Open Carry

Proponents of open carry argue that Texas is regressive because it is only one of seven states that does not allow the citizens to openly carry weapons in public. 11 states required permits and 21 others place restriction on those that wish to carry a gun. Therefore, proponents argue that we should too because we are now viewed by others as out of date. Proponents believe that everyone has a right to protect themselves and that open carry is a deterrent to crime. Further, they suggest that an open carry society is a polite society. However, proponents do not mentioned that crime rates have been going down because of the Brady Bill, and in states that have lax gun laws, the crime rates committed with guns have gone up. For example, Florida passed an open carry law in 1987 and the crime rates with guns has significantly gone up.

I find these arguments fallacious and wanting. Since most people are doing it (no matter what it is), I must do it too or I am old fashioned or socially unacceptable if I don’t. This is logically fallacious. Frequently, bravely dissenting is the moral and most effective thing to do. Further, proponents offer no hard evidence and data about the effectiveness of this policy as a deterrent to crime or a means of self protection. Further, they do not tell us how common the practice of open carry is or whether or not the public really want to carry guns. They simply make unsubstantiated claims. Although you do not make this point, I tend to agree with you instinctively that such a policy would cause public intimidation and make it difficult for police officer to effectively carry out their duties, but again we have no hard evidence for what we believe.

The most frequent argument that the proponents of open carry or gun crazies (I have a bias), as you noted, is that they are being denied their constitutional rights under the II Amendment. During colonial times and the early republic, citizens were frequently called up for militia duty and they had to supply their own arms as you note. That is why the second amendment was written. It also did not prevent individuals from using guns for lawful purposes. Proponents of open carry habitually misread the second amendment to promote their agenda.

By the way, the Europeans aren’t doing it. They think that Americans are gun crazy.

http://cypresscorner.blogspot.com/
http://www.justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp