So maybe we could say one of the responsibilities that might be on the list is “Don’t draw attention to your weapon for any purpose other than defense.” Sounds good to me.
I’m not saying this is why this guy was carrying an AR, but for the sake of discussion, what if someone has a medical condition or disability that makes using an actual pistol (not an AR or AK “pistol”) safely and effectively difficult/impossible, but they can handle a rifle adequately? Should they just not carry? Should they carry a pistol anyway, even though it’s potentially an ineffective or even dangerous option for them? Should they be encouraged to choose the weapon that suits their physical capabilities, even if it’s something we wouldn’t normally advise someone to carry? Questions posed to everyone, not just @dennishoddy.
I think much of the time the gun community doesn’t put much consideration into varying physical capabilities and forms when talking about weapon choices, and I’m curious to hear what people think about hypothetical outliers. It’s not hard to imagine that someone with carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis may be able to handle a rifle but not a pistol and it seems to me they have all the more need for an equalizer in a fight.
Your first post is a yes/no post. I'm ok with an open carry of an actual pistol, though that draws a small amount of attention. The argument being circulated by some in here is that AR pistols will be like when open carry first started. People got freaked out for a bit then it became somewhat normal to see people open carry. The difference is that pistols were never demonized by the liberal media like the AR has been and while the public knows that a glock 19 is a pistol they have no clue that a AR with a 4" barrel and a collapsible brace is technically a pistol as well. They see the gun that is on the news because it is so dangerous and used in so many mass shootings (really only a handful) and here is this guy walking a park filled with kids with one strapped to his back. This is why its counterproductive. I would say your "Don't draw attention to your weapon for any purpose other than defense" is close, but it would be better to say "Don't use your firearm as a way to get attention".
As far as physical capabilities go if you can not handle a pistol safely and accurately then you shouldn't be carrying a rifle for the simple fact that you might not have the use of both hands in some situations. While a pistol is easier to shoot one handed it can be done, a rifle (and yes, as dennis put it, a dressed down SBR passing as a pistol) would be extremely difficult to shoot one handed.