Open Streets event NO LONGER OPEN CARRY:)

[gunsmith]

Open Streets event NO LONGER OPEN CARRY:)

https://www.facebook.com/events/278960955581769/

After reading the comment section in the Strib I was a little conerned and intended to post a warning.
The comment section at City Pages isn't worth mentioning and is a sesspool of stupidity. But paging through the 200 posts on the Strib you sense a serious ugliness and I was thinking that something bad could be afoot. I wanted to bring it to the attention of the GOCRA types here....but in a refreshing development the organizers (? Shelly Leeson) has called off the 'OPEN CARRY' dimension of the event. She claims (see below) the media had whipped up a frenzy but I think the tone of the public's comments was really alarming.

Bottom Line: The event had the POTENTIAL for a set back of Right to Keep and Bear.

Bullet Dodged....so to speak

Sunday, June 23, 2013


1:00pm until 3:00pm
Lyndale & W. Lake St, SW corner
***NOTE: June 19, In light of the controversy that the media has whipped up over this peaceable, social meet up, and not wanting to risk the safety of any of you (based on comments I've seen from the antis), I'm recommending "no open carry." Let's meet up as planned, I've got "99% Law Abiding Gun Owner" buttons for everyone to wear that you can get from me when you show up.
I'm planning to bring a lawn chair and picnic lunch, and will try to set up on the sidelines to meet up near the location below. Hope to see you there.

Pro-active visibility for law abiding gun owners.

We're taking advantage of meeting up during this series of five "Open Streets" public events, but we're adding our own twist by encouraging "open carry" for pro-active, positive visibility of law abiding gun owners participating in normal social activity... Like normal people!
(NOTE: Be legal. You must have a valid permit-to-carry in order to legally carry a firearm on your person. Open carry is legal in MN with permit-to-carry, no requirement to conceal. Open carry not required, please join us no matter how you carry).

A TCGO greeter will always be at the locations specified below to meet you. We’ll hang out as a group or people can break off and walk, bike, shop, whatever!

SW Minneapolis
Sunday, June 23, 1—3 p.m.
Meet: Lyndale & W. Lake St., near SW Corner

NE Minneapolis
Sunday, July 28, 1—3 p.m.
Meet: Central Avenue NE & Lowry, near SW Corner

South Minneapolis
Sunday, August 11, 1—3 p.m.
Meet: Minnehaha Avenue & 46th St. E., near SW Corner

St. Paul
Sunday, Sept. 15, 1—3 p.m.
University Avenue & Lexington Pkwy, near SW Corner

North Minneapolis
Saturday, September 21, 1—3 p.m.
Lowry Avenue N., & Oliver Ave. N., near SW Corner
(also coincides with Harvest Fest)

NOTE: These OC meet ups coincide with the official “Open Streets” events. There will be many people present from the general public. Keep in mind that parking may be tight in some of these areas. The events span more time and area than we have listed at above, but we're specifying a time frame and location so we can gather as a group.

All law abiding gun owners, 2nd Amendment and liberty supporters welcome to join us for socializing. Open carry is not required.
*You must have a valid permit-to-carry recognized by the state of MN in order to carry a firearm on your person. Know the law!
We are not responsible for you. Know the law as it applies to you. Carrying rifles is discouraged. Visit MN Statute 624.714.

These are NOT "rallies" or "protests." It's simply friends and new friends meeting for social activity. Period.

Questions, including media inquiries: Email info@Minnesota2A.com

Twin Cities Gun Owners & Carry Forum | Minnesota2A.com | Facebook.com/TCGunsAndCarry

[Stylin750]

So were just gunna bow. When are we gunna stand up and demand respect and our rights. this is whhy we keep losing ground and they keep gaining it and traction.. the antis are nuts, but we shouldnt have to live in fear of them. its our rights and freedom. we need
to fight for it.

[bstrawse]

Chess, not checkers. Chess.

b

[Scratch]

That's a shame. I was hoping to see some good come from this.

[yukonjasper]

I look forward to reports from these events. Even if you reach everyone, I don't think you'll get through to everyone. I am hoping that common sense will prevail, but I'll pretty much guarantee you that there will be people OCing just to prove the point that our friend Stylin750 has made.

I hope it turns out OK, but there is definitely the potential for problems.

[Garret7857]

Well we could all conceal carry there and then the antigunners wont know who to yell at

but in all seriousness, it's a shame that it was canceled. I think we should stand up for our rights rather than back down because the overly flamboyant antigunners are uneducated in gun safety and the training needed to get a PtC....

[goett047]

Not sure if bowing out is the right or wrong call. ..

[Evad]

Not sure if bowing out is the right or wrong call. ..

If you read the comments...I would worry someone on the anti side would do something stupid and try to be a martyr. There was some crazy, crazy comments. I wouldn't go there armed or not knowing the mental state of some of the attendees.

[yukonjasper]

I think the issue becomes inserting yourself, armed, into a volitile situation. We should be able to rely on the Carry folks to remain in control, its the Anti's that will be in full provocation mode. The responsibility of retreating and avoiding situations that may result in conflict is the primary driver.

I'm not an OC guy, but I respect those who choose to do it and I do think the cause is worthy of some activism, but a better approach in a different setting would be best.

Sorry to say, but the Bully tactics that is common for the Sol Alinsky trained crowd was effective here.

I do think that it would be prudent for the GOCRA/OC folks to issue a statement that clearly outlines the position and the reasoning for not attending. I'd hate for it to be misconstrued and credit should be sought for avoiding conflict in the face of irrational threats and rhetoric. I think it would be a good opportunity to expose the childish tactics and to reinforce the mature, logical and reasoned attitudes of the law abiding gun owner.

[photogpat]

GOCRA is not affiliated with Twin Cities Gun Owners & Carry Forum...justa sayin'

[bjohnson]

Wow. Leave it to the media to spin something completely harmless into making it look like gun owners are planning a shooting spree. I saw this on Fox last night (I think it was Fox), and all they did was mention what the plan was, then moved on to talking about someones hair or something like that.

[CraigJS]

Too bad the media won't over sell the danger to the O C crowd like they did to the sheep.. Ironic,we carry and are afraid of the non carriers. But a smart fighter chooses to fight under his/her terms, not his opponents. (when possible)

[xd ED]

Not sure if bowing out is the right or wrong call. ..

If you read the comments...I would worry someone on the anti side would do something stupid and try to be a martyr. There was some crazy, crazy comments. I wouldn't go there armed or not knowing the mental state of some of the attendees.

I think you're correct on the potential for provocative behavior.

Reading the phobic and hysterical comments, I am somewhat reminded of those who sought to set examples when MN changed the pedestrian crosswalk laws. Just as there were those who pushed their kid's stroller out into the crosswalk to make cars stop, there will be some similar maroon out to create an object lesson as to how bad, scary and dangerous are armed citizens. And no doubt that noble end will justify any imaginable means...
And while one cannot hold the strib... 'newspaper' responsible for the acts of fools, they are certainly stirring the pot with their rhetoric

[DoxaPar]

I think the issue becomes inserting yourself, armed, into a volitile situation. We should be able to rely on the Carry folks to remain in control, its the Anti's that will be in full provocation mode. The responsibility of retreating and avoiding situations that may result in conflict is the primary driver.

I'm not an OC guy, but I respect those who choose to do it and I do think the cause is worthy of some activism, but a better approach in a different setting would be best.

Sorry to say, but the Bully tactics that is common for the Sol Alinsky trained crowd was effective here.

I do think that it would be prudent for the GOCRA/OC folks to issue a statement that clearly outlines the position and the reasoning for not attending. I'd hate for it to be misconstrued and credit should be sought for avoiding conflict in the face of irrational threats and rhetoric. I think it would be a good opportunity to expose the childish tactics and to reinforce the mature, logical and reasoned attitudes of the law abiding gun owner.

Man. This for sure.

If some idiot does do something stupid it isn't gonna be his fault. It would be the fault of the guy who brought the gun.

When calculating the risk / reward here the risk is simply too high if folks on the anti side are already showing up hot-headed.

[igofast]

It's been said before, but there's a time and a place.

Even though we didn't have any harmful gun legislation passed this year, remember that we still have a Democratically controlled House, Senate, and Governor. And I might add that they are chomping at the bit to do something anti-gun since being shut down on so many fronts.

Open Carry absolutely gets attention, and may create action, but make sure that it's a positive action instead of a negative one.

California used to have Constitutional open carry - actually not all that long ago, but a small group of activists tried pushing their agenda by mass carrying in places such as downtown San Francisco(strongly left leaning - in case you didn't know). Their desired outcome was the same as many here have stated, "We need to get it so that people become used to it", "It's my right", etc, etc. Guess what? They got the attention of the wrong people and now no-one can open carry in addition to setting back "shall issue" concealed carry way back.