frankie_the_yankee
Member
I'm new to this forum. I've learned a few things from doing searches. But I find very little info on open carry other than the thread a couple of weeks ago in the General Discussion section.
From the standpoint of a non-LEO, I am leery of open carry because after "experimenting" with it on a couple of trips to Phoenix, AZ, I became acutely aware tof the possibility of having my gun snatched by a BG in various situations (like standing in line, shopping malls, etc.) where lots of people were around. Part of this is that I am deep into middle age and not very big. Also, I was carrying in my normal concealment rig - an open topped IWB holster with no retention strap. No retention training either.
So a fair number of BG's are likely to think they could wrest the gun away from someone like me pretty easily. In my view, where there is perceived opportunity it is only a matter of time before someone attempts to avail themselves of it.
Give all of the above, I am personally much more comfortable with concealed carry, which I have done for years without drama or incident. Concealment and having tactical surprise seem to be much bigger advantages than any possible deterrent effect of OC and/or being able to draw faster.
But I find myself being taken to task for these views in discussions with some people. People say that OC is "a right" that will be lost if not exercised. (No argument, but that is beside the point.) Others say that my concern for snatches is overblown, as they don't hear of such things happening. Of course, there is the 7/30 incident in Centerville, VA recounted in the thread I referred to above. But another reason why these incidents might be rare is because not all that many people OC in crowded urban settings. At least that has been my experience in my travels around the country. (Obviously snatching would not be expected to be a problem in isolated settings such as in the field or in other lightly populated areas.)
So I am asking people here if they know of any snatchings of guns openly carried by non-LEO's in urban areas. If so, I would appreciate it if you could provide a link to a news media account.
Thanks in advance.
From the standpoint of a non-LEO, I am leery of open carry because after "experimenting" with it on a couple of trips to Phoenix, AZ, I became acutely aware tof the possibility of having my gun snatched by a BG in various situations (like standing in line, shopping malls, etc.) where lots of people were around. Part of this is that I am deep into middle age and not very big. Also, I was carrying in my normal concealment rig - an open topped IWB holster with no retention strap. No retention training either.
So a fair number of BG's are likely to think they could wrest the gun away from someone like me pretty easily. In my view, where there is perceived opportunity it is only a matter of time before someone attempts to avail themselves of it.
Give all of the above, I am personally much more comfortable with concealed carry, which I have done for years without drama or incident. Concealment and having tactical surprise seem to be much bigger advantages than any possible deterrent effect of OC and/or being able to draw faster.
But I find myself being taken to task for these views in discussions with some people. People say that OC is "a right" that will be lost if not exercised. (No argument, but that is beside the point.) Others say that my concern for snatches is overblown, as they don't hear of such things happening. Of course, there is the 7/30 incident in Centerville, VA recounted in the thread I referred to above. But another reason why these incidents might be rare is because not all that many people OC in crowded urban settings. At least that has been my experience in my travels around the country. (Obviously snatching would not be expected to be a problem in isolated settings such as in the field or in other lightly populated areas.)
So I am asking people here if they know of any snatchings of guns openly carried by non-LEO's in urban areas. If so, I would appreciate it if you could provide a link to a news media account.
Thanks in advance.