High Noon at Denny's

Seems like someone was asked to leave a Denny's restaurant because he was carrying a weapon on his hip lawfully in an open carry state. The Denny's manager cited a Denny's policy that open display of weapons by someone other than law enforcement was not allowed.

This kicked off a  lot of chatter on the internet concerning open carry of firearms. I live in an open carry state, and fully support the right of citizens to openly carry a firearm. I own firearms, and fully intend to use them in protection of self and family if required.

That said, I find open carry in an urban setting rather ostentatious and in your face. If one is truly concerned about one's safety, then pack heat with a concealed weapon permit. To protect our Constitutional 2nd Amendment rights to keep and bear arms it is not necessary to display a weapon on your hip anymore than it is required you grab a soapbox and exercise your 1st Amendment rights by speaking in a public park. The rights still exist whether exercised physically or not.

Open carry while hiking, camping, fishing or other rural or remote activities makes good sense. Making customers uneasy in your local eatery is just plain dumb.

JP