imported post
I was acting independently. There is nothing on the handout that said anything about MOC. Only a reference to OCDO.
Unless you can provide a cite prohibiting this activity, I will continue promoting OC in any capacity I see fit. As most people know, I am at GLX constantly dealing with the public. I hand out trifolds, and talk to people about OC. Its been very effective, and there is nothing wrong with writing down some reasons to OC, and giving them to interested people.
If I am working with MOC in an official capacity, then I will follow a protocol, providing that I am aware of it. If we wind up doing a seminar like this ons quarterly at Bass Pro, as was mensioned, I am interested in being a part of it. At that point, when and if I work in an official capacity with MOC, then we can discuss my activities further.
I did find this activity BTW.
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Open Carry
You can openly carry a firearm in Michigan.There are certain places that have been made off limits to firearms contradicory to both the United States, and the Michigan constitutions however, so you must be aware of these laws before you can exercise your rights.
You can find out the information you need at open carry .org and then click on the forums tab, scroll down to your state, and go from there.
There are many benifits to carrying openly as opposed to concealed carry. And if you have a CPL (concealed pistol license) you may carry openly in several of the pistol free zones which prohibit concealed carry with the license.
Open carry is a powerful deterrent to crime, far more than concealed carry, as the criminal or potensial criminal has no idea the presence of a concealed weapon. No one has ever been targeted because they were carrying openly. However, concealed pistol permit holders are attacked at exactly the same rate as everyone else.
Up until a few years ago, and still today in some areas, concealed carry is frowned upon as being shady, or associated with evil intensions. Criminals do not openly carry a holstered weapon. It goes against their nature to want to hide their intensions and actions. Law abiding citizens who choose to arm themselves have nothing to hide. Let us, and law enforcement officers carry our guns openly.
Open carry makes carrying a weapon for defense much simpler in the summer months where layers of clothing are impractical, and makes it easier acces to your weapon during the winter months.
People do not run away in terror at the sight of a holstered weapon, in fact, most people never notice. There is a small exception of people who are alarmed, but they are the exception to the rule.
Open carry allows you the ability to defend yourself without a CPL. Many people do not beleive in the idea of the need for a concealed pistol license for several reasons. They may be too young, (18-21), they may have certain misdemeanors on their records which have nothing to do with guns or violence. Some traffic infractions can prohibit a permit from being issued. Some CPL holders may have gotten suspended for inadvertantly carrying concealed in a prohibited place, they may be awaiting approval, or their license may have expired. And most importantly, many beleive they shouldnt have to ask the government for permission to use, and to pay for their constitutional and inalienable right to keep and bear arms.
Open carry is an advantage to our law enforcement officers as well. The officer can immediately distinguish between the law abiding, and the criminal, who will be concealing their weapons. The officer can observe the person and their actions in question, from a safe distance to determine if the person is a threat or if they are simply exercising their rights, and taking their own responsibility to protect themselves.
Open carry is at the forefront of the preservation of our second amendment civil rights. We dont protect the constitution because of an oath we swore, we do it out of self preservation, and the love of our country. We do not hide our rights in our pockets. Open carry is the easiest, best and cheapest way to promote these rights. And to show the public there is a difference between an armed criminal, and an armed citizen.