It never fails. Just when I think human beings cannot possibly act any more stupidly, they go and do exactly that; and the epitome of stupidity is being demonstrated by a group of morons who are proponents of a movement called “open-carry” (No, that isn’t a typo. According to the article in The Advocate, my newspaper of choice, the title of the movement is not capitalized, which probably says something about the level of grammar skills among its supporters). 

“Okay,” you say, “but get to the point. What are these morons supporting?”

Well, according to the article, which is by Nicholas Riccardi of the Los Angeles Times, these morons “are part of a fledgling movement to make a firearm as common an accessory as an iPod” (p. 10A). Of course, and you may not know this, but as I learned from Riccardi’s article, it isn’t illegal to carry a gun in plain sight, although one must obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon. In fact, in most states there is no law against strolling down the street or doing anything else one is inclined to do and doing so while fully armed (Advocate, 2008, p. 10A). On the other hand, the laws vary from state to state; but, regardless of the state, individuals and businesses have the right “to prohibit weapons from their property and firearms are often banned in government buildings like courthouses” (Advocate, 2008, p. 10A).

The legality of the issue aside, however, it still boggles my mind that this movement is growing in popularity and has “attracted grandparents, graduate students, and life-long gun enthusiasts” and now claims “over 4,000 members nationwide” (Advocate, 2008, p. 10A).

Among those members are the likes of Kevin and Clachelle Jensen of Provo, Utah, a state that does not prohibit anyone from carrying a gun in public, although that gun must be “two steps from firing,” which means it “may have a loaded clip but must be uncocked, with no bullets in the chamber” (Advocate, 2008, p. 10A).

Apparently, however, Jensen has been carrying a Glock 23 on his person for years, albeit concealed in a shoulder holster underneath his clothes, which, according to Jensen, was uncomfortable in hot weather, made him feel like a criminal for hiding the gun, and also made the firearm difficult to retrieve if he ever encountered a situation where he might need it (Advocate, 2008, p. 10A). As Jensen related, “If its in my pants or under my shirt, I’m probably not going to do anything with it” (Advocate, 2008, p. 10A).

Of course, reading the above account, I had to wonder just what Jensen meant by doing something with his gun, but the article then clarified the matter for me by relating that Jensen also said, “I’m not going to hide in the corner of a school or mall and wait for the shooting to stop” (Advocate, 2008, p. 10A). So I guess this means that along with the “criminals” who are firing their guns, Jensen will be right there in the midst of the turmoil firing his gun as well. I just hope he’ll be able to tell the “bad guys” from the “good guys,” especially if the movement keeps growing and everyone in that school or mall is carrying a weapon and decides to open fire as well. 

Oh, but wait, it gets better. Now, thanks to this open-carry movement, Jensen and his wife proudly wear their weapons into banks, restaurants, and shopping centers; and they also “drop off their 5-year-old daughter at elementary school with pistols dangling from their hip holsters” (Advocate, 2008, p. 10A). Plus, get this; their daughter (Sierra) has her very own gun (Advocate, 2008, p. 10A). Yep, that’s right. Sierra has “a child-sized .22 rifle;” and I don’t know about you, but although, as Riccardi relates, the kid is only permitted to handle the rifle in her parents’ presence, I find the mere thought of a child that young not only owning a gun but, worse, handling a gun more than a little disconcerting. In fact, the thought is downright scary. It also goes to prove just how stupid some people can be.

Riccardi, N. “Some Opt to Openly Carry Weapons.” Los Angeles Times; The Advocate; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Sunday, June 08, 2008; p. 10A.