Have never posted here, but thought that I'd chime in for a little local feedback. I found this forum when searching for information about this event, since I live in Franklin Tennessee and this has sparked some discussion.
First, a little background. I'm a strong 2nd Amendment supporter, and have been a lifelong firearms owner. I wholeheartedly believe that anybody of sound mind and without a serious criminal background should be able to carry a concealed weapon anywhere that they see fit, with few exceptions (schools, etc). I choose not to carry a concealed weapon, but believe that I should have the right to do so if I should so choose.
Most of my friends and neighbors believe the same, to one extent or another. Most of my friends and neighbors are also not nearly as passionate about gun rights as any person on this discussion board - nor are the majority of people in the US. The folks here on this discussion forum are the people that care enough to discuss, debate, and think about gun ownership and gun rights on a day to day basis. You're probably friends with people that have the same or similar interests. That's all well and good, but frankly your desire to discuss and debate the nuances of this issue (whether the gun was a pistol or an assault rifle; whether painting the tip orange was a good idea or not; etc etc etc) far exceed the level of discourse that is taking on a local, dining room level in Franklin.
What *is* occurring is this: people locally (who otherwise are generally supportive of gun rights) are saying things like "did you hear about the guy who was walking around downtown with an assault rifle? What on earth was he thinking?" I've explained that it was actually a pistol, and that he was within his rights, and the general response that I get back is "I don't really see the difference, I don't want people walking around our downtown with AK-47's. If the law now allows this to take place, then we need to get the law changed."
You can call these people misinformed (and don't try and blame the media, even though they did get most of the details of the story wrong - most of this has come about because this guy was seen by a lot of people, and a number of those people spoke to their friends and neighbors and so on...), you can call them whatever you want. They represent your average, conservative resident of Franklin, and they are generally rather vocal and educated, and don't have any problem emailing or calling their elected representatives when they see something that upsets them taking place.
I understand that this individual was well within his rights, and did nothing illegal. He has made a point, both to law enforcement and, more importantly, to the general public in my community. Kudos - he won the tactical battle, but did amazing strategic damage to the cause in the greater war.
There is sometimes a rather wide gulf between what one CAN do, and what one SHOULD do. In between those two lies judgement, and in this case it looks as if poor judgement is the consensus of the dispassionate general public.