empty holster protest

[Erik88]

I wanted to get some opinions on the planned open holster protest going on this week at colleges across the US. Students for Concealed Carry on Campus - ConcealedCampus.com

Members of Students for concealed carry on campus(SCCC) are going to be wearing empty holsters on campus all week in protest of the Gun Free Zones.

I want to participate tomorrow at UTK but I'm wondering what trouble, if any, I could face. I feel like its a good cause but I really try to keep a low profile while on campus. opinions please.

[Guest faust921]

What'd we want! HANDGUNS! When do we want em! Now! - Ah to be a student.

Put a little bunch of strips of paper with a blog URL and hand them out at the student union/bookstore ect. (put em in your holster) Make it "position free" or kinda off topic like "campusrapeprevention" or something like that, so the person goes back to their dorm and looks it up when they are alone and when they are more open to ideas.

Use the campus security stats for assaults, rapes, ect. Ask a question? Do you feel safe on campus coming home late from the library? Do you ever have to walk home alone? Ask for opinions or ask a question. "I'd like your opinion on campus safety, here's a blog address, thanks for your support/time." Put a poll in your blog. Use the stats to write to the student newspaper. Make an appeal on the behalf of working students who keep late hours near campus, females, find a little something for everybody, then you'll look like a guy who cares about students and not a gun nut, which is the color with which the other side wants to paint you. Use the liberal tactic of picking out an example to personalize the argument, make it a female that was attacked ect, use an emotional appeal. Don't get into constitutional law or rights, too obtuse, particularly for women. Use the liberal tactic of loading the questions - "Could the VT shooter been stopped by a faculty member or other student with a defensive weapon" Use "defensive weapon" not handgun or firearm, as these word have negative associations with most of your audience and you should take the initiative in shaping the argument. Have fun.

Edited April 5, 2010 by faust921

[Erik88]

thanks but not the answer i was looking for...would you like a re-do?

[Guest oldsmobile98]

If you wear an OWB holster, you might get some looks. And maybe some questions. But that's the whole purpose, right? Just explain our position calmly and be friendly. Then again, you might get no response from anyone.

Don't carry anything in the holster. Act normally. You aren't doing anything criminal, so don't act like it. You're simply a free American citizen exercising his free speech, fighting for his rights, and going about his business.

I wouldn't expect to gain the interest of some UTPD folks, but be aware that it could happen. If this happens, stay cool, keep your eyes and ears open, and be polite but firm.

I'd wear mine here at Vanderbilt, but it's back in East TN. I've worn it before here, but it's an IWB, so probably no one even noticed. If they did, they didn't say anything.

[Erik88]

thanks but not the answer i was looking for...would you like a re-do?

ignore this faust. for some reason only part of your message showed up last night. thanks for the help.

[Volzfan]

I'd wear mine here at Vanderbilt, but it's back in East TN.

Want to borrow one?

[Guest jackdm3]

Ya'll remember that dude that tried to start that movement and he was kicked off campus? I'm also reminded of that elementary student that was kicked out for drawing a PICTURE of a gun!

[Guest tnpanscraper]

I wear an empty holster every day at work...lol....

[dats82]

Go for it man. The cops that I had dealings with at UT were pretty cool. I do not think you would "get in trouble." You might get hassled from the more liberal students, but I do not think anything will come from officials. Just make sure you have nothing on you or in your vehicle that would be problematic. You might want to take a quick glance at the student handbook to make sure everything clears there. Where I go to school now, we are not even supposed to have a pocket knife, so make sure you will not encounter problems like that.

[Guest Halfpint]

My professors at U of M were pretty cool, most knew that I work at a gun shop. Only one or two really had anything negative to say about it.

I never did the on-campus protest, but I did write a few letters to the editor of the campus newspaper. I just never wanted the additional attention that a protest on such an openly-liberal campus would have drawn me.

You've got to pick your battles.

Edited April 5, 2010 by Halfpint
ETA Closer

[ftncityfatboy]

I ask a LEO the question about wearing an empty holster in a gun free zone and the reply was expect some s**t from the sheeple but there's nothing against the law there. You might call Mike Hamilton and ask his opinion about that. Oh wait, he has made his stance quite clear.....that's right, he's head of the idiot squad I forgot. Wear your holster proud and stay calm/collected.

[Guest archerdr1]

I wear an empty holster every day at work...lol....

glad I'm not the only one!