An open carry observation

[Clayguy]

Not trying to derail this thread, but the VA's restrictive gun policy was mentioned. For several years I took my father to a VA hospital for appointments. I am curious to see if I'm the only one who has a problem with any entity - government or otherwise - telling me that I can't have a weapon secured in my vehicle while parked in their parking lot. Given that our drive from my dad's residence to the VA was about 140 miles, compliance with that rule resulted in disarming me for the entire trip. Not logical or acceptable to me. In fact, I remember reading several years ago about a lawsuit brought by a group of employees against their employer who had a similar policy - no guns in the buildings or parking lot. My recollection is that the courts ruled in the employees' favor, saying that you can restrict guns in the building, but you can't disarm your employees on their trip to work.
Please understand that it's not my intention to slam the VA. They were good to my dad and it was appreciated. And if they want to restrict guns in the building I get it even if I don't particularly like it. I can imagine that someone might say, "just park off the premises". Toward the end of my father's life he wasn't able to walk any great distance so that really wasn't an option.
Anybody else find that VA policy - telling you that you can't have a gun in your vehicle - to be taking things a bit far?

I go to the VA hospital several times a year and they have signs prohibiting firearms in the building, but have never herd of any restriction in a vehicle parked in the parking are. I wonder if the rules vary according to location?

 

[Doriangray6]

More like gimpy old guy with a gun showing? WooHoo! FREE GUN!

I see the aggressively negative comments of yourself and other self appointed "experts" on how a person chooses to carry a firearm as indicative of a growing herd mentality in the US. Not just in this matter but in all aspects of our society.
Where anybody that doesn't join and follow the herd isn't just regarded as an individual who happens to think, act, or live different but as someone to be attacked, vilified, condemned, and even feared.
It's a sad development in a country where individualism, personal choice, and thinking outside the box were once regarded as good things and the basis of many of the great ideas and developments that originated in the US.
Historically the decline of these qualities and their replacement by a herd mentality have always been indications of a country's social and intellectual decline and stagnation.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Seven pages in, I'll finally comment. I'm a gimpy old guy who's carry gun never shows. Surprise is my only advantage. I shoot twice a month with a bunch of other gimpy old LEO's from assorted agencies. On our range and lunch days we have our range toys in cases. And the carry guns in pretty deep cover. We all like it that way, no debate, no show. YMMV. You wanna be the target, cool.

 

[RestingBear]

Clayguy, I can't speak for every VA facility, but the one that cares for my dad clearly allowed no guns on the entire property. I will PM you the name. The first time that I took my father to the VA I was carrying concealed, having no idea that I would pull into their parking lot past a sign that clearly said "No Weapons Allowed on VA Property" or something to that effect. So I am in an immediate quandary. I obviously cant make my handgun disappear. So, I pull up to the main entrance to let my father out near the door. Here comes a young twenty-something valet who wants to park the car for us. Dilemma deepens. So I explain to him that I am armed as a retired state trooper and that I wasn't aware of their policy restricting guns in the parking lot. I thought he was going to stroke out. He starts stammering around in a manner that makes clear that I have just completely rocked his world. After two or three minutes of this standoff, I finally convince him that I can secure my gun in the car and he relents, saying, "We never had this discussion".

 

[Saab]

I wear shorts year round.

I wear shorts year-round also.
I also seemed to recall, seeing hundreds of women in skirts in the winter…

 

[max503]

There are times I would open carry if it were legal here. On my bicycle would be one of them.

 

[Smoke]

Anybody else find that VA policy - telling you that you can't have a gun in your vehicle - to be taking things a bit far?

Honestly their house, their rules. I don't have to drive quite as far as you did to the nearest VA but it's a journey.

The VA I go to now is in a shared space. There is a parking garage roughly a half a mile from their parking lot. I pull in there and disarm in the dark where nobody can see me and then I drive the rest of the way to the VA.

I think I've mentioned this before but in the four years I've been going to the VA I have never been asked if I have weapons in my home. What they always ask is do I feel safe at home?

I've mentioned the one provider that always wanted to talk to me about guns and since we've moved and we now have livestock it seems to be assumed that we have guns but it's never a topic I bring up.

 

[oldcorps76]

I have been packing at Mass for 20 years, back then intermittently. Now, as St. Elmer would say in paraphrase, I might forget my britches before I forget my Ruger RXM/RMR in a Dale Fricke AIWB with body tuck attachment. A simple Lands End polo covers it all. Even in summer. And I am all of 5'7".

 

[tkelley3]

Several times I have read articles that claim Open Carry prevents crime. I'm calling BS on that. There is absolutely no way to statistically measure that false assumption. Moreover, we live a society where a significant number of people are terrified of guns and if they see a civilian wearing a handgun openly they assume he's a bad guy and will likely call the police. Please understand that a call to police for a "man with a gun". is a very hot call and you'll get attention like you cannot possibly imagine. If you are the kind of person whose ego needs to open carry then you should not be carrying. Period. "Because it's my right". is just a plain stupid statement. BTW, wearing open carry and going on the internet and buying a badge that resembles a police badge that says "Concealed Carry" will get you arrested in many jurisdictions so you can then have a one on one discussion with a judge. Open carry, though legal in many states, is just plain stupid!

I'd like to make a comment to expand on the range of what is Open Carry. I am waiting for it to become legal in my state and will and do carry for some personal reasons that are NON of Anyones business. BUT, I understand and can agree with you at the same time. I my Case I want to wear my holster on the outside of my belt, my Long T Shirt will cover it just fine. I don't plan on advertising I carry, but I hate wearing my belly belt and IW holsters. Open Carry should not be "Out in the Open - Walking around like you are on some TV show " It means in my case....not having to hide it so much.

 

[biku324]

It's legal in NM for those over 18 to ride their motorcycles without helmets or eye protection. I never do; it's about simple risk reduction.

 

[Doriangray6]

I go to the VA hospital several times a year and they have signs prohibiting firearms in the building, but have never herd of any restriction in a vehicle parked in the parking are. I wonder if the rules vary according to location?

Firearms and anything else that VA staff or security consider to be a weapon are forbidden on "all" VA property, including parking lots, lawns, etc., unless you have official authorization.
Even staff members aren't allowed to have knives with blades over a certain length in most facilities.
I once had a security person tell me that I couldn't have my Leatherman with me at one at a VA hospital in Colorado.

 

[walkin' trails]

So someone tell me exactly how many OCers have been killed or had their gun taken because of that.

I know myself of two neighbors who had their guns stolen because they left them in the car in their driveway with the keys also in it. There are probably hundreds if not thousands pilfered in that manner every year.

FWIW, YkuTube sometime features OC gun snatches captured by security cams in businesses and public areas. Don't know hats in TikTik, but wouldn't be surprised there's some of that content there too.