To open carry or concealed carry. That is the question.

I open carry when hunting/hiking/fishing/jeeping/biking....pretty much anytime I'm out in nature.

The rest of the time I OWB conceal carry...it's comfortable sitting, standing, bending over, buckled in, or any other way I may want to move my body. I move about in Virginia and West Virginia most so printing doesn't matter. No one notices, and if they do they must not care, not that I'd care either way.;)
 
Just to clarify. My coments on open carry did not apply to carry in the woods, on private property, or while hunting. I just don't think some fake macho "hero" swaggering down the street in a town, playing with the gun on his hip and scaring the bejeezus out of folks, does the gun rights cause any good. Abusing a right is a sure way to lose it; "it is my right" is all too often a prelude to "not any more."

Jim
 
I'm also in AZ (for the winter months) and am just south of Tucson. I have an AZ CC permit even though one is not required. In my way of thinking, it really is not a big issue (in AZ). I see open carry quite frequently and you really don't give it a thought. I can honestly say that I've never seen anybody open carrying out here that wasn't acting responsibility or who had the appearance of "having their act together" - both men and women.

If I were here in the summer (as one poster mentioned) it's just too hot to wear a jacket, etc. to cover. I carry in a holster on the belt. If the weather (when I'm in AZ) permits a shirt or jacket that covers it, then fine. If I "print" - I don't worry about it. I somethines carry a snubbie (Ruger LCR)and other times a semi-auto (Ruger SR9) and of course the size of pistol you are carrying is going to make a difference on how "noticable" it is. I've tried carrying in the waistband and I find it uncomfortable - it's just a personal thing.

For me, it's not a case of open carrying or semi open carrying to let others know I am armed nor a "power thing". It's just fairly common to see someone opencarrying out here and I also know that there are a tremendous amount of folks who are carrying concealed or have one in their car. I know a great number of women who carry. It's just not a big deal and that's the way it ought to be in all 50 states.

A month or so ago, my wife and I were sitting in the waiting room of a car wash. I was not carrying that day. Of the seven other folks who were sitting int he waiting room with us waiting for their cars to get done, four were open carrying - two gentlemen who looked to be in their 80s had small semi-autos on their belt, a gentleman who looked to be a "rancher type" who looked to be 50 or so had a S & W revolver on his belt and when they called a woman to tell her that her car was finished, she got up and I saw a holster on her belt when her coat pushed back as she was getting up - she looked to be in her 40s.

I know that there are those who are "scared" of guns who get upset when they see someone carrying one (other than LE). Myself - I just feel more comfortable when I see what I did at the car wash. I know that if something were to "go down" - there are civilians around who could put a stop to it if necessary if no LE were present. Just my thoughts.
 
The only time I suggest somebody open carry is when they are prohibited from concealed carry.

There is no advantage aside from comfort (and draw speed), and even that is a stretch with a good IWB holster and belt.
 
It seems odd to me, to see so many in the gun community turn on their own for their preference of carry.

I see so many brag up concealed carry, but do you realize, you had to pay for your right? Not only did you pay for a right, you are registered with your government as a gun person. That doesn't make me tingly all over. I guess because I don't trust the government. All it takes is a stroke of a pen and people with licenses will be rounded up and their guns taken. When you registered, you created a privilege...a privilege to carry.

On the other hand, our Constitution and those of many of the states give us the "right" to carry openly. Of course it can be taken away as well, but it is a might harder because they would have to fly in the face of an actual right.

I carry openly. I see no reason to give the county I live in a couple of hundred dollars every few years for the privilege of carrying my firearm. Sure it will upset some on the streets and if they new CCH were armed they would still be upset. I don't open carry to make any statements, except to leave me alone.

I am an older gentleman (depending on who you talk to) and I have chosen to excersize my God given right. I don't want someone telling me I'm doing it wrong when I am not. If you guys wish to pay to CC, that is fine. I don't wish to and the laws say I don't have to.
 
Open carry is not allowed in CA any longer thanks to a recent bill. On the other hand, I prefer the idea of a concealed weapon so that becomes an element of tactical surprise. Open carry has less tactical surprise in an encounter. I don't believe open carry makes you less of a target, in fact, if they are looking for a gun to steal, it makes you more of a target and a good chance you will be dead by your own gun. CC is the best for those reasons.
 
Open carry is not allowed in CA any longer thanks to a recent bill.
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This. This is why many gun owners, especially CCLs, have real problems with the OC crowd outside of rural settings. It freaks people out, and then we lose further freedoms.
 
I used to warn people that open carry would result in bans. They denied the possibility, then California happened.

I used to warn people that they were at risk for a gun grab, and they denied the possibility. Then a man in Richmond was disarmed and shot.
 
I used to warn people that open carry would result in bans. They denied the possibility, then California happened.
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And just what did they lose? If they had the "right" to open carry, but were afraid to, because they were afraid they might get the right taken away, they might just as well not have the right.

Wars are not won or lost in a single battle, unless one chooses to give up.
 
If they had the "right" to open carry, but were afraid to, because they were afraid they might get the right taken away, they might just as well not have the right.
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+1

At least now the State can not say "California is an Open Carry State!"

Reminds me of some lyrics by The Clash .....

"You have the Right ...... to Free Speech ....... so long as you are not dumb enough to actually try it!"

You can say California is a part of a Free Country, but it is just not in the Free part. I'd just as soon it were not any part. Call a spade a spade.
 
Something not mentioned as a plus for open carry, it allows you to carry full size guns more easily vs. limiting yourself to compact guns that more readily lend themselves to concealment. It is easier to accurately shoot a full size handgun than it is a compact model so there is a valid issue with carrying a full size handgun.

I live in a rural setting in hot SW Texas. I am law enforcement (at the administration level). My work clothing is sometimes a uniform and sometimes civilian clothes. When I am working in civilian clothes I seldom wear a coat. I open carry, but also have on my belt the following items which help identify me as a LEO; handcuffs, radio, badge/ ID card. Since these things are spread out in different locations on my belt, one or more of these items are visible to someone from any angle. Very few people even notice that there is a Beretta 92FS in my holster in plain view. Most of the admin. level officers of all the various local agencies open carry in plain clothes with their ID displayed. The local citizens are used to seeing open carry by law enforcement. Most locals recognize us on site anyway.

Texas is not an open carry state for civilians. If it were, it probably would not cause alarm in the rural areas. I stay out of the big cities when possible. When I have to go there, I do wear a coat, unless I am in a marked police car. Oh, for the record; I have been in law enforcement for 25 years. Law abiding citizens legally carrying firearms on their persons does not bother me. We need all the help we can get from the good folks. As for the bad guys, well I've got strong opinions about that ;)

I predict open carry will come to more and more states. Once it becomes the "norm" it will be a non issue. We no longer gawk at people with cell phone earpieces in their ear talking into thin air. We used to have to lock people up that went down the sidewalk alone having loud conversations with people who were not there. :eek:

Concealed carry has many pluses also. I think it might be nice if "concealed" was an individual choice instead of a legal mandate. I think open carry in Texas would be acceptable to all the rural Texans. Some (not all) of our big city people would throw a fit; well they need to be living in another state anyway. They just don't fit here.
 
JiminTexas: The standing rules that are/were observed by all were very much like concealed carry rules here in Texas. You don't take your gun into a bank, a bar, a church, a public or govenment building or a hospital. If there is a sign on the door that says don't bring it in you either don't go in or you surrender it to the owner/manager/person in charge when you go in. I chose to open carry.
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The rules in Texas do allow carry in hospitals unless posted with a 30.06 sign. Government buildings too some of them, but not court houses. I heard about one bank in Texas that allows concealed carry. Some churches too. I don't think I would be in favor of open carry, and if passed in Texas I don't think I would open carry myself. Except federal property, any medical building or hospital which posts a 30.06 sign I will not go in. I do not believe that Open Carry will pass in Texas because there is too much profit in the permits for over 400,000 permit holders too. That is a lot of revenue.
 
We're you from? Clint!

To open carry or concealed carry. That is the question.

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As a disclaimer, let me say that I have nothing against open carry, and I think it should be legal in all 50 states.

This is an open question to all those who open carry. Why do you do it? I've heard a thousand gun owners on why CCW is the best thing to be invented since the firearm itself, but I want to hear your side of the story. What are the advantages to carrying openly rather than concealed?
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Hope I didn't waste my time by answering this.

Why you ask, and what does it matter?
 
If Texas ever allows open carry I seriously doubt they would drop the permit/license requirement. All current license requirements would remain in effect except it would no longer be required to be concealed.
 
I've open carried a few times in VA and KY.

If people would stop making behind-the-back comments and giving me undue attention, whether it's positive or negative, I'd open carry every day. It's just more comfortable.
 
I used to warn people that they were at risk for a gun grab, and they denied the possibility. Then a man in Richmond was disarmed and shot.
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One instance. One. Unless you can come up with another instance involving a citizen (not LEO).

It's like saying, "I just knew someone would get killed in these cars they're building. See? It happened."

So let's ban open carry! Yay!:rolleyes:
 
I will support open-carry to my dying day. Will I open-carry myself, just because I can and the law allows it? No, I will not.

I do think open-carry outside of rural areas tends to freak gun opponents out, and increases the chances of legislation against it.

Concealed carry gives a distinct tactical advantage, and avoids some of the inherent problems. It is also not that uncomfortable if one has the right rig for your build and clothing.
 
One instance. One. Unless you can come up with another instance involving a citizen (not LEO).
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It doesn't get much press, but it happens. I know of one case in my area this year, and one other in a neighboring town. The second case involved the gun falling out of the victim's holster while standing on line at a supermarket. The guy behind him grabbed it and took off. Neither made the internet, but most stuff like this doesn't.

Since you want two documented cases, here's an oldie but goody.

So let's ban open carry! Yay!
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Please point out here or anywhere else where I have pushed for banning open carry. Otherwise it's just more of the personal attacks I get when I voice skepticism of the utility of it. Frankly, I've never known it to change things for the better, while I've known it to change things for the worse.

There are risks. It can cause problems. Those are the things I want people to understand so they don't go out and make things worse for all of us.
 
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I think OC and CC are both good options. If I'm in a bad part of town and I want to protect myself CC is best IMO, but if I'm doing work around the yard or riding my motorcycle I tend to OC.

The constutition protects both. To keep (CC) and bear (OC) arms. It's quite clear.
 
I'm not in favor of open carry.

1) Potential for someone else to grab it
2) Disturbing segments of the public for no reason
3) Possibly promoting an unwise macho attitude in the carrier

These are the 3 big negatives for me. Sure, most who would OC are level headed, but what have we learned from watching humans over thousands or years? Get enough of them to do something, and some are going to do it STUPIDLY. CCW addresses personal defense without much concern for #1 and #2 at least, although #3 can still be a problem for some.

If widely accepted, people of all types would want to OC. Not just respectable, hard working, law abiding Americans. There would also be hoodrats and other seedy types who might qualify if they had not yet been caught doing something illegal and therefore banned from OC. How would you like to see hoodrat thugs with .45s in plain view walking around your local grocery store? I wouldn't like that at all.
 
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