I understand why people open carry on their property, but I don't understand why anyone would carry openly ANYWHERE else.
1. Cops might not be so well-versed in the carry laws, and might decide to take that guy with the gun on his hip off the street before he does any harm. That happened to a fellow on another board recently. Fortunately he got his gun back, but he's decided to get his CCW now.
2. You give anyone with ill intentions a head-up on who to aim for. True, it might act as a deterrent, but criminals are becoming more brash now than ever.
3. This goes back to number one, but people might call the cops because THEY don't know the carry laws. That's what happened to the guy on another board. Went to get some coffee after a range trip and the cops were called.
Is wearing a jacket or getting a CCW permit so hard compared to the consequences?
Here's my thinking. Places I've looked into moving that have both open and CCW laws, also have a limit on the CCW. You have to register, by seriel number, UP TO 2 guns that you can carry concealed. Problem is, then you're stuck with those two unless you want to go through the hassle of registering others, and getting your CCW updated.
Your #3 I think is something that could be remedied by carrying openly, at least if a lot of people did it. A big form of gun control, IMHO is the "what will people think" factor.
As for police, I know in a few counties in Nevada, they require you to carry a copy of the carry laws (both open and concealed) if you are going to carry there. The purpose being to show the police if an issue is made.
I don't think criminals would deliberately go after someone who was "flying the colors" so to speak. What they want are easy victims, they don't want to fight and risk injury, they'd rather go after a soft target. 'Course, hear tell down on the border you have armed raiding parties violating the border, but those types won't care if you're visibly armed or not, they'll come after you either way.
The other thing is, if you carry both ways, you can have a decent CCW piece (or two), but still carry a large, more effective gun without trying to hide it. This would be a distinct advantage I would think, and an additional deterrent in that even if someone magange to come up with a way around your open carry piece, they have no assurances that you're not still armed with something they can't see or account for.