[Magnum88C]

As a follow-up to the thread asking where open carry was allowed.
Of those who live in said areas, how many actually carry openly? If not, why not? In areas where both open carry and concealed carry are allowed, how many do both, either at the same time or at different times?

[Lennyjoe]

Only time I open carry is when I go out to the bush for some hunting or hiking.

Thats only cause its hard to CCW a full size Smith 10 MM.

Every other time its CCW. No need giving the bad guy a heads up on who's armed.;)

[WorksForMe]

I hardly ever carry open. If I'm driving to the range for some shooting I sometimes will. I think I did once this last year when I was not going to the range, but I don't remember why I open-carried instead of concealed. I must have had some reason.????
I prefer to always keep my firearm hidden. It just isn't anyone else's business if I am armed.

[TallPine]

I open carry all the time at home and on my land (40 acres) as well as walking on the county road, or when walking (with permission) on neighbor's land (one of which is a multi-section ranch). Since I work at home, that is almost all the time.

Except when it is cold sometimes covered up by coat or overalls.

Nobody has really said much of anything, except for one neighbor who thinks I should carry a 1911 instead of a wheel-gun :p

If it bothers somebody, I figure they are up to no good in the first place.

[Standing Wolf]

I carry openly sometimes, and expect to do so more in the future.

[Wanderer]

I understand why people open carry on their property, but I don't understand why anyone would carry openly ANYWHERE else.

1. Cops might not be so well-versed in the carry laws, and might decide to take that guy with the gun on his hip off the street before he does any harm. That happened to a fellow on another board recently. Fortunately he got his gun back, but he's decided to get his CCW now.

2. You give anyone with ill intentions a head-up on who to aim for. True, it might act as a deterrent, but criminals are becoming more brash now than ever. :uhoh:

3. This goes back to number one, but people might call the cops because THEY don't know the carry laws. That's what happened to the guy on another board. Went to get some coffee after a range trip and the cops were called.

Is wearing a jacket or getting a CCW permit so hard compared to the consequences?

[Feanaro]

but I don't understand why anyone would carry openly ANYWHERE else.

Education. It makes the sheep uncomfortable but if anything does come of it, they walk away knowing more. The very reason point 1 and 3 exist might be because people do not open carry enough.

[Magnum88C]

I understand why people open carry on their property, but I don't understand why anyone would carry openly ANYWHERE else.

1. Cops might not be so well-versed in the carry laws, and might decide to take that guy with the gun on his hip off the street before he does any harm. That happened to a fellow on another board recently. Fortunately he got his gun back, but he's decided to get his CCW now.

2. You give anyone with ill intentions a head-up on who to aim for. True, it might act as a deterrent, but criminals are becoming more brash now than ever.

3. This goes back to number one, but people might call the cops because THEY don't know the carry laws. That's what happened to the guy on another board. Went to get some coffee after a range trip and the cops were called.

Is wearing a jacket or getting a CCW permit so hard compared to the consequences?

Here's my thinking. Places I've looked into moving that have both open and CCW laws, also have a limit on the CCW. You have to register, by seriel number, UP TO 2 guns that you can carry concealed. Problem is, then you're stuck with those two unless you want to go through the hassle of registering others, and getting your CCW updated.

Your #3 I think is something that could be remedied by carrying openly, at least if a lot of people did it. A big form of gun control, IMHO is the "what will people think" factor.

As for police, I know in a few counties in Nevada, they require you to carry a copy of the carry laws (both open and concealed) if you are going to carry there. The purpose being to show the police if an issue is made.

I don't think criminals would deliberately go after someone who was "flying the colors" so to speak. What they want are easy victims, they don't want to fight and risk injury, they'd rather go after a soft target. 'Course, hear tell down on the border you have armed raiding parties violating the border, but those types won't care if you're visibly armed or not, they'll come after you either way.

The other thing is, if you carry both ways, you can have a decent CCW piece (or two), but still carry a large, more effective gun without trying to hide it. This would be a distinct advantage I would think, and an additional deterrent in that even if someone magange to come up with a way around your open carry piece, they have no assurances that you're not still armed with something they can't see or account for.

[Landric]

I usually carry concealed. Virginia, being the great state that it is, does not have any laws against open carry, the few local laws having been overridden by state legislation this year.

I sometimes open carry when I am driving somewhere in my car. The reason is that it allows for a faster draw than when my weapon is covered by clothing and I am belted in.

A quirk in Virginia law allows one to openly carry a firearm into an establishment that serves alcohol, but not a concealed one. There are a number of "gun guys" who open carry all the time in restaurants that serve alcohol.

[Majic]

I open carry occasionally.
As it's not against the law here, and if a LEO disarms me then he has to explain to the judge/magistrate about not knowing the laws he's suppose to enforce.
Is wearing a jacket or getting a CCW permit so hard compared to the consequences?
Wear that jacket covering your handgun here without a CCW and you will get a free ride downtown if caught.
If you can legally open carry then why give the local government even more of your hard earned dollars?

[bendable]

never,
why attract attention ?

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
-------------------------------------------
I usually carry concealed. Virginia, being the great state that it is, does not have any laws against open carry, the few local laws having been overridden by state legislation this year.
--------------------------------------------

When I lived in Virginia, a friend from NOVA came down, and as we went into a restaurant, he took off his jacket. He was carrying in an OWB.

I mentioned that it might cause some comments, and he said, "I can't carry CONCEALED in here if they have a liquor license. But it's legal to carry openly.

I thought about tucking my shirt around my IWB so people could see, but decided against it.:D

[Wanderer]

Wear that jacket covering your handgun here without a CCW and you will get a free ride downtown if caught.

I meant getting the CCW permit and the jacket. I'm getting used to the VT carry laws, where you can carry a gun, no permit at all, as long as you're an adult.

[Wildalaska]

I try to carry open all the time, everywhere, even places where its prohibted. Its becasue it is my natural right to carry anyhting I want anywehre I want. I have a backpack nuke that I caay sometimes in case a horde of Al Qaidas attack me here in Alaska.

Carrying a big gun openly (like I do, usually a 45/70 revolver in a belt slide, with a 1911 backup in a shoulder holster and a 329 PD strapped to the OUTSIDE of my ankle ) is a great way to educate the blissninny sheeple that its NORMAL to carry large amounts of firepower with you everyhwere. The other day I was downtown at a Honour the Police Parade. I new that even though there were cops everyhwere, I was still in danger so I added an UZI sub gun to my carry regalia. I felf really safe! So did the poeple around me...hell I look honest, fat longhaired guy with " Ill give up my Gun When they pry it From My Cold Dead Fingers" embroidered on my jacket wearing a TShirt that says "Peace Through Superior Firepower"..funny thing I saw some poeple running from me, they must have been criminals who feared my tactical aura since we all no that no nut job would walk around downtown with a backpack nuke, three pistols and an UZI at 2 pm on a Sunday afternoon parade.

Sometimes when I do this I scream, "My rights shall not be Infringed" and "An Armed Society is a Polite Society"..I also tell anyone who questions me that I dont intend to be an unarmed sheeple who deserves to die like the Jews getting tossed in the gas chambers by the Nazis, nope when the JBTs come for me I intend to touch off this nuke and defend all of our rights....

In short, i think everyone shoudl strap on their piece and walk around like I do. Besides, its makes ya feel strong and powerful!

WildhopeyallunderstandAlaska

[denfoote]

I used to, back in the days when AZ did not have concealed carry. Now it's concealed all the time!!

[Rickstir]

I carry open on my farm and in town (where it is legal) on the weekends. Concealed while doing farm chores is not easy for me. I strap on my 92FS and don't pay it any mind. When I go into town, now that I have my CCW, I don't have to worry about keeping the pistol in view in the truck. I don't get many strange looks anymore, except when city sheeple are around.

[spacemanspiff]

b-b-b-but wildheavilyarmedalaska, what if some pickpocket steals your nuke?

i think you should open carry the airsoft nuke, and ccw the real thing.

[Ian]

I open-carry because it scares WildAlaska.:neener:

[Schuey2002]

Only time I open carry is when I go out to the bush for some hunting or hiking.
What Lennyjoe said.

Whenever I go out into the woods to do anything (hiking, mushroom pickin', mindlessly stompin' around, gold pannin', exploring homesteads, etc.. etc.), I always have either one of my Glocks (or HK's) on my left hip. I also carry a spare mag, just in case I run into blue helmet-wearin' Martian Attack Bears. :D

[CRridermike]

when you open carry do you have to have any permit of any kind? how old do you have to be? my guess is 21? can you do it in oregon?

[Majic]

Open carry depends on the state you live in. Even then there may be local laws that may say otherwise.
Check with your state police, attn. gen., or the packing.org website.

[Treylis]

I carry openly all the time in Arizona. Never had a single problem because of it.

[Red_SC]

It's not legal here, but I probably wouldn't anyway.

[Oleg Volk]

Yes, to acclimate others to gun.

[Lictalon]

Occasionally...usually when leaving home to walk to car to go to range. I live on Main Street, so walking out to the car for a full range trip can be kinda fun...especially if I bring the AR...

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

In the state of Alabama one has to have a license
to carry concealed. While I don't condone open carry, one
may choose to do so on his/her privately owned land.

The reason behind my thoughts/opinions on open carry
are very simple. In an attack upon my person, I always
prefer to have the element of surprise on my side. I"m
of the belief that if you use a distractor, followed by the
use of physical force* (if necessitated) one will come out
the winner of most confrontations.

*Deadly physical force should only be used as a last
resort!!!

Part II: Please forgive me folk's, as I just realized that
I interjected my personal opinion in the thread related
to the original question. This is something I don't like
doing, unless asked with the thread starter.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[cratz2]

I carried openly exactly one day... Just when I found out that open carry was legal in Indiana.

I was not comfortable with it and I highly doubt I will do so again in the near future. But it is nice to know that on the chance that my shirt pulls up and my gun is exposed, I won't be breaking any laws.

Honestly, maybe if I lived in a more rural state or city I might consider it.

[goalkeeper91]

Sure, I've opened carried, while dressed in BDU's. Of course, Uncle Sam and the Army were paying me to do it at the time, so I don't think that counts. :p

Seriously, I did open carry for a couple of weeks while on a friend's family farm/ranch. THere were concerns about a pack of dogs running loose, a sighting of a mountain lion, snakes, and a rash of recent break-ins. It was, by nature, a rural area, and due to the dogs and break-ins, most everyone in the town (population about 150) was carrying while working. THere were no strange looks, except the first couple of days until everyone got to know who I was.

And, open carry was not a decision of legality, politics, or whatever. At the time (and this was a whie back), concleaed carry required a permit, but there were no restrictions on open carry. Being small town, no one bothered with permits, they just carried when they felt the need. And, open carry is a lot more comfortable when doing farm chores on a hot day.

If you care, I carried a Smith 686, 4" barrel in a paddle holster behind my right hip, with two speedloaders on my belt.

[halvey]

Never in public.

Sometimes around the house. Then my wife can get used to it.

[antediluvianist]

If you open carry, how do the people around you know whether you have a license or are just a nut out to kill people?

Since there are in fact so many nuts around, it would be safer for people to consider that you might be a nut and act accordingly (avoid you, and/or call the attention of a cop.) Of course they do not have the right to throw bottles at you or whatever, but they sure can avoid you and/or point you out to a cop.

If the cop speaks to you and you show your legal documentation and then he still confiscates your firearm (assuming that you are in a state that permits open carry), then like the earlier poster wrote, the cop will have to explain his ignorance of the law.

But why should people immediately assume that you have the legal documentation for open carry or even ownership of a gun? Not every person walking down the street with a gun exposed is necessarily a legitimate owner.

[Majic]

Not everywhere requires you to have any documentation to carry openly. Here in Va you just strap on your favorite handgun and go about your business. About the only thing that you could be questioned about is your age.

[TallPine]

If you open carry, how do the people around you know whether you have a license or are just a nut out to kill people?
How do you know that anybody you meet is not a nut out to kill people? :rolleyes:

I mean, if they don't obviously have a gun on their belt, then they must being carrying one concealed (that was the thinking we used to invade Iraq, anyway :p ) ... so if they are hiding it then they must be up to no good right ...?
:neener:

But then I live in Montana, where you can carry a black rifle on a sling over your shoulder in downtown Billings, and nobody hardly notices, or at least nobody cares.