Questions for Open-Carry state residents

[REDMASTA]

You can and most people are oblivious and don't even notice but be prepared for the stink eye from some of those who do. I just carry concealed, not because I care what others think, I just believe it's an advantage for others not to know.

 

[bearcreek]

CO is open carry friendly except Denver (I really hate that city. it's a boil on the posterior of our state).

In more rural areas, OC is sometimes seen and doesn't cause any fuss. In more suburban or urban areas, one can expect some stink eye and possibly police contact.

I don't personally care to draw the attention to myself, but I have, on occasion, open carried just because I didn't feel like trying to cover a sidearm that I wore while hunting or camping. Never had a problem.

I spent a two weeks in CO earlier this year. Since they don't accept my Ohio permit I didn't have much choice but to open carry or nothing. It was interesting. I seemed to have more people notice my firearm there than when I open carry here at home but I had no negative reactions and a couple positive ones. Overall though, it was typical. Barely anyone notices.

 

[TwoWheelFiend]

I live in vermont and i have never had a bad experence with open carry. I see at least one other person a month that open carries. It seems to be pretty accepted. You get the occasional interested glance but other than that its pretty peachy up here in the green mountain state

 

[Sam1911]

In PA it is legal in all parts of the state without a permit, except in Philadelphia you must have a LCTF in order to carry openly.

It is a hassle, though, as carrying in a car is defined as concealed carry, so you need an LCTF for that, too.

I have to admit that I just never see anyone open carry. I do occasionally, for convenience reasons, but I've never seen another person do so.

 

[CONNEX 3300]

Hey sorry it took me so long to check back with yall. quote "what state are you in?" I usually don't give away personal info about where I live on the internet, but I kinda raised some questions since my question is State related.

So I'll just say I'm north of the Red River, and I'm estatic when the Longhorns lose a particular ballgame (but lets not get off topic on football. Sorry texicans )

Anyways, we are a very gun friendly culture and I am pretty sure that we will get atleast open carry soon. I probably won't ever open carry, but just because I choose not to doesn't mean that other folks shouldn't have the right.
Thanks to all of you for your insight. Your positive stories confirm that I am on the right track when I lobby for Constitutional/Open carry.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Did I forget how to read, or what? Seems as if this says, "I have never seen a business prohibit concealed carry only. I have seen a couple businesses prohibit concealed carry only."

I apparently forgot how to type. What I meant to post was:

I have never seen a business prohibit open carry only. I have seen a couple businesses prohibit concealed carry only.

Navy - you carry open in oak harbor with no issue? Burlington, Mt Vernon too? I have never seen anyone in WA open carrying....I need to pay attention!

I'm learning a lot here!

Scott

No issues in Oak Harbor, Burlington, Mt Vernon, I live in Stanwood - no issues there, Seattle, even SEATAC Airport.

 

[gunsablazin]

Tennessee is an OC state, but I've never carried that way in public. IMHO, it's better to CC, why advertise, and anti-gun/ hoplophobes are not going to be swayed to our side by making them uncomfortable. Those of us law abiding patriots are unfortunately out numbered by the nanny state generation.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Tennessee is an OC state, but I've never carried that way in public. IMHO, it's better to CC, why advertise, and anti-gun/ hoplophobes are not going to be swayed to our side by making them uncomfortable. Those of us law abiding patriots are unfortunately out numbered by the nanny state generation.

I believe my previous point in post #13 has been proven:

I open carry every day. I'm sure plenty of people who have never open carried before would be happy to tell you how bad it is.

In response to the OP's question:

Anybody with open carry experience is welcome to chime in with personal experience

 

[TexasRifleman]

I believe my previous point in post #13 has been proven:

As we often say, the reason open carry doesn't pass in a lot of states is due to gun owners themselves rather than anti's. If pro gun politicians ask gun owners what they want and get responses like some of these, why would they push to pass it? They probably feel like they are giving gun owners exactly what they want by avoiding open carry.

 

[CONNEX 3300]

As we often say, the reason open carry doesn't pass in a lot of states is due to gun owners themselves rather than anti's. If pro gun politicians ask gun owners what they want and get responses like some of these, why would they push to pass it? They probably feel like they are giving gun owners exactly what they want by avoiding open carry.

Yes sir Texas that is 100% correct. The goofballs in my state rifle association actually sent a letter discouraging the lawmakers from passing open carry. Of course the anti gun news jumped all over it, trying to show that even gun owners didn't want open carry. I just can't understand how in the world active gun owners can throw out fodder for antigunners to use against us.

 

[hso]

TN permits it with the HCP, but people don't do it enough to think about.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I just can't understand how in the world active gun owners can throw out fodder for antigunners to use against us.

Sadly that seems to be what happens a lot. I don't really understand it at all.

 

[Mainsail]

As we often say, the reason open carry doesn't pass in a lot of states is due to gun owners themselves...

You don't want open carry to pass. You don't the legislature passing laws that allow a constitutional right; they will only screw it up. You want that little blurb in your constitution removed so that it's a lack of laws prohibiting open carry that allow open carry.

 

[FadingSwordsman]

You don't want open carry to pass. You don't the legislature passing laws that allow a constitutional right; they will only screw it up. You want that little blurb in your constitution removed so that it's a lack of laws prohibiting open carry that allow open carry.

This, unless you also want something added to your state constitution that specifically protects OC. Nothing stated is the better way to go.

Laws can be changed too easily, and said laws specifically allowing actions give the gov't history in participating with whatever activity they're allowing. It may not seem logical, but it makes banning that practice much easier in the future.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Certainly, ideally we would like Constitutional Carry passed like Arizona. Problem here in Texas is our Constitution specifically mentions this:

Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime.

The odds of getting that amended are little to none. Would that be best? Of course, but it's not going to happen immediately.

So, we will accept permitted open carry for now, until people are calm about it and realize blood won't flow in the streets (heard that when we got concealed carry). Then we move more and more towards a Constitutional change.

Creeping incrementalism worked against us for years, it has to work for us now. We're not going to get it all at once. If we hold out for all or nothing changes, we will get the nothing.

 

[CONNEX 3300]

Mainsail, I completely understand your logic here. It is without a doubt better to just get the state laws back in line with the constitution instead of adding more to the law books.
However, I have to agree with TexasRifleman. There is little to no chance that the lawmakers are going to go for something like omitting carrying of guns in the state constitution. (Although they should) so my best chance is to push for one step at a time until the public becomes more comfortable with the idea.
My state constitution says; "The right of a citizen to keep and bear arms in defence of his home, person, or property, or in aid of the civil power, where thereunto legally summoned, shall never be prohibited; but nothing herein contained shall prevent the Legislature from regulating the carrying of weapons. What!?! If my constitution said that "free speech shall not be prohibted except when deemed offensive by the office of the governor" you can bet the ACLU and everybody else would have been all over it pointing out how it conflicts with the national constitution. But nobody even notices when the state legislatures add what they want to the 2nd amendment.
I'm all for states rights and everything, but states rights do NOT give the states aright to take away personal rights granted in the constitution.

 

[Neverwinter]

My state constitution says; "The right of a citizen to keep and bear arms in defence of his home, person, or property, or in aid of the civil power, where thereunto legally summoned, shall never be prohibited; but nothing herein contained shall prevent the Legislature from regulating the carrying of weapons. What!?! If my constitution said that "free speech shall not be prohibted except when deemed offensive by the office of the governor" you can bet the ACLU and everybody else would have been all over it pointing out how it conflicts with the national constitution. But nobody even notices when the state legislatures add what they want to the 2nd amendment.
I'm all for states rights and everything, but states rights do NOT give the states aright to take away personal rights granted in the constitution.

Those two statements are not equivalent, since the governor is not the legislature. Additionally, there are cases where free speech and RKBA were determined to not be absolute(DC v Heller, Miller v California).

 

[Hardware]

Unlicensed open carry is legal in Delaware everywhere but Dover. I've never been asked to leave an establishment because of it. However, I do know that the largest mall in the state will call in a MWAG to the police if you open carry there. The police will escort you from the premises unless you are being a horse's rear. I just choose to spend my money elsewhere. I've even been pulled over with my OC piece on the dashboard (required by state law) and it was a non issue.

 

[Mainsail]

...but states rights do NOT give the states aright to take away personal rights granted in the constitution.

When did the Constitution start 'granting' rights?

 

[hso]

The approach to getting OC is to argue that taking off your jacket and exposing your handgun, even when it carried in an IWB holster, technically violates the law. Since permit holders have jumped through the hoops and paid the fees to get permission of the state to carry the state should align itself with the more reasonable approach of allowing carry in any form for permit holders.

Once that is pushed through you then take the next step of having constitutional carry put in place where the default is the right to carry, concealed and openly.

You can try to drive a nail into a stone over and over again or you can take the approach of setting a bolt and advancing it one turn at a time to secure your rights.

 

[beatledog7]

You can try to drive a nail into a stone over and over again or you can take the approach of setting a bolt and advancing it one turn at a time to secure your rights.

In a practical sense, yes. But do the ends justify the means? Doesn't all this kind of activity in effect acknowledge the notion that the legislatures who enacted violations of 2A were within their authority in doing so? Aren't we, in effect, encouraging legislatures to continue illegal legislation in whatever way they see fit?

Are we really ok with getting what 2A guarantees matter how we have to get it? We ought not to be.

To invoke the nail/stone analogy: get a bigger hammer and a chisel in place of the nail, and the stone gives in.

 

[Midwest]

I have never open carried except on my property at my place out in the country. I have carried in the glove compartment of my vehicles which is also legal here without a permit. I have seen people open carry, even while riding motorcycles on interstate 75. I do not have a Concealed carry permit, thought about getting one. It's like $150 with the required safety course and the permit. Location KY.

 

[robinkevin]

"constitutional carry" allows you to conceal carry without permit... There are many more Open Carry states. For example here in Kentucky we can open carry without permit but very rare do you see it. Because not many people do it, less people feel comfortable with it. I plan to do so sooner or later just have to get the nerve up, due to the fact you have to be prepare for those who don't understand, or LEOs that don't think you have that right.

 

[mortablunt]

Looking over laws in Arizona, Wyoming and other "constitutional carry" states, I am wondering how easy it really is to open carry in public.

To be sarcastically literal, all I need to do it grab a gun and a sling or holster, and then step out the door with it.

Do most of the businesses prohibit open carry and thus nullify you rights

Well, the Chuck E Cheeze doesn't allow guns, but no other place I know of actively prohibits guns.

I live in a concealed carry state, but it is very rare to see a private business that prohibits guns. We have been trying to pass open carry for quite awhile. I fully support any move supporting the constitution, but I'm wondering what it will be like if we get our wish. Will businesses suddenly react by banning guns in their stores?

Probably not. Most business owners won't even care, or know about it.

Can you guys really just walk down the street almost anywhere without causing much concern? I think it would be great but I have never seen it done. Just curious.

Back home in Virginia I can, but not up at college in Maryland. The weapon partially makes a difference. I've never been arrested for it, although I have had the occasional moron freak out and some cops have stopped me. Mostly because I look younger than adult.

I normally OC's around rifles because of the 21 to purchase handguns thing, and a lack of desire for a handgun. I had an AK and it was the first gun I carried. It got the most flat out negative attention, but I never got arrested or charged with anything. The next gun I had was a semiauto shotgun, which went down well. I then got a G3 clone. Some people said assault weapon, but it went over a lot better than the AK. I now have a Cx4, which I haven't had a chance to carry yet.

 

[FROGO207]

On my off time I OC a fair amount of the time. Mostly no hassles from anyone local so far. The tourists do call in MWAG complaints and some here have been stopped and questioned due to that.:banghead: As long as I stay out of prohibited areas (bars, schools, hospitals, courthouses etc) there seems to be no problems. One of our bright bulbs sponsored legislation and got it passed that Acadia National Park be firearm free unless you have a Maine CC permit then you can even OC there if you do. This was done after federal restrictions were lifted in all national parks nationwide. This legislation makes no sense really!!