Open carry

C

Cowboy Preacher

New member
Does anyone here carry in the open insted of concealed? I know this is not leagal eveywhere, but if the option is viable do you ever use it? I have to use the method because I have not gotten my CCW yet. I carry a Ruger Blackhawk in .357mag 7 1/2 barrel. What woudld you carry or what do you carry in open carry?
 
It depends on where you live. In some states open carry is legal. In Missouri, for example, there is no state law forbidding open carry. There is also not lawful to carry concealed, so if one carries, it must be open. There are only two things that cities and local juridictions can do beyond state law in MO, open carry and firing in city limits. In otherwords, cities or towns can prohibit open carry if they wish, but state law doesn't allow them to come up with their own restrictions beyond state law.

There are a couple of problems with this though. Finding state laws isn't too difficult. There is no list of what cities and towns ban open carry and it is difficult to find out which ones do. Calling the police or sheriff doesn't always give the right answers. They will often say "you can't do that", but cannot tell you what city code it violates or give any kind of reference. I asked my sheriff's department and was told to look on the internet. Well, I didn't find anything concerning that. My guess is that wouldn't hold up in court. Even if one does open carry where is is not illegal, my guess is it might attract a lot of negative attention and perhaps invite harrasment. So, if you carry concealed where it is not legal, you could get in trouble, although no one would know about it if it was truly hidden, or you could get in trouble for carrying openly and obeying the law or not knowing the law.

Sure is strange, if you go to traffic court and say "I didn't know", the judge will say "the law is the law......", but if the president does the same (and obviously lying when he does), its okay.
 
I've lived in 3 open carry states, Louisiana, Arizona and Alaska (well, I don't know if Louisiana still is or not) and when engaged in outdoor activities I carried openly in all of them.

At the time I live there none of them had provision for CC. (Alaska for a brief period before I moved).

Alaska was somewhat different in that you could (can) carry concealed when engaged in certain outdoor activities without a permit(the old Parka Defense).

When not engaged in outdoor activities I might have engaged in a bit of civil disobedience, since I kind of equate carrying an openly exposed firearm in shopping malls and other similar locations as being akin to shouting "Fire" in a theater. While I support someone's right to do so, I, personally, don't feel a need to meet all the nice policemen who will inevitably come along and ask polite questions about who you are and what you're up to.

Unfortunately Texas is not an open carry state and I miss the option of throwing a .22 in the canoe and making a river trip. (Hunting, in season, is another story. "Yes Officer, I'm squirrel hunting." "No, I haven't gotten any. I've only been out 3 days, and I'm a lousy shot.")

Truth be known, that is one of the main reasons I dropped the bucks and got a CHL. Not the only reason by a long shot, but a big one.



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Jim Fox
 
Oregon . . .

Legal to carry open or concealed. In fact you can carry concealed WITHOUT a CCW if you're a licensed hunter/angler and on a hunt/angle.

Oregon also allows concealed carry without permit "for any lawful purpose." --Self-defense is a "lawful purpose." (Pimping and selling crack on the corner with a rod in your pocket is not a "lawful purpose.")

I carry open a fair amount in Oregon when I'm "out in the field." But, when I'm passing though some town and stop at the local Safeway I leave the gun stowed securly in the truck. (The holster is still on the belt, but it's empty.)

This is just a simple courtesy. Open carry disturbs some people, more so in a grocery or on the town sidewalk than out in "the field" where I'm shooting, angling, camping.

I carried openly into the Bend Burger King just to see the reaction. --a cocked/locked 1911 in a pancake holster. I can't decide who was more ill at ease, me or the other customers. (And I look like a plainclothes LEO when I'm in open carry mode.)
 
Cowboy Preacher,

I note from your profile that you, too, are a Virginian; therefore, I will address my comments toward the law in Virginia, as I understand it -- and I am not an attorney.

Virginia law permits open (termed "unconcealed" in the Virginia Code) carriage, although some local statutes (Falls Church, for example) specifically prohibit it. However, I urge to be VERY cautious -- and to check carefully with the applicable local police/sheriff's offices -- before carrying unconcealed, despite the Virginia law.

I have read many TFL posts over the past months that indicate individuals have been arrested (in Virginia and elsewhere) for offenses like disorderly conduct and creating a public nuisance when they carry openly. These threads have emphasized the facts that:
> the decision to arrest is frequently within the individual LEO's discretion; and
> creating public disorder -- upsetting others -- by lawfully carrying openly can be viewed as a breach of the peace.

I certainly don't agree with this. After all, Virginia law clearly permits unconcealed weapons carriage. Accordingly, it is illogical for the same law to condone the arrest of an individual who is properly exercising this right, only because others are uncomfortable with public display of a handgun.

However, the risks and costs of this legal entanglement may not worth it. That is why I believe it is prudent to ensure your local LEOs will sanction open carriage!

With Virginia's "shall issue" approach to concealed carry, you may wish to obtain a permit, which obviously will preclude this problem.

Regards.
 
Cowboy Preacher,

Here in Alabama, they had better be concealed,unless the weapon is being
carried openly on private property.
If my home state allowed open carry,
the choice would lie between a Sig
P228, Glock 27, or S&W Model 60 (.38
Special); depending on the extact
circumstances and/or conditions.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
Here in Tennessee they issue Carry Permits not Concealed Carry Permits so the option is left open. I always carry concealed for several reasons.

1. I don't really care to attract the extra attention from law enforcers or law breakers.
2. 95% of my holsters are open top and concealing the pistol makes it harder for someone to take it away.
3. If visiting a nearby reciprocating state, I want to be in the practice of concealing as those states may require concealment.
4. Carry into certain establishments is "not recommended" but if I am just buzzing in and out I will "forget" to disarm.
5. Kinda fun to have a secret. :)

Some will argue that open carry is a good deterrent to attack or that you limit your access speed by concealing, but the reasons I listed above are enough for me to carry concealed.

[This message has been edited by AndABeer (edited July 18, 2000).]
 
Not a problem here in Arizona. Open carry has been the law here since statehood ( 2/14/1912 )!!!!! :)

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Yeah, I got a permit to carry,it's called the friggin Constitution.---Ted Nugent

"Glock 26: 17 rounds of concealed carry DEATH comming your way from out of nowhere!!! THAT'S FIREPOWER, BABY!!!"
 
I've got to second that about Arizona. Not only is it the law, I've never even heard of an open carrying person being harrased by the police. I choose not to open carry, even though I do not yet have a CCW. I figure, legal or not, it still creates an undesireable level of attention.

When I was about 13, I remember walking into a somewhat rural Circle K (conveinence store) and there was a guy just coming out who had no less than eight pistols being openly carried in one of those full body rigs like you see at gun shows. I still think that was a bit excessive, but hey, I fully support his right to do so.



[This message has been edited by RCS (edited July 18, 2000).]
 
I carry open when it is required by state law as being the only legal way to carry.

RWK, I was in Va. (Reston and Herndon) for a week after the MMM and carried openly all the time. Never a problem. I do not believe many people even noticed. I went to a number of restaurants and the grocery store, never a problem. In fact a couple of the people I spent some time with have CCW permits in Va. and they had to carry open when we were in a restaurant that served alcohol. I also had to carry openly in W.V.
 
Hi Cowboy preacher I live in a state Delaware, where it is legal to carry openly without a permit, except within 1000 feet of a school, park, church etc. I called the police information officer and asked and he was not even aware that it was ok to carry openly in DE. I've aske a couple of policemen and the answer varries from you could be arrested for disturbing the peace, to its not legal I would arrest you and take you gun." To its ok I know its legal"
So in my state no one actually does it except guys in gunshops and the police, armed security etc.

I wrote to the governor and below is the reply I received to my request for easier availability of CC permits.


To: <andrewcohen61@yahoo.com>
From: "Melissa A. Grey" <mgrey@gov.state.de.us> | Block address
Reply-to: <mgrey@gov.state.de.us>
Subject: Gun Control
Add Addresses



November 23, 1999

Dear Mr. Cohen

Thank you for contacting Governor Carper to express your support for
permitting the carrying of concealed weapons. The Governor has
received your
e-mail and asked that I reply.

The Governor is dubious about allowing citizens to carry "concealed
weapons"
to deter crimes against them because the concealment aspect seems to
defeat the
purported purpose. He has consistently supported reasonable controls
on
weapons, particularly assault weapons, and also favor a system of
background
checks and registration. It is his understanding that guns may be
carried in
an unconcealed fashion now, which would seem to provide a greater
deterrent
effect. However, you should know that he does support allowing former
police
officers easier access to permits to carry concealed weapons.

Governor Carper does also believe that measures other than gun control
are
necessary to decrease violent crime. That is why he has been so
supportive of
violence prevention efforts, increased sentences for criminals who use
weapons,
and stronger police forces.

While the Governor recognizes that he may disagree with some on this
issue, he
sincerely believes that our efforts to reduce violence in our society
must
include some controls on the use of firearms.

Again, thank you for contacting Governor Carper's office. Please feel
free to
contact us in the future with your questions and concerns.

Sincerely,

Missy Grey
Constituent
 
I wonder how many people would question a nicely dressed person(slacks, dress shirt, ect) openly carrying a handgun. How many would assume it's a detective level LEO?
Virgina is an open cary state. Where I live, it's not a problem, I've seen open cary. However, where I work(D.C. suburb) I wouldn't want to cary openly.
 
What if it rains?

This is a serious question. In Oregon, where I used to live, it rained all the time (or most of the time). So no rain coat?

You have to hang your gun out in the rain?
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Glenn E. Meyer:
What if it rains?

This is a serious question. In Oregon, where I used to live, it rained all the time (or most of the time). So no rain coat?

You have to hang your gun out in the rain?
[/quote]

If it's a Glock it won't matter. :D
 
Seems like, with the exception of the sensible states of the West, that the rest of the states are pretty similar. In Wisconsin it is technically legal to carry openly, but doing so anywhere but in the woods will likely get you a disorderly conduct charge.

Dick
Want to send a message to Bush? Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/monk/petition.html and forward the link to every gun owner you know.
 
I checked out the petition referenced above, but I can't sign it. I won't promise not to vote for a Republican because of an action by another Republican. I have become a "one issue" voter, that issue being gun control. I will continue to vote for the candidate from any party who has the least objectionable attitude toward gun control. I have Boxer and Feinstein as Senators here, and I will vote for almost anyone against them, as they are two of the strongest proponents of more gun control! Face reality here - Libertarians and Independents (other than Jesse Ventura) do not stand much chance of beating a candidate from the two large political parties, and by voting for them I may be helping to keep Boxer and Feinstein in office!

[This message has been edited by Calif Hunter (edited July 21, 2000).]
 
Here's another reason why I love Wyoming!!!!

I've had a few strange looks when openly carrying but mostly from out of state rubberkneckers. Don't even think most people give it a second glance ifin they notice it at all.

Once when we were camping in Wy a family up and moved comletely out of the campground cuz I was openly carrying a cocked & locked 1911. We pulled in next to them and started to set up the tent. When trying to be nice and talk to them all I got was a wide eyed scared grunt. After they riped down their camp in what had to be record time I got a good look at the license plate, anybody care to guess where they were from????????????

They had Massachusetts plates........

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SAS RKBA freedom Scottsbluff Cowboy Shooters Cheyenne Regulators
 
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