Open carry or concealed?

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Out of uniform I conceal carry just about 100% of the time. While I support the right to open carry I don't see any significant advantage to be gained by doing it. Near as I can tell OC has as much potential to make you a target (as it seems to have done in the OP's case) as it does to eliminate you.
 
OC is a sort of detente. There have been several documented instances where criminals waited until the people OCing left. Does it leave you open to the bold criminal? Perhaps, but it seems that they tend to avoid the armed man. Why bother when waiting a few minutes will yield many unarmed targets?

I firmly believe that the failure of men in this country to openly carry firearms has resulted in the blatant criminal and rude behavior prevalent today. We have not been doing our jobs and criminals now have the attitude that they will succeed without an immediate consequence.

Since someone attempted a gun grab, do you now carry a folding knife in the opposite pocket? They tend to let go when their arm gets cut up. However, you should also get some retention training. A Safariland ALS holster (7377 or 7378) costs $29 shipped at opticsplanet.net.
 
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I carry concealed in TN, and it's either one in GA. In my neck of the woods not a single Georgian bats an eye at a firearm, but for some reason the Tennessee city folk across the boarder tend to be a might skittish. Could have something to do with the Latin Kings and Gangster Disciples they have to live with...
 
Have there been many cases of people who OC being mugged, raped or assaulted?

Criminals are lazy by nature and want something for little effort. OC makes you look like too much trouble so they are likely to move on to an easier target.
 
I'm thinking that a criminal who wants a cheap firearm might try to sneak up on an OC, bop them on the head, and help themselves to whatever the OC is carrying.
 
9mmepiphany said:
The element of surprise I refer to is when a crime is not directed toward the gun carrier, when the carrier is simply in the area conducting his normal business and a crime occurs. The BGs don't always "scope out the customers before hand" (gangbangers are seldom that professional). When they rush in to commit whatever they intend to commit, they might easily overlook a CCW who then has the option to engage of remain a passive witness...or remain in the background, until he can gain the advantage of position/cover. Open carry would be more obvious and would allow the carrier less options in choosing his response.
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Let's do an experiment. Don't say anything to your "subject". Show them the picture in the following link for 5 seconds, then close the picture/screen. Then ask them where the gun was in the photo.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5033/28929137059395632015758.jpg

Now, do the same with the following picture:

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7923/22473124191477942115758.jpg

A simple movement of the elbow is all it takes to all but conceal the gun. Do you REALLY think in the heat of the moment, when the bad guy(s) rush in, yelling at everyone to get down, or for the cashier to open the register, that they are really going to notice a slight turning to the side or a slight elbow movement? Really? Do you really think the bad guys are expecting Joe Citizen getting a coke in the back of the store to be open carrying a gun?

This guy did not:
http://www.ammoland.com/2009/07/19/gun-owner-saves-lives-in-the-richmond-va-golden-market-shooting/

I challenge you to show us where Joe Citizen open carrying in real life has been shot first in a robbery.
 
Although OC is legal in UT, and I have done it a few times, I prefer to conceal and blend in.
 
We can argue all day on the merits of both but in the end I think it should be left up to the individual and not the state. Carrying a weapon either openly or concealed is not the same as USING it in a crime that harms others.
 
here in Northern New Mexico, I carry openly every day. I live about forty-five miles from town and don't go often. when I do, the folks at the feed store don't seem to notice. if I feel the need to conceal my revolver, I do. I do not have, nor do I want a concealed carry permit, but I also do not commit crimes, so why worry?
the only time I ever thought I might need the revolver to defend myself was years ago, and served to ensure that I am allwase armed. A recent incident resulting in a murder and felony assault on two others in the area have a lot of people going openly armed. the Sheriff's Department has no ideah what occured or why. no one has had a problem since.
 
I live in FL Sso its 99 and humid 340 days a year. I'd like OF, because occassionally I wanna put away my lil .380 Sig and comfortably be able to wear my 3" 1911.

That would be rate though.... Not that is want to do it, but that I actually would.
 
I am so sick and tired of people telling others that they should CC over OC because they could raise the pulses of the sheeple.

Forget that.

If you concede now, you WILL NEVER GET IT BACK. You owe it to the future generations to draw an line in the sand and educate, and support the rights we have now.
 
DennisRL said:
The fat guy had a revolver behind his right hand....I saw it on my phone in 1/2 second.
Click to expand...

That's what I saw too...well the holster anyway. He's wearing it too far forward, for the cant of the holster, for an optimized presentation.

I showed the picture to my 10 years old daughter...after first showing her what daddy's holstered gun looks like on my belt (because she didn't know what holstered meant)...and the first thing she said was, "He isn't wearing it right"
 
TYFOOON said:
I am so sick and tired of people telling others that they should CC over OC because they could raise the pulses of the sheeple.

Forget that.
Click to expand...

That isn't the point of this thread...and asked posters to bear that in mind in post #10. I take it you didn't read all the post, rather than chose to ignore this.

The OP asked about the tactical advantages or disadvantages of OC...that is why it is in S&T rather than Legal
 
Open carry is not legal here. The main reason I would like to see it legalized is that I would like to be able to expose the firearm under certain circumstances as a deterrent when things do not seem quite right but when drawing would not be justified.

A disadvantage to open carrying as a general practice is that the person who is seen carrying openly has advertised to others that there is a firearm in his vehicle when he gets out to go into a post office or hospital. Car break-ins are very frequent here.
 
Personally I opt more for concealed carry than open but that is due more to the fact that I like iwb carry as your holster doesn't catch on things as much like it does when worn openly

I see no real disadvantage to open carry. I find it very unlikely you will be targeted when openly carrying a gun. Why would a criminal want to an openly armed person when there are others who appear to be disarmed? This would be like a lion going after a bull water buffalo instead of the calf, why go after the prey that has more potential to harm you?

In my own personal experience I had two hostile men come very close to attacking me. I was carrying concealed at the time, when I felt I had no other options I cleared my cover garment and prepared to draw. When the two guys saw that I was armed they decided I wasn't worth the trouble. If I had been openly carrying perhaps they would not have decided to act.
 
Deltaboy said:
I would Open/ CCW if I could I want to be like the TX Rangers I see some times you see it and some times you don't depending how that coat is hanging.
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This would be more what I would take advantage of. 1/2 concealed 1/2 open. So I don't have to wear a XXL shirt to cover my weapon, or I could wear a jacket as a cover over a OWB holster. Full open carry wouldn't be for me though.
 
I'm thinking that a criminal who wants a cheap firearm might try to sneak up on an OC, bop them on the head, and help themselves to whatever the OC is carrying.
Click to expand...

Except they don't do that to police officers and other citizens who OC. Criminals are highly motivated by easy prey with a high probability of success. A person with a visible weapon is not easy prey, even to certain hardcases.

Have there been many cases of people who OC being mugged, raped or assaulted?

Criminals are lazy by nature and want something for little effort. OC makes you look like too much trouble so they are likely to move on to an easier target.
Click to expand...

Criminals know all they have to do is wait around for a few minutes and easy targets will be everywhere.

I have been able to find one instance of a robbery. A Centreville, VA man had his gun stolen very early in the morning. They placed some sort of metal object against his neck and took his openly carried handgun. We also have the story one of the posters in this thread related to us.

Also consider that there are many die-hard OC fans carrying openly daily. Virginia is a hot spot for OC. I am able to find very few reports of crimes against people OCing in this state. It also appears that crime occurring around people open carrying is very, very low. I wonder why that is?

I have no problem with concealed carry. I do it all the time. If a person doesn't want the (perceived) attention...so be it. He or she is carrying a gun, which is what matters.
 
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For the most part i think concealed carry is preffered but i would like to at least not have to worry about simply printing where i live. I do think that if one is to open carry it is prefferable to be dresseded in a specific way that could imply the weapon is a part of your proffesion. Doing so could certainly add another level of detterence and prevent others from confronting you in regards to the weapon. It goes without saying that one should NEVER impersonate a LEO but dressing in a somewhat professional manner is perfectly acceptable. Others may also suspect you are a security officer or body guard.
 
While I plan to get a CPL soon, OC allows for easier carry of full sized firearms. Is it possible to CC a 6" revolver? yes, but it's easier to carry said wheel gun out in the open. Much more comfy.

I don't want to carry my Hi Point .45 concealed, way too bulky and would print like crazy. Also heavy. My S&W 469 I can carry either way. I'll opt for more CC when I get my permit, but for now, OC is my only legal carry option.

Tactically speaking, OC has it's pros and cons. Sure, one might assume you're a LEO, but some might take your OC as a challenge to prove themselves.

Still, there are a lot of myths as to being the first one targeted, or having your OC piece as a deterent. Either may be true, I just haven't seen enough data either way to formulate an educated opinion. For me, I exersize some common sense when I carry.
 
If open carry is ever made legal here in Texas I will most likely continue to conceal carry. However I would defiantly like to have the option to OC. If for no other reason than if I ever get made I would prefer just to say I am OC.
 
I prefer open carry to concealed (though even when I open carry in places that allow it, I keep a backup gun concealed) for the most part.

I don't live in a state that allows open carry, so my OC experience is limited to when I'm traveling on vacation to places that allow OC, or when I'm on my own property.

Concealed carry provides benefits such as the element of surprise, keeps you from standing out in a crowd (unless your fashion ideas clash lol).

Open carry has the benefits of visual deterrence, quick and easy access, and comfort.

There are trade offs to both methods of carry, but there are benefits too. Pick what works for you (within the law).
 
One advantage of open carry is that potential criminals will assume that you are law enforcement. Assault on a police officer is a far more serious offence than assaulting a commoner so a potential mugger will likely pick another target.
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I guess the homeless guy at the library didnt get the memo.
Metro police officer (and former SF guy) went to the bathroom to take a leak. Mr BG sees him, goes and locks the bathroom door. Comes up behind him and grabs for his gun. Officer puts on hand on guy's hand on gun, takes second hand, opens auto folding knife and slices Mr BG across his femoral and other places. Mr BG does actually live (unfortunately).

I personally don't care if there is one incident. I don't want to be that incident. I don't carry a gun to "make a statement". I've got newspaper letters to the editor for that. I don't want to deal with the hassle of idiots who don't know the law or think they'll play a trick on the old guy, or whatever.
Not worth it.

But I'm glad someone brought this topic up because you just can't find any discussion about it.
 
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