Open Carry or Concealed - You Decide

If Both Open and Conceled Carry were legal which would you use?

  • Open Carry

    Votes: 11 5.0%

  • Concealed Carry

    Votes: 87 39.9%

  • A combination of both as situationally required

    Votes: 120 55.0%
  • Total voters
    218
Status
Not open for further replies.
I do both. I can recall only once, it ever being an issue. It didn't change my mind.

I have learned that 99% of the world can't see past their own nose. Those that do see, don't seem to make a big deal about it.

Now I wouldn't walk down second avenue in Nashville in open carry mode, but then again, you won't catch me down that way to begin with.
 
Open carry is exactly as rude as is having the nerve to be black, or to wear a yamaka. If someone takes offense when you exercise your rights, the fault is in them, not you.

The "element of surprise" is supposition, not supported by evidence. "The crime won't even occur once they see my openly carried firearm" is also supposition, not supported by evidence. Without evidence, it's arguing about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
 
I can squint and see the yarmulke comparison, but not the race comparison. I would compare it to wearing a t-shirt that says F**k on the front. You are certainly within your rights to wear it, but it is tactless and rude.
 
Eatin' burgers

Concealed carry most of the time. Open carry in fast food joints because sometimes they assume I'm a cop and give me a discount without asking. :) :neener:
 
Rude? What are you talking about?

I can squint and see the yarmulke comparison, but not the race comparison. I would compare it to wearing a t-shirt that says F**k on the front. You are certainly within your rights to wear it, but it is tactless and rude.
Click to expand...

You're going to have to explain yourself better than thet. What exactly is rude about open carry? :confused:
 
Open carry.

More comfort, easier to draw, and you can carry a larger weapon with ease. I'm a wheelgun man and wouldnt mind carrying something with more than a 2" barrel in a large caliber.

Of course brandishing laws should be relaxed/more technically defined if open carry became the norm. With required concealment, it pretty much forces all confrontations into black/white in seriousness.

Randy
 
Having spent many hours both ways (yes, even in Kalifornistan!) I'm for combo depending on circumstances.

Now, my open carry times have been mostly while working uniformed armed security, armored truck transport, etc. but I don't ever recall anyone appearing shocked, insulted or upset about it. On occasion I've worked "plainclothes" with just some a badge on the belt next to the pistol and a mag/cuff holder on the other side, still no hoohoo.

That said, I'm usually IWB with a shirt or jacket over the grip, especially wheen NOT working.
 
BOTH

I would like to be able to carry both. Open carry may give away the element of surprise, is nice when you are in strange country, you stop along the road, you are alone - showing indicates that you are prepared - not showing my indicate otherwise. If I know you are watching my obvious, you still don't know what else I may have. I still retain the element of surprise. :eek:

I like having my GLOCK 21 tucked into the seat at my thigh when traveling, = ez access at every stoplight or corner, yet out in the open for LEO's benefit. :rolleyes:

People in general do not feel comfortable in the close proximity of a loaded weapon. CCW or Carry Open is a personal choice and one should consider all that will be exposed. :scrutiny:

I say let me chose - that is what freedom is all about - PRAY FOR PEACE
 
Mitty said:
You're going to have to explain yourself better than thet. What exactly is rude about open carry?
Click to expand...

Perhaps it is a regional/rural/urban thing. Ever see a guy in a thong bathing suit? I travel a lot so I have had that particular displeasure. The guy has every right to wear whatever he wants, however a little discretion goes a long way.

Just my opinion, I know some guys like to wear speedos too.
 
Concealed. The best weapon in the world is the weapon you have with you when you need it. The second best is the weapon your enemy doesn't know about until he *feels* it.

Biker
 
Rural and Urban are opposites

Perhaps it is a regional/rural/urban thing. Ever see a guy in a thong bathing suit? I travel a lot so I have had that particular displeasure. The guy has every right to wear whatever he wants, however a little discretion goes a long way.
Click to expand...

So... Is it a rural or urban thing? It can't be both, or I would aleady understand what you are talking about. Maybe it's regional.

A man wearing a thong would be more crude than rude - but I'm a heterosexual guy, so that doesn't do anything for my eyes. Your explaination falls short. That which is rude is easily explained. It's easy to explain why it is rude to cut in the front of a line. It is easy to explain why it is rude to laugh at another's misfortune. It's easy to explain why it is rude to carry on a loud conversation in a movie theater. But you are having trouble explaining why open carry is rude.

What EXACTLY is it that you find to be RUDE about open carry? :confused: By saying that it is rude, do you really mean that you don't like to see people with a pistol on their side? That's not rude. That's somebody wearing something in a way that you don't like.
 
I'd do both together. Full size handgun on my hip and a compact concealed in a shoulder holster. Good to have a visible detterent to disuade attackers, but also good to have something up your sleeve if they managed to take the gun or try and stop you drawing it, whatever.

I couldn't care less what people think of me or if they're offended.
 
"Concealed carry most of the time. Open carry in fast food joints because sometimes they assume I'm a cop and give me a discount without asking."


A discount, yes, but also a little present from the kitchen. :(
 
QotD goes to Wayne...

And the Quote of the day winner is WayneConrad with:

Open carry is exactly as rude as is having the nerve to be black, or to wear a yamaka. If someone takes offense when you exercise your rights, the fault is in them, not you
Click to expand...

Well put.
 
Mitty said:
So... Is it a rural or urban thing? It can't be both, or I would aleady understand what you are talking about. Maybe it's regional.
Click to expand...

The slashes can indicate both related and opposing concepts.

A man wearing a thong would be more crude than rude - but I'm a heterosexual guy, so that doesn't do anything for my eyes. Your explaination falls short. That which is rude is easily explained. It's easy to explain why it is rude to cut in the front of a line. It is easy to explain why it is rude to laugh at another's misfortune. It's easy to explain why it is rude to carry on a loud conversation in a movie theater. But you are having trouble explaining why open carry is rude.
Click to expand...
Actually no, it isn't easy to explain why these things are considered rude. Just listing them isn't an explanation any more than my comparison was. That is the reason I included several caveats like: in my opinion. If you want empirical explanations for manners, you aren't going to find them.

What EXACTLY is it that you find to be RUDE about open carry? By saying that it is rude, do you really mean that you don't like to see people with a pistol on their side? That's not rude. That's somebody wearing something in a way that you don't like.
Click to expand...

IIRC, you will find in many city codes and ordinances references to "rude" and "impolite" display of weapons. If I were to expand upon my previously stated opinion, I'd say once a society becomes polite and law-abiding, then open carry becomes ostentatious and uneccessary.

You could argue that society has degraded to the point of lawlessness and open-carry has become necessary once again. But I'm not that fearful, and statistics show crime is falling, I just don't feel the need.*shrug*
 
Last edited:
I voted for "both."

I'd carry concealed most of the time, but I can see that there are just some times when it would make more sense. I'm thinking out hiking, woods, snake. Or out west of here where it wouldn't be unusual to see someone with one on their hip.

And it would make it easier when I'm riding too.

But in general, when around my usual haunts, it will be concealed.

Sort of like riding my motorcycle with a helmet. Don't have to, but always do.
 
About the ONLY time I carry open is a the range.

I don't want ANYONE to know I am armed.

A friend who carried openly was accused of pointing his "nickel plated .38" at two black males in a convenience store parking lot here in Phoenix.

My friend actually carried a stainless Model 66 snubby.

An independent witness told the responding officers that the two black males were aggressively panhandling my friend, and were lying. My friend NEVER even touched his gun or holster.

But...the two panhandlers would NEVER have been able to concoct such a faerie tale had my friend been carrying concealed, which he is licensed to do.

It would have been a double whammy bitch if he hadn't had a witness.
 
Imagine you are camping in a National Forest where its legal to carry open and you have a handgun open carry.

One or two guys come over and start talking with you and they seem like a couple of nice guys. But, who knows - it seems the worst criminals always seemed like nice guys.

Now if they are really bad guys say escaped convicts - what is the most valuable thing they would want to take from you? In my experience most of these people don't attack from the front they take a cheap shot from behind. If you have open carry they can knock you on the head with a rock and its all over. I know many will say I won't let anyone get that close but think about it - they could pass you on a trail and just turn around and hit you. If that gun is concealed - they don't know its there, they won't know to try and steal it and you have the element of surprise if they show their evil intentions with something like a rock or club or knife or fists.

I think about this because I remember camping with some friends in the Gila forest of NM many years (decades) ago. At the time there was an escaped convict on the loose. A man drove by with his wife and young daughter. Later we heard gunfire from where he was parked. My friends walked down there and he was target shooting - everybody was friendly, this guy even let my friend handle his big .44 magnum revolver. We were nice guys but, how did he know we weren't bad guys?
 
Imagine you are camping in a National Forest where its legal to carry open and you have a handgun open carry.

One or two guys come over and start talking with you and they seem like a couple of nice guys. But, who knows - it seems the worst criminals always seemed like nice guys.

Now if they are really bad guys say escaped convicts - what is the most valuable thing they would want to take from you? In my experience most of these people don't attack from the front they take a cheap shot from behind. If you have open carry they can knock you on the head with a rock and its all over. I know many will say I won't let anyone get that close but think about it - they could pass you on a trail and just turn around and hit you. If that gun is concealed - they don't know its there, they won't know to try and steal it and you have the element of surprise if they show their evil intentions with something like a rock or club or knife or fists.

I think about this because I remember camping with some friends in the Gila forest of NM many years (decades) ago. At the time there was an escaped convict on the loose. A man drove by with his wife and young daughter. Later we heard gunfire from where he was parked. My friends walked down there and he was target shooting - everybody was friendly, this guy even let my friend handle his big .44 magnum revolver. We were nice guys but, how did he know we weren't bad guys?
 
We can speculate about "element of surprise," or "My sidearm scares 'em off"; we can imagine countless scenarios that make our favorite choice of carry method wise and the other fellow's favorite choice foolish, but it's all speculation. There is just no data that I know of that supports either view.

Edited to add: Just read Sean's post. There's real data, and a point against open carry in that instance. Good post, Sean!
 
Combination Of Course

dependent on circumstances

although, an old attorney general opinion (84-00205) states that open carry
is perfectly legal here in The Land Of Cotton. I still think one must use a bit of discretion in deciding whats best for his/her situation.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

tuj
  • Locked
open carry - not strategic?
Replies
2
Views
236
Al Thompson
A
K
  • Locked
Considerations Regarding the Concealed and Open Carry of Firearms
2 3 4 5
Replies
122
Views
19K
Cattleman45
C
P
  • Locked
Concealed Carry Considerations
2 3
Replies
58
Views
2K
easyg
easyg
F
  • Locked
Seeking info on open carry
2 3 4
Replies
92
Views
4K
Fred Fuller
F
U
  • Locked
Will there be a change from Concealed Carry to Open Carry?
2 3 4
Replies
84
Views
4K
General Geoff
General Geoff
Back
Top