Locked, loaded: Open carry advocates gather in Town Square

ST. GEORGE — Proponents of “open carry,” the lawful carrying of unconcealed firearms in public areas, met in a small gathering Saturday morning at Town Square in St. George to discuss state and local gun laws.

Larry Morrison speaks to a group of 10 people that met at Town Square to discuss open carry laws, St. George, Utah, August 8, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
Larry Morrison speaks to a group of 10 people that met at Town Square to discuss open carry laws, St. George, Utah, Aug. 8, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

Several attendees were wearing firearms on their belts, and one had a pocket holster. The organizer of the event, St. George resident and business owner Larry Morrison, was no exception, carrying a pistol in a holster on his belt.

“It started out with a few people on utahconcealedcarry.com,” Morrison said, “which is a great place for anybody, especially in Utah, that’s going to carry firearms or who just wants to know the real laws surrounding things. That’s where people should go.”

The event was originally planned because the City of St. George had signs banning firearms in Town Square Park. However, the City Council passed an amendment at its July 30 meeting to drop the restrictions on the legal carrying of firearms in public parks, which was in conflict with state laws regarding guns. So, what was originally organized as somewhat of a protest event turned into more of a social gathering for open carry proponents.

The signs banning guns were no longer posted in the park.

“There are still other cities within Washington County that need to amend their ordinances also, Washington City and Hurricane for example…I’m sure they are following what St. George has done and will be following their example,” Morrison posted Tuesday on a Facebook page created for the event.

People listen as open carry laws are discussed at the Town Square, St. George, Utah, August 8, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
People listen as open carry laws are discussed at Town Square, St. George, Utah, Aug. 8, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

Families and children were in the park during the gathering, enjoying the cool morning and wading in the park’s water features. Aside from a few glances, no one seemed concerned that there was a group of 10 people around a table, most of whom were openly carrying firearms.

Morrison addressed that observation, stating that people seem to feel safer around a person or group of people openly carrying guns.

“We’re not doing anything shady or furtive,” Morrison said, adding that simply acting as if it were a normal part of life seems to assuage any fears others might have.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

 

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13 Comments

  • fun bag August 8, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    Well, how am I gonna hide my guns from Obama with open carry. It don’t make a lick a sense, ya hear…

  • munchie August 8, 2015 at 11:11 pm

    Kids playing in the park and a bunch of Yahoos running around with guns. Real nice scenario

  • 42214 August 9, 2015 at 12:10 am

    Maybe if they passed out viagra they wouldn’t have to carry guns to be manly.

  • Jim Dandy August 9, 2015 at 10:34 am

    Funny. Open carrying of a gun dose not mean someone is a Yahoo or needs Viagra. I prefer concealed only because I keep the element of surprise on my side. That same group of folks could be concealed and would that change your thoughts? Just curious.

  • fun bag August 9, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    Admit it, it’s just some …* fantasy of living in the wild west… It bothers people because it’s not socially acceptable and it’s intimidating to some. And a good number of them ARE yahoos and idiots, which makes open carry look that much worse. More certification should be required for any type of carry– not some 1/2hr lecture and an open book test. I always get a little chuckle when some …* shoots themself with their concealed 🙂
    Ed. ellipses: …*

    • sagemoon August 10, 2015 at 9:02 am

      Wow, you need to go sit through a concealed carry class. You don’t have a clue what it is like and it’s most definitely longer than a 1/2 hour. In fact, I challenge you to go take the class so you can see for yourself what is required to carry concealed in this state. I would like to hear back from you when the class is complete. I want to see you eat those words you just posted.

      • fun bag August 10, 2015 at 11:58 am

        I LOOKED, AND THE PERMIT APPLICANT DOES NOT HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE ANY PROFICIENCY AT ALL WITH THE WEAPON. WHY EVEN REQUIRE A PERMIT AT ALL?! THE CRIMINALS ARE GONNA CARRY CONCEALED WITHOUT SOME DOPEY PERMIT, SO WHY EVEN BOTHER? AND SELLING THE PERMIT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WITHOUT EVEN REQUIRING THE PEOPLE TO BE LIVING IN THE STATE. IT’S JUST A MONEY MAKING ADVENTURE FOR THE STATE. I’D BE HAPPY IF THEY JUST DID AWAY WITH THE PERMIT REQUIREMENT LIKE HERBY WANTED TO, BUT THEN THEY WOULDN’T RAKE IN THE $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

        • sagemoon August 10, 2015 at 12:54 pm

          Again, I challenge you to take the class. I think you will be surprised by what you do learn.

          • fun bag August 10, 2015 at 12:57 pm

            maybe…

        • fun bag August 10, 2015 at 1:42 pm

          Here’s a good video for reasons why gun-nuts should have hands on training before carrying concealed… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QjZY3WiO9s

          • sagemoon August 11, 2015 at 11:48 am

            Most of the “gun nuts” I know who carry concealed have some sort of training in fire arm safety and use. People who are uncomfortable around guns don’t tend to carry them. Some people never intend to use or carry a gun, they just want the permit to feel confident and empowered or to exercise their right.

  • Dexter August 9, 2015 at 4:47 pm

    The only reason REAL LIFE DORK is allowed in public is because of the open idiot in public allowed city ordnance. so why not carry guns.?

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