Following up on the prior article I wrote today, Utah Valley University – Open Carry Incident, I decided to email Nick Moyes. He got back to me with the following:
Trolley Square, Utah, Virginia Tech, Columbine, Northern Illinois University, University of Alabama, University of South Florida, Dawson College: Montreal, Canada, Fort Hood, and Ohio State University just yesterday.
For some reason, mass shootings like to occur on college campuses and other “Gun Free Zones”. Perhaps it is because bad people go to where they know they will have the least resistance in carrying out their diabolical plans. I believe this to hold true from a petty thief all the way up to a fascist dictator.
I did not break any laws nor did I disrupt school activities as is evident from the videos I recorded. A student called in to campus police and asked if I was legally allowed to carry a gun. The student did not call in panic or to report a crime, it was simply a question, and I believe it should have been handled as such.
When the officers approached me and I realized that it was not going to be a simple check to see if I had a Concealed Firearm Permit, and I when I realized that it was going to be my word and Utah law against the opinions of two law enforcement officers, I pulled out my iPhone and pressed record. I did so, not to make the officers look unintelligent but to have a personal record of the incident. My reasoning to press the matter beyond that is explained in great detail throughout dozens of posts on the following website: http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=7775&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
I have been open carrying for a long time, well before I had a CFP, as it was and is allowed in the State of Utah. I do not believe that the gun laws of Utah and the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution are no longer applicable to me while attending my accounting classes. I refuse to be a victim. There is not a uniformed officer outside of each of my classrooms, nor do I expect there to be. It is not their duty legally or otherwise to protect me, I am the only one responsible for me.
I have never open carried to make a point, to be “cool”, or because I have some sort of “Napoleon complex”. Those that know me, know that this has never been the case. I choose to open carry because I am legally able to do so and because it simply works better for me.
A right unexercised is a right lost. Opencarry.org
I ALWAYS go about open carrying in a quiet, dignified, and polite manner. I am always respectful of those around me who have never seen a gun before, by being approachable to have a conversation about Utah gun laws, to talk about why I choose to carry, and talk about the responsibility that goes along with carrying. People that know me and attend classes with me repeatedly thank me for carrying in their classrooms and for being willing and able to carry a gun at my side. It just sits there, it does not move. I do not remove it from its holster; I do not touch it. It is just an object that sits discreetly by my side.
And that is where my gun stays; unless I am, or God forbid my fellow classmates, are ever in danger of losing our lives at the hand of another who wishes to take our lives before law enforcement can arrive. I will refer you back to the growing list of colleges that have to deal with this kind of tragedy. I am not paranoid, simply aware of my responsibility, and mine only, to protect myself. I carry a gun as a safety precaution, just like wearing a seat belt in a moving car. Please think about all of the parallels that are applicable to that analogy.
Thank you to those that have an open mind and understand this logical approach. I am not an activist nor did I intend for this to go public beyond my campus or utahconcealedcarry.com.
This has not been easy to handle and I sincerely thank those who are supporting me and thank you to all of those who also carry legally and quietly everyday. God bless you.
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Thanks Nick!
I think it is great that Nick was able to get his iPhone out and record the video so we could actually see what happened, rather than just hearing about it 2nd hand. I think everyone that carries, both openly or concealed, should have some sort of recording device on them (preferebly both video and audio) in order to document any incidents that occur.
Anyone have any comments? Or a similar story to share?
P.S. – The photoshop I did is a play on words with UVU’s motto “Success Starts Here” :P