I don't understand open carry

[AntiqueCollector]

open carry is a joke. just like the rest of our worn out gun laws... in wisconsin its legal, but the locals will still try and slap you with a disorderly conduct. and if your within 1000ft of a school, your a felon. yea, great laws...

If that school zone thing is a concern to you, carry either an antique (pre-1899) cartridge gun (an old Colt 73 or the like would be perfect) or a new cap and ball revolver. Neither are defined as "firearms" under federal law, and the school zone issue is a federal law, an ammendment to the GCA 68, and therefore the same definition of firearms in the GCA 68 applies to it. It's a helpful exception to me, in VT, as, though the gun free school zone act exempts those holding carry permits, no such permits are necessary here and are not issued...though, admittedly, I don't know of any cases around me, where this act has been enforced against people simply walking by schools who aren't threatening in any way, it's an extra bit of legal protection for me should there ever be an issue/incident with me, such as actually needing to fire in self-defense, as then an anti prosecutor can't get me with that law.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I know some people will say "because I have the right to" but I'm genuinely looking for the practical reasons.

There's nothing half so practical as rights.

 

[GeezerwithGuns]

1. Because I can and it is my right.
2. Because I want people to see that a "normal" looking middle-aged guy with a gun is no threat whatsoever.
3. It's hot in the summer making it harder to conceal.
4. I can carry a bigger gun in a better position.
5. I just might need it some day.

 

[Autolycus]

I pretty much agree with a GeezerwithGuns. Except I am a young hispanic male who looks normal. I don't know what normal is.

It is my right. I want to carry a larger weapon. It can be faster. Its nice not having to worry about concealment or printing. Especially in the summer heat.

Unfortunatley in my state open carry is not legal (neither is concealed carry) so we are not allowed to exercise our rights thanks to our former Republican governor.

 

[busy_squirrel]

1. Because I choose Honesty over Harmony. A holstered OC says: "I'm armed yes, but I hope not to use it."
2. It says, "I like reason. You can't use force when dealing with me, because I could too. Let's use reason and have rational interactions."
3. I don't want it to be illegal when my CC piece shows
4. It's much easier/quicker to get "into action"
5. I want people to ask about firearms laws

Seeing OC does scare some people. They are what is wrong with America.

No, seriously now, maybe it's arrogant on my part, or not High Road, but I gave an honest answer. If they are put off by that, I can always fall back on: "Because I can."

In some cases the exceptions are more restrictive for open carry than concealed, which makes no sense at all.

That's WA for you...

 

[geekWithA.45]

Frankly, it's basis is historical.

Based on the social belief of the time, concealing a weapon was considered underhanded and devious, and often prohibited. In that context, there was nothing wrong at all with being openly armed, because people could tell at a glance what they were dealing with.

Furthermore, prohibiting BOTH open and concealed carry would have infringed the protected right to keep AND BEAR arms. As I recall, there were several state level supreme court decisions in the 1800's that upheld prohibitions of concealed carriage, pointing out that it did not infringe on the right to bear arms, as open carriage was a perfectly acceptable way to excercise the right.

This was a factor even as recently as a few years ago, when the anti's in Ohio argued that passage of concealed carry permit reform wasn't necessary due to the legality of open carry.

It's alse every bit as true and relevant today, especially in states where the requirements for obtaining a carry permit are more restrictive than those needed to posess. Such people would find themselves in a position to keep, but find their right to bear infringed.

 

[rich636]

Thanks again THR's for all the feedback, I do have a much better understanding of where everyone is coming from now.

Geek, regarding Ohio citing the OC law to negate CC, is that a backhanded measure? Meaning that they say "open carry is on the books so you don't need CC" knowing all the while that cops will realistically stop people from OC'ing despite what's on the books?

 

[Emptymag]

I OC'd for the first time recently and I did so because I was wearing my G19 at the range and didn't feel like fighting to remove the holster before going into a store on my way home. I figured an empty holster would get just as many odd looks as one filled with a Glock. (Not one odd look by the way)

I doubt I'll OC all the time, but my first excursion into OC was... well, VERY interesting. (No, nothing unusual happened) It's hard to explain, but if you own firearms and enjoy the fact that as an American you have the RIGHT to do so... multiply that feeling x 1,000!

It felt good to not "hide" my handgun and I think it could lead to interesting conversations... or harassing "conversations" by law enforcement perhaps... but not this time.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Geek, regarding Ohio citing the OC law to negate CC, is that a backhanded measure? Meaning that they say "open carry is on the books so you don't need CC" knowing all the while that cops will realistically stop people from OC'ing despite what's on the books?

IIRC, it wasn't so much the State of Ohio saying that, as the anti gun opposition to permit issuance reform. IMO, you've hit the nail on the head, they knew full well that OC would meet with official resistance and social opprobrium, and thought they could short circuit public approval by diverting it via the option of OC "if someone really felt they must".

The Ohioans very deftly countered the argument by organizing open carry marches to make their point, knowing that while the individual practicioner might be picked off, a march en masse would not be, especially when the organizers were polite, had their parade permits in order, and notified the authorities in advance not only of their plans, but of their lawfullness of said plans.

That was the last time the forces of Organized Gun Bigotry tried THAT approach.