I see a lot of NRA and gun brand stickers around here, and this is the liberal side of Oregon. In view of the fact that the vast majority of people likely didn‘t see that article and are oblivious to the danger, there’ll be way too many potential target vehicles in NASCAR parking lots or similar venues. Probability says that trying to get bait vehicles hit would likely be a wasted effort.

While I can understand some increased concern about vandalism given the NRA’s current unpopularity in certain quarters, I don’t see why this decal/break-in issue is being played up now. Nothing has really changed there, other than crime rates have dropped continuously over the last three decades. I’m sure it happens, but I somehow doubt it warrants extensive efforts to keep your pro-gun views undercover.

There is a huge difference between being "afraid" and/or "hiding" and choosing not to ADVERTISE that something of valuable may be stored in your vehicle.

I wear my NRA hat and T-shirts, but I don't invite criminals to break into my unattended vehicle. I don't view it as FEAR but rather as PRUDENCE.

I don't put a sign in my front yard that says "VALUABLES TO STEAL INSIDE" either. Just doesn't seem like the thing to do.

I live in an apartment, so I don't think it would be prudent to advertise.
In my folk's 'hood, people try to peel his Trump sticker off the back of the car.

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Common sense isn't so common.

And I assume no, God forbid, American Flag in your yard?
Well mine fly's, and my sticker stays.
Tom Beavert---(my name)

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frontsightnsqueaz

My vehicles don't have any stickers of any kind but I do wear my NRA caps and a couple of T-shirts. It's not out of fear of them being broken into, I just don't like stickers on my cars. I wear the caps and shirts because I am a proud member of the NRA and I want people to know it. I've never had a negative comment on the caps or shirts but they have gotten a few conversations started with like minded people.

There are a lot of runners in my area, multiple 13.2 and 26.1 marathon decals. My 5.56 decal usually gets odd looks and the occasional question. David.

That's not entirely true.

wow, what a bunch of old women....

But seriously guys. I've worn my NRA hat off n on for the past 28 years. No one cares..... I have had NRA stickers on the back of the cars I've owned since 1993 when I first joined the NRA.... No one cares.

I've opened carried many times, in fact, I open carry at least 1-2 times a week......no one cares...

You guys need to move to Texas.

I was taught during my years overseas to not standout in any way (other than the haircut and the way we walk...) to lessen the chance of being targeted. (Red Army Faction and other groups)

I keep the same mentality stateside, nothing to show affiliation to anything.

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USAF 1981 - 2001

I never, never use t-shirts, bumper stickers, hats, etc with gun advertising for exactly that reason.

Oxygen wasters will think there is something to steal or damage your vehicle just because they hate/are afraid of something you like.

Hide Manard hide. Around here you see stickers and guns all in the same truck. Windows down, doors unlocked. We got no crime. All the hide your stickers guys must be living in high crime areas. Maybe with more guns and stickers around and everyone knowing they were around would cause all the dip wad to think twice about breaking in top cars. Of course if I fired a couple rounds at somebody breaking into my car the sheriff would be asking me all kinds of questions. Mostly about why I missed. I live in a whole different land than most.

My NRA Life sticker will remain in my back window. Has been there for many years. I'm too old to run anymore. And my insurance is paid up.

IOW, you're a more precise runner than those sloppy one decimal place others.

I posted this 5 years ago. Nothing really changed.

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Retired Career Security Guard

Am curious to know how the numbers come out for those who openly display NRA and those who don't-does that go hand in hand with those who open carry and those that carry concealed?

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2 Blessed 2B Stressed

And here we go..... Good job Chik a boom.

Huh?

A lot of people wouldn't know what that is

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Retired Career Security Guard

Does the number of people who open carry correlate to the number of people who display NRA stickers and does the number of people who conceal correlate to the number of people who don't display stickers

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Retired Career Security Guard

I've never been a fan of stickers and decals on my vehicles. Heck, I don't even like the dealer logos on them. I prefer a clean, minimalist look. Nowadays, though, I do have two stickers on the rear window of our Expedition: an AAA sticker on the left hand side, and a Navy Veteran sticker on the right hand side.

Speaking of issues, and how some things have changed: when I was in the Navy (1969 - 1973) you might be spit upon when you were in uniform in public. Now, when I wear my Navy Veteran hat out in public, I'm often thanked for my service by random strangers.

I don't even have gun stickers on my gun cases.

I've considered rockin' the rainbow Gadsden flag... just to keep 'em guessin'.

Thanks, Smoke, you got the idea. Thanks for stating it a little more clearer.

Ooops, apologies, All. Didn't mean to get that debate going. Just curious if there was any correlation in displayers and non-displayers.

I enjoyed reading all the posts. Being, blonde, of course, I can't make up my mind, I felt that both sides had good arguments.

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2 Blessed 2B Stressed

I don't have a NRA sticker or gun stickers, but not out of any fear. Kinda pointless around here to havee a NRA sticker. The antis barely exist. I only have a sticker that says Member of Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officer Association and one sticker that slams both political parties. Here it is a pretty good bet that every home has guns. I seldom lock my door either on my house or my vehicles. Sometimes in a bigger city when I got stuff in my car. Here I have gone in stores with the doors unlocked and guns in my vehicle. I rarely open carry unless it is hunting season and I am packing a larger revolver. I do carry a snub 325 concealed. I seldom see open carry. but often see guns in gun racks. Most ranch trucks have them. The post office and court house are about the only place in town you can't carry a gun. But, everyone just parks on the street right in front. When I took the NRA handgun course it was in the sheriff's office basement. Everyone brought a gun. When in peoples homes you still see gun racks and glass gun cases.
Would I actually shot some one breaking into my car? No, but I bet they drop my stuff. Around here it would be considered bad form to actually shoot them, but if some one got shot breaking in cars it would be considered their own fault. Hard to get a jury to convict the shooter here.

I removed the NRA decals from my Jeep windows. Locally there has been a rash of anti-gun nuts puncturing tires and "keying" parked vehicles displaying the decals. Both my rear tires were punctured in the YMCA parking lot.

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John

I no longer have a NRA sticker on my truck, one time going to Canada on a fishing trip, they asked me if I had a gun, I said no, they asked me again and I said no, if you dont have a gun, why do you have a NRA sticker on your truck , they searched my truck, they told me I was free to go, I said no Im not, turn me around, I will go spend my money in NH instead.

Sent from my LGL52VL using Tapatalk

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Don

With the Draconian gun laws of the People Republic of Maryland, the MD state police are targeting out of state vehicles with pro-gun stickers in hopes of catching those with a legal concealed carry hand gun from another state. Having a handgun in the vehicle is a violation of MD gun laws. The gun is confiscated and much time and money are spent avoiding jail time.

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Bill

Sad state of affairs that we even have this conversation. I don’t have any stickers but only because I don’t like anything stuck on my truck or cars,even remove factory stuff if possible.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

That's just great. You get a check from insurance, AND there's another gun on the street in the hands of criminals. See how much longer insurance will be paying for unattended guns being stolen from vehicles. As long as you are not inconvenienced.

When I was in college in Boston back in the 1970s I had a NRA sticker on the drivers vent "remember those" window...and someone broke it out...that taught me not have ANY bumper stickers or anything else telling others what I think, have or believe in...

Harley riders have had the same problem...thieves follow a vehicle with a HD sticker on it home and target the bike later on...

Bob

"Speak softly and carry a big stick" = no stickers
I do not open carry either

I'd like to know more about this. Can you furnish some links to reports about that happening? Like newspaper or other media stories? Police reports, or whatever?

That's why I will never visit the East coast. Here in AZ you can assume just about every car on the road has a loaded gun somewhere. Years ago my wife was stopped for a minor infraction and the officer complimented her on her choice of a weapon (M&P9c), told her to make a better stop at stop signs and let her go with a warning.

It's just common to be out in public and see a few open carry weapons...most, like myself carry concealed. Seldom see any open carry in the big cities like Phoenix or Tucson, but you can bet there are many weapons being concealed.

Decals?? I don't like anything stuck on my shiny paint or chrome....but like I said before I have an NRA hitch cover that shines bright when I step on the brake. I did get a thumbs up from an Officer who happened to be behind me at a red light....made my day.

No open carry off private property in Florida, so I don't do it.
NRA stickers front and back. Also a Florida state flag sticker.

my step brother use to think it was important to show what great brand stereo he had in his car by putting the decals on his rear window. there were some nice car stereos picked up for free thanks to him advertising for Alpine or whoever.
I've had a couple of convertibles over the years I never even lock the doors because I don't leave anything in the car worth more than the top, take whatever you want just don't cut the top.

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Expert at not being an Expert.

Only thing I have on old blue is an "LSU Dad" window sticker-problem is it gets you pulled over a lot in Alabama

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Forum consigliere

I'm so impressed with you brave souls displaying your stickers and calling the rest of us cowards because we don't see that as a great idea.

I look forward to your posts screaming about how your car got keyed, or window broken, or tires slashed, or God forbid, your gun got stolen from your vehicle.

I suspect just one such incident will change your minds - not because you're askeered to "take a stand" (by putting a piece of plastic film on your car) but because the symbolic gesture isn't worth the hassle and expense.

Have fun.

No advertisements on my vehicle ever since my first.

I do have Veteran Plates.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

I'm not brave .
But I won't be bullied by brain washed socialist.
It's your choice, live openly without fear and free speech.
Or hide and be fearful of your expressing belief's.

Thanks so much for so clearly illustrating my point.

Just in case you missed it, that point was that there is a HUGE difference between HIDING or being FEARFUL versus choosing not to OVERTLY advertise in the interest of avoiding hassle and trouble.

Your verbiage implies that you are braver or more upstanding than those of us who choose not to invite trouble. This is the exact same type of statements that open carriers use to disparage those who choose to carry their weapon concealed rather than openly displaying it.

Your statements explicitly imply some kind of upstanding virtue in putting a BUMPER STICKER on your car - and that anyone who doesn't is a coward (fearful) or less principled (brainwashed & bullied) then those of you who do.

All I can add is that I stand up for my rights in other more costly, significant, and impactful ways that require actual effort - I just don't advertise and grandstand it or delude myself into thinking I'm making some kind of big brave principled stand by putting a piece of plastic film on my bumper.

You all may be familiar with that old joke:

Somewhere in Kansas, a woman steps out onto her front porch every morning and yells “TIGERS, BE GONE!”

Finally, a neighbor goes over to talk to her:

“Lady, this is the middle of America. There isn’t a wild tiger within thousands of miles!”

Says the woman: “See, it works!”

None of you have any idea whether not having a gun-related sticker on your car reduces your risk of a break-in. If you have a sticker and your car is broken into, you’re unlikely to find out whether it was because of the sticker or not; lots of sticker-less cars get broken into every day.

So: Personal choice, consequences unknown. The same, by the way, applies to any propaganda value of having the stickers. Doesn’t seem to justify getting too worked up.

I doubt that they are targetting out of staters, but....if they get pulled over for a driving offense, that sticker would definitely make them curious!

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

This whole thread bothers me. You're not wrong Watchdog, but what has our world become?

Anyone remember the days when we used to put our names on our mailboxes so people could easily find our house? Now we live in fortresses that are camouflaged so no one even knows anyone lives there.

No, I choose not to live in fear. If I want a sticker on my vehicle, I'll put it there. If I want to wear an NRA t-shirt or hat, I'll wear it.

I teach a class called Refuse To Be A Victim. We talk about this stuff and there is a lot of sense to it. It makes sense to be wise about how you present yourself to the world around you. But you have to balance your safety with your life.

It's possible to make it so no criminal could ever harm you. Just brick yourself up in your castle and never open the door. Do you really want to live like that? Personally, I prefer dangerous liberty over secure oppression.

So, thanks for the warning, but I choose not to live in fear. I accept that risk.

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Freedom isn't free.

You are correct. Everybody on both sides has a right to speak up. But we also have the right to NOT speak up. What does it say about the Pro-2A and NRA crowd if some of them criticize me for exercising my right to remain silent, to not flamboyantly advertise? To me it shows division. If you wanna go all "Norma Rae" about gun rights and hit the streets waving your banner...go for it. Just refrain from accusing me of being part of the problem because I choose to keep to myself and not advertise my political beliefs and gun ownership.

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Smith. And Wesson. And Me!

In years gone by, I had stickers on my car for both the NRA and the NHRA. No problem then in the '50s and '60s. I even had an NRA sticker on my '65 Corvette.

Things have changed. No sticker of any sort on any of my cars. The only stickers on my home windows represent the fact that I have an active alarm system. I also have security doors and bars on all the windows. Both cars have alarms with blinking warning lights when they are locked. I remember when I was kid the days when no one even locked their house doors...

I recall about a month ago seeing a car plastered with political stickers, including some that touted one of the 2016 Presidential election candidates. My thoughts on that are he/she might not know that such a thing would almost certainly infuriate about half the population of the U.S. I don't see that as a good thing.

I also don't advertise that I'm carrying, and I never carry openly unless I'm in the field. I don't wear a "shoot me first" vest, either. I see that a bad guy started to shoot up a restaurant in OK City recently, wounding two patrons in the process. An armed citizen in the restaurant promptly shot him dead. Best possible outcome. Surprise is a BIG tactical advantage. The less the bad guys know about you, the better.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

It bothers me, too, but probably for reasons different from yours.

I started this thread as just sort of a simple heads up kind of thing. It came from a brief local news story about cops noticing a trend in area auto break-ins. Nothing more, nothing less. And it was tied into sort of a warning because of the Memorial Day weekend events in this area.

I have several good friends on the police force here. Two of them told me that it's true...arrested punks say they definitely are targeting cars with NRA and gun-related stickers on them. I doubt my friends are making this stuff up just to get on the local news.

Far as I was concerned, that was all there was to it.

But this thread took a wrong turn before it ever got started good, and it's just kept going that way, far as I'm concerned.

Now people have turned the thread into one about some sort of threat to their personal freedom. A stand-up-for-what-you-believe-in thing. Don't "live in fear". NRA members "going into hiding". Members calling other members "old women".

People are suggesting NRA members, NRA members on this forum, are some sort of un-American moral cowards because they choose not to put an NRA decal on their cars. That's pretty disgusting.

This thread didn't start out being about how patriotic anyone is, or who does or doesn't fly the flag in their yard, or who does or doesn't display a veterans-type license tag.

An NRA decal on my car doesn't do one single thing to "assure my rights" as a gun owner. What does help assure my rights are the money I give the NRA and my vote for people who support the Second Amendment.

Putting a five-cent decal on a vehicle doesn't make anyone better than I am, and it doesn't make them any more of an American. Anyone who thinks it does is sadly mistaken.

Here, HERE! Well said!

Thieves target every vehicle. They prefer the ones where the owner was too dumb to lock the doors, but I doubt they take the time to read and process all the bumper stickers.

Car thefts are epidemic, yet people still leave valuables in them, unlocked.

And let that be the last word.. Thank you all for your input..

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP