Open Carry: What are your thoughts?
- Thread starter hivoltagefx4
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PA is an open carry state. It's the only legal way to carry until the local sheriff approves you for a license to carry firearms, with the exception of Philly. It's how I've been carrying while I've been (im)patiently waiting for the yellow postcard telling me to come pick up my card.
I've gone around town with my M&P40 on my hip and no one's batted an eye. I've gone jogging in boots and utes (boots and cammo pants) with it on my hip.
I've walked the dogs around town with it on my hip.
I've passed multiple LEOs with it on my hip.
No one's cared. I've had a few compliments. I couldn't care less otherwise. It's actually amazing how many people don't notice that I'm OCing, and how little the ones that notice care. The one LEO who's noticed just smiled and waved hello as I jogged by him. Maybe my area is more relaxed, but I think perhaps people are overly sensitive about being seen carrying. It doesn't make you a freak. It may draw a little extra attention, but it's not always going to be bad, and likely will be good depending on how you act.
It's a constitutional right to bear arms. It's a state law that clearly says OC is legal. It's case law that shows OCing is not cause for arrest, detainment, or harassment from police (Philly is slowly catching on). I'm going to enjoy that right and exorcise it.
On a tactical standpoint... CCing gives you surprise, agreed. However, what about the few split seconds it takes to uncover then draw? Could OCing be a deterrent for potential criminals who generally want an easy target?
I've gone around town with my M&P40 on my hip and no one's batted an eye. I've gone jogging in boots and utes (boots and cammo pants) with it on my hip.
I've walked the dogs around town with it on my hip.
I've passed multiple LEOs with it on my hip.
No one's cared. I've had a few compliments. I couldn't care less otherwise. It's actually amazing how many people don't notice that I'm OCing, and how little the ones that notice care. The one LEO who's noticed just smiled and waved hello as I jogged by him. Maybe my area is more relaxed, but I think perhaps people are overly sensitive about being seen carrying. It doesn't make you a freak. It may draw a little extra attention, but it's not always going to be bad, and likely will be good depending on how you act.
It's a constitutional right to bear arms. It's a state law that clearly says OC is legal. It's case law that shows OCing is not cause for arrest, detainment, or harassment from police (Philly is slowly catching on). I'm going to enjoy that right and exorcise it.
On a tactical standpoint... CCing gives you surprise, agreed. However, what about the few split seconds it takes to uncover then draw? Could OCing be a deterrent for potential criminals who generally want an easy target?
When I was young, many people open carried and no one thought anything about it.
I would open carry in my town, and other smaller towns (like the one near our farm), and some places in the city.... but I wouldn't open carry in other places within the city and remain CC.
I would like to have the option. It's legal some places here (KS) and others it's not. It's too much of a zigzag of laws to keep track of where it is and where it isn't ... as the State left it up to the counties and cities to decide for themselves.
I would open carry in my town, and other smaller towns (like the one near our farm), and some places in the city.... but I wouldn't open carry in other places within the city and remain CC.
I would like to have the option. It's legal some places here (KS) and others it's not. It's too much of a zigzag of laws to keep track of where it is and where it isn't ... as the State left it up to the counties and cities to decide for themselves.
OC
My experience is that that statement is very true. Maybe not true for everyone but the political aspect is obvious in many discussions. I am reminded of the gentleman who was accosted by the Secret Service and the Police when he approached a political rally for the then prospective candidate Obama. He was OCing. He was legal. He got arrested (and it cost him and his family a lot of time, money and grief). He was making a statement. He was upset at what happened.
What did he expect was going to happen? Did he really believe that he would be allowed to approach a candidate with a gun on his hip?
I live in a state where it is legal to OC. I don't. I don't because I don't see any reason to carry a gun on my hip when I leave home. I stay away from bad places.
I do carry around the property that I live on. I do carry when I am hunting. But when I go to the Supermarket....no, I don't.
Every time I see someone OCing, I wonder.....Is he a nut? Is he the one who is going to take his gun and shoot ten or eleven people in the store? Or...is he merely exercising his right to carry openly? I understand that the real "nut" could just as well be the guy behind me with four pistols concealed in his parka.
Pete
My experience is that that statement is very true. Maybe not true for everyone but the political aspect is obvious in many discussions. I am reminded of the gentleman who was accosted by the Secret Service and the Police when he approached a political rally for the then prospective candidate Obama. He was OCing. He was legal. He got arrested (and it cost him and his family a lot of time, money and grief). He was making a statement. He was upset at what happened.
What did he expect was going to happen? Did he really believe that he would be allowed to approach a candidate with a gun on his hip?
I live in a state where it is legal to OC. I don't. I don't because I don't see any reason to carry a gun on my hip when I leave home. I stay away from bad places.
I do carry around the property that I live on. I do carry when I am hunting. But when I go to the Supermarket....no, I don't.
Every time I see someone OCing, I wonder.....Is he a nut? Is he the one who is going to take his gun and shoot ten or eleven people in the store? Or...is he merely exercising his right to carry openly? I understand that the real "nut" could just as well be the guy behind me with four pistols concealed in his parka.
Pete
taurus4life
New member
im glade they changed the law here in florida. i was not aware they had. makes me feel more comfortable about cc.
I guarantee that the open carrier will be wishing he'd concealed his gun in that situation.
Frankly, the whole thing has gone from something some folks just do to being a movement. And what has it achieved? I live in a licensed open carry state, and all I've seen is more businesses banning guns as a result.
Of course, we're all familiar with the situation in California. Not content to get open carry of handguns criminalized, the "what part of 'shall not be infringed'" crowd is doing their best to get open carry of long guns stricken as well.
Politically, it's not working the way they claim. The only thing open carry has achieved is getting banned.
Carry_24/7
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I'm amazed when folks say that no one notices when you OC. I lived in Yuma AZ for almost 3 years as an Army civilian. Everytime I did see someone OC, everyone in the area was watching them, from kids to granny; which is usually how they got my attention.....my head turned in the direction everyone else's did. Guns get attention...period. I'm not saying OC is wrong, it's a choice where it's legal. Once again, OC is not wrong...
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I fall in the camp of believing that concealment gives you an advantage so I never open carry. In addition, although it's legal in MN it's not recommended. It has a tendency to cause to much unwanted attention and can increase police involvement in your life (ie ... 911 calls about a man with a gun, police must respond, your day is now delayed as you go through the motins of showing you're legit) ... I don't have time for that kind of crud. Just leave me and my gun alone thank you. Single Six stated it very well, it intimidates non-gun people and doesn't help our cause.
I do like being an open carry state though. If my gun shows for some reason (jacket opens, shirt pulls up, ect), I haven't broken any laws. I'm not required to conceal it, I just choose to.
I do like being an open carry state though. If my gun shows for some reason (jacket opens, shirt pulls up, ect), I haven't broken any laws. I'm not required to conceal it, I just choose to.
RickE,
I'm very glad to see that most people who have responded to this thread don't go for the OC option. I live in Western WA. too. I never, ever OC unless I'm on the other side of Snoqualmie or Stevens pass and even then only sparingly (like on the way to a camping, fishing, or other trip to the boonies).
In ultra liberal W. WA you can bet that the "won't someone please think of the children!!" crowd would mount a campaign to get rid of OC if a lot of people suddenly started exercising the right. It's too bad, but what Seattle wants it usually gets in this state.
youngunz4life
New member
I am pro OC but I admit I CC Almost all of the time
the fact that people are 'brainwashed' against guns in the first place is why many people into CC and/or guns are against the OC aspect. They tend to feel, "That's just a little too far" or "that's someone else's battle". If this hadn't happened, people wouldn't feel that OC was anything "abnormal" or they wouldn't feel they had to hide their weapon to feel comfortable. Of course, there are other reasons why CC can be beneficial too. It is a complex issue. If you see the gunstore guy OC or the cop at school, or the fisher in the middle of the wilderess it is ok, but if he is doing it downtown on errands it is a problem all of a sudden. The OC person is actually giving everyone a head's up when he could just hide the weapon and you'd never have this courtesy.
the fact that people are 'brainwashed' against guns in the first place is why many people into CC and/or guns are against the OC aspect. They tend to feel, "That's just a little too far" or "that's someone else's battle". If this hadn't happened, people wouldn't feel that OC was anything "abnormal" or they wouldn't feel they had to hide their weapon to feel comfortable. Of course, there are other reasons why CC can be beneficial too. It is a complex issue. If you see the gunstore guy OC or the cop at school, or the fisher in the middle of the wilderess it is ok, but if he is doing it downtown on errands it is a problem all of a sudden. The OC person is actually giving everyone a head's up when he could just hide the weapon and you'd never have this courtesy.
or money, why should a gun be any different.This is a common statement I hear from the open carry crowd. It's either a misconception or a lie.
Just because nobody says anything doesn't mean they don't notice. If someone's intimidated by the sight of a gun, then they're not to likely to say anything. At least not to the guy's face. What they say afterwards is a different matter.
The Real Wyatt
New member
A right not exercised is a right lost.
I mostly carry concealed but I do, on occasion, carry openly. I live in rural America, open carry is not at all unusual around here ... not even in Walmart, Kmart, the bank, gas station, convenience or grocery store.
I mostly carry concealed but I do, on occasion, carry openly. I live in rural America, open carry is not at all unusual around here ... not even in Walmart, Kmart, the bank, gas station, convenience or grocery store.
Open carry
I live in northern California, in the East bay area, 30 miles from San Francisco. Believe it or not many counties in California are issuing CCW permits to people who just want to carry for self defense. It is up to the elected Sheriff to make the call. Unfortunately I don't live in one of those counties. State law allows loaded open carry on National Forest and BLM land although in populated areas it can still freak out non gun folks. I often carry my SP101 and with a day pack on it is pretty hard to notice. I've seen a couple people do a quick double take though.
I live in northern California, in the East bay area, 30 miles from San Francisco. Believe it or not many counties in California are issuing CCW permits to people who just want to carry for self defense. It is up to the elected Sheriff to make the call. Unfortunately I don't live in one of those counties. State law allows loaded open carry on National Forest and BLM land although in populated areas it can still freak out non gun folks. I often carry my SP101 and with a day pack on it is pretty hard to notice. I've seen a couple people do a quick double take though.
chris in va
New member
I am all for OC, but seldom do it just because I don't like attention. If people would leave me the heck alone I'd do it every day just because it's much more comfortable and simpler to draw from.
If your out in the woods or walking your land fine. I don't feel comfortable with it in the city. I work security in a large store locally. Allot of the business folks carry openly. They feel it's a deterent to crime. In my thinking if someone wants what you've got bad enough they will simply plan on killing you right off if you have a gun out in the open. That and the fact it draws attention to you maks me feel uncomfortable with it. Whenever someone comes on the store with a gun showing it sets me on guard. I'm not for gun control and it is not illegal except in certain places in my state. I'm just not comfotable with it.
I’d like to OC just because it’s easier and more comfortable. I can carry a M1911A1 or similar sized pistol and get in and out of cars without getting poked in the ribs, or thigh or kidney. That’s the main attraction to me.
There are some other problems associated with the whole thing. As usual, its not me who is causing the problems – it’s the other guys.
There are people who OC for the wrong reasons. Some of them are borderline psychologically imbalanced. Individuals with severe self-image problems, individuals with persistent and severe issues with anger and paranoia. People who’s egos are tied to their weapons. There are people who want to make a statement with what they carry, fashion statement or otherwise. There are people who are going to find ways to push the legal envelope so they are going to look outrageous carrying something that is technically legal but in reality makes a scene.
There is an entire movement out there composed of people who are antagonistic towards police. They start with a foundational attitude that police are ignorant, sadistic, malicious and power-hungry. These people use OC laws to basically legally bother and harass law enforcement officers.
I just want OC for more comfortable carry, but I realize now OC has a whole host of issues that comes with it.
There are some other problems associated with the whole thing. As usual, its not me who is causing the problems – it’s the other guys.
There are people who OC for the wrong reasons. Some of them are borderline psychologically imbalanced. Individuals with severe self-image problems, individuals with persistent and severe issues with anger and paranoia. People who’s egos are tied to their weapons. There are people who want to make a statement with what they carry, fashion statement or otherwise. There are people who are going to find ways to push the legal envelope so they are going to look outrageous carrying something that is technically legal but in reality makes a scene.
There is an entire movement out there composed of people who are antagonistic towards police. They start with a foundational attitude that police are ignorant, sadistic, malicious and power-hungry. These people use OC laws to basically legally bother and harass law enforcement officers.
I just want OC for more comfortable carry, but I realize now OC has a whole host of issues that comes with it.
firespec35
New member
I OC rarely. But there are days I just feel like having a neater appearance. I'm truthfully not a huge fan of the whole untucked tshirt thing. But I think that's a symptom of wearing an EMS uniform for 16 years.
I do take issue with this though
As to another persons feelings, I could give a rats ass how someone else feels about me. That's their problem. I'm 6'3" and over 500 pounds and don't have a remotely sunny disposition. I generally intimidate people walking in a room armed or not. Sorry not my problem and in a broader sense it is a problem we have in society. We mollycoddle everyone because of their feelings and now a days everyone expects their feelings to rate first in everything. This is how we get the "occupy" idiots. Wow sorry left turn tangent. I'm done.
I do take issue with this though
If you have ANY situational awareness you should notice someone looking at you, wether that person feels intimidated or not.
As to another persons feelings, I could give a rats ass how someone else feels about me. That's their problem. I'm 6'3" and over 500 pounds and don't have a remotely sunny disposition. I generally intimidate people walking in a room armed or not. Sorry not my problem and in a broader sense it is a problem we have in society. We mollycoddle everyone because of their feelings and now a days everyone expects their feelings to rate first in everything. This is how we get the "occupy" idiots. Wow sorry left turn tangent. I'm done.
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