The other day I ran into Walmart for milk and stuff to make waffles. The guy in front of me wearing a gun on his hip. Uh oh, all the gun folks are about to stop reading because they think this is a post about gun rights. HAHA, jokes on you! This is not that kind of post. Nope, not at all.
Listen gun people, we disagree about the right to carry a firearm in public, but I acknowledge that the law says this person can carry a gun and the purpose of this post is not to change anyone’s mind about guns. No, this post is about perception.
This guy looked like a lunatic. Not because he had a gun on him, but because of his behavior. His eyes were completely bloodshot, he was disheveled, and he was practically sprinting through the store. All the shoppers were steering clear of this guy. Again, not because of the pistol, but because he looked crazy. He bolted past a bunch of old people and then jogged down the energy drink aisle. He grabbed like eight energy drinks, and went to check out. Totally normal behavior. There may be a perfectly innocent explanation. Off-duty cop, who just pulled a long shift without sleep, and needs to stay awake. But this guy did not look like a cop.
But there is the problem. This guy probably thinks he is reassuring the fine patrons of Walmart by carrying his piece around the store. Just in case something happens, he can protect everyone. Unfortunately, looking like that? People assume he is going to be the problem. Think about it for a second, if there is an active shooter, and this hero draws his 9mm (I cannot tell if it is a 9mm, any gun experts want to help me out?), and manages to take down the baddie, what happens when the cops rush in? They see him with wild-looking eyes and a gun, they start shooting at him.
I guess my point here is that if you choose to exercise your right to open carry, then you should probably think about how other people will perceive you. I will give the guy credit for matching his boots and gun, but no belt??? Come on man! If you have belt loops, then you need a belt.
