I dont worry at all about people finding out I own/carry guns from me OC'ing, or from seeing me carry them to/from my car in cases when I go to the range. Why dont I worry? mainly, because my personal experiance is that people are VERY oblivious, and just dont even notice the gun(s) at all, and if they do, they assume I'm a cop. I have OC'd many times in Eugene (an ULTRA-liberal city of 200K+ people, and also home to 1 of the 2 states largets universities) and no one, LEO's standing right next to me included, have never so much as given me a second look (and yes, I pay careful attention, as I am intentionally watching, just for my own education and/or amusement, to see if nyone reacts or seems to even notice at all), an no one bats an eye, whispers, moves away, or says a word.
So, it boils down to people tend to be unobservant and oblivious, so you likely arent attracting nearly as much attention as you think, and of those that notice you carrying, likely just assume that you must be in law enforcement (as they likely assume if you werent, you wouldnt be carrying, and certainly not openly, because they likely think it's illegal for people to carry, or at least OC anyways, if they arent.) So, IMHO, any criminal who notices I own, or carry a gun, while he may REALLY want to steal them, is likely not going to act on it because 1) he is like everyone else and assumes I must be a cop, and criminals REALLY like to AVOID contact with cops, not initiate it, especially in a robbery, or, they, like anyone who isnt suicidal or pychotic, REALLY doesnt want to get shot and killed, so will avoid me knwing that may happen, since they know I own/carry a gun. They would much rather rob the old lady down the street who likely isnt armed, or even able to resist physically. Easy pickins, little to know risk.
Criminals arent entirely stupid. They can asses risk vs reward just like the rest of us, and will avoid as much risk as possible to get thier "reward". Why confront an armed, 30ish year old man, when there are elderly people, women, or people who at least arent 100% KNOW to be armed, etc that are "easier pickins" in thier eyes?
As for Defensory's example of gun stores or people coming from the range getting robbed. yep, it can happen. How many stories would you like me to post of stores other than gun shops getting robbed, or people who werent coming from the gun range getting robbed in thier driveway? happens all the time. All it proves is that no matter WHAT you do, or where you work, you CAN be the unlucky person that gets targeted.If there were ANY way to even be 90% sure we wouldnt be a victem, we'd all be doing it. But, there isnt any way to to even close to sure, no matter what you do (unless you want to turn your home into an impenetrable fortress, and NEVER set foot outside again) all you can do is mitigate to a level that YOU feel strikes the balance between being totally oblivious to risk, and shear paranoia and misery. That acceptable level will very be person, location, etc.
just my opinion, ymmv, and you (you not meaning anyone here specifically, the collective "you") have every right to beleive the opposite of me, and do what you think is best for you and yours.
