would you freak out if you were shopping and saw a man with an AR15?

[AstroManLuca]

If someone's crazy enough to bring a rifle into a public place then who knows if they're crazy enough to use it. I know they probably won't but I'd prefer to be on the safe side. Fucking nutjobs.

 

[maddogchen]

I would pull out my AK and go "whats up, bitch...."

Oh wait, I live in California...

 

[Mixolydian]

I'd be a little concerned, but I certainly wouldn't "freak out" about it.

 

[_Rick_]

I'd go back to my truck, and sling my replica Panzerfaust over my shoulder.
At least there you see the warhead poking out, and everybody knows, that they shouldn't mess with you, cause that baby's loaded.

And them black government SUV's back right off, when I point that symbol of personal freedom at 'em.



On another note: What would you do, if you saw someone with explosives strapped to their chests going shopping? Sure, it's not the classical 2nd amendment side-arm, but it's just another way of expressing the second amendment notion! It's a perfectly safe object too!


...yet anyone trying that stunt would be riddled with bullets, the moment anyone noticed anything. Bizarre how some weapons are "scarier" than others...
(worse: the two examples I gave are completely pointless in many situations, where an AR would be much more...effective)

 

[Turin39789]

I'd draw my pistol.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

The only problem here is that not everyone is carrying and laughing at the one guy who isn't.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

At different camps in Afghanistan you had to ask what the weapon status was at the new place.

Green: No magazine; selector on safe
Yellow: Magazine in well, no round chambered; selector on safe
Red: Magazine in well with a round chambered; selector on safe

I carried an M4 with CCO and about 60 rounds of ammo routinely. Sometimes I would walk out our gates in downtown Kabul to do something without a helmet or armor. All the Aghan police and security carried AK-47s. It was pretty normal to walk through the Bazaar with most of the customers armed. The thing is if anyone actually pointed their weapon like they were going to fire it, it'd be unusual enough to draw everyone's attention to them. When a weapon is slung, at the low ready or in a holster it's really just luggage.

I wonder why people might react differently to seeing a weapon in the suburbs in middle America than in a war-torn country in the Middle East....

 

[Atomic Playboy]

A gun is simply an object or tool. Some people hunt, some target shoot, plink, compete, carry, collect, build, etc. I was raised not to be afraid of objects.

An axe is simply an object or tool. That doesn't mean I should bring it grocery shopping. There's a time and place that makes sense for that tool, and strapping it to your back while you're shopping isn't it. It's the same thing with an AR-15. It's not an ideal weapon for self-defense if you have to unsling it and load it, it's going to draw unnecessary attention, and it's absolutely useless for the activity of shopping. The fact that he entered the store, then felt compelled to return to his car and load himself up with a rifle would make me think, "Jesus, this guy is about to shoot the place up," not "look at that well-adjusted man determining that this was an excellent opportunity to proudly display his Constitutional rights."

I'm pro-gun. I'm also anti-idiot. There's no reason to bring your AR-15 shopping; that is acting like an idiot. If you want a gun for self-defense, great, get a handgun and a CCW permit (or just open carry the thing). The AR-15 is ludicrous for that purpose.

 

[Soundmanred]

Not afraid of the gun in the least.
I'm afraid of the wacko who thought, "hey, this is a good idea".

 

[DrunkenSano]

It's pretty funny how bad the media and crappy politicians have so many Americans scared and paranoid.

 

[jpeyton]

I wonder why people might react differently to seeing a weapon in the suburbs in middle America than in a war-torn country in the Middle East....

Afghanistan isn't really in the Middle East, but close enough for your purposes. But to answer your question, "why people react differently", you need to ask people who's holding their leash.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Not pointed at me, I might be curious and ask what range(s) he likes to go to. I only shoot a pistol, and the ranges I go to are the ones close to home, which are indoor "pistol only" type ranges. Would be fun to go to a big outdoor range and rent or borrow a bigger rifle to try it out. Otherwise I've gone to friends property in rural areas and fired 22s, but, that's not the same as an AR15.

Pointed at me, I would whistle Dixie.

 

[rivan]

If you carry around a weapon designed to kill as many people as possible in as short a time as possible, then I expect you are planning to use it. Why otherwise carry it around, except to be a dick about it.
And yeah, a dick with an assault rifle would also motivate me to leave the area.

Much like I'm not feeling much safer, because soldiers with FAMAS AR's are patrolling around Paris' crowded spots. The risk-reward equation for that only appears balanced at best. At least when it's a soldier, I know that he has trained on that rifle. With some civilian, who knows if they know how to operate their deadly toy, and whether they are prepared for someone else to stab them in the back, and grab their loaded gun.

An AR introduces unnecessary volatility into the environment. Also, if you feel the need to carry that, you probably aren't psychologically stable.

Now, Rick, there are some things you should know. Well-thought out, logical answers like this have no place on the internet.

Take a break, think about what you've done and come back when you learn how to properly ramble meaningless garbage.

 

[marmasatt]

A gun is simply an object or tool. Some people hunt, some target shoot, plink, compete, carry, collect, build, etc. I was raised not to be afraid of objects.

You are an idiot if you think this guy is displaying good common sense. At the very least, he's ball-busting. And that's at the very least. I honestly can't tell if you are kind of playing devil's advocate or you truly believe this is "ok" behavior for a rational guy. You are in the minority if you think in this day and age in a civilized society this is ok. No one's saying you can't go hunting, or go to the range, or bring it to your buddy's farm and blow up old cars on his 50 acre estate. Bringing an AR15 into a store is not decent nor civilized behavior. I too, would have to say I am "anti-idiot" not anti-gun...

 

[videogames101]

I've seen open carry before, it's no big deal.

Move to a real state.

/straight outta the 603

 

[jpeyton]

You are an idiot if you think this guy is displaying good common sense.

I never said that it's good common sense. In fact, I think if you're carrying a firearm on you, concealment is the best strategic option.

I'm just stunned at how afraid people are of a rifle slung across the back. As someone mentioned earlier, it's luggage. Calm the eff down.

On a side note, open carry might be a great Black Friday strategy. Get those crowds of brainwashed consumers running for the exit. They're busy dialing 911, I'm busy checking out with my $200 big screen before the police arrive

 

[Red Squirrel]

I would try to get out as quickly but as casually as possible. It might be someone who means no harm, but he might also be a murderer scouting to see where is the best location to start shooting from or looking for a bigger crowd to shoot at.

I'd also call 911 as soon as I can be in a safe position to do so, such as in my car away from the store. Though my train of thought would be that a store clerk already called so I'd maybe skip that part. But guess it's better to be safe and call.

There was a guy walking downtown with a gun once, I don't recall what kind, guessing a shot gun or other type of gun that's legal for hunting. They evacuated/locked down that whole section of down town until they could confront the person. I can't remember what the story was but he meant no harm. Most likely got charged for some kind of rule about carrying a visible gun. There's only certain situations where you are allowed to have a gun on you, such as if you are heading straight to the shooting range, hunting, etc.

 

[marmasatt]

I never said that it's good common sense....

Ok, then you are not an idiot, as I thought you were. Sorry. :whiste:

 

[yuchai]

I never said that it's good common sense. In fact, I think if you're carrying a firearm on you, concealment is the best strategic option.

I'm just stunned at how afraid people are of a rifle slung across the back. As someone mentioned earlier, it's luggage. Calm the eff down.

On a side note, open carry might be a great Black Friday strategy. Get those crowds of brainwashed consumers running for the exit. They're busy dialing 911, I'm busy checking out with my $200 big screen before the police arrive

It could be luggage, or it could be a deadly weapon. It all depends on the person, and you know nothing about the person except that he seems to be displaying irrational and unusual behavior. Good for you if you have 100% trust in any random stranger on the street, but don't go around saying that anyone who is cautious in this situation is paranoid and brainwashed by the media. That's simply not true.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

It amazes me how none of you seem to grasp the concept of political statement.

 

[edro]

Another vote for: Stay away because he is an idiot.

I have heard that most areas have laws against inciting panic.
Even if open carry is legal, you might still get charged if Betty panics.

 

[OCNewbie]

None of the poll responses fit what I would do

 

[BoomerD]

It MIGHT be legal in some states, but in light of some of the recent events, I'd simply walk away from whatever shopping I was doing and leave the store.

In places like Switzerland and Israel where the local militia members often walk around armed...that's MUCH different...and IF I lived there, I'd probably be less concerned.

 

[Engineer]

Attention whoring douche bag.

Did more harm than good......

and I'm glad that Kroger banned the stupid dick.

 

[mmntech]

I would run like hell because the only people here with AR15s are the ones robbing the place.