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I was really hoping this wouldn't bolt down this rabbit-hole again.....

Guys - can everyone take a step back, please? Can the rhetoric for a few, take a breath, and think about this....

Look at my sig line. That's me - NRA member, TSRA member, Harley rider.....and veteran. No blazin'-eyed OC fanatic - but rather someone who's also worn a badge (albeit many years ago) who, after long thought, has come to the conclusion that there really IS a legitimate "reason" for OC - someone's right to do so. When I'm out on a hot summer day and pull in to grab a cold soda or a bite to eat, I can't remove my jacket for fear of exposing my weapon. It's hard to wear something heavy enough to properly cover it during the summer - and if I've been out on a jobsite on a South Texas ranch (where I simply carry on the hip) and run into town to grab something - or am done and headed home - there have been times when I've honestly forgotten I had the gun on and danged near stepped out of the truck.....in most instances, John Law is pretty pragmatic about stuff like that, and I'd likely just get one of "those looks" an' a friendly reminder - but why? I'm a lawful person, and frankly why should I have to hide something?

I want to engage this on a personal level - no rhetoric, no name-calling on either side - but rather, a simple discussion. That's why I finally decided to speak up again - but to be honest, both sides can make it hard to do so. Sad part is, that as long as we can be kept divided, those that would deny us any gun rights they can will win. Rather than say "I don't think we should", remember that in the late 80's/early 90's, a LOT of gun owners didn't think concealed carry was a good idea, either. Funny thing is, at that time I knew the legalities, and had carried for many years - and could easily have continued to do so under the old laws - but neither with the convenience NOR the ready access for my FELLOW GUN OWNERS to enjoy the same freedoms.

Used to be, it was "do as you will, and if you screw up you'll answer to the courts!" Nowadays, it seems like we're so eager to worry about our own self interests, we'll deny others the ability to more fully exercise their rights......

Again - NONE of the above is aimed at any one person - or group - but rather, an honest attempt to get folks to sit back and THINK ABOUT IT, and maybe discuss things. Rather than discuss them from a basis of what we might "lose", though, let's talk about how it COULD be introduced successfully, and implemented in such a way as to enhance ALL our rights even further.

Y'know guys....this is why I don't stop by very often. I try to propose and present in a logical fashion (to me, anyways), and BOTH sides seem eager to "stick it" to the other.

We don't need enemies...we supply our own.<sigh>

I can understand those that choose not to open carry for their own reasons, and have no issue w/that....but I guess where I have a hard time understanding is those that don't WANT to carry that way being okay with stopping those that would. Every freedom we give up is one less between us and a controlling, over-reaching government - one that expands federal police powers, federal controls over states......oh, wait - we're already getting there, aren't we? We have federal agents taking over for local and state law enforcement officers, schools that have to follow FEDERAL guidelines - the list continues to grow.

Let me present it another way. I don't own full-automatic weapons or suppressors. TSRA has been promoting expanding the use of suppressors for hunting of game animals. Does that mean that because I don't use them, I should oppose it? Based on some of the comments here - yeah, I should....but I don't. I'm pushing for it to be passed, because there's no inherent harm and it is a right that should be returned to us.

It's just a shame that others don't feel the same - that they won't realize that we should support each other, not just that which fits OUR definition of "what should be."

Someone else can have the soapbox now....