this post was submitted on 20 May 2024

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Right to Flex Arms (lemmy.sdf.org)

submitted 5 months ago by JennieBreeden@lemmy.sdf.org to c/comicstrips@lemmy.world

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[–] scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech 118 points 5 months ago (6 children)

Open carriers show off two major things, and neither one of them are "tough guy".

First is fragile masculinity, they are worried that they aren't seen as "manly" enough, so they have to show off to everyone that they are totally manly. It's like women wearing that new handbag out and about, they want others to notice it.

Second is pure fear, fear that at any time any moment something is going to happen, and the only way they feel safe is by carrying a lethal weapon with them at all times. You know, rather than dealing with what is causing the fear in the first place.

So, we have a terrified person carrying a lethal weapon who is worried about what everyone around them think. To me, that's the more worrying person in a room.

[–] JayleneSlide@lemmy.world 74 points 5 months ago (11 children)

Fear indeed. I went to college in a very... provincial small city. Riding my bicycle around, I was regularly harassed by insecure assholes in pickup trucks, and run off the road twice. The one time I managed to get a license plate, the police claimed that without witnesses, they couldn't do anything. ACAB.

I added my 1911 to the strap of my messenger bag, at the top of my left shoulder, where the stainless frame would be plainly visible. I was suddenly given plenty of space on the road and even got occasional compliments when waiting at stoplights. It's disgusting that I would be a target for bullying without my pistol, but suddenly I was an okay guy with my penis extension where douchebag drivers could see it.

So yeah, I'm living proof that non-military open carry is only for scaredy cats.

[–] sunbytes@lemmy.world 7 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I wonder if 3d printing a fake handle to stick out is worth the trouble.

Being licensed anyway would be good if you were stopped, but it would weigh less and you wouldn't risk losing it.

Presume there's laws about leaving it unsupervised etc while out the house.

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[–] moshtradamus666@lemmy.world 21 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Loved the comparison to an expensive handbag. These people just want to look fierce and make other people feel in danger.

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[–] abigscaryhobo@lemmy.world 17 points 5 months ago (2 children)

I have a friend who open carries everywhere as well. We do not live in a dangerous area at all and he carries this thing to the grocery store.

I call it his "big boy gun" because it makes him feel like he's a big boy now, like a kid who wears his "big boy" pants with no diapers.

[–] fpslem@lemmy.world 8 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I call it his “big boy gun”

Good! And I hope you never let him hear the end of it. What a poser.

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[–] FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 79 points 5 months ago (3 children)

Remember folks, if your firearm is worth more than you are; showing it is like flashing your wallet.

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[–] IzzyScissor@lemmy.world 47 points 5 months ago

"Thank god you're here, man openly carrying! I feel so much safer around you!"

"Heh. Yeah, I'm sure. People respect me when I'm carrying."

"Oh, no, I don't mean it like that. I mean that if an actual gunman starts shooting, you're a much higher priority target, giving me enough time to run away. Thank you for painting a target on yourself for us!"

[–] MeDuViNoX@sh.itjust.works 34 points 5 months ago (5 children)

[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip 24 points 5 months ago (3 children)

I really hope this was at a competition. If this guy dresses up like this just to go out, he's got to have a horrible personality.

[–] MajinBlayze@lemmy.world 15 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Who needs a personality when you've got guns

[–] thorbot@lemmy.world 6 points 5 months ago

GUN is definitely my favorite flavor of Powerthirst

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[–] billwashere@lemmy.world 13 points 5 months ago (1 children)

How ironic would it be if this guy was killed in a knife fight.

[–] MeDuViNoX@sh.itjust.works 30 points 5 months ago (2 children)

[–] billwashere@lemmy.world 8 points 5 months ago

Ok this made me chuckle out loud... thanks for that.

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[–] AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world 8 points 5 months ago

What happened to his SCAR-L? Did he forget it in the bathroom?

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[–] Sanctus@lemmy.world 34 points 5 months ago

Yeah you definitely get a daily carry that's under 600 bucks. Even that's a lot. You get your nice gun in that evidence locker and you aren't ever getting it back.

[–] TheReturnOfPEB@reddthat.com 18 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (4 children)

We need more public pole arms and coinbags made of worn leather sashed onto one's great belt.

More ninja outfits. More people dressed up like Joker. I want peak Joker.

[–] Mnemnosyne@sh.itjust.works 10 points 5 months ago (1 children)

One of the things that really angers me about supposed second amendment supporters is their quiet acceptance of laws infringing on my right to bear any arm that is not a gun. In most states where it is legal to carry guns around, there are way more restrictions on carrying things like knives, swords, polearms, etc.

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[–] Tudsamfa@lemmy.world 15 points 5 months ago (3 children)

All I'm reading here is "How dare people do something I disagree with in public?".

To be fair, I'm no US American, so I wouldn't know if open carrying itself is a problem, instead of just being a political statement.

[–] SomeAmateur@sh.itjust.works 24 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

It's not really an actual problem more than it is a fashion statement, which is against the ideals of people trying to use it as a legitimate self defense tool if all else fails.

Most people want to live a normal life. Go to places with family and friends etc. Having a gun is a personal choice, and those that choose to carry usually feel that if they have the capability to carry legally and safely to do so just in case no other help can get to you in time. Similar to wearing a seatbelt without expecting an accident to occur. And if it's not for you it's okay we understand.

Open carry has a place. On police officers, in wilderness areas where predators are common, and on range days. But at a restaurant or store is NOT one of those places you should open carry even if you can legally.

It brings all the attention to you and your gun and usually gives off a negative first impression. Any "bad guy" will simply target you first and by surprise. Or take your gun's value as a sign of how much expendable income you have. And it brings about unwanted interactions as seen in the comic, but if you are open carrying maybe you are probably looking for that reaction and in that case it's not purely self defense it's attention seeking.

I carry a concealed gun when I can, I respect responsible gun owners but open carry people are not responsible in my eyes. They make us all look bad imo.

[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip 11 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (4 children)

You're also leaving out that some people feel uncomfortable around firearms. Always forgetting about empathy. I could walk around with clothing that makes people feel uncomfortable, but I don't because that would be inconsiderate of me.

Also, just FYI, even CC doesn't really help you. It puts you more at risk in most cases, and it's often especially bad when dealing with cops. Of course that depends a lot on where you are and what you look like though. Some cops might show you respect for CCing, rather than the typical fear and panic. If you need to use it, a "good guy with a gun" looks exactly the same as the bad guy.

[–] SomeAmateur@sh.itjust.works 9 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Yeah it goes without saying that a gun being displayed out in the open by an unknown person is going to make people uncomfortable, and nobody will want to talk to them.

I've talked with my local cops when I was a firefighter. They are okay with concealed carry and understand it's a increasingly common thing. They told me to be sure my weapon was holstered or dropped as soon as it isn't needed anymore and wait for them to arrive.

Long response times in my area is the biggest thing for me. That's not just a factor for guns but also for the medical stuff and fire extinguisher I have in my car because fire/ems is the same way.

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[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 17 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Have you ever heard of the expression "When you have a hammer, every problem looks like a nail"?

[–] Tudsamfa@lemmy.world 7 points 5 months ago (2 children)

If that is what this comic is about, then why specifically single out open carrying?

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[–] Peppycito@sh.itjust.works 11 points 5 months ago (2 children)

I appreciate the art in this strip, it's well drawn, the flow is nice, I like the heavy contrast which complements the tone of the message.

It's just, I prefer comics to be funny.

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[–] SomeAmateur@sh.itjust.works 6 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (10 children)

I carry a gun. Inside my waistband and under a shirt like a fucking adult. Open carrying out in the wilderness, for work or on a range is understandable.

Randos carrying in public is pure cringe and is super counterproductive to the goal of practical responsible gun ownership as I see it.

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