Gun advocates openly carry handguns at zoo

BOISE, Idaho, July 21 (UPI) -- Members of a club advocating open-carry policies for handguns raised eyebrows when they visited a Boise, Idaho, zoo.

About 10 members of OpenCarry.org were allowed into the zoo after front desk staffers determined there were no laws preventing the group from openly carrying their guns inside the zoo, The (Boise) Idaho Statesman reported Monday.

Group members said part of their purpose at the zoo -- besides the usual reason, to see the animals -- was to prove that citizens openly displaying firearms are no different from unarmed patrons.

"Coming to the zoo was something we could do together, like any family would," said group member Carol Schultz, who wore her handgun holster clipped to her heart-studded belt.

Some other zoo patrons, however, said the guns made them uncomfortable.

"Legal and appropriate are two different things," zoo patron Alex Lundgren said.