Shoot me first vests, a discovery!

[Combat Controller]

So.... I just spent a tad more than a month traveling around Europe, mostly France, Italy and England this time. I have noticed that in all three countries, especially Italy, shoot me first vests and "tactical" pants are everywhere. Guys working in cafes, construction workers, street vendors, etc. I actually took dozens of pictures but I think one of my sisters (who met up with me for a section along with my parents) snagged that memory stick. So, hopefully photos to come later, but FYI Europe is a concealed carry paradise. As long as you don't wear a ball cap you will actually fit right in.

[Jericho941]

That's why I take that sort of hand-wringing over "shoot me first vests/pants/etc" with a grain of salt. Especially when it's coming from people who sell bumper stickers that say "I'M A SHEEPDOG!"

[PawPaw]

Most people are so clueless that open carry isn't noticed, much less concealed carry. People get into their own little comfort zone and don't even look at the folks around them. Oh, they see them as obstacles to get around in the grocery aisle, but they aren't looking.

This morning I was going to the gunsmith and had to park two or three doors down. I carried two bolt rifles, one slung over my shoulder, one carried at port arms, and passed a couple of people who never even saw me. Of course, with a gunsmith and two gun dealers in that block, they may have considered it appropriate to be carrying rifles down Main street. Then again, I live in a very gun-friendly state.

[The Wizard]

Hey PawPaw, would you mind to give me the names of a couple of the gun shops you would recommend around Alex? Leesville only has a couple gun dealers, mostly pawn shops, that I know about

[Kommander]

Pics Please?

[PawPaw]

Hey PawPaw, would you mind to give me the names of a couple of the gun shops you would recommend around Alex? Leesville only has a couple gun dealers, mostly pawn shops, that I know about

Sure, Wizard. I do most of my buying at Silver Dollar Pawn, corner of Lee and Masonic. 2417 Lee St, Alexandria, LA 71301 (318) 487-6005

I've also bought at Louisiana Archery, and they're quickly becoming my favorite. They're on Highway 28 East in Pineville, on the strip. What I like about Louisiana Archery is their layaway program. You can layaway for 12 months, same as cash. I've bought several rifles from them using that program. I'll go by and put a gun on layaway, then stop in every payday and drop some cash. After several months it's mine, free and clear. 2870 Highway 28 E, Pineville, LA (318) 445-9370.

There's also Ken Hutchinson, at Hutchinson Guns. Ken works out of a shop in his back yard and does a good trade with the locals. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more knowlegable merchant and his prices are great. He's always got a table at the local gun shows and he might be traveling if you show up unannounced. Call first. 507 Clifton Drive, Tioga, LA 71477 (318) 640-4315

Then there are the big box stores, like Academy.

[MarkD]

This morning I was going to the gunsmith and had to park two or three doors down. I carried two bolt rifles, one slung over my shoulder, one carried at port arms, and passed a couple of people who never even saw me. Of course, with a gunsmith and two gun dealers in that block, they may have considered it appropriate to be carrying rifles down Main street. Then again, I live in a very gun-friendly state.

Sigh. Try that in NJ, there WILL be an overwhelming police response, and you'd probably be shot. I have to clean my guns in the garage (solvents give my wife headaches) with the door half-way down so nobody reports "Man with gun" and I get a visit from my town's finest, and my town is pretty good about gun-stuff by NJ standards (licenses are processed in a timely fashion, etc).

[Matthew Mayner]

There's space in Free America.

Don't wait until after the breakup.

[Kommander]

There's space in Free America.

Don't wait until after the breakup.

What and loose the challenge of having to go over a wall and through a minefield?

[MarkD]

There's space in Free America.

Don't wait until after the breakup.

Been campaigning for a move, but wife's family is here and her Dad is in failing health.

I wasn't kidding about having a rifle outside either. When I bought my first rifle (Mosin Nagant 91/30 from Sarco) they put it in a long plastic bag for me to carry to the car. They said it would be "totally illegal" to not have it under wraps.