fletcher
Member
*raises hand*
I don't understand open carry
- Thread starter rich636
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*raises hand*
There is so much public land in AZ for hunting or recreational shooting that you'd have a hard time differentiating between a CCW violation & legal use.
I still carry concealed (mostly), but it's nice to not have to worry about exposure if my shirt rides up or when I'm holstering getting out of the car etc.
I still carry concealed (mostly), but it's nice to not have to worry about exposure if my shirt rides up or when I'm holstering getting out of the car etc.
Bravo11
Member
I wear tucked in during the work week and I tried to carry IWB. It was the most uncomfortable thing I can think of. I have a paddle holster for my carry weapon and it is real easy to slide on and off when I go somewhere. I can't carry at my office so being able to take on/take off my CCW is a must.
Also, I like the idea of BBQ guns. It's just not right to cover up a nice looking gun. It's like having a Rolex and keeping it in your pocket.
Also, I like the idea of BBQ guns. It's just not right to cover up a nice looking gun. It's like having a Rolex and keeping it in your pocket.
brighamr
Member
My reason for open carry
There are several reasons I open carry as often as possible:
1) I want people to know I'm armed. Criminals are less likely to try to rob me (they'll look for easier prey)
2) I want people to ask questions. For me, this is partly a PR stunt for the RKBA. (Every person on my road trip who asked why I was carrying got to hear a nicely rehearsed, intelligent speal on 2A, and RKBA. This means they got a good exposure)
3) I can carry my XD without the grip hitting my side.
4) I feel more comfortable not having clothing in the way. If something goes down and I need to draw, I'll want to draw as quickly as possible and not have to worry about moving a shirt\jacket\etc.
I have open carried in 5 states now, and public opinion is changing for the better.
There are several reasons I open carry as often as possible:
1) I want people to know I'm armed. Criminals are less likely to try to rob me (they'll look for easier prey)
2) I want people to ask questions. For me, this is partly a PR stunt for the RKBA. (Every person on my road trip who asked why I was carrying got to hear a nicely rehearsed, intelligent speal on 2A, and RKBA. This means they got a good exposure)
3) I can carry my XD without the grip hitting my side.
4) I feel more comfortable not having clothing in the way. If something goes down and I need to draw, I'll want to draw as quickly as possible and not have to worry about moving a shirt\jacket\etc.
I have open carried in 5 states now, and public opinion is changing for the better.
WayneConrad
Member
The businesses where I shop see a clean, peaceable, friendly citizen spending money while wearing a sidearm.
Houston Tom
Member
What states have open carry now?
Houston Tom, this website has a map, it's not as simple as I imagined.
http://www.opencarry.org/
And I answered my question about licensing.
http://www.opencarry.org/
And I answered my question about licensing.
Jim Watson
Member
I am all in favor of open carry or concealed carry for any reason you care to give, but I see a logical disconnect.
On the one hand I see here that open carry is a deterrent to crime.
On the other hand, I wouldn't have to look hard to find a pronouncement that a "photographer's vest" is a dead giveaway of concealed carry and therefore invites ambush.
On the gripping hand, there are plenty of reports that people just aren't that observant, either way.
On the one hand I see here that open carry is a deterrent to crime.
On the other hand, I wouldn't have to look hard to find a pronouncement that a "photographer's vest" is a dead giveaway of concealed carry and therefore invites ambush.
On the gripping hand, there are plenty of reports that people just aren't that observant, either way.
Byron Quick
Moderator In Memoriam
I agree with the above except for the notion of open carry being an excellent deterrent. Most people don't notice. I've considered strapping a 1911 to my head to see if it would get noticed.
I open carried for years before concealed carry and do so occasionally now. Based on my experience, I don't consider it to be much of a deterrent as 95%+ of the population seem to be incapable of noticing a 1911 in an OWB holster.
Back in the late sixties and early seventies, I carried a FN Highpower. Very long hair, beads, sandals
The only questions I every got was some people wanted to know if I was an undercover cop!Houston Tom
Member
thanks for the links
TallPine
Member
Not in most states, at least out in the mountain west. It is just simply not-illegal, just like walking down the street wearing a green shirt.
Must be kind of a hard concept in some states
MT GUNNY
Member
Back in the day It was considerd cowerdly to ccw
Undercover cop OCing a pistol????!!!
As people have already said, carrying concealed used to be things that 'evil' people did. (You know, those conniving villains twirling their mustaches and fitting their monocle)
How it's been completely turned around is weird. I think it's partly due to the general public perception of guns being 'bad'.
Be careful on stuff listed at OpenCarry.org. My state (AL) is listed as an OC state, but it's actually up for debate. The laws are contradictory and not very precise. The problem is, however, that if the law is interpreted to mean OC is illegal, it would also mean that carrying concealed with a permit would be illegal anywhere but public property... In addition, regardless of the laws you will be arrested for OCing, since the cops think it's illegal.
That said, I have OCed in a few places. Mainly stores around my apartment and stuff. Nobody notices really. People really are oblivious.
As people have already said, carrying concealed used to be things that 'evil' people did. (You know, those conniving villains twirling their mustaches and fitting their monocle)
How it's been completely turned around is weird. I think it's partly due to the general public perception of guns being 'bad'.
Be careful on stuff listed at OpenCarry.org. My state (AL) is listed as an OC state, but it's actually up for debate. The laws are contradictory and not very precise. The problem is, however, that if the law is interpreted to mean OC is illegal, it would also mean that carrying concealed with a permit would be illegal anywhere but public property... In addition, regardless of the laws you will be arrested for OCing, since the cops think it's illegal.
That said, I have OCed in a few places. Mainly stores around my apartment and stuff. Nobody notices really. People really are oblivious.
Houston Tom
Member
Funny the other day a body of my stopped by while on vacation he is a Alabama state trooper, and we were discussing OC and while he is not against it he did not think it was legal, I had no idea.
SolaScriptura139
Member
Not in West Virginia. Just have to be 18 (with no felonies). Unfortunately you can only get a pistol at that age from private sale or as a gift. Pennsylvania requires you get one license to do both. Like others have mentioned, OpenCarry.org is the best place for Open Carry information.
coyote_jr
member
jkomp do you ever have anything remotely substantial to contribute to this board? Are you Sarah Brady?
pcosmar
member
This has been my feeling on this too.
I prefer Open Carry, it just seems more honest to me.
Why hide something that is a normal right to have?
When Rights are wrong, and wrongs are justified, is it any wonder that folks get confused.
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Sistema1927
Member
Why OC? Because freedom is a wonderful thing.
My state allows open carry, and I often do just that. Even when I CCW, I don't have to worry if my gun prints, or if my shirt tail gets blown up, or if I want to remove my suit jacket or sports coat.
We have a God given right to self-defense, which is recognized by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. I don't read anything there about the right to keep and bear arms, just so long as it is covered up, or if you get the correct government permit, or any other restrictions.
Additionally, open carry lets people see that normal, everyday, law abiding citizens utilize firearms. This goes a long way towards having people see that guns are tools, and not nefarious devices which should be hidden out of sight. We don't expect the carpenter to conceal his hammer, or the mechanic to conceal his wrenches, or the plumber to conceal his drain snake. In the same way we should expect that people will carry their tools of self defense in any manner that appeals to them.
As I said, freedom, it's a wonderful thing.
My state allows open carry, and I often do just that. Even when I CCW, I don't have to worry if my gun prints, or if my shirt tail gets blown up, or if I want to remove my suit jacket or sports coat.
We have a God given right to self-defense, which is recognized by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. I don't read anything there about the right to keep and bear arms, just so long as it is covered up, or if you get the correct government permit, or any other restrictions.
Additionally, open carry lets people see that normal, everyday, law abiding citizens utilize firearms. This goes a long way towards having people see that guns are tools, and not nefarious devices which should be hidden out of sight. We don't expect the carpenter to conceal his hammer, or the mechanic to conceal his wrenches, or the plumber to conceal his drain snake. In the same way we should expect that people will carry their tools of self defense in any manner that appeals to them.
As I said, freedom, it's a wonderful thing.
pacodelahoya
Member
Not to be a smart aleck or anything, but do a search. This topic has been worn thin.
A number of posters have commented that people just don't notice open carry. That's one possibility.
I'll toss out these possibilities, all of which assume that people do notice and ask, you the reader, for comment:
I'll toss out these possibilities, all of which assume that people do notice and ask, you the reader, for comment:
- People notice but the overwhelming majority could care less.
- People notice, do care, but don't want to get involved to the level of calling the police or making a scene.
- People notice, do care, but are so scared by the sight that they can't/won't call the police.
Regolith
Member
Personally, I think the biggest reason for OC is for when it isn't practical to get a CCP. This of course depends on the state allowing OC for non CCP holders.
I'm in a rather difficult situation myself. I'm a Nevada resident living in Oregon. Oregon doesn't allow non-residents to apply for CCP without a documented reason, and it does not reciprocate with Nevada. Nevada doesn't reciprocate with Oregon, either. And since I only spend about two months a year in Nevada, getting a CCW there isn't worth my time anyway.
Both states, however, allow open carry to a degree. So if I wanted to carry a pistol in either state, it would have to be OC.
I'm in a rather difficult situation myself. I'm a Nevada resident living in Oregon. Oregon doesn't allow non-residents to apply for CCP without a documented reason, and it does not reciprocate with Nevada. Nevada doesn't reciprocate with Oregon, either. And since I only spend about two months a year in Nevada, getting a CCW there isn't worth my time anyway.
Both states, however, allow open carry to a degree. So if I wanted to carry a pistol in either state, it would have to be OC.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Oh I agree with him (jkomp).....
One of the problems with open carry in some places is the restrictions placed on you.
As he points out, even if open carry is legal you still have to watch all the "exceptions".
In some cases the exceptions are more restrictive for open carry than concealed, which makes no sense at all.
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