Why Aren't More People In South Carolina Open Carrying?

Terry G said:

Wisconsin has had an Open Carry law like forever. Outside of Hiking or Hunting I think I have seen maybe four people open carrying in the last 10 years. All except one was carrying obviously for attention.

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I've seen a couple people open carry up there but it's pretty uncommon. I shoot in Delavan and asked a guy working there if he sees it much and he said if you open carried in town in Delavan it would not be seen as ok. Several years ago I saw a knucklehead open carrying a small pistol on his belt, at the bar drinking - that was up just past the dells in a pretty rural area but I thought it was in bad taste (and probably illegal) . but no, I'd say very uncommon in Wisconsin too.

We have freedom of the press, but few people choose journalism careers. Like others said, sort of, rights give you choices, laws take them away. I like choices.

Hypothetical question--do you think that Karens would be calling the cops if they were more used to seeing guns in holsters? Perhaps we should start acting as if gun ownership was normal.

Open carrying is a lot like public breastfeeding. People want the right to do so but are then too timid or frightened to exercise that right lest they be accused of seeking attention.

Ralph III said:

"Constitutional Carry" is defined and accepted as permit-less carry. . . so how is that term inaccurate?

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Because the State still claims you need a hall pass, from the State, to exercise that right.

Plan2Live said:

So my question is this, if so many people in South Carolina were chomping at the bit to pass open carry legislation, why aren’t more people in South Carolina open carrying?
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I can advocate for free speech without feeling the need to publish photos of nekkid women, call police officers pigs to their face or stand on the street corner and shout quotations from Mao's little red book....same goes for the Second Amendment.

I think most folks who carry firearms realize the tactical superiority of concealed carry.

WI has had legal open carry since May 29, 1848, yet few open carry here also. It is nice not having to worry about 'brandishing' charges as mentioned. The only time I open carry is when I hunt, and I CCW then, also.

People don't open carry much because it can invite trouble.

For me, most of the time the OC law means not worrying if I forget to cover up, forget my wallet, print, etc. About the only time people may see me OC is pumping gas when I am decked out for hunting.

Open carry is legal here in washington state but you don't see it very often. Occasionally see someone open carrying in wally world or the grocery store but it feels like the numbers are decreasing. Cc permits are easy to get, it's my preferred method.

Before I begin (having just turned 75) what is a Karen? Don’t laugh you will get old to.
Now to the subject at hand. It is my opinion, and only my opinion, that open carry is just a sign for the perpetrator saying “shoot me first”. Here in fly over country we also have open carry. I have yet to see this practiced on any kind of scale. Only one individual that I saw several times was at a dog training class and he was open carrying a small semi auto. He was training a Doberman and I thought maybe he was prepared to shoot the dog. LOL

We have OC here in Texas. I personally will never open carry. My preference is to always have the element of surprise to my advantage. I am glad we are OC because before OC if you accidentally displayed your weapon because your shirt rode up you could get in trouble. Not so anymore.

Ralph III said:

so how is that term inaccurate?

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Because requiring a permit or license to carry a concealed firearm is likewise Constitutional, in no manner violating the Second Amendment.

Here in Florida there printing and inadvertent exposure are not criminal offenses. Open carry is only legal while actively hunting, camping, or fishing. The only time you ever see anyone open carrying are OC proponents walking along the beach with a fishing pole. I for one am not about to open carry a $1500 handgun in full view. It's an open invitation to get knocked in the back of the head and relieved of said $1500.

In my small town in TX one fine day I had business to do, and outside the courthouse was an older man open carrying a SAA or similar. He was just standing on the corner. Very western looking, like out of the 1800's I liked to see it and am glad it's legal. But I don't open carry except on my property.

Why WOULD you open carry? Advertise to the world you have a gun on you? Become the first target if something bad were to happen? Create more fear and animosity among those who don't like guns, which leads to more gun laws? We have OC in my state and in my opinion it's only to protect you in case of an accidental exposure of your CCW, or keep you out of trouble if you're carrying a large pistol on the farm or hunting. Every training class I've ever been to says OC is a bad idea - so WHY?

tinhorn said:

Hypothetical question--do you think that Karens would be calling the cops if they were more used to seeing guns in holsters? Perhaps we should start acting as if gun ownership was normal.

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Around here (northern Virginia), more open carrying would result in more antigun hysteria. Guaranteed. There is no such thing as "normalization" of guns in places without a strong underlying gun culture.

jdc1244 said:

Because requiring a permit or license to carry a concealed firearm is likewise Constitutional, in no manner violating the Second Amendment.

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Infringe
verb (used with object), in·fringed, in·fring·ing.
to commit a breach or infraction of; violate or transgress:to infringe a copyright; to infringe a rule.
verb (used without object), in·fringed, in·fring·ing.
to encroach or trespass (usually followed by on or upon) don't infringe on his privacy.

So if you are denied the right to bear arms because you didn't meet the requirements to get a permit, your right was infringed. Some places, a law abiding citizen almost has to sleep with or pay off the sheriff to get a carry permit.

Imagine if you needed a government issued license or permit to become a preacher. Or to publish a newspaper, or operate an online forum, or a license to post an opinion on an online forum. All Constitutional rights, with no license requirement infringing on them.

Ohio has had open carry for as long as I can remember. I think I have seen it Two times. I would probably never open carry.

Plan2Live said:

So my question is this, if so many people in South Carolina were chomping at the bit to pass open carry legislation, why aren’t more people in South Carolina open carrying?

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They may just be like me. While I would not open carry in public, because I happed to think it’s a bad idea, I do support my right to do so, if I thought otherwise.

I have grown so tired of the people we elect taking away our rights while they retain them for themselves. Nice to see some come back, even if I do not utilize them myself.

I've open carried in several states where it was legal over the far too many decades. I still open carry fairly often.

What I do notice even more today than at any time I can remember in the past is that not only has there been NO adverse reactions but there has not been any indication that anyone even notices that I am openly carrying a handgun. I think there have been two instances that I can remember when anyone commented on the fact; once from a person that has been trimming my oaks for me for nearly two decades now and never commented in the past and once from a FedEx driver who is also a shooter and we talked about models we enjoyed.

The general population today seems almost totally oblivious to anything going on around them.

unclenunzie said:

In my small town in TX one fine day I had business to do, and outside the courthouse was an older man open carrying a SAA or similar. He was just standing on the corner. Very western looking, like out of the 1800's I liked to see it and am glad it's legal. But I don't open carry except on my property.

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In my big city of almost 300,000 and being a gun dealer I thought i might see a customer come in openly carrying every day. Nope.
In fact, I can only recall three over the last seven years since licensed open carry was legalized. It's just no big deal.
Now, I suspect one of those guys wears a plate carrier to bed and clears every room in his house at bedtime and again in the morning.

The first guy I saw open carrying was using a $10 Uncle Mike's nylon holster with retention strap. He needed that retention strap because his ample beltline was nearly at a 45 degree angle as he was sitting at Phở Quê Hương. Butt down, muzzle pointing at the person across from him. When he rose out of his chair to leave it snagged on the chair.
Freedom.

I lived in KY where open carry was legal prior to moving to FL; I never open carried in KY, conceal carry even in my own house.
In KY the carry permit is for concealed deadly weapon, that's how I came up with my username.
Concealed Deadly Weapon 4 ME

Open carry has always been legal in NM. Very few people are seen carrying around my area though. I just like it for the fact that I can do it if I wish and no one will make a fuss about it.

Open carry is the best way I know of to lose control of your weapon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Open carry is legal here, but I've only done it a couple of times. Just not for me, but I must admit I enjoy seeing other people open carrying. But I have always enjoyed things that seem to irritate other people to no end.

Open carry if you want, don't if you don't want to. It's all good.