Public displays of open carry

C

cjwils

New member
With all the talk about guns and gun laws recently, there have been numerous pro-gun individuals and groups that have made a point of demonstrating their legal right to open carry in some states. In my area, people who are legally engaged in open carry have appeared outside the state capitol, at city council meetings, etc. I don't question the legal right to do so under existing law, but I question the wisdom of it. I am concerned that such displays motivate anti-gun people to act, even more than before; and that some uninformed people in the apathetic middle may be frightened into joining the other side. What do you think?
 
I am not a fan of open carry, especially poltically motivated open carry. I feel that it is unnessassarily provacative...
 
I agree, Pennsylvania is a open carry state but it is best to keep it concealed. With all the negative attention the news media has devoted on firearms issues, now is not the time to show your firearms. Out of sight out of mind, just carry it concealed.:D:D
 
Don't let their hate make you timid or feel ashamed of your way of life. Concealed carry is meant for some people, open of others. Don't judge them and their right to do something because you want to play it safe.
 
It was just such displays that forced the state of Ohio to enact a concealed carry law. Ten years ago, the ONLY legal mode of carry in Ohio was open carry -- and that was only because the Ohio Supreme Court read the Ohio Constitution and slapped down some prosecutors who tried to convict people for carrying handguns.

The Ohio citizens action group (I've forgotten the exact name -- sorry) organized a series of "carry-ins" and the result was that legislators finally recognized if they didn't want to see people carrying guns, they had to pass a law allowing people to conceal them.

Personally, I think if more fence-sitters (or those who don't even know there's a fence to be sat upon) saw more respectable citizens open carrying, it would rapidly lose its stigma. People in Arizona, for example, don't get their knickers in a twist when they see someone wearing a gun.
 
I think the open carry political rallies are a great way to make sure open carry gets banned. You have a right to open carry, not an obligation to make sure everyone knows you do.
 
I had encounters with two open-carry folks recently. One was a clean-cut, friendly guy. We had a nice conversation about his Baby Eagle. - a good OC ambassador, IMO

The 2nd guy was Tommy-tactical, with a wild-eyed glare, too-loud voice, and goofy-looking clothes. - not so good, IMO.
 
On Friday and last month at the rallies taking place at the NM state capital, there were many people OC'ing both handguns and long guns, or both at once.

These were normal, every-day people, conducting themselves respectfully, and engaging in their right to peaceful assembly.

Nothing happened, no one freaked out.

I see nothing wrong with it.
 
There's a difference between using a right and abusing a right. Walking down the street daring anyone to say something is flirting with the line in my opinion, and makes us look like we're looking for a fight.
 
Well, there is a point to be taken from a rally made up of over 500 armed people and not one law is broken.....anywhere.....even remotely close..... :cool:
 
I could see the value of an organized, open-carry demonstration, but random open-carry as a statement, doesn't do anyone any good.
For the armed individual, open carry is a shoot-me-first indicator, and someone who isn't a threat might feel threatened, so what's the point?
 
Why do police open carry?

Ease of accessibility.
Visible show of force.
It's much more comfortable.

It's the same reason I open carry. I've had some awesome conversations with anti-gun people because of it. They couldn't believe the gun wouldn't jump off my belt and start shooting people randomly.

I live in a very liberal state with lax gun laws. If I don't do my part to educate, I am letting everyone down.
 
Thats the best part of being an American because you can.I personaly don't open carry but I don't see nothing wrong with those who choose so.As the saying goes Freedom of Choice.
 
Connecticut is open carry. All that means to me, is that I wont get arrested for printing a little or if someone sees my gun. I rarely, if ever truely open carry.

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I swing both ways...

;)

Seriously, while I CC more often than not, I have no objection to OC'ing my EDC, especially when I am just putzing around my apartment complex or going to the local meijers or krogers. When I OC, it's typically for comfort- I'm not trying to be "in your face," just going about my day. I too have had some nice discussions, including one lady at the grocery store line saying she felt safer with someone nearby with a sidearm. I usually carry in a basic pancake holster, close to my side, so it doesn't stick out 4 inches from my body. It's just there...
 
Nothing wrong with open carry if it is legal in your area.

If others feel "uncomfortable" with it, they have the right to campaign against it.

Societal change is part of life, so if things change for better or worse for gun owners, just enjoy it while you can. But be flexible.
 
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