Yep, target is asking people in open carry states to leave their guns at home. Now if one were a thug wanting to rob a store, I can imagine target would be their "target," as there's no guns there. Another place I won't be patronizing any time soon. http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/target-asks-customers-leave-firearms-home-24396275
I think I'm on all sides of this issue. I don't have any illusions about Target. They are clearly no friend of conservatives on a lot of issues, not just this one. I understand that open carry is legal in many states, and I'm not saying anyone doing it is a threat or crazy. I also believe it is important at times to exercise our rights so that the police and others in authority are aware that we intend to guard them zealously. All that said, why open carry at a department store? Or a restaurant. It's legal to go into Target wearing a bikini, but I don't think that's a good idea either.
Florida is a concealed-only carry state, and I do think that's smart. I lived in an open carry state, and there have been problems with it via guys wanting to start trouble with the "bad ass" carrying openly. As for bikinis, I see those all the time in gas stations here. I love it, but can see where it's not a great thing with little kids around, etc., Saw one in a thong recently, and was nice on my eyes, but didn't care for it as my Son saw her, and yes, I can only imagine his thoughts.
I went to Target yesterday just to walk around (I was at the mall and had some time to kill). I had my Walther on my hip. Concealed, granted, but I didn't care.
I asked my pistol class instructor last weekend about Target's policy... "You don't have to comply with their policy. Just keep your carry concealed. However, if they are searching patrons... either a hand-pat or electronic wand and then tell you to leave your gun outside, it's a felony to enter the store with your weapon". Of course, that's just Colorado... likely different in other states. Colorado is "open carry".
In Colorado towns in the mountains and on the western slope (where this is lots of hunting and fishing), seems normal to see guys in a local restaurant with a gun on their hip. Hardly ever see that in the big city, but seems creepy when I do. Seems like somebody is just asking for trouble.
Virginia is open carry, but any business (its private property, after all) can ban you from carrying, concealed or open. They just have to post a sign. I think the idiots that open carry all the time, everywhere, are just going to ruin it for the rest of us. If you feel the need to carry a weapon, get a CCL and be discreet.
What's up with Scat common sense with no crazy. I think maybe most of you guys with a few exceptions may be close to normal in person.
I agree. That part of CO sure has some scary mountain lions, bears, etc., and I can imagine if I were fishing a stream, I'd have a gun on my side. In a restaurant, I'd rather either leave the gun in the car, or preferably carry it in, pull my shirt over it. I'm not a fan of open carry, but absolutely believe someone fishing, hunting, hiking, etc., should be able to open carry. Where I don't necessarily agree with it, would be restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, etc., I don't shop at Target due to their libtard stances, and I don't agree with their "coming out" to pander to the libtards with this publicity stunt. If they felt so strongly about the open carry, all they needed to do is put a sign on the door prohibiting it.
I'm a believer in the element of surprise. When I wore a badge, I always told people, "if someone thinks they'll do serious harm to you, I can assure you they'll wonder about that decision if all of a sudden you've surprised them with a 2" .357 magnum."