Open Carry culture

I always open carry on my ranch, and sometimes on my neighbors' ranches (if they don't care). When I was in Montana there was an older gentleman open carrying in town; it was jarring for a couple of seconds, and then it was just like, well, okay. Guess that comes from being raised on westerns. :)
 
Unfortunately, many of the people I see practicing OC are Wally World commandos: full camo, large handguns in holsters with little if any retention capability, lots of swagger and loud talk. Their attitude seems to be, "I do this because I can, and if you don't like it, what are you going to do about it?" These people are not helping our cause.
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Seriously? I have NEVER seen one person in Virginia, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Montana, or Texas (long gun only) acting like that while open carrying. I think it is highly likely you are applying your own thoughts to their actions and, in particular, their attitude.

I have yet to see anything positive come from the OC movement, yet I cited one example where a right exercised was a right lost.
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and

Citation?

California comes to mind.
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What an absolutely disingenuous response! California was lost long ago and the silly rules governing open carry made it very clear to anyone doing so that they did so at the pleasure of the legislature. The gun had to be fully unloaded and was subject to search. In Virginia, which honors its constitution, the gun and open carrier are NOT subject to search. They are strictly protected against police officers exceeding their authority.

We also know that the California legislature saw open carry as a "problem" that needed to be fixed. How in the world can an honest man believe that there is a right to keep and bear arms in California and then turn around and argue in a public forum that the right was lost there?

From a public point of view, you aren't going to sway pro-gunners or anti-gunners one way or another. It's the people in the middle.
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That is also incorrect. The "people in the middle" vote for any of a hundred "issues" and don't vote the level solely based upon where a politician stands on the right to keep and bear arms. They vote because they like the person, that person advocates for their pet agenda, or most likely, because the candidate is on Team R or Team D. Neither of us has any idea how open carry affects votes because it has not been studied (if it does, please provide me with a link because I would like to review it). Open carry is such a minor issue in the minds of "the middle" that it doesn't even register. Most people in open carry states have no idea they can even open carry!


Back on topic:

How does this work for those that do? What kind of response do you get? Do you go to house parties, dinner parties etc. while open carrying? Are you single, married? Do you live in rural areas, the country, or suburbia... downtown? Has anyone 'freaked out' on you? Harassed by the police? Told to leave a restaurant, store etc.? How do you incorporate this into your daily lives....
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The infrequent instances in which I open carried have resulted in nearly zero response. Waitresses do not notice or care. People in the store tend not to notice, though I may get a few looks here and there. Occasionally, someone will come up and talk about it. I carry a little card by Ed on opencarry.org or VCDL's small wallet bill that presents the issue and provides citations.

As for "tactics", it's really a wash. There's not enough data either way to say there is a tactical advantage or disadvantage. We do know that uniformed police officers are not shot daily for open carrying, wearing uniforms, or otherwise driving around terrible neighborhoods. We also know that many people open carrying are not attacked by criminals. There are a few instances either way. My last count as of 2012 was even up. Maybe there have been a few more robberies of OC'ers or maybe there have been more crimes deterred, but we don't really know either way.

It's best to just carry however you wish to do so within the legal framework of your state.
 
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I live in the "free state" of Arizona, have my CCW and sometimes I semi-OC my handgun, usually in ,u truck. If I stop at a store tat says no guns, I go elsewhere. If I'm going to an un posted store or other business and there is no sign, I remove my gun and put it in my pocket. (S&W M60) I do it out of courtesy to those who either are anti-gun and looking for an arguement and so as to not possibly disturb others who may be uncomfortable at the sight of my firearm. I mean why look for a confrontation? My hat does say NRA on it and sometimes I get a rude comment. I gently try to talk them into looking at the 2nd ASmendment in another way. They never even know that I'm armed. I've actually change a few people's minds when they know all the historical facts.
Paul B.
 
How in the world can an honest man believe that there is a right to keep and bear arms in California and then turn around and argue in a public forum that the right was lost there?
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I never said they were respecting the RKBA. I only pointed out that the slender sliver of the right to carry that remained was legislated out of existence. That process was accelerated by the antics of certain zealots who claimed to be on our side.
 
I am pleased that Arizona, and particularly our Governor Jan Brewer, has such a common sense approach to the whole subject.

In simplest terms, they believe in the 2A and the RKBA. In doing so they also believe that the good regulation of firearms carry should not make a criminal of someone who is not doing anything criminal.

If all a citizen is doing is carrying a gun, concealed or otherwise, and this citizen is not a prohibited possessor, or carrying a firearm where it is not allowed, then they are committing no crime and will not be inconvenienced.

I don't think it get's any better then that.
 
Paul, gotta say in almost 46 years of living in AZ I've never gotten a rude comment to an NRA hat. :) I did have a Circle K clerk as me once if my Springfield 1911A1 was a "25 auto"...that was many years ago.;)
 
During the week, I must conceal carry because my place of employment has an "out of sight" policy. When the weather is warm, I normally open carry on the weekends. I always try to behave in a friendly manner and say hello to most people I come in contact with. In over five years, I haven't had one negative encounter. As has already been said, most people don't even notice.
 
Lt. Without any commentary on your part I can't tell if you see something positive in this story or if it's the other way around.

Personally I see this as a negative.

The old woman who called the cops was wrong, perhaps she was traveling and has some excuse, but still ...

The Police dispatcher was wrong, maybe I'll give them a break for erring on the side of caution or not having an option given established procedure .....

The responding Officers were really wrong, come on, these guys are sitting at a table gawing and not doing anything at all illegal or that would justify any legal attention. The Officers shouldn't have said anything more then "Hey, nice shooter, what loads are working good in it?" ....

The Department and the DA were wrong, this should have been immediately dropped, the cops disciplined and retrained, and apologies should have been sincere and immediately forthcoming.

Some people see this as a victory for the oppressed gun owner, I see it as a failure of our society to maintain a correct and proper attitude towards firearms ownership.

It's not like we haven't owned firearms since day-1 of this nation's founding.
 
Here in NM, OC is legal and I do it daily, have been since the newtown incident, I have never had any negative responses, never been questioned by an LEO's or harassed in any way. I have had people come up and thank me for excersizing my constitutional right. I do not have a CC permit so I cannot carry CC, but have been considering getting one. however with the 100 degree weather here in the desert I dont see myself wearing the clothing required to CC, my denim shorts and a t-shirt are daily attire. I am married and it doesn't bother the wife at all, she just reminds me when I need to take it off as it's not allowed in a restaraunt that serves alcohol, though she has hers hidden in her purse. so we are still protected. I do however not carry it to the school when picking up my grand daughter as to not stir up alarm, I don't carry at her soccer games either for the same reason, however most of the time that I'm not, my wife's purse is in reach. As for visiting, if the people I would visit had a problem with it , then they would be the people I wouldn't want to visit. like I said i haven't encountered one negative response since I started OCing.
 
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