A question for this group--

[tortoise1956]

23. Hey, welcome to your own opinion!

I appreciate that you are wiling to discuss it rationally - that is not often present in the dustups that occur here.

Let me point out a couple of things:
1. I'm not very impressed by those who practice in-your-face open carry weapons. That, more often than not, pushes the average person on the street away from embracing the second amendment.
2. If it were up to me, you wouldn't be able to purchase a weapon until you showed proof of completion of a gun safety course. My dad made me take the NRA gun- and hunter-safety courses when I was 8 years old before I was able to even touch a rifle, and I believe that helped instill in me a respect for firearms that persists to this day, 53 years later.
3. I see no reason to allow unrestricted open or concealed carry. Frankly, I don't care at all for open carry, and concealed carry should require, once again, completion of an extensive safety course as well as a practical demonstration of your ability to operate firearms.
4. I would push for national Concealed Carry, with all 50 states having to meet the same federal minimum standards - no way do I want anyone from a state that issues a CC license to someone just because their body is warmer than room temperature, to be able to CC in my town...

I would like to add that the mere fact that the United States exist is due to the colonists rising up when the Crown tried to disarm them in an attempt to quell unrest caused by excess taxation and the refusal to recognize the rights they were entitled to as English subjects. They recognized that without the right to keep and bear arms, the other rights of the people are indefensible. After all, if the British had successfully disarmed the colonies, we wouldn't be arguing about this. (We probably wouldn't be arguing at all, but calmly discussing it over tea and crumpets...LOL!)

And with that, I'll leave you alone. Thanks for the rational presentation of your point of view, and the willingness to at least listen to me and others when we respond.