Quote of the Day

5 Comments

The recent controversy over open carry reminds me of one of my favorite Barry Goldwater quotes.

I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!

As I said over at Linoge’s, open carry will never be normal unless we actually practice it. We can’t normalize carry as long as we’re hiding our sidearms under our jackets. Sure, we’re winning the fight to get shall-issue or constitutional carry all over the US, but to the general public carrying guns will never be normal until they see regular people carrying guns. We can organize letter and phone campaigns to sway politicians, but we can’t do the same with our neighbors. The only way to change their minds and open up the debate is to wear our sidearms on our sleeves, so to speak. If you don’t want the crazy libertarian types to represent you, as a gun owner, get out there and represent yourself.

5 Responses to “Quote of the Day”

  1. hellinahandbasket.net » Blog Archive » Cogent Argument Says:

    [...] Eseel articulates the best position I have ever heard in favor of open carry. [...]

  2. James R. Rummel Says:

    Good post.

  3. Linoge Says:

    Heh, amusingly, though, I do believe that there are limits on what we should and should not do. For instance, the tactics of the Threepers are not something I agree with. Lawfully, politely, and reasonably carrying a firearm in a way that demonstrates that normal people actually do so? That, I can get onboard with :) .

  4. Eseell Says:

    Certainly, Linoge, but I don’t think that Goldwater would have been a Threeper either.

  5. Linoge Says:

    That is certainly my contention, but do not tell them that ;) .

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