-control laws.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/04/open-carry-supporters-to-rally.html


Most likely the legislature will enact a ban on open carry of unloaded long guns very soon as well.

This legislation may indirectly usher in "shall issue" conceal carry permitting throughout California. Law suits are allready pending to that end.

One such suit was just recently halted by a judge on grounds that California allowed open carry of hand guns. The ban going into effect in January will make that particular judges reasoning, for halting the lawsuit,a moot point.

[Riftaxe]

6. If you talk at a protest

you have already lost, Constitutional rights are a bit ephemeral for you aren't they?

[Common Sense Party]

9. Same goes for bringing a puppet.

It's an automatic fail.

[AtheistCrusader]

11. If you've got your message down pat, know the material, and can speak on your feet

do it. You're just about guaranteed to get a minute worth of media attention, tell them you brought it without any ammo, just to have a moment to speak to them just like the teabaggers did protesting and rallying against obama during the campaign.

And then proceed to your talking points and get the reporter to engage with questions. Blam, you got your message out.

[Kennah]

13. Cops are already beating UNARMED people. What would they do to ARMED people?

[We_Have_A_Problem]

14. If they were smart....

they would be very polite.

[PavePusher]

15. Set themselves up for even bigger law suits? n/t

[ProgressiveProfessor]

17. I have to wonder what would happen if OWS protestors started wearing holsters

Its a tactic being used on some campuses with good effect.

[Kennah]

18. Something tells me if I worn a holster to Occupy Seattle, I'd have a nightstick against my throat

[We_Have_A_Problem]

19. Why?

A holster is nothing but a belt pouch.

[Kennah]

27. Because they are beating UNARMED people

Someone with a holster?

"Where the fuck is your goddamned gun?! Where the fuck is it?!"

[SteveM]

23. At the OccupyAustin demo I attended, a few folks wore...

t-shirts with firearms emblazoned on them. Texas does not permit open-carry; these folks could have carried concealed, if properly licensed.

[abogado]

20. If you have retained the right to do it, you continue to win.

...

[SteveM]

21. "Lost?" Answer: Most states (including Texas) don't allow for open-carry. OK? nt

[We_Have_A_Problem]

24. Hate to correct you....

MOST states do allow for open carry. Texas is actually an oddity.

http://opencarry.org/opencarry.html

[SteveM]

25. Thanks for the correction. I'm a reasonable man. nt

[We_Have_A_Problem]

26. No problem.

OC is one of those things a lot of people, even those really into gun rights, misunderstand. Most people in the US are shocked to find out TX is not an open carry state for example, and even more surprised to find out CA used to be.

With luck, TX is going to fix that little oversight in our next legislative session.

[Simo 1939_1940]

28. Along similar lines, I imagine that many pro-restrictionists

would be amazed to learn that a good number of blue states became shall issue with regard to concealed carry long before Texas adopted the law.

[Francis Marion]

29. Captain John Parker, leave that musket at home!

By standing on Lexington green with a musket, you have already lost.

Pitcairn, you may fire when ready.

No guns in public for 'regular people'? What an insult to Lexington and to this most public demonstration of American freedom.