Reading Gun Magazines In Public?

[michaelbane]

I'd like people's opinion on whether they do - or should - read gun magazines in public on the chance that some anti-gun person notices and gives you grief. I ride public transit and, like many people, read to pass the time while I'm travelling. But I'm hesitant to read any type of gun magazine because people are packed so close together, especially during rush hour. Am I being paranoid?

 

[Abby]

I dunno about "paranoid," but I'd say you might have issues with fear of confrontation.

I don't harass people reading...I dunno...motorcycle magazines in front of me. I guess I expect people to be similarly reasonable. And thus far, they have been.

Most people aren't even remotely as interested in us as we think they are. Years of keeping at least one "semi-provactive" bumpersticker on my vehicle, and it's gotten me the finger exactly ONCE.

By the way - NOR do I hide gun magazines on the principle someone might see me, deduce I own firearms, follow me home, then rob and kill me. Some things just ain't worth worrying about.

 

[hso]

I read gun magazines and knife magazines all the time traveling all over the country. CA, MA, PA, TX, NV, OK, NY, even Atlanta Sitting in bars, coffee shops and rest-a-raunts (Alice's and otherwise).

I've never had anyone anywhere say a negative word to me.

If they did I would hope that THR has provided me with the information needed to, if not convert them, at least show them that I wasn't some knuckle dragging low life homicidal maniac with anger control issues. They'll get a calm rational explanation of my position and perhaps leave wondering if the sterotype isn't just that.

 

[dpote]

It's one of my favorite things to do. Especially in airports. Any stares or comments I get are welcomed.
I would like to add a comment about gun periodicals contributing to something I call the "numbing". The more a society is exposed to positive or negative stimuli, the more numb they become to said stimuli. So, if a normal, stand-up guy like me is reading a gun rag, it can't all be bad, right?
What do you think?

Dave

 

[Standing Wolf]

People who are afraid to exercise our civil rights don't still have them.

 

[bender]

I may have some guns mags, or shotgun news, in my car. I work in an office that is in an office park, and many of the next door exployees park next to me...

so I usually make a point to have my mags upside down on the seat.... especially the ones that have big pics of tactical AR type rifles on the cover...

I'm not ashamed to be a gunny... but I don't want the office workers next door to think I'm some kind of psycho...

edit: ok, looks like I'm the minority here... At least I stand around in bookstores at the gun mag section and look at 'em all... no matter how many people are around me.

 

[jburks]

I'll take that one step further. I travel every week for my job and I often read Gun magazines on the plane. With all of the security concerns at the airport I wonder if some people around me are uncomfortable (not that I really care). I especially like it when I'm in first class and everyone who boards the plane walks by and sees my magizine with guns plastered all over the cover

 

[DirtyBrad]

Well said, hso.

 

[Geno]

+1 for dpote

EVEN in airports. Free speech, Free Press. Danged right I do, even in the doctor's office and in my college office. People who do not like it need not sit near me. That simple. This past Sat. I took my wife shopping, then the Borders. We sat there reading. I read 2 gun magazines and bought 1. Did people stare??? Sure. Did I care? Nope! And yes, I was packing my CCW, as I sat there reading "CCW Magazine". Hahaha!

Doc2005

 

[Evil Monkey]

Here's something to try.

Next time you're reading a gun mag have a freind with you, say this real loud:

"Hey Mike, I'm thinking about BUYING AN AK 47!!!"

 

[another person]

LOL. Im going to do all of the above next time im in an airport. Im not scared of some ignorant moms!

 

[Gonefission]

I think I would get more comments if I was reading a copy of Modern Drunkard Magazine vs American Rifleman in public.


I say don't worry about it.

 

[Fly320s]

I read gun magazines on airplanes, in uniform. I read gun mags on airplanes in street clothes. I read gun mags when I'm flying the plane. I even talk about buying more guns, especially suppressors and machineguns to anyone who will listen.

I haven't been arrested or confronted, yet.

 

[ProguninTN]

Sure

I have read Guns & Ammo and Gun Buyer's Guide on many occasions.

 

[bigun15]

I live in California (as you can tell from my location) and whenever I go to the mall and I get the opportunity I stop by Barnes and Noble and find some gun magazines at the racks and flip through them for a little while. I bought one once about a year ago and I haven't had any funny looks.

 

[SpiderJohn]

I, like many others, read them on a plane. I will find a seat (southwest) and open it up to the biggest ad I can find. It usually will help to keep the seat next to me empty.

Not to long ago on a flight back from Seattle a woman and her daughter sat down next to me. The woman leaned over and joked with me about her husband (who is a FFL) doing the same thing all the time. We had a good flight.

 

[LoveMyCountry]

We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

When I am reading a gun magazine in public it's usually with a big shiny 1911 on my hip.

Exercising two rights at once!
(and boy am I tired)

LoveMyCountry

Edit - I am stunned by the amount of fear that people have of being found out that have a gun. Folks, we are not doing anything wrong. Get your facts together, be mature and educate anybody that confronts you. You never know, you may just bring someone over to the good side.

 

[22-rimfire]

I don't know why you would even ask? Read anything you want.

 

[sicario103]

You know this brings up something in mind..... What's up with airports and NO gun magazines at magazine stores????!!!! It's 85 % women's mags and the rest computers, sports, fitness and cars..... but no damn gun mags.

Reading gun mags in pub? Why not, you're not breaking any laws. So read what you want, whenever you want, wherever you want. Chances of some one not liking it and saying something to you is unlikely but if they do... just be nice, if they insist... just brush them off gently to avoid altercations. Most often than not, they'll probably just stare at you for a bit....

 

[spaceCADETzoom]

Part of the reason why soccermom types may think gun rags are "wrong" is because there are some of us that apparently think it's something to be ashamed of. Reading Cycle World or Motorcyclist is no different than American Rifleman or Guns & Ammo. If you're "ashamed" of your hobby, maybe the problem isn't just with others, but yourself. Don't perpetuate ignorance. American Rifleman isn't NAMBLA quarterly...it isn't Recreational Weed magazine...it isn't even Hustler or Playboy...

"They" think its wrong because "you" do.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I don't have any probems reading them in public. It might spur a friendly discussion, or maybe convert an anti, or at least make them think. Never has happened though, so i'd say that's rare. I have gun rags on my desk at work.
I also flip them over if they are sitting in my car though for the simple reason I don't want a casual thief to see them and think my rig might be a good one to break into in case there's a gun in there.

 

[Hanzo581]

I used to read them at work in the break room during lunch, I would get the comment every now and again "geez, hope you don't come in here with a gun one day shooting" I mean what the hell is that? Just because I enjoy the sport of shooting and reading gun mags I am a lunatic?, I know it is my right to read it wherever, but it is just not worth it

 

[walking arsenal]

I read them all the time. If i get dumb comments i just roll the magazine up and whap the dolt with it.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

I read my gun magazines & books wherever I want and whenever I want and never give it a second thought. It is not illegal and the hell with what everyone else thinks or doesn't think. It is a subject I enjoy reading about and if they have a problem with that, it is just too bad.

 

[jenniferjane]

I picked up a handgun magazine before my last trip to New Orleans and read it on the plane. I have no qualms about that. If someone confronts me or has questions, I'm happy to chat.