Open Carry: Reston Patch Readers on the Coffee Shop Gun Situation

Over the weekend, Patch ran a piece asking readers for comments on a coffee shop situation in Reston.

Within 36 hours of publication, the Patch post had received more than 400 comments.

The original situation was detailed in a blog post on Reston Patch—a man walked into a coffee shop with an openly-carried gun, and some women who frequent the coffee shop were uncomfortable with the way the man conducted himself.

• You can read that blog post here: What do you do when you run into a man with a gun?

Reston Patch readers weighed in and here, we’re rounding up some of their comments. What do you think about what your neighbors are saying? Comment below, or head back to the original post from Sunday and add to the discussion going there.

A reader named Erin wrote: “It's interesting to read the debate about gun ownership and mental health. My opinion is that anyone who enjoys strapping a weapon to their side IS already mentally unstable, and should therefore be denied the right. Why on Earth Virginia legislators allowed this in a modern society is astounding. I nearly moved out of the state after that happened. Oy.”

Several readers suggested Erin should have moved out of the state, but at least one commenter defended her comment.

Chris wrote: “In any case, trust your gut. I've been in a situation where I saw a person with a gun strapped to his leg in a restaurant. But he was minding his own business. The problem with this story is not the gun, but the boundary violation — a stranger following a woman back to their table and talking to them. The gun only makes a scary person scarier. I'd have reported the person to the owner at least, gun or not.”

Reader Dawn commented: “Sounds like if your on the way to the gun range and want to pick up a coffee before reaching your destination, and strap your gun to your leg for open carry because you don't want to leave your gun in the car where it is unsafe to the public...is a problem with practically everyone. Come on...we have rights. No laws broken. If you're uncomfortable with the world out there; stay at home in your bubble.”

What do you think, Reston?

-----  

Interested in contributing to Patch? We're always looking for contributors to our Local Voices blog section! Learn more here.