[pegasus]

This is not a political posting. This is about concealed carry gun handling in public.

I understand the point he was making, and I support and agree with that point. I just don't think I would've make it in that way. I generally believe the best thing in public is to keep carry guns holstered unless you actually need to use them. If he felt he had to display the gun to make his point, why not merely show the gun still in the holster? It does the same thing without removing it and placing it on a table. (this is provided of course open carry is legal where he was at, IDK the laws there) I would assume open display in a holster is legal in SC, otherwise taking it out would be a problem also.

SC congressman pulls out own gun to make point about violence

 

[Fishinkeylargo]

It was a little on the extreme side, however the left always gets extreme to push their agenda. He proved the point that the gun was not dangerous, he proved that some have irrational fears of a gun, and he used a revolver that was most likely one of the safest guns to make the point with. Now I don't know SC laws and wonder if this could be considered brandishing? He did nothing threatening so it should not be brandishing, however some state laws are stupid.

 

[JoeyS]

an ill-advised move... he could have just stated he had it on him and that it has posed no threat to anyone in the room. Unfortunately he has buoyed up the gun control argument for many, even though the rest of us know nobody was in any dannger.

 

[GhostHorse]

Strikes me a something I'd never do, but listen to this:

"Given the scenario that if someone had walked into that diner and began to fire a weapon, I told them I would be able to defend myself and them as well," he told CNN.

"I'm not going to be a Gabby Giffords,"

Dude. Respect.

 

[FreedomCosts]

I imagine some folks from the left are in the planning stage of attacking him. I agree, bad move. he shoulda just said "I carry wherever I go" and left it at that.
I made my first reall booboo Thursday, UNFORtunately. I had to rush to meet a guy at the house about buildiing us a fence, stuck my gun in the holster and took off. When we were finished laying out the fence he asked "what do you carry?" I looked and my overshirt was pulled back and the gun was just shining like the sun.
But FORtunately, he's a marine.
I still remember an example our CC instructor gave of a guy in the grocery store, his short pulled up and this big lady saw it and started screaming "he's got a gun!!!" He was legal (other then not staying concealed) but had to wait for the cop and explain, cause the manager heard the yelling and called them. No big deal other than the hassle.

 

[olfarhors]

OK, someone forgot to take the meds didn't they??
I mean come on now, If I am in his voting district he might have just lost me!
the only time that someone should unholster a loaded gun is in protection mode.
the only time that someone should flash and show and tell everyone that I got a gun is -----NEVER!!
just bad, bad, bad judgement in my opinion.
He would need to sit down with me if I was a voter and we would need to have a loooong talk before I could be swayed to vote for him personally.
that's about like the Judge in Alabama that was always flashing his gun, is this a male masculinity thing or what?
GO buy a Harley or a Corvette and keep your gun concealed.
PIN HEAD!!

 

[FreedomCosts]

Well, considering his opponent in an election is probably a anti-gun progressive, I'd still vote for him.

 

[Peacemakr40]

His actions were perfectly suited for the political Theater he was performing in. People respond emotionally to emotionally charged situations. Liberals take advantage of that. Sounds like he did too in order to set the notion that not all those who carry firearms are bad people. Yes, the display was over the top, but that's exactly what was needed to send the message home.

 

[JoeyS]

...
I still remember an example our CC instructor gave of a guy in the grocery store, his short pulled up and this big lady saw it and started screaming "he's got a gun!!!" He was legal (other then not staying concealed) but had to wait for the cop and explain, cause the manager heard the yelling and called them. No big deal other than the hassle.

That kind of garbage is why Texas moved to LTC instead of CHL. Some moron sees it and throws a fit, so what. Move along.

 

[dennisturner]

Well, he is a congressman. They're not exactly known for their brains . . .

 

[Zen Ape]

I'm of the opinion that a "concealed" firearm on your person should be just like the family jewels, it only comes out in the proper place and among the proper people. Until then, it ain't anyone's business what you've got going on under there. Pulling it out and waving or flashing it around in public is in as every bit of poor taste and improper as what I just likened it to.

 

[.452dia]

I remember a while back I said basically the same thing about open and concealed carry but was jumped on by the it's my right group". here on TA. To me concealed means concealed. I don't talk about it and I don't display it. My gun is my business and I only disclose if asked by an LEO which is state law. We are an open carry state so if I accidently display my gun it is not breaking any law. The congressman might have felt comfortable in making his point that way but it just may add fuel to the anti's. Then again, that may have been his plan. I know I get tired of having to disarm to enter places that I have as much right to enter as anyone else. It may be time to quit worrying about the anti's and go ahead and use our constitutional rights.

 

[hughewil]

I'd vote for him, we need politicians wo are militantly pro gun, we need to fight for guns as hard as the left fights against them

 

[olfarhors]

I'd vote for him, we need politicians wo are militantly pro gun, we need to fight for guns as hard as the left fights against them

SO are we saying then that there are NO gun supporters that have more common sense than this guy??
if so then the only difference is that Democrats usually don't support gun ownership.
cause they certainly don't seem to use a lot of common sense either.
I don't live in that district so don't matter to me, but IF this guy shows up to breakfast at the restaurant, a family outing and certainly a Political Meeting where I am he likely is going to receive an ear full from me if not more IF he pulls that stunt.

 

[pegasus]

Well, considering his opponent in an election is probably a anti-gun progressive, I'd still vote for him.

I don't know anything about his district but you're probably right, which is sad in and of itself. There's an old saying, "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face" Just because I don't think the guy should've done what he did doesn't mean I'm going to vote for the other guy or gal, if the other person is a anti gunner who wants to enact legislation to restrict my rights.

 

[TurtleTamer]

IMHO it was a bit of a brash move and not really needed. I'm comfortable with guns and wouldn't have personally felt threatened by it, but there are lots out there on the fence that may not be anti- but don't own guns themselves and may NOT be comfortable with them. This type of behavior could easily sway them to become anti- or at least to sympathize more with them. As long as guns stay out of their faces, and out of view in general, then they are more or less out of mind once the first five minutes of shock wears off after each mass shooting.

As polarized as the population has become it's easy to forget that there's a sizable middle out there still, and they may just be the cushioning factor right now keeping the left from easily taking our arms. As important as it may be for the right to staunchly defend gun rights, it's as equally important IMO to normalize the idea of gun ownership to those that believe in constitutional rights but didn't grow up with any exposure to firearms and aren't exposed to them socially. It's difficult for us to imagine growing up without ever having even handled a firearm. But there are lots out there who have lived just this way. Imagine being one of those when an elected official plops his CC weapon on the table.

 

[FreedomCosts]

Just got thhis eplanation from the congessman himself:
A lot has been written about the “Coffee with your Congressman” event I held yesterday in Rock Hill, where I heard from my constituents about the issues that matter to them. The media, once again, has demonstrated their agenda of pushing a narrative that is not true. I wanted to set the record straight about the events that unfolded.
Here is what happened:
- Many constituents were in attendance at our meeting. I chose to begin a discussion with a group wearing “Mothers Demand Action" shirts. I hoped to have an engaging, substantive conversation regarding violence in our country and what brings a person to be so filled with evil and hate that they want to kill innocent people.
- During our conversation, I talked about the importance of addressing the warning signs and causes of such irrational behavior. I told them that I believe that the breakdown in moral and spiritual values is the primary factor in these atrocities.
- Mothers Demand Action disagreed with me and stressed that they believe that guns and weapons are the problem.
- I am a licensed Concealed Weapon Permit holder and a strong believer in the Second Amendment. As such, during our discussion, I safely placed my gun on the table, pointed away from people, and made the point: “Guns don't shoot people. People use guns to shoot people. I am tired of blame being placed on the police, NRA, and guns themselves.”
- At no point did anyone at our meeting say they were threatened, nor did anyone leave early. In fact, we continued with our discussion, laughed, smiled, shook hands and snapped pictures together.
- My CWP license was just renewed. It expires in September of 2022. The restaurant does not ban concealed weapons and I believe no laws were broken.
- Since our meeting on Friday, it has become clear that Mothers Demand Action is a group with a radical agenda, funded by out-of-state groups, and hell bent on repealing the Second Amendment and banning guns.
- It is sad and disappointing that national gun control groups stoop to this sort of backhanded tactic to push their radical agenda. I am convinced that many people, even some who disagree with my conclusions, indeed share my desire to address the real root of violence in our nation.
- I welcome and encourage the conversation of solving the problem of innocent lives taken, ensuring our children's safety in schools, improving background checks, and addressing our country's mental health issue.

 

[Trotline]

Twisted as I admittedly am, I immediately thought of this:

 

[Echo40]

I think he could have simply shown it holstered and gotten his point across, but whatever, anti-gunners will put a negative spin on it regardless.

 

[daytonaredeye]

Wasted an opportunity to inform folks that guns can only do damage to those that fear them.