Should Open Carry Be the Law of the Land in All 50 States?

[Bill_in_TR]

I would definitely like to see it legal everywhere. But I probably wouldn't do it myself unless it was commonly done and seen. I just don't feel like being the only one doing it and every soccer mom who sees me calls 911. I know, if everybody thought this way nobody would OC. We are allowed to OC here but I have yet to see anyone doing it.

 

[WisBorn]

I voted undecided.
I often see people that open carry and really don't have their firearm secured!

I like open carry in wilderness environments, but the threats are different.

 

[jar]

Common courtesy trumps rights.

I often open carry but not to assert some right but rather because for most of the year it's too damn hot for additional cover garments and OWB is simply more comfortable than IWB.

Common courtesy trumps demonstration.

But I also don't open carry in stores or restaurants or if I'm visiting folk where I do not know if it would offend them. I don't carry if a No Firearms sign is posted even if it is one that does not carry the force of law.

Common courtesy trumps remonstration.

When I went to get my Flu and Covid booster I did put on a guayabera as a cover garment. It was a toss up between a fishing shirt, Hawaiian or KeyWest print or one of the guayaberas.

Common courtesy trumps comfort.

 

[trackskippy]

Common courtesy trumps rights.

No, it doesnt.

What I dont understand is, if we actually do have rights, why is this even a discussion?

The only way you give up your rights, is to accept someone elses rules, statutes, ect. and comply with them, giving them the authority over you.

When was the 2nd amendment repealed and our right to arm ourselves and carry them however we want to?

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

Alot of talk here about worrying about offending people with open carry. That's a very soft way of thinking. Everybody is offended these days so just get over it. I say if biggest concern is offending people then you shouldn't carry at all. Man up America and tell the offended to stick it.

 

[beag_nut]

The first post left out at least one state: Connecticut. No OC.

 

[jmorris]

No, the reason we have States is so we are not all under the exact same rules.

Remember there are a lot of places around this country where the only armed people are criminals or police the voters want gone...and those people think that should be nation wide. Thank goodness they set up States.

I am 100% for the right to open carry, even though I think it’s an ill advised practice, in public.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I do both. In summer, I open carry. In winter, I conceal carry, simply because I have a coat over it. Have had a CPL since 02, but have carried openly since the 80s. CPL is good for both, and Michigan has always allowed for OC, as it should be in every state.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I believe that it is Constitutionally already the law of the land.
Some states, counties and municipalities just don't follow the law.

Personally, I am very unlikely to openly carry a short gun - but I do want the option... .

 

[jar]

No, it doesnt.

What I dont understand is, if we actually do have rights, why is this even a discussion?

The only way you give up your rights, is to accept someone elses rules, statutes, ect. and comply with them, giving them the authority over you.

When was the 2nd amendment repealed and our right to arm ourselves and carry them however we want to?

No rights are without restrictions and responsibilities. A primary responsibility is to behave in a civilized and social manner. An example of a restriction is the prohibition of shouting fire in a crowded theater when there is no fire.

When someone chooses to behave in a courteous manner it isn't submitting to anyone's authority other than oneself. It's called being a social member of society rather than a boor.

The 2nd Amendment does not allow us to arm ourselves and carry them however we want to without restraint or responsibility just as none of the other "rights" are without restraints and responsibilities.

 

[Bill_in_TR]

Alot of talk here about worrying about offending people with open carry. That's a very soft way of thinking. Everybody is offended these days so just get over it. I say if biggest concern is offending people then you shouldn't carry at all. Man up America and tell the offended to stick it.

My primary concern is not necessarily offending people. It is just the potential aggravation of dealing with the actions of those who are offended. And as stated above there are circumstances where courtesy and consideration should apply. Just like I don't want left wingers cramming their ideology down my throat I don't feel the need to cram mine down their's.

 

[wayneinFL]

There is a majority here who see open carry as a right. For the 11 so far who think it should be illegal, how illegal do you think it should be? Prison? Jail? A fine?

 

[Styx]

I believe that carrying outside of the home should be the law of the land in all 50 states, and each state should be able to decide how that looks whether it be OC only, CC only, or OC and CC. People have the right to carry, but unfortunately many 2A extremist believe that the state and federal representatives elected by citizens don't have the right to enact ANY legislation when it comes to gun rights. That is not reality and never will be.

The facts are that the CONSTITUTION gives the Judicial branch including SCOTUS the right to interpret the Constitution. The Judicial branch has already eluded to in several rulings that government has some rights to constitutionally legislate firearms whether some like or accept that fact or not is irrelevant. Case law has stated on multiple occasions now that states can either have CC or OC, but it's unconstitutional for them to ban both.

For the reason stated above, I voted "No." No, I do NOT believe OC should be the law of the land in all states or that OC is necessarily a right protected by the Constitution. I vehemently disagree with anyone who are anti OC and think it should be illegal based on optics and how they feel about it rather than on any constitutional grounds. People's rights should not be prohibited with the force of law because you don't like what holsters they are using, how it makes them look to Anties, because you believe it put people at a tactical disadvantage, or whatever other personal feelings you have.

 

[doubleh]

Open carry has always been legal in NM or at least since I moved here in the dark ages. I have never bothered to research the subject though. You very seldom see anyone doing so in town but no one in my area pays any attention to anyone that does. I have walked many a mile with a gun strapped on my hip in the boonies but never in town. I felt no need to be armed and it it was too much to bother with while driving from place to place. I have never seen a business object to someone open carrying. Of course I live close to what is considered the safest town in NM. The only place deader than here is Tatum, NM. If not for Texans traveling back and forth to Ruidoso and a thriving pot shop just west of the 4 way stop light there would be hardly anything moving except a few school kids.

 

[trackskippy]

No rights are without restrictions and responsibilities. A primary responsibility is to behave in a civilized and social manner. An example of a restriction is the prohibition of shouting fire in a crowded theater when there is no fire.

When someone chooses to behave in a courteous manner it isn't submitting to anyone's authority other than oneself. It's called being a social member of society rather than a boor.

The 2nd Amendment does not allow us to arm ourselves and carry them however we want to without restraint or responsibility just as none of the other "rights" are without restraints and responsibilities.

With reasonable restraint and responsibility, of course it does, just like all the others. And just because someone is openly wearing a gun doesnt mean they are not behaving in a civilized and social manner.

What the 2nd (as well as the rest) is also supposed to do is, guarantee your right to do so, and stop others who might want to limit or take away that right, from telling you you cant, for no other reason other than they might be offended. They have just as much right to be offended as I do carrying my gun any way I want.

As far as submitting to authority, it has nothing to do with being courteous. You do give them authority "if" you allow them to put rules, statutes, and laws ect, on you that, that take away and/or restrict your rights, and then you follow their rules.

And thats entirely up to you to do so, but its also a lot of the reason we are in the boat we are in these days. We let basically our employees, both elected and not, decide what we are allowed to do, and go along with it. If you do that, you do give them authority. The ATF is a perfect example of that too.

 

[Terry G]

Wisconsin has had open carry forever and other than Hiking/Hunting I never do it. I don't want the attention. Out of the last three open carries I've observed only one was really carried decently and by that I mean the Man was well equipped not like the two show off's who were like "Look at ME I'm carrying a GUN! Berretta 92 in what looked like a Kid's toy holster. He dropped it twice in the store and once in the parking lot. The other guy was in full black clothing. Hat, T-shirt, and shorts so you could see all of his tattoo's. This in mid Winter, mind you. His gun and sheathe knife were in nylon pouches. The gun looked like a chrome plated Jennings .22. Wasn't he ever loaded for Bear!

 

[Styx]

No rights are without restrictions and responsibilities. A primary responsibility is to behave in a civilized and social manner. An example of a restriction is the prohibition of shouting fire in a crowded theater when there is no fire.

I agree but.... Carrying a holstered firearm isn't the equivalent of yelling "FIRE" in a crowded building. I'd argue that unholstering a gun in a crowded theater or in public when there's no threat or reasonable reason to do so would be the equivalent. That's an entirely different subject though.

With reasonable restraint and responsibility, of course it does, just like all the others. And just because someone is openly wearing a gun doesnt mean they are not behaving in a civilized and social manner.

What the 2nd (as well as the rest) is also supposed to do is, guarantee your right to do so, and stop others who might want to limit or take away that right, from telling you you cant, for no other reason other than they might be offended. They have just as much right to be offended as I do carrying my gun any way I want.

As far as submitting to authority, it has nothing to do with being courteous. You do give them authority "if" you allow them to put rules, statutes, and laws ect, on you that, that take away and/or restrict your rights, and then you follow their rules.

And thats entirely up to you to do so, but its also a lot of the reason we are in the boat we are in these days. We let basically our employees, both elected and not, decide what we are allowed to do, and go along with it. If you do that, you do give them authority. The ATF is a perfect example of that too.

That's the issue. Some gun owners along with those who hate guns are perfectly fine with restrictive rights with the force of law if and when it "offends" them. They want to force others with the threat of fines, pision, and/or the lose of rights for life because they don't think something is "polite," social acceptable (in their opinion), or because some random person they seen carried in a holster they didn't like while dressed in a manner they deemed inappropriate. Wanting to jail or fine people of all the aforementioned reasons is utterly ridiculous and Anti American IMHO. I'm anti open carry personally, but I don't believe people should have the full face the wrath of the government for a victimless action. It's really not a big issue that many make it seem anyway as OC extremely rare for people to do even in states that allow it.

 

[The Night Rider]

While I don't, and never will, open carry I don't care if someone else does. But can they please buy a better holster than a nylon Uncle Mike's? It's just embarrassing...

Next time you're at work look down at your right hip and get back to us about how you never open carry

 

[The Night Rider]

I voted yes.

I absolutely support your right to make your own decision regarding open carry as long as it doesn't conflict with the property owners right to ban the practice on his property.

However I think it's a really dumb thing to do

 

[HB]

Does this also apply to rifles?

In some states it is legal to carry a rifle. Obviously 99% of the time it is fine, because it is a guy walking down the road to his deer spot. However, there is always some guy who thinks its prudent to carry a rifle into Starbucks

 

[red rick]

I don’t think it is a good way to carry unless you are hunting , but I believe it should be legal in every state .

 

[IJ1981]

It's a great concept, but we will always have folks who do it "because I can", folks who need to fidget, and people whose guns drop or are left in the bathroom stall, and the Venn diagrams have more than a little overlap.

The Police Chief of Coral Gables, Florida, back in the 1990's, had his service pistol discharge twice in the Police Department bathroom stalls.

The first time he was forgiven. But the second time it was, "Adios, El Jefe!"

 

[Gun-Reck]

I would definitely like to see it legal everywhere. But I probably wouldn't do it myself unless it was commonly done and seen. I just don't feel like being the only one doing it and every soccer mom who sees me calls 911. I know, if everybody thought this way nobody would OC. We are allowed to OC here but I have yet to see anyone doing it.

There is also a very real risk of the weapon being targeted by thugs, and being mugged by a mob of them for it.

 

[wayneinFL]

It's a great concept, but we will always have folks who do it "because I can", folks who need to fidget, and people whose guns drop or are left in the bathroom stall, and the Venn diagrams have more than a little overlap.

Come to think of it, you get most of that with concealed carry.

One advantage of open carry is next time my son finds a gun in the men's room, he could look around the shop and see who has an empty holster.

 

[Elkins45]

Open carry has been legal here in Kentucky since before I was born, but just because something is legal doesn’t make it a good idea.

Sex with animals isn’t expressly illegal in New Mexico, West Virginia, or Washington, DC. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to show up at the local petting zoo in a leisure suit with a bouquet of alfalfa.