Is Open Carry Practical

[Treo]

Open carry is a topic that comes up periodically here, usually the legal issues are discussed I would like to start a discussion on the practicality of OC.

My point is that open carry, while legal isn't practical and that it draws far more negative attention than its deterrent value is worth. My personal experience is that I've never had a positive response from others when I open carry anywhere but in the backcountry.

Open carry, except for Denver, is perfectly legal in Colorado. I've done it and I still do when I'm out in the backcountry. My personal experience is that I've NEVER seen anyone react well to it when I did it in town.

Again this is my personal experience, but everybody I KNOW (and that's a very limited group) that practices OC has a chip on his or her shoulder and every single one of them is just daring the world to do something about it.

What kind of image of gun ownership does that project to the antis?

Bottom line, right or not OC isn't practical it's like asking for a hassle every time you walk out the door. The last thing I want is to start a pissing contest W/ the Police I don't care how much I win in the settlement (which, I think, is highly unlikely given that I'm the one that went out looking for trouble in the first place) it's not worth my peace. I'd much rather stay off the radar and pass unnoticed.


That’s my take what do you think

 

[Louisiana Carry]

I carry concealed and openly at alternating times every day. I am not biased towards one or the other.

When I open carry it is frequently simply because I prefer 3 o'clock carry, and it is too hot for a shirt.

One of the great side effects of this is that I get into lots of conversations with people about guns and shooting. I have long since lost track of how many people I have been able to tell about BayouShooter.com, LouisianaCarry.org and Long Range Alley gun club, that I would never had spoken with, had I not had a gun on my hip as an ice breaker.

I have never had the slightest problem open carrying. Usually the conversation goes like this:

Them: "Are you a cop or something?"

Me: "I feel it is every adult's civic duty to be adequately prepared to defend himself and/or those around him."

Them: "That makes sense. I have been wanting to buy a gun."

Me: "It makes good sense to have one, just like it is a good idea to wear a seat belt and have insurance. I would recommend you get connected with someone who can help you learn how to use one correctly and safely, if you get one though. If you visit www.lacarry.org, you can get alot of good info about safety, training, maps to practice ranges and other useful resources to get you started. I will even bring you to the range as my guest, if you like. Here is my business card."

The more people armed and proficient with weapons, the better off we all are. That outweighs the perceived negative tactical considerations that are potentially associated with open carry, to me.

Also, the more regular people going about their day that people see with weapons, the more chances there are that people will shed the Hollywood perception that only bad guys and cops have guns. Guns are a large part of why we have a country in the first place, and we should do all we can not to let the mainstream media stigmatize them.

For more info about Open Carry, here is a great web site: http://OpenCarry.org


I would always advise anyone considering open carry to be advised that many (NOT ALL!) LEOs are less concerned with respecting your decisions and adhering to the law as they are in preventing the possible mass panic associated with "ZOMG A MAN WITH A GUN!" More than one person has had trumped up charges brought against them for simply carrying a gun, which is a legal act in many States. You should be able to defeat these charges, and hopefully sue the heck out of the department that did it to you, but it may cost you alot of time, money and lost work. That is worth it for some of us, for others it is not. Consider how you will handle various encounters before they occur.

I OC every day in Shreveport, and have never had a problem. You may very easily run into trouble. It is not a decision to enter into lightly.

 

[jpsimms]

I do OC fairly often, and I understand what you are saying. I have often worried about, or contemplated what I would say if someone gave me a hard time over it. But the responces that I get most of the comments that I get are somewhere betwee curious and positive. I hear "Can I do that too?", "nice piece", "what kind/caliber", and often an "is that real", the only time I had an officer talk to me about it, he was not called to deal with me, just noticed in a fastfood joint, and we chatted for about 10 min about gun ownership, hunting and the cost of ammo. He seemed pretty cool. Though he did warn me that even though it is legal, I can have someone get scared and call the cops, but he said that if I wasn't doing anything illegal,(brandishing) that he would probably just give a verbal warning to hang out somewhere else when I OC.
Generally cool

 

[Treo]

Just out of curiosity would all respondants put their state and weather or not they were in a rural area when they had their good/bad experience w/ open carry

 

[takhtakaal]

I don't think OC is good policy in most situations, except when out in the boonies, and even then I think that it should be less OC than simply casual concealment.

All I can imagine is me having to knock out some idiot who tries to assault me in an attempt to disarm me. Is that scenario worth it? I don't think so, and if that makes me less radical than some of you, so be it.

It isn't that I'm siding with the soccer moms in any respect whatsoever. But others knowing that you have a weapon can bring out their stupidity and immaturity in spades. Why suffer the consequences?

 

[CRAZY-G]

Never had a problem when I OC but then I live in Montana.

 

[JWarren]

Depending on the situation, OC here is the equivilent of putting what shoes do you put on.

In the right setting, it is nothing. Other settings like doing a tad of banking, you may have a problem.


-- John

 

[teknoid]

All I can imagine is me having to knock out some idiot who tries to assault me in an attempt to disarm me.

I have never heard of this happening. If anyone else has, I'd be interested in a link. I see people post this possibility constantly. You'd think that if this was common, there would be a story somewhere.

That said, IMHO the way a person carries is a matter of personal preference. The closest towns to me are small, but OC is still not that prevalent. Those that do chooses to carry in this way don't draw much attention. I've talked to some of them, mostly to comment on the gun, or the leather holding it. It's not a big deal in places with common sense. Too bad those places are few and far between.

Some that carry this way have no choice. In some states, you can carry at 18, but can't get a permit to conceal until age 21. Others find it uncomfortable to dress for concealment.

I normally do conceal, but that's mostly because it IS a small town. I have to deal with a lot of businesses in my job. Many are banks, and some folks are paranoid. Seeing me out and about, packing, when off work could produce negative feedback from them. I don't worry much about anyone else. To each their own.

 

[Werewolf]

My personal experience is that I've NEVER seen anyone react well to it when I did it in town.

That's their problem not yours. Sheep care about what others think. Independent minded folk who accept responsibility for themselves and their actions do take notice of what others think but don't fret over it too much.

Again this is my personal experience, but everybody I KNOW (and that's a very limited group) that practices OC has a chip on his or her shoulder and every single one of them is just daring the world to do something about it.

A chip? - maybe - I suppose some do walk around OC for the shock value (not necessarily a bad thing), or because it is more comfortable or provides easier access to their weapon but IMO most are simply exercising a natural right and will not be disuaded from doing so by those too scared to do so themselves. As many have said a right not exercised is no right at all.

What kind of image of gun ownership does that project to the antis?

It shows them that not all people are like them. This makes them afraid - very afraid. They don't have the courage to even own a gun let alone carry one. They want everyone who's not them to be like them - afraid and dependent on the government. It's good that they see that not all their neighbors go about bleating like sheep as they do.

 

[ttinlv]

I've experienced that close to 99% of the people will never say anything to you when they see an OC weapon. They won't even look up at you from a distance. And the distance in the last book store I was at, the nearest person was well over 30 feet away.

It does clear the rude b@strds from running shopping carts into you. But that is not why I OC on occasion. It's because I've been out in the boonies very early that day and I haven't had a chance to get home yet, but needed to do errands. I never leave a firearm even close to ammo in any of vehicles. I have a dreaded fear that there will be some @55 that broke into my vehicle, found the gun, and then I'll be shot with my own gun.

 

[average_shooter]

In terms of shear practicality it would seem to me that open carry is more practical than concealed.

If you need it, you need it fast. And having to dodge around a cover garment slows draw times. Cops wear a gun openly on their belt because if they need it they need it now and don't have time to fuss with drawing from concealment.

 

[Eric F]

in a tactical point of view oc is more practical

 

[NavyLCDR]

I've open carried once, but now that crime is on the rise here where I live, I will more until I get my CPL. Then, I won't carry deeply concealed, but that gives me the freedom to put my jacket over it if I desire and to keep it loaded in my vehicle. I live in Washington State.

I open carried on a trip from Oklahoma City, to Washington State, wherever it was legal and got no attention, no second looks or anything.

I have my answer fomulated if asked why carry and why carry open and it is simple.

First, law enforcement and military have proven that they cannot prevent 100% of violent crimes. If they could, there would be no violent crime victims and we know that is not the case. If someone decides to commit a crime against me or my family, I would rather defend myself against that crime rather than have law enforcement investigate after the fact.

Therefore, it is my right to protect myself and others in selective cases from becoming a victim of a violent crime, and, according to state law, it is perfectly legal for me to do so with a handgun.

Finally, I carry openly because I would rather deter a crime from happening in the first place than have to defend myself once I am threatened with becoming a victim. A concealed handgun is no deterence to crime, it is merely a defense, however a handgun in plain sight should present a deterance and hopefully prevent me from using it as a defense.

 

[Winchester 73]

I believe its very practical and would practice OC in certain situations.
Unfortunately, my home state of Florida does not allow OC except at your residence or business.
While vacationing in AZ,NM,and VT, I have OC without incident.
Of course those 3 states are very gun friendly and OC is generally accepted.
I like average shooters reasoning:

If you need it, you need it fast. And having to dodge around a cover garment slows draw times. Cops wear a gun openly on their belt because if they need it they need it now and don't have time to fuss with drawing from concealment.

and NavyLT:

Finally, I carry openly because I would rather deter a crime from happening in the first place than have to defend myself once I am threatened with becoming a victim. A concealed handgun is no deterence to crime, it is merely a defense, however a handgun in plain sight should present a deterance and hopefully prevent me from using it as a defense

 

[Nobody's_Hero]

Again this is my personal experience, but everybody I KNOW (and that's a very limited group) that practices OC has a chip on his or her shoulder and every single one of them is just daring the world to do something about it.

Not trying to put you down or anything, but that sounds freakishly like something the brady campaign would say, only they'd say it about concealed carriers as well.

 

[WayneConrad]

AZ, Phoenix, sixth largest city in US. No problems whatsoever with police, citizens, or shopkeepers.

Again this is my personal experience, but everybody I KNOW (and that's a very limited group) that practices OC has a chip on his or her shoulder and every single one of them is just daring the world to do something about it.

In areas more hostile to open carry, perhaps you do have to have something to prove to take the plunge and carry openly. Maybe that's alright. Let me put it this way. Don't like it that someone standing up for their rights perhaps isn't a poster child for RKBA? Where, then, are the rest of us while they are out there doing it?

 

[ilbob]

cops and security guards OC all the time. not an issue.

 

[Harvster]

given that I'm the one that went out looking for trouble in the first place

That's a troubling quote.

Would you also say that someone who wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper deriding some action of a chief of police or mayor or the like, was looking for trouble?

 

[Dahwg]

I open carry all the time, as was stated earlier, AZ is very good about guns. Never a problem...

... I take that back, my hoplophobic ex-wife doesn't like that I open carry in front of my daughter- wants to brain wash her in her liberal, anti ways. My current wife on the other hand, will open carry too- if it doesn't clash with what she's wearing.

 

[JesseL]

Here in Prescott AZ my OC experiences (over the course of almost 9 years), no hassles, no confrontations, no police interest, no being asked to leave a store, one grumpy old californian questioned the need to carry a pistol.

I have had a few compliments and supportive comments, but most people either don't see it or don't care.

 

[Treo]

This is a very interesting thread as I said my experience W/ open carry is limited, and nothing I've read has changed the fact that my experience has been uniformly bad. Add to that the number of " I got harassed while open carrying " threads that show up on this forum & I figured that pretty much every place was as bad as Colorado Springs.

As background here in The Springs OC is legal But a year or two ago we had some idiot who would go sit in city council meetings W/ a canary yellow shot gun that had a smiley face painted on the stock He single handedly caused a lot of anti-gun as well as, anti- open carry sentiment here in the Springs. So for me here it's still not a good idea. Maybe we need to have more " I open carried and........nothing happened threads"

 

[BlackBearME]

I've never had a problem here in Maine. I don't do it as often since I got my CCW, but I still do it on occasion.

I think it's practical. I suppose it depends on the situation, though. Not terribly practical if you expect there to be trouble (but then again, I'm firmly in the school of thought that says if you expect there to be trouble, then don't be where the trouble is.) As a day-to-day, out-and-about matter, however, it is practical, for all the reasons listed above.

• It acts as a deterrent
• Allows quicker access in case you should need to use it
• Serves as a conversation starter
• Desensitizes the masses from the "Only cops should have guns"
• Can serve to enlighten LEOs who may be....less than up to speed on gun laws.

I think these benefits far outweigh the very small possibility (and I'd still like some empirical data on any documented case) of a potential grab/disarmament.

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

Depends on where you live. What part of the country, what part of specific states, what time of year. Etc.

For instance, open carry is legal in all of Arizona, but I wouldn't do it in downtown Phoenix.

In the suburb of KC I live in, I could open carry, but it wouldn't be a way to win friends, and influence people.

Granted, one county over, or the county to the Northeast of me, I could (and have) OC'd and nobody said a thing.

Mileage varies.

That's why CCW exists.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I live near Colorado Springs, Colorado. I carry openly about a third or half the time. Somebody notices about once a year. Nobody's ever given me any grief, and I'll be surprised if anyone would.

It's a lot more comfortable to carry more gun openly.

 

[Gun Slinger]

While completely legal in Ohio, Open Carry, when exercised by those who have the right to do so (law abiding citizens with no disabling criminal record) has led to some rather unfortunate consequences for those exercising their right.

Depends on where you exercise your rights, of course.

In the more heavily populated metropolitan areas it seems that the "sheeple" get a bit panicky and bridle at the sight of such a wicked and dangerous implement being so flagrantly displayed and start alerting 9*1*1 to the presence of a "Man with a gun" which in turn excites the local constabulary to the point of responding to the incident who in turn become rather somewhat inclined to dispose of the situation by charging the 'daring soul' who had the "unmitigated nerve and audacity" to carry such a "heinous device" in plain sight of people so likely to be stricken with a case of the "vapors" with "Inducing Panic" or another "Offense against the Public Peace" seeing as to just how alarmed the "sheeple" had become.

In less populated areas, it is not so much the case.

As a retired LEO, I saw these things happen all too frequently, but being just another 'small cog' in the 'big machine' of my City's government, I was unable to do much about it since I was threatened with disciplinary action (termination) if I "interfered" in a Supervisor's case.