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.
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.
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.
The one time I managed to get a license plate, the police claimed that without witnesses, they couldn’t do anything. ACAB.
It sucks but unless he hurt you, hit your bike, or you have any sort of footage what is the police suppose to do? Show up, he denies everything and that’s it.
If they could charge him on your claims alone, think about the scary consequences of such a “legal” system.
what is the police suppose to do?
Start a paper trail. If multiple unconnected bikers report them or they are involved in an accident later it is prior evidence of reckless driving.
Even if he denies it when police show up to ask questions it might scare him enough to stop doing it.
In most jurisdictions, a note could be put on the driving record. If a pattern on aggressive driving were to be established, a prosecutorial or civil suit effort would have an easier time of litigating against that driver.
In my case, yes, there was paint damage from my bike, which would be evidence.
Edit to add: this was a bit before camera phones.
By this measure, justice was impossible to achieve before the invention of the cell phone video camera.
Yes, you do need some kind of evidence if you don’t have a witness. And I mentioned other kinds of evidence than video footage.
How ironic would it be if this guy was killed in a knife fight.
Ok this made me chuckle out loud… thanks for that.
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.
The most fantastic thing about the Joker is that Gotham police haven’t just drilled his ass with six dozen rounds to the funny bone during an arrest.
Hell, this guy runs around with not one but two hyenas on the regular, and even they don’t get shot.
Bold move, given the propensity for guys like this to fly off the handle in a Gay Panic of Self Defense.
I’ve found the 2nd Amendnent Remedy is mostly about remedying use of the 1st.
