Four part question regarding open carry.

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Playboypenguin

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I have a four part question for everyone regarding open carry. before I ask, I will go on the record as someone who is completely opposed to open carry for multiple reasons...but that is not the point of these questions so we will all put our personal opinions on the validity of the topic aside to answer the questions as asked. :)

The questions are...

1. If the federal government, in conjunction with all 50 state governments, passed a federal law allowing open carry of firearms as the only legal method of carry and outlawing concealed carry (meaning you can carry whatever you want however you want as long as it is visible) would you consider that acceptable? The degree to which the gun would need to be visible would be a predetermined formula such as many knife carry laws are today.

2. Would you feel safer knowing who around you was armed or less safe?

3. Would you carry more often or less often if you knew others around you were carrying?

4. What would you carry and how? (this is the fun part :))
 
1. Its not within the Federal govt's powers to create such a law. The entire scope of what interests is described in Article I of what laws the Fed can make(currency, coining, counterfeiting, treason, piracy/felonies on the high seas, interstate commerce, certain taxes, etc). So, you'll never have to worry about it.

2. For myself personally of folks I dont know, I prefer to know who is armed around me.

3. I carry all the time, openly or concealed.

4. Nothing would change.. I'd still carry what I carry today; semi-autos, DA revolvers, SA revolvers, derringers, and my SBS.
 
1. Its not within the Federal govt's powers to create such a law. The entire scope of what interests is described in Article I of what laws the Fed can make(currency, coining, counterfeiting, treason, piracy/felonies on the high seas, interstate commerce, certain taxes, etc). So, you'll never have to worry about it.
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Why do people have such a hard time participating in hypothetical debates in the spirit which they are intended?

And if all fifty states were involved there would be no law that could not be passed since that type of support could easily amend any constitution.
 
Because some just like to argue. In theory; ALL 50 STATES could have an open carry only law; which is exactly what your scenario describes. As such; I personally would:

1. Wouldn't find this totally acceptable "INITIALLY". That's because there are still a lot of people who aren't very comfortable with guns, and they wouldn't be carrying guns. As such, it would be a very SMALL percentage of the people you see that had a gun on. And bad guys would NOT be carrying a gun openly. So, I would simply prefer they didn't know I had a gun. If they walked into a mini-mart to rob the place, I don't want them automatically aiming at me and the clerk behind the counter because we are the 2 people with a gun on us.

2. Wouldn't feel safer at all. The bad guys STILL WOULD CONCEAL their weapon. They ALWAYS WILL. I'm not afraid of law abiding citizens.

3. I would probably carry LESS often if the law was that you could ONLY carry openly. For reasons expressed in #1 above. I have other ways to protect myself if necessary. GUNS DON'T SAVE PEOPLE; PEOPLE SAVE PEOPLE!!!

4. I carry what I still carry. Same 2 guns I do now. (One in the colder months when I'm wearing a coat, and the round I have needs to go through layers of clothing. And a different one I carry in warmer months that is not as difficult to carry, but also the round doesn't need to go through layers of clothing). E.g. 45acp full size in the winter; and 32acp in the summer.
 
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IMO, the whole concept is rendered moot by the fact that criminals would continue to do whatever they want. They illegally carry concealed as it is, the hypothetical law would not change this fact. It would simply help the bad guys more readily differentiate threats from victims.

So:
1. Unacceptable
2. Less safe
3. I would appear to never carry
4. See above ;)
 
1. If the federal government, in conjunction with all 50 state governments, passed a federal law allowing open carry of firearms as the only legal method of carry and outlawing concealed carry (meaning you can carry whatever you want however you want as long as it is visible) would you consider that acceptable?
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I would accept it, if the Feds offered it as the only way I could carry a gun. Actually, it's just as restrictive as the CW laws are today. It limits the freedom and options of the individual.

2. Would you feel safer knowing who around you was armed or less safe?
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I've always preferred open carry because of the deterrent factor. Concealed carry MAY stop a problem, while open carry MAY prevent one. If I wanted to rob Burger King, walked in and saw 5 people with sidearms (including a tactical -type guy), I'd for sure go elsewhere.

3. Would you carry more often or less often if you knew others around you were carrying?
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I always carry, regardless. My defense is not left up to others. As "christcorp" said, criminals will ALWAYS conceal weapons.
4. What would you carry and how? (this is the fun part )
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I currently carry a Steyr S40 or Springfield XD9SC concealed. I see no reason to change. I MIGHT go to a Springfield XDm or Steyr M40 for the extra round capability.
 
I've always preferred open carry because of the deterrent factor. Concealed carry MAY stop a problem, while open carry MAY prevent one. If I wanted to rob Burger King, walked in and saw 5 people with sidearms (including a tactical -type guy), I'd for sure go elsewhere.
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I am betting that would definitely be the case if the bag guy walked in with a gun that only held 9 rounds and saw 10 armed citizens. :)
 
this Is for playboy penguin

First things first.
I only answer hypothetical questions with hypothetical answers!!!
#1-Never happen
#2-No, I would feel safer if they would bring back the scarlet letter, but " F " for fellon.
#3-I would only carry a concealed weapon.
#4-The biggest and baddest gun that I could hide nicely.
Now one for you, play along with me!
Are you now, or have you ever been a teacher, or ever been In the teaching field? This sounds very much like, children our lesson for today Is???
 
Are you now, or have you ever been a teacher, or ever been In the teaching field? This sounds very much like, children our lesson for today
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Actually, as I have stated before, I did a short stint as a teacher. My undergraduate degree is in art education/psychology. :)
 
1. If the federal government.........
2. Would you feel safer knowing who around you was armed or less safe?
3. Would you carry more often or less often if you knew others around you were carrying?
4. What would you carry and how? (this is the fun part )
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I don't think I would feel any safer. Just like I hate being in the passenger seat, I like when I'm holding the gun, not the guy next to me I don't know. I think I would carry allot less. I am opposed to open carry as a personal choice but I'm all for others doing it. On the occasions I would carry, probably as single action in a real fancy floral holster w/matching belt. That or a full sized 1911.
 
1. Unacceptable

2. I wouldn't feel safer.

3. I like to think my carry habits wouldn't change, but not sure. I'm not at all opposed to open carry, but I'm not sure I would do it myself in public. Much more likely on my own private property or while hunting, etc.

I initially was going to respond that I would still carry everywhere I legally could as I do now, but that may not be true.

4. My go-to pistol and the one I am absolutely the most comfortable with (showing off it's brand-spankin' new Pau Ferro grips) :cool::

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Or one of these:

IMG_2884.jpg

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I'm not nuts about this as I believe it would be an overreaching of the governments powers (which is happening all too often and easily today, I also don't want them taking away my option to CC.

I bet you would see a dramatic decline in compact and subcompact pistol sales as there would be no advantage in having them.
 
Actually, I don't consider this scenario to be hypothetical at all. It is very possible that certain states could easily fight in court that there is nothing in the 2nd amendment or it's precept that states that a person should be allowed to conceal their weapon. And as such, they would agree to allowing individuals to exercise their right to the 2nd amendment, but that you MUST carry it openly in pubic when not on your own property. And this would be a major advantage to criminals. Walking into a possible place to commit a crime, the criminal would be able to access the situation and know for a fact what his/her odds are. If they don't see a weapon, then they know 100% that there are no guns there being carried by anyone. So I don't consider this a "Hypothetical" at all, but rather quite plausible at the state level. There are already certain states that allow open carry and make it very difficult to conceal carry.
 
I bet you would see a dramatic decline in compact and subcompact pistol sales as there would be no advantage in having them.
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That is certainly an aspect of the situation that I had not thought too deeply about yet.
 
1. If the federal government, in conjunction with all 50 state governments, passed a federal law allowing open carry of firearms as the only legal method of carry and outlawing concealed carry (meaning you can carry whatever you want however you want as long as it is visible) would you consider that acceptable? The degree to which the gun would need to be visible would be a predetermined formula such as many knife carry laws are today.

2. Would you feel safer knowing who around you was armed or less safe?

3. Would you carry more often or less often if you knew others around you were carrying?

4. What would you carry and how? (this is the fun part )
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1. Not acceptable. Why accept more limitations and restrictions? In Alaska we have both OC and CC no permit necessary.

2. Not applicable. Same person carrying, whether OC or CC.

3. Neither. Same as before.

4. Since Wildalaska "gave up" our State secret of using the "Hello Kitty" shower cap to CC, I have been trying to come up with something...
Actually in Alaska OC is not quite as reasonable as in some other states. Nothing quite like trying to pry your frozen fingers off of a handgun that has been riding around OC when it is Winter (about 6 months of the year), as opposed to a nice IWB or even OWB under layers of clothing handgun. (Remember Ralphie's buddy Flick's tongue on the pole from A Christmas Story?)
 
I bet you would see a dramatic decline in compact and subcompact pistol sales as there would be no advantage in having them.
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And probably an increased sales in the larger (.40 S&W and up) calibers. You might even see someone with a .50 AE Desert Eagle strapped on (and suspenders to hold it up!).
 
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You might even see someone with a .50 AE Desert Eagle strapped on (and suspenders to hold it up!)
That set up should come with a fre "Guess what I am compensating for..." t-shirt.
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Would that be for a compensated .50 AE Desert Eagle? Or a compensating .50 AE Desert Eagle? Make sure to get the correct shirt for the ending!
 
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