I Open Carried Today - people's reactions

[longdayjake]

You may think what you want about open carry but I don't do it for two reasons.

1. I don't like drawing attention to myself. (I like to think thats how I have stayed out of trouble all these years).
2. I am paranoid about people trying to touch it. (I spent some time in law enforcement and I HATED it when people fixated on my gun or even stood close to me. I liked people to talk to ME and not my gun/authority).

For those reasons I disliked open carry even as a LEO. If you ever have someone touch or try to touch your gun while you are carrying you know how I feel.

 

[Gryffydd]

I've walked into a hippy granola store here with an M-91 Mosin strapped to my back and nobody batted an eye.

Try it again with the bayonet attached But then you probably wouldn't fit through the door...

 

[cloudcroft]

"I guess open carry is not a good idea."

Wow. Based on one personal experience, you came to that immediate conclusion. How limited you must be...or just ignorant.

At first, however, I thought you were just an anti-OC troll. And maybe you are.

-- John D.

 

[WCSO]

You may think what you want about open carry but I don't do it for two reasons.

1. I don't like drawing attention to myself. (I like to think thats how I have stayed out of trouble all these years).
2. I am paranoid about people trying to touch it. (I spent some time in law enforcement and I HATED it when people fixated on my gun or even stood close to me. I liked people to talk to ME and not my gun/authority).

For those reasons I disliked open carry even as a LEO. If you ever have someone touch or try to touch your gun while you are carrying you know how I feel.

You don't EVER let anyone touch your gun as a LEO or otherwide. In my opinion "Thems fightin words".

 

[General Geoff]

You don't EVER let anyone touch your gun

Well, there is a difference between an innocent brush against it and an intentional grab. Wisdom is knowing which is which.

 

[WCSO]

You may think what you want about open carry but I don't do it for two reasons.

1. I don't like drawing attention to myself. (I like to think thats how I have stayed out of trouble all these years).
2. I am paranoid about people trying to touch it. (I spent some time in law enforcement and I HATED it when people fixated on my gun or even stood close to me. I liked people to talk to ME and not my gun/authority).

For those reasons I disliked open carry even as a LEO. If you ever have someone touch or try to touch your gun while you are carrying you know how I feel.

I took that statement to mean a deliberate contact with the gun. People are always wanting to touch or look at your gun and that isn't something you allow to happen.

 

[cleardiddion]

I've been OC'ing for over a year now.
Most people don't even notice much less say anything.
Heck, I've even OC'd on Pearl Street in Boulder (you know about it if you live in CO. It's basically the hippie/liberal captical of the area) and I've never had a problem.
At most all I get is some inquisitive stares and maybe a few questions.

 

[nalioth]

I find all posts in this thread without a location mentioned to be a waste of time for everyone involved.

 

[MD_Willington]

Open carry around here is not a problem, next door in Moscow Idaho it will get you a 10% discount at VJs BBQ

 

[yeti]

Every once and a while someone comes up with some really useful and/or valuable information!

next door in Moscow Idaho it will get you a 10% discount at VJs BBQ

 

[Zoidberg523]

Wow, lots and lots of you are taking this guy's experience mighty personally. You all seem a bit touchy on the OC issue. I realize it's a right, it's the law, and it works perfectly fine for most people. The OP was just telling us about his experience.

Are you going to consider everyone who has a bad experience with a firearm to be a troll? Give me a break.

 

[Six]

It's not his experience people are objecting to, it's his conclusion.

 

[Cromlech]

If I saw someone with a handgun openly carried in plain view, but holstered I wouldn't give it too much thought.
If I saw the same person constantly fiddling with it in the holster, or having it drawn and constantly fiddling with it I might get a bit nervous.

For the most part I would mind my own business. That said, I'm posting on a gun forum, so no big surpise, I suppose.

 

[mjkten]

I would agree with the OP that, if OC offended or scared his customers, it was probably a bad idea. His company, his building, his customers...his livelihood. I imagine he could assess how he did it and come up with some way to be less obtrusive. This isn't an issue of standing up for his right to self defense like some here seem to view it. Sounds more like an experiment.

 

[postalnut25]

I've been OC'ing for over a year now.
Most people don't even notice much less say anything.
Heck, I've even OC'd on Pearl Street in Boulder (you know about it if you live in CO. It's basically the hippie/liberal captical of the area) and I've never had a problem.
At most all I get is some inquisitive stares and maybe a few questions.

My girlfriend's parents live two blocks off Pearl street. They are too busy freaking out about the size of my truck in that neighborhood to notice I have guns. If you didn't draw attention to your pistol on that mall, nobody would notice because the hippies are too self absorbed.

 

[nathan]

The reason is simple, People get intimidated by the sight of a gun. Even seeing one wearing a bayonet or somekind of hunting knife will undoutedly make others nervous. Its telling others, Dont mess with me.

 

[wow6599]

I guess open carry is not a good idea.

And here lies my problem with the OP.
I OC when I want to and I do believe there is a time and place for OC, but to end the comment with OC is not a good idea.......well, i disagree 100%.

 

[nathan]

I still prefer concealed. The element of surprise is always there on your side.
I sure want to be open carrying when out in the boondocks.

 

[yeti]

because the religion isn't mainstream and seems a little odd doesn't give you the right to make fun of it

Umm, actually, yes it does. But that should be a thread all its own.

 

[indykappa]

location?

to the OP: where are you located?

i think this is a critical piece that is missing from the discussion.

personally, i don't have a problem with OC'ing. i probably OC about 10% of the time that i carry. from my experiences (both in indiana and north carolina), nobody even notices. for the folks that do, they don't seem to mind.

 

[ljnowell]

"I guess open carry is not a good idea."

Wow. Based on one personal experience, you came to that immediate conclusion. How limited you must be...or just ignorant.

At first, however, I thought you were just an anti-OC troll. And maybe you are.

-- John D.

Really? I have recieved warnings for way less than this post. Name calling is prohibited on this board. You can attack an argument but not a person.

 

[W.E.G.]

Looks like OP specializes in starting threads that get locked.

Only 26 posts and 4 locked already.

 

[zoom6zoom]

I'll guarantee you that the first time you OC you'll think that everyone is staring at you. Once you get used to OC you'll realize it's mostly in your imagination. Most people are in total condition white and don't even notice it.

I've been OC'ing daily for years and have never had anyone attempt to touch my sidearm or ask me to take it out and show it to them. I do take the precaution of using a retention holster. Never been asked to leave a location or cover it up.

 

[Zoidberg523]

If I wore an openly carried pistol around here, I strongly suspect that some of the lower forms of city life around here would try to either buy it off of me, or else in some way relieve me of it.

Not saying OC isn't a good thing (it is, as it furthers our 2A rights), just that given the choice, I would stay concealed. Around here, firearms seem to draw a lot of attention from the wrong (felonious) people.

 

[inSight-NEO]

I find all posts in this thread without a location mentioned to be a waste of time for everyone involved.

Location? Oklahoma, if that helps. Now, do we have OC privileges yet? Unfortunately, no. But, it came close enough (given a recent vote) that I believe one day we will. Overall, Oklahoma seems to be a strong supporter of guns.

Simply because we do not yet have the laws in place, does this mean I, along with many others here, am unable to offer rational viewpoints regarding OC? Not at all.

Some here keep asking about location this and location that. I believe that this is not the primary issue here as any state willing to implement the ability for civilians to OC would certainly be "pro gun." Get my meaning?

To expand upon the previous point, if the OP is able to OC where he lives, the laws are already in place and obviously, the "powers that be" agree with the concept. Certainly this would not be "small" news within his particular community. If it is, then it is due to a general lack of awareness as relating to "civilian" firearm use and any such laws associated with it. Who is to blame for this? Take your pick.


BTW- The whole "posts in this thread without a location" remark really did not help this discussion and probably would have been better off remaining in your head vs ending up within a post. Just my .02 cents.

It's not his experience people are objecting to, it's his conclusion.

Bingo.

But, I will add this: I do not dislike the OP for his conclusion. I simply regret that he arrived at such a conclusion so quickly. Nothing against him personally whatsoever. Lets be honest, openly carrying a weapon (even if legal to do so) takes guts sometimes. After all, you are putting yourself, along with your beliefs, right out there for public viewing/opinion. For many, such a thing is hard to wrap their minds around. While I do disagree with his conclusion, it does not take much imagination to see where he is coming from.