Would YOU Open Carry???

Would or Do you Open Carry in Public?

  • Yes

    Votes: 173 41.8%

  • No

    Votes: 114 27.5%

  • It depends

    Votes: 127 30.7%
  • Total voters
    414
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I went with "it depends". Some places around here would create a scene with an open carry (downtown), but as soon as you get outside the big city, it would be no big deal.
 
Yes, I used to open carry my vaquero when I would go to my ranch out in the sticks. Everyone out there is a redneck with a pickup and a gun so I fit right in.

Around town definitely not, it could create many issues.

So i voted "It depends" :)

YK
 
Here in NH, you only need a license to concealed carry. Anyone can open carry all they want. I voted no because many people are afraid of guns and will call the cops if they see someone with a gun. I've seen it happen.
 
Open Carry is an option

The issue is where are we and why are we carrying openly. We had this discussion not long ago and most did not agree with my thoughts.
1. There must be a overwhelming reason to carry in the open, as this carry method denies the great advantage of surprise. I would not wish to casually throw away such an advantage. Changing public option by open carry is not a good enough reason to loose the advantage of surprise.

2. There is chance that open carry in populated areas will be misinterped by the general public and LE will be called. Most of the time this will be a negative interaction with street level officers, I can not see this as productive.

3. There is a time and place for open carry, and I do so on my long walks in my favorite forest. My expiation is that most will not missinterpret my motives in that environment.

In a nut shell, I concealed carry for my own safety, it is not a public statement, nor am I interested in intervening. I use the element of suprise in my defensive plans. On the street in a urban setting a individual carrying openly would become a focus point for me, I would move away from the individual toward safety, he best not make any mistakes or approach me uninvited.

Good Luck and Be Safe
 
In Virginia you MUST OC if you are in a restaurant that serves alcohol.
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That's only true if you want to carry in the restaurant or bar at all. You have the option of disarming.

I am a Virginian and can carry openly, but I don't. I don't need to be hassled by the anti-gun public or targeted by a criminal who would like to "borrow" my gun.
 
In Arizona I OC (no permit necessary) or CC (w/CCW permit) as I so choose, which seems to irk some Kalyfornya anti's who drift over the state line!!:p
 
It depends

I have a Michigan CPL so I generally CC however I do on ocassion OC. It depends on where I am or where I'm going. If I'm traveling around town, I will do both. If I'm traveling to Detroit I will CC. There are some places that you can only OC if you have a CPL, such as a car.
 
Would I open carry?

It depends on the weather for me. I have open carried before, and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I support OC and CC equally, and don't try and convince others that they should carry the way I do, and I expect the same out of others. Unless it is illegal in your state, it's your choice.
 
Yes,but with a compact handgun that was dark colored.

Along the lines with what Dusty Rivers said.

"As inconspicuous as possible."

I have a Taurus Ultralight .38 in dark blue that with a belt holster,you really can't tell it's there.

I don't think I'd try to side holster my Stainless PT101 on my side into town.

It's so bright it looks like it's got LED's in it.:D

If I wanted to carry a semi auto,I have a STAR BM 9mm in blue that is fairly small and does'nt make a big visual impact either.
 
concealment or not

I carry out and cross draw while driving around
(i'm a lefty),but as i get to my destination i'll slip my shirt over it and do my buisness.As for open carry around here,I'd say no.A guy came into a store where i was and while shopping was asked to please leave because he was scaring all the other cotsomers off.I personally didn't see the big deal,it was a great looking sig.:D
 
I prefer ccw even when in the back country, but I have no problems OC with a larger gun when hiking or fishing away from population centers. Don't think I'd do so in town though. I'm not into advertising to make a point, personally. That's just me.
 
I voted yes

Open carry is good for all of us for one very big reason.

For decades, the establishment media, socialist and liberals have been working hard to ensure that every year, more and more hoplophobes (people that fear guns) are created. They want people to fear them. "oohh a gun... run!"

If people see private citizens with handguns strapped on their belts on a daily or regular basis, they will begin to understand that there is no danger. No more than a man with a knife clipped to his pocket, a worker with a deadly power tool, a person operating a motor vehicle, or a law enforcement officer with a gun.

Open carry is good.

I personally would choose a traditional revolver with no speed loaders - just the 5 or 6 beans. I'd carry it in a nice tooled leather pancake type holster.

In fact, I'd probably carry this one:

HPIM1027.JPG
 
For decades, the establishment media, socialist and liberals have been working hard to ensure that every year, more and more hoplophobes (people that fear guns) are created. They want people to fear them. "oohh a gun... run!"
Click to expand...

I'm not a hoplophobe and I, like many others here, don't like open carry in many circumstances.

WildbutheyitsalongstandingdebateAlaska ™
 
Missouri is an open carry state, but local municipalities set the bar.
My instructor/ffl/friend OC's on a regular basis. BUT, he also checked with our surrounding localities to see where it was and wasn't ok.

I am indifferent about it. I do open carry, especially during hunting season. My sidearm is always with me. Normally tho, I conceal. I like to blend in at all times, I'd rather noone know what I have or don't have. But I really don't have a problem with it either way, unless it's done in poor judgement.
 
It looks like the Yes and It Depends are neck and neck while No is the minority.

I should have been more clear in that I support the right for an individual to open carry if they want, I just wouldn't in public. Again, around the house or a trip to the gas station or something...sure but Walmart, Books a million, or the mall? No way.

Thanks for the ideas and civility. I am surprised that so many states already allow (or should I say don't disallow) open carry.
 
I'd probably do it on occasion, but would likely stick with concealed for the most part.

Sure would be nice to have the option; at least we are now discussing it here in Texas.
 
I don't but I would if the cops wouldn't get all uptight about it. I think it's illegal too if you have a CCW. Not sure about that part though.
 
If I had a job that required me to wear a suit I would open carry and not wear the jacket.
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I'm thinking about doing this as I wear a suit or nice trousers most of the time for work and don't want to have to alter 15-20 pairs of pants to fit my IWB holster. I would probabaly look like a detective or fed so I wouldn't worry too much about getting hasled too much by police.
 
Since WA State is a OC State I do OC in warmer months as it gives me another option on how to carry. When I OC I put little thought into my attire so imho it is a nice choice to have. In the winter months I will of course cover up and CC.

Dave
 
The only practical advantage I see to being able to open carry legally for me are
1. If someone spots my gun while I'm bending over or something it's not a problem.
and 2. I could carry bigger guns and just opt for "casual concealment" if I wanted to (a lot of cops do this).
 
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