dougwg
10-06-2008, 10:08 PM
Here is part 1 of a three-part series on Open Carry in America.
Enjoy!
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The Open Carry Debate - A Sheep's Eye View
This article is part 1 in a 3-part series on the continuing and ever-growing "Open carry" debate. It's been in the news a lot lately, and I suspect the focus on open carry will increase before it subsides, so we need to discuss it. Hopefully, people will keep an open mind, a clear head, and a sincere heart as they continue to form their opinions.
Many of you know that a few weeks ago I held an open carry rally in Hastings, Michigan where over 40 people attended and walked the streets openly carrying their pistols. This was my first experience with open carry and I enjoyed it. As you can imagine, I received a lot of attention from three segments of society that merit conversation: the unarmed public, police officers, and concealed carry holders.
In this commentary I'll be dealing with the unarmed public, who, for all practical purposes are defenseless sheep. In order to understand my opinion on human sheep, and to fully understand their views, let me quote from my book "Blood in the Streets: Concealed Carry and the OK Corral".
"Sheep are born and bred for one purpose: to be killed and to have their parts processed into something useful by predators. They stand on the hill and go "Baa", as they're being slaughtered."
Now, first off, we have to understand that sheep disagree with the above statement. They believe they were born and bred to go to college, get a good job, make money, and raise a family who will then grow up themselves and perpetuate the flock. And of course they're right as well. We're both right, from our certain narrow points of view.
So why is there always such a huge disagreement between the unarmed public and those of us who carry pistols for self defense?
Enter the wolf. The wolf changes our perfect world into a world of danger. The wolf requires that some sheep grow fangs. The wolf changes everything.
As Lieutenant Colonel David Grossman has so astutely pointed out:
"We know that the sheep live in denial, which is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world."
I recall that as the concealed carry movement swept over our country, state by state like a cleansing wave, the sheep, almost without exception, were very quick to cry out their protests in one loud Baa! "No! No! Don't let them carry guns! We'll all be killed!"
History now tells us the vocal flock was wrong, and by and large, the sheep are beginning to tolerate the act of concealed carry for personal and family defense. So, if the flock accepts concealed carry (that is, people secretly carrying guns within the flock) then why are they so adamantly opposed to open carry? After all, guns are guns whether concealed or open. Right?
I think the answer lies in an email sent to me last week by a terrified sheep.
"I was around during that terrible display when you had your little gun rally and I want you to know that if I ever see anyone in the grocery store with a gun I will call the police. I feel threatened when I see a gun and feel that it's a threat to my safety. I don't think that the 2nd amendment supersedes other people's right to not have to see a gun or be around one."
Now, it's interesting to note that I know this man, and I walk into his store quite often. He knows that I'm always armed and has never expressed fear. In fact, on one occasion he even asked me to teach him how to shoot. I saw him as a potential convert.
So what's the big difference? Why does he tolerate concealed carry, but not open carry? Once again Lt. Colonel David Grossman has the answer for us:
"The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheepdog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed.
Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land."
Even though this man knows he is safe with me, he will call the police if he sees my gun. Is this irrational? Of course! Is he being consistent to his sheep-like personality? Absolutely!
He knows he's a sheep. He knows he's defenseless against anyone with a gun. I have a gun, therefore, in his way of thinking, I am a constant reminder that he is defenseless. His view is irrational, based solely on feelings, but also consistent with his sheep-like personality and his past views on concealed carry. Remember, it was this same sheep who fought hard to stifle concealed carry. He now accepts concealed carry simply because for many years we have walked among the flock and the sheep were not harmed. But this is where the sheep analogy breaks down; because people are not really sheep. They can think; they can learn; and they can change.
In my opinion, the sheep will one day accept open carry just as they do concealed carry. But first they must be educated and desensitized to the sight of that awful, bad, mean "gun"! It will be a slow train coming, but it will come. Yesterday I was giving a radio interview and the talkshow host confided that when he was in Arizona, he saw many people walking around openly carrying pistols on their hips. At first it made him nervous and he didn't like it. But, after a few days of seeing it, he was no longer afraid. It was only then he noticed the terrified looks of other tourists who were seeing open carry for the very first time.
Yes, the sheep are restless. But the solution isn't to cater to the irrational fears of ignorance. The solution is the sensitive, responsible caring actions of sheepdogs who open carry. Whether you agree or disagree with open carry, the movement will succeed or fail based on its own actions. This is their battle to win or to lose.
But here is my bottom line: if they lead with wisdom and integrity, the sheep will follow. After all, that's what sheep do.
SKip Coryell
www.mwtac.com
www.skipcoryell.com
Enjoy!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Open Carry Debate - A Sheep's Eye View
This article is part 1 in a 3-part series on the continuing and ever-growing "Open carry" debate. It's been in the news a lot lately, and I suspect the focus on open carry will increase before it subsides, so we need to discuss it. Hopefully, people will keep an open mind, a clear head, and a sincere heart as they continue to form their opinions.
Many of you know that a few weeks ago I held an open carry rally in Hastings, Michigan where over 40 people attended and walked the streets openly carrying their pistols. This was my first experience with open carry and I enjoyed it. As you can imagine, I received a lot of attention from three segments of society that merit conversation: the unarmed public, police officers, and concealed carry holders.
In this commentary I'll be dealing with the unarmed public, who, for all practical purposes are defenseless sheep. In order to understand my opinion on human sheep, and to fully understand their views, let me quote from my book "Blood in the Streets: Concealed Carry and the OK Corral".
"Sheep are born and bred for one purpose: to be killed and to have their parts processed into something useful by predators. They stand on the hill and go "Baa", as they're being slaughtered."
Now, first off, we have to understand that sheep disagree with the above statement. They believe they were born and bred to go to college, get a good job, make money, and raise a family who will then grow up themselves and perpetuate the flock. And of course they're right as well. We're both right, from our certain narrow points of view.
So why is there always such a huge disagreement between the unarmed public and those of us who carry pistols for self defense?
Enter the wolf. The wolf changes our perfect world into a world of danger. The wolf requires that some sheep grow fangs. The wolf changes everything.
As Lieutenant Colonel David Grossman has so astutely pointed out:
"We know that the sheep live in denial, which is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world."
I recall that as the concealed carry movement swept over our country, state by state like a cleansing wave, the sheep, almost without exception, were very quick to cry out their protests in one loud Baa! "No! No! Don't let them carry guns! We'll all be killed!"
History now tells us the vocal flock was wrong, and by and large, the sheep are beginning to tolerate the act of concealed carry for personal and family defense. So, if the flock accepts concealed carry (that is, people secretly carrying guns within the flock) then why are they so adamantly opposed to open carry? After all, guns are guns whether concealed or open. Right?
I think the answer lies in an email sent to me last week by a terrified sheep.
"I was around during that terrible display when you had your little gun rally and I want you to know that if I ever see anyone in the grocery store with a gun I will call the police. I feel threatened when I see a gun and feel that it's a threat to my safety. I don't think that the 2nd amendment supersedes other people's right to not have to see a gun or be around one."
Now, it's interesting to note that I know this man, and I walk into his store quite often. He knows that I'm always armed and has never expressed fear. In fact, on one occasion he even asked me to teach him how to shoot. I saw him as a potential convert.
So what's the big difference? Why does he tolerate concealed carry, but not open carry? Once again Lt. Colonel David Grossman has the answer for us:
"The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheepdog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed.
Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land."
Even though this man knows he is safe with me, he will call the police if he sees my gun. Is this irrational? Of course! Is he being consistent to his sheep-like personality? Absolutely!
He knows he's a sheep. He knows he's defenseless against anyone with a gun. I have a gun, therefore, in his way of thinking, I am a constant reminder that he is defenseless. His view is irrational, based solely on feelings, but also consistent with his sheep-like personality and his past views on concealed carry. Remember, it was this same sheep who fought hard to stifle concealed carry. He now accepts concealed carry simply because for many years we have walked among the flock and the sheep were not harmed. But this is where the sheep analogy breaks down; because people are not really sheep. They can think; they can learn; and they can change.
In my opinion, the sheep will one day accept open carry just as they do concealed carry. But first they must be educated and desensitized to the sight of that awful, bad, mean "gun"! It will be a slow train coming, but it will come. Yesterday I was giving a radio interview and the talkshow host confided that when he was in Arizona, he saw many people walking around openly carrying pistols on their hips. At first it made him nervous and he didn't like it. But, after a few days of seeing it, he was no longer afraid. It was only then he noticed the terrified looks of other tourists who were seeing open carry for the very first time.
Yes, the sheep are restless. But the solution isn't to cater to the irrational fears of ignorance. The solution is the sensitive, responsible caring actions of sheepdogs who open carry. Whether you agree or disagree with open carry, the movement will succeed or fail based on its own actions. This is their battle to win or to lose.
But here is my bottom line: if they lead with wisdom and integrity, the sheep will follow. After all, that's what sheep do.
SKip Coryell
www.mwtac.com
www.skipcoryell.com