I don't bother concealed carrying any more. I keep the license because I keep one in the trucks glove box but on my person I keep it on the belt with my shirt tucked in..I don't care what people think in general and I'm not breaking any laws . The last thing I worry about is someone yanking my gun out of the holster. This is my usual walking in the woods and occasionally stopping at the store or whatever on my way to the woods rig. I get a funny look every now and then but who cares? Do you open carry?
Do you open carry?
- Thread starter yugorpk
- Start date
- Status
GBExpat
Member
No, never have and never will.
I want to be the only person with the knowledge that I am carrying a handgun.
ljnowell
Member
I don't see anything wrong with it, if that's what someone wants to do. I certainly support open carry as far as I think it should be legal in all 50 states.
That being said it's not an option for me. Even when I'm somewhere open carry is legal I don't do it. I don't like any extra attention in my direction.
That being said it's not an option for me. Even when I'm somewhere open carry is legal I don't do it. I don't like any extra attention in my direction.
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
In an environment filled with people, no.
In the woods or on the trail, yes, all the time.
In the woods or on the trail, yes, all the time.
TimSr
Member
Never if I'm going to be within arms reach of strangers, especially if it is carried in way that is not in front of you at all times.
Fine in the woods. Wouldn't do it on a dare in an urban/suburban environment. Not looking to have to deal with a gun grab, not trying to scare the women and children, not eager for misunderstandings with LE or shopkeepers about my intent. Nothing but downside.
GBExpat
Member
I don't even consider Open vs Concealed to be a valid question for me when "in the woods", as the critters don't seem to care either way ... only when in civilization. 
Bobson
Member
I sorta "transition" from CC to OC at certain times. For instance, when I sit down to eat at a restaurant, I pull my cover garment up and tuck it between my gun and my body, so that the gun is exposed for faster access to it. I guess that's technically OC. I pull the cover garment back over the gun to conceal it before I stand and walk again.
I've considered OC but won't do it without a quality retention holster (Safariland), which I haven't bought yet. I will buy it eventually, and will then be willing to OC depending on the activity/destination.
I've considered OC but won't do it without a quality retention holster (Safariland), which I haven't bought yet. I will buy it eventually, and will then be willing to OC depending on the activity/destination.
I have nothing against either means of carry. Both have a time and place. I think the main thing is your actions while carrying. This will determine how people perceive you more than anything.
If you are carrying concealed, but constantly touching or adjusting your firearm you may as well open carry as you have made it obvious you are carrying.
If you are open carrying, just be sure to be extra watchful, polite, and friendly. As I have several very cute holsters there are times I open carry because I don't feel like going through the mess of trying to conceal as a woman (as it is 150% harder than trying to conceal as a guy). I have actually found it to be very positive most of the time. Granted, most are not overly intimidated by the girl with a matching purple belt, holster, and mag pouch set with hearts and butterflies on it.
I have actually changed the minds of a few people that were anti gun thinking all gun owners were testosterone laden jerks out to show the world who is boss. I have had far more approach me and talk with me leaving with a very positive feel, than I have people who gave me dirty looks and got bent out of shape with me carrying.
Though I do live in AZ in an area where it is not that uncommon to see someone carrying.
If you are carrying concealed, but constantly touching or adjusting your firearm you may as well open carry as you have made it obvious you are carrying.
If you are open carrying, just be sure to be extra watchful, polite, and friendly. As I have several very cute holsters there are times I open carry because I don't feel like going through the mess of trying to conceal as a woman (as it is 150% harder than trying to conceal as a guy). I have actually found it to be very positive most of the time. Granted, most are not overly intimidated by the girl with a matching purple belt, holster, and mag pouch set with hearts and butterflies on it.
I have actually changed the minds of a few people that were anti gun thinking all gun owners were testosterone laden jerks out to show the world who is boss. I have had far more approach me and talk with me leaving with a very positive feel, than I have people who gave me dirty looks and got bent out of shape with me carrying.
Though I do live in AZ in an area where it is not that uncommon to see someone carrying.
PowerG
Member
Occasionally. I have found that not as many people notice as you might think. Even when carrying concealed I have gone more and more to OWB with an untucked shirt so it's not like it can't be discerned if you're looking for it.
DeepSouth
Random Guy
I do, but rarely.
I've never understood why it's such a big deal to people, carry how you like and don't demean/condemn people for carrying the way they like.
All these MYOB people seem to disappear when this topic comes up.
I've never understood why it's such a big deal to people, carry how you like and don't demean/condemn people for carrying the way they like.
All these MYOB people seem to disappear when this topic comes up.
FL-NC
Member
No, except when the wind moves my jacket when I'm on a motorcycle sometimes. The military taught me that speed, surprise, and violence of action are the principles to win a fight. Since I'm carrying a pistol for DEFENSIVE purposes, its a reasonable assumption that the fight will initiate on terms that I don't have a say in, which makes my response reactive. So not broadcasting the fact that I'm prepared/equipped to defend myself, thus making me a priority for elimination at the outset of the incident, is a survival tactic.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I open carry daily. I am right now.
Black Knight
Member
I open carry when the weather is too warm here. Yesterday I was picking my wife up from work and a guy asked me why I was carrying. I replied that I always carry. Again he asked why I was carrying. I told him you never know what is going to happen or where. It was like an insurance policy, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. He then said that was a good idea and left. Had he kept on I had that covered to. My police badge and ID was in my shirt pocket.
ontarget
Member
FL-NC, I never looked at it in the light of a survival tactic. Good point. I open carry when fishing in the city at night. There is a large river in the city about an hour away and we go fishing late at night. Occasionally there is riff-raff around and I always felt that if they can see it they may hopefully think twice.
Nailed it.
Craving extra attention is why most people open carry where people aren't accustomed to seeing guns on non LEO's.
Also (as the OP illustrated) such individuals have a need for passive aggression.
Hullraiser
Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2014
- Messages
- 194
Yes, at the farm or in the woods now. Used to open carry for years when I wore a badge though.
FL-NC
Member
I don't consider an exposed holstered pistol "in the woods", hunting, on a range, or a similar situation to be "open carrying", even though it is. Those are all situations where coming into contact with other people is slim, and/or the " open carrying" of a firearm is so normal that it would probably be "weird" not to have one.
MIL-DOT
member
Well said, and I concur. There's an old and well known saying from a certain Chinese general, that says, "know your enemy".
Well, open carrying gives a potential enemy some very vital and very useful intel about you. THAT'S the bottom line here. But for some rare exceptions, freely giving away this piece of intel is not only self-indulgent, it is un-necessary and unwise.
Jlr2267
Member
If I could, I would. Not for attention, as suggested above, but for comfort and convenience. Unfortunately, S. Carolina is not going to legalize it any time soon.
Why do you assume that people who open carry are looking for extra attention or are somehow burdened with a psychological affliction. In my case I did a self evaluation of my carry practice years ago and realized that carrying a mid sized Glock under a T shirt wasnt fooling anyone so what's the point? I was carrying a gun and looked like I was carrying a gun. Might as well open carry. Maybe people notice, maybe they don't but thats not really my problem is it? If I open carry its a few minutes here and there in public and all the time out on the trail or out in the woods. It is very common out here in the semi rural west to see people open carrying.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Shaq is simply expressing the facets of his own personality which would be in control were he to open carry. He has no special information or insight as to why anyone else does anything they do.
Remember, when someone says, "this is why people do whatever," they're actually saying, "here's a window into my soul. Understand ME, and known my faults and my limitations."
Remember, when someone says, "this is why people do whatever," they're actually saying, "here's a window into my soul. Understand ME, and known my faults and my limitations."
Mainsail
Member
Those sorts of 'fighting words' are what derails these threads every time. I could make the claim that you prefer to carry concealed because you're hoping someone will mess with you so you can execute them while yelling, "Surprise!"
I've been carrying openly for a decade now and I have never done so because I crave attention, in fact I carry openly to be left alone.
Please don't presume to know why I do anything that I do, and I'll do the same for you.
- Status