I am an avid Open Carrier in Northern Virginia and though only carrying at all since February, I OC every single day everywhere I legally can and have never had a bad experience, and a few good ones. I do have a CHP, but have never used it and have never CC'ed. Never needed to. I can tell you the local 7-11 and merchants that I frequent do appreciate my OC'ing in their stores as they feel it is an actual crime deterrent.
What really bothers me is that I've heard so many OC pundits (who all CC) use the same argument - so they will have "tactical advantage" in a gunfight, almost with glee as if they HOPE to be in one. To me, that's foolish because the best way to walk away from a gunfight is to not walk into one. And what better way to NOT be in one than to show em what you got up front. Let's face it, not everyone is a fearless crazed meth addict.
I read so many times of how someone CC'ing had to draw their gun, but I can't recall anytime I've heard of an OC'er needing to use it, not on here or even on opencarry.org. In the eyes of criminals, CC'ers are just another soft target, a sheep, until they've already committed the crime, a gun is drawn and it's too late. But OC'ers are "hard targets". To me CC feels like setting a trap to catch a criminal, while OC prevents the crime altogether. Isn't that the whole point?
While CC'ers can stop crime, OC'ers can prevent it from starting. It's not only a deterrent, but public education as I've had people ask about OC and tell me they didn't know it was legal and might try it.
With CC, you could basically forget you're carrying thus occassionally and unintentionally slip into "WHITE", but with OC is that you have to be CONSTANTLY AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS and more of an ORANGE-YELLOW.
Let me tell you - if you've never OC'ed, it's a great experience. With CC, you have to worry about "printing", unintentionally exposing the weapon, etc. But with OC, the biggest decision is wondering if the holster matches your shoes and belt!
It's truly liberating and from what I hear, the only way to be any more free is to OC in a Utilikilt!
Basically for me: CC is a state granted privilege. OC is a right.