HerbM wrote:jeeperbryan wrote:...I think most people would freak out to see a gun. Especially down in Austin :)...
Admittedly, this would be one of the additional benefits.
This is part of the political enlightment and consciousness raising that needs to be opened up -- right now most people probably don't even know they can carry a firearm legally.
This is the main reason that I personally would do this -- It needs doing. We really need the sheep to pull the wool off their eyes.
It is time to un-demonize the firearm and that isn't going to happen with them all hidden.
I also participate over on the OpenCarry.org forums, and people over there in states where it is legal but uncommon have reported very similar transitions; the sheeple are raising less of a ruckus when they see an OCer, and the police are more educated about carry laws and thus less likely to try to intimidate the carrier with arrest or citation for disorderly conduct etc. (Look up Grieve v State in the Texas 5th circuit Court of Appeals; the court basically said that a report to police of a weapon is not, by itself, reasonable suspicion of disorderly conduct). Sheeple can get used to anything; that's why government has gained so much power.