Open Carry Questions

6forsure

Moderator
Where legal:

Does it make you a criminal target?

Does it inflame/scare non-gun people too much?

Does it inflame/scare the government too much?

Is it a bad policy or good policy for furthering RKBA?
 
Where legal:
Many states including NM, AZ, MT, WY, VT, and I don't know how many others.

Does it make you a criminal target?
Possibly. Pactice good weapons retention and be alert when standing in lines, etc.

Does it inflame/scare non-gun people too much?
I don't care. Read my post in the thread entitled. "TFL has lost me"

Does it inflame/scare the government too much?
I don't care. Read my post in the thread entitled. "TFL has lost me"


Is it a bad policy or good policy for furthering RKBA?
I don't care. Read my post in the thread entitled. "TFL has lost me"

I live in NM and carry openly daily.


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Desertscout
desertscout@hotmail.com

"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference -- they deserve a place of honor with all that is good."
--George Washington
 
In Colorado it is legal, though many municipalities has prohobited it.

Criminal target? Probably not. Though "tough types" may try to prove something... I cannot recall anyone being targeted for having a gun, though.

It does inflame/scare people. Most people are insecure around non police officers openly displaying firearms. The more rural you get, the less so. There is a perceived "use" in rural and wilderness areas, so it is more accepted. Understand that the police will sooner or later be called. Understand that it is their job to respond. Be polite and it should be as routine as the police checking that you are not the "psychopath" or "criminal" called in.

It does not inflame/scare the government. Though they take notice because of the people it does. They're elected/appointed after all. The police also must respond to man with gun calls. Understand that that doesn't make them for or against open carry.

It can either further or harm the RKBA. "Proving a point" and fluanting a weapon by carrying in town can cause the citizens of that town to prohibit the right to openly carry. Though carrying a weapon in and of itself doesn't evoke negative feelings- assuming some utilitarian need is perceived by society. This could be protection from predators with both two and four legs. The more people accept guns around the state the better.

Erik
 
Not too uncommon to see hear in urban
Phoenix, but several probs: Persons have
been attacked by gang types in order to
steal the gun. This concerns me when I
see the older generation "packing". Many
folks do not use quality holsters(with or
w/o retention device). This makes it
too easy for the "iron" to fall out when
you trip/stumble. I've seen people leave
their car with an EMPTY holster when
they're about to enter a "firearms
prohibited" establishment or government
center. ATTN: THIEVES!

Even with those concerns, I don't mind it
at all. In fact, I kinda like it. It
reinforces the fact that at least SOME
freedoms are alive and well here in my
state. Do I do it? Not in suburbia, but
out in the sticks, no probolem. :)

[This message has been edited by VictorLouis (edited February 22, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 6forsure:
Where legal:

Does it make you a criminal target?

Does it inflame/scare non-gun people too much?

Does it inflame/scare the government too much?

Is it a bad policy or good policy for furthering RKBA?
[/quote]

* legal where I live (AZ)
* I've been told that it does, but I've never been accosted while open carrying.
* never had a comment, nor seen anyone running away screaming :)
* no
* IMO it's good.
 
Although it doesnt say explicitly, I believe in Indiana it is ok to carry openly. I do at work b/c I work in a pawnshop. When I go to the bank everyday for our deposit, i make sure its covered. I wouldn't wan them to think the wrong message even though all the tellers know I have one. I don't want to scare the customers.
My leo friend told me every summer some d*ck walks up and down the beach at lake michigan and dares him to arrest him. acoording to the law there is nothing wroong with it. It just scares the crap out of the kids there.
I have no problem with people wearing it out and many of the plain clothes policeman do it all the time. I say don't flaunt it just because. If your like that put your gun on and stare at yourself in the mirror or something.
 
Erik's post spells it out perfectly for the situation here in VA.

Tom


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A "Miss" is the ultimate overpenetration!
 
Surprisingingly enough... The PRK is an Open Carry state... Here where I live, it would be perfectly legal to do so, but I can't imagine the response the local LEO's would have... I think most would freak, but there are rural areas in CA where it wouldn't even lend cause for alarm.

Considering that CCW is next to impossible, I would entertain the thought of Open Carry here, but given the choices, I would prefer that no one, not the good guys, or the bad guys knew I was packing... I like to keep my cards close until the final bids are in... ;)

Tactically, you loose the advantage, and more often than not, the threat is an unknown, and easily more than a single.

Heard about a guy in Pheonix charged with concealing a weapon he carried open. It was worn strong side, in plain view, except the officer was standing on his weak side, and charged that the citizen was using his body to conceal the gun... Probably won't go far, but for those that do Open Carry, something to think about!

Cheers!
 
Kalifornia is NOT exactly what I would cal an 'open carry' state. Here's what the law says:
It is unlawful to carry a loaded rifle, shotgun, or handgun in any public place or on any public street in an incorporated area or an area where firing a firearm is prohibited. In California, a firearm is considered loaded if unexpended ammunition capable of being used in the firearm is attached in any manner to the firearm.
 
Here in Tennessee CCW is by permit. It is a "will issue" state. If you meet the requirements, the state must issue a concealed permit unless it can show good cause why it shouldn't. But the weapon must be concealed, for it to be visible at any time is considered by some LEO's to be "brandishing a weapon" and a crime. Can result in revocation of your concealed carry permit, etc.
 
Desertscout is right about Kalifornia: The law states that the firearms must be unloaded unless you have a carry permit. An officer also has the "right" to inspect it and make sure. And an unloaded firearm is about as useful as a bowl of warm dog spit, so what's the point here?

I live in rural Northern Kalifornia.
Though most regular cops up here are more tolerant towards firearms, they'll still give you trouble if they see even a glint of gun steel, especially CHP, which are often rotated up from the South. I rarely see anyone carrying them on pickup truck racks anymore. And I imagine those who do are routinely pulled over to check for "compliance."
 
Basically, be ready to be hassled. When I was asking around in preparation for the BLADE show in Atlanta I was told that Georgia allows open carry w/o a CCW but that to try it meant to accept that I'd probably be arrested at least once in the 3 days I was there because so few cops knew the law. I decided I didn't want to carry that badly. :(
But I did carry my knives. :)
 
It is illegal in Washington. Concidered threat with a deadly weapon (or something like that). According to a good friend of mine anyway.

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"Guns don't kill people the government does", Rusty Shackleford.
 
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