Open Carry vs Concealed Carry

O

Oklahoma Redneck

Inactive
Here in Oklahoma the state is condering allowing those with CCW to openly carry their firearms (where legally allowed).

I have a mixed feelings on the issue:

  1. I don't want my weapon to make others uncomfortable.
  2. I like the idea of taking off my jacket or vest in public, exposing my weapon, without being accused of "brandishing"
  3. I do not want to be the first target of a BG because I am the immediate threat.
  4. I like the idea that I can openly carry my weapon around my own property (currently illegal in Oklahoma) with fear of arrest for "brandishing".

These are just a few of my feelings on the subject, I would be interested in hearing the opinion of others on this forum.
 
I'm all for it. Most people who obtain CC permits are responsible and uninterested in announcing their possession of a weapon. Having a law like this makes clear that simply carrying is not brandishing, and my guess is that any statute would contain specifications as to what constitutes brandishing, if that's not already on the books.

Taken together, that would make for very little public impact but a fairly significant easing of the burden of carrying: incidental exposures of a gun would no longer be a big concern for CC holders.
 
 
I believe it should be allowed, but I also have mixed feelings about doing it myself. Here in Georgia either is allowed with a license, so it makes it easy to carry concealed and not worry about the firearm being seen.

Most polls and recent legislative activity confirms that most Americans support Second Amendment rights. However, I wonder if a lot of folks start to open carry if those attitudes might shift. A year or so ago I was in a local restaurant and a guy came in wearing a cowboy style gun belt with revolver. I noticed some of the people in the restaurant seemed surprised and uncomfortable.
 
Very Interesting Points

Thank you all so much for your points of view, I look forward to reading more opinions and experiences.

As you can see by my membership date, I am a very new member. I have been reading posts all morning and avoiding all of my weekend honey-do's.

I will probably try to conceal (discrete carry) when I can and when I feel the risk/threat level is low. But the summers here in Oklahoma get a bit warm and I am not wearing anything over my polo shirts at work so I will probably open carry during the summers.

Maybe I can find a happy medium for the summer.
 
Oklahoma Redneck said:
1. I don't want my weapon to make others uncomfortable.
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You are attributing to the weapon super powers it does not possess. If the bed-wetters see a police officer wearing a [gasp!] gun, are they uncomfortable? Probably not. So if they are uncomfortable seeing your gun, it isn't the gun that's making them uncomfortable, it's their own fears and expectations. The only way to desensitize that is to let them see more people wearing guns who do NOT attack people.

2. I like the idea of taking off my jacket or vest in public, exposing my weapon, without being accused of "brandishing"
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So do I. I wish my state would stop penalizing open carry.

3. I do not want to be the first target of a BG because I am the immediate threat.
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This, IMHO, is mostly Internet myth. I would bet that for every robbery in which an open carrier was targeted because he had a gun, there are three or five where the would-be robbers simply moved on because they saw a man with a gun.

4. I like the idea that I can openly carry my weapon around my own property (currently illegal in Oklahoma) with fear of arrest for "brandishing".
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I can't even relate to this one. Even in my backwards state I can carry openly on my own property.
 
I dont have a problem with open carry but unless your in the woods whats the point. It takes the suprise away. I conceal carry a full size glock everyday its not hard. Where i live i see people open carry sometimes in public and they normally look like goofey targets to me. Just waiting for someone to walk up behind them at the gas station waiting in line and take there pistol. I really dont care though. It sounds like oklahoma has sucky gun laws.
 
I open carry on a regular basis, and have so for the last 40+ years. I satrted in 1970 the year I became a US citizen.

My thoughts on you concerns, beginning with a comment. OC is just more comfortable than CC. The only time I cc is in winter, and only because I am wearing a coat. When I was in OK, I don't ever remember wearing a coat, jacket or even long sleeves, unless I was in uniform during the spring, summer or fall...it gets warm down there.

So, to your concerns:

1: does seeing a cop with an OC firearm make people uncomfortable? That you are not wearing a uniform should make no difference. In over 40 years I have never had a complaint, but I have had positive comments.

2: Brandishing? Only if you take it out of the holster. While it is holstered, it cannot be brandishing. It is no different than a cell phone. It is an inanamate object. I would think you would have more trouble with that if you purposely exposed a CC as a warning to someone that you are armed. No need for that if the gun is out in the open. (WA uses "display with intent to intimidate)

3: My experience (backed up by others) is that the BG will look for a softer target rather than pick on someone that is openly armed. I have had only one experience where I know for a provable fact this was true...a very aggressive younger guy saw that I was armed and all of a sudden had better things to do elsewhere then to bother me. I have never been mugged, robbed or been a victim of any other crime.

4: I carry around my property all the time...for 4 legged problems, not two legged ones. I carry to town, the bank, the grocery store, if we eat out..about the only place I do not carry is the PO, and that may change if the guy from Colorado gets his ruling.
 
Hermann...just realized my reply had the same structure as yours with the opposing view. Sorry, it was entirely coincidental. I actually do pretty much agree with your position on carrying in rural areas though (4-legged problems). I just don't think it works in the city.
 
Maybe its just me, but I'd feel vulnerable doing open carry w/o some serious training in retention.

If you stand in a line, the person behind you not only has better access, but a head start at grabbing your pistol.

salty
 
If you stand in a line, the person behind you not only has better access, but a head start at grabbing your pistol.
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Not if you use a cross draw, or shoulder holster.


I have open carried for a few years now. Mostly around my property, but occasionally I need something in town. The only two times I ever remember getting "Funny Looks" was when I went in to the bank and then to the post office. I had left the gun in the truck, but still had the holster on.

I use one of those quick change oil chain stores and I have sat in their waiting area with the gun on. Some very interesting conversations, but no one seemed to be bothered by it.
 
A personal choice matter I'm sure. Without offending anyone here. I'm old school on C/C. "Out of site out of mind!!"--Carrying a weapon in plain sight unconcealed. I wouldn't want the extra attention I would probably encounter from other non C/C citizens.-- Being discreet with my C/C weapon, I know I stand a much better chance to survive a bad situation. Carrying openly and unconcealed I'm not so sure. Carrying on one's own property. Hey that's cool with me. I do so all the time at my cabin. (openly) Doing so doesn't faze my Mrs. one bit. SSMcG
 
Open carry in VA is legal. I chose to carry to CCW becuase some people just go nuts when they see the "evil dealer of death" hanging on your hip. I make every effort not to be noticed, even to the point I do not print easily under my shirt.
 
Enjoying the Feedback

I must say that I have enjoyed reading the feedback from everyone, not just the laws in your states(which I am interested in as well), but how you feel about the subject, which is the feedback I sought in the first place.

Even amongst us "gun nuts" the issue is divided, which is great!! I have read every link posted and looked at every opinion, whether I agree or not.

Keep up the good work!
 
Well to me its just a issue of manors is all. Dress code idea as in no rules who cares but proper dress best hide the gun. Wally World who cares? nice club house hide the gun.
 
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