Open vs. Concealed carry stats?

[ohwell]

I think there is a built in deterent in shall issue states because a BG doesnt know weather a person is carrying or not. I prefer concealed over open for a couple of reasons, the element of surprise so I'm maybe not the first target of the BG and like it or not open carry makes a lot of common folks very nervous the panic reaction is there.

 

[Thatguy686]

heres the only real problem with open carry the first thing a criminal is going to do is shoot u or force u to put ur hands up and take ur gun then rob kidnap whatever they planned to do first so u lose ur gun and got nothing from it if u conceal and they stick a gun to u and ask for ur wallet u can say ok and grab ur gun and they wont suspect anything

 

[TexasBill]

heres the only real problem with open carry the first thing a criminal is going to do is shoot u or force u to put ur hands up and take ur gun then rob kidnap whatever they planned to do first so u lose ur gun and got nothing from it if u conceal and they stick a gun to u and ask for ur wallet u can say ok and grab ur gun and they wont suspect anything

Oh really? They won't see a gun coming out and shoot before you have a chance to play Quick Draw McGraw and shoot them? Especially coming out of concealment? Do you think a BG believes you normally carry your wallet on your right hip?

Bill Jordan once famously demonstrated that he could draw and fire before another person who had a gun trained on him could pull the trigger. Bill Jordan's speed was also legendary - 27/100s of a second with a service sidearm from a duty rig. I know I am not that fast, especially with a modern retention holster or from concealment, and I would bet the vast majority of people aren't that fast. Incidentally, the only way I would open carry is in a retention holster on a real gun belt - I at least want to slow down someone who tries a snatch 'n grab.

The petty criminal who simply wants to grab a few bucks isn't likely to be interested in someone who obviously has the capability to fire first or return fire. Especially when there are easier marks to be had. Being caught in the middle of a big bank robbery does present a problem, but the majority of bank heists aren't like the big Los Angeles shootout; they're one guy confronting one teller and most people don't know it happened until the bad guy leaves. Incidentally, bank insurance companies are likely to be the biggest opponents of armed tellers, probably followed by the tellers themselves. It doesn't cost the teller anything to hand over the money; it could cost the teller their life to resist. A lot of banks no longer even have armed security officers in their lobbies; the liability is considered to be too great.

Whether open carry tells the world you are willing to take responsibility for your own safety or that you want to play cowboy is immaterial. As long as you are an adult willing to take full responsibility for your actions and your firearm, it should be your right and your choice.

I am personally opposed to licensing for either concealed or open carry. On the other hand, I do think at least something that says you have completed some kind of training is a good idea. It doesn't need to be government-issued; it could be a card signifying you have completed an appropriate NRA course. You already go through the NICS or state background check when you purchase a firearm, so the government has already vetted you as much as you need to be vetted.

 

[NavyLCDR]

The petty criminal who simply wants to grab a few bucks isn't likely to be interested in someone who obviously has the capability to fire first or return fire. Especially when there are easier marks to be had. Being caught in the middle of a big bank robbery does present a problem, but the majority of bank heists aren't like the big Los Angeles shootout; they're one guy confronting one teller and most people don't know it happened until the bad guy leaves.

Absolutely! I have a friend who works as a teller at a bank that was robbed a few months ago. Guy with a hoodie sweatshirt and a "gun in his pocket", according to him, did just that. When we were talking about it she said, "John, if you would have been there, I have no doubt he would have walked in, saw your gun, crapped his pants and walked right back out!"

I think it would have been hilarious...."Boy, that ain't no gun there in that pocket.... now this here is a real gun!"

She said the Sheriff asked if she thought he did have a gun in his pocket and she said, "Hell no! I carry a gun in my sweatshirt pocket and I know exactly what it looks like!"