Open Carrying

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edstephan

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I figured I would start an OC thread for us that carry out in the open.

Why? Because it is our "Right", at least in Pa, VA, WVa(except in Charleston and Dunbar), Ohio, North Carolina.

In my case, advantage of surprise is given up for speed and comfort.
I've had to use my firearm twice in my life since the service.
The first time it almost cost me my life as I could not present fast enough to avoid getting stabbed in the chest. I got caught up in my cover garment.
The second time I fired first because I was faster. I very seldom CC anymore.



An OC Activist and 1 of the 3%
Ed Stephan
 
Its our right, yes. I open carry myself when possible for many of the same reasons that you do.

But this is the activism forum. I do NOT support the idea of OC as a means of protest. Socially, many places in this country are still structured against OC by private citizens, even if they support CC. If that doesn't apply to your area then that is truly a wonderful thing, but for most of us that is not the case.

That attitude CAN change for the better, but not by throwing OC in peoples face. Even in areas where OC is legal, it is still percieved by the general populace as an act of deviance. Deviant behavior does not lead to legitimation. That is true for ANY behavior that society at large does not understand, and its true for OC and gun rights. No, the path to legitimation must be attained from INSIDE the prevailing social structure. That comes about by getting involved in local politics, and showing people that OC is OK through legitimate social and political offices, not by way of rolling protest.

You should OC when it works for you. Its your right, and there is nothing wrong with it, but it should not be used as a form of protest. If you want to effect gun rights for the GOOD then you should be getting involved with your local and state governments, as well as local law enforcement.

In order to sway public opinion, you must dispel commonly held stereotypes. When you OC, you must be on your best bahavior 110% better than the ordinary Joe, or you will hurt our cause.
 
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Actually, In Pennsylvania we do use it as activism
Here are some pictures of the South Western PA T.E.A Party Rally at Bushy Run Battle Field.
Yes , we do work with law enforcement. This year alone we affected a change in Pa LEO's annual training on the aspect of OC. See: http://paopencarry.org/pdfs/PA_Training_Memo.pdf

Here are some pictures that Cindy and I took.
Not only did we have the folks from PAFOA but we had folks from opencarry.org, ar15.com, and the ronpaulforums.com

Part of the OC crew
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An OC Activist and 1 of the 3%
Ed Stephan
 
Oh wow, we've never discussed THIS before!!

Just because you can, and it's legal, it doesn't mean that there are circumstances where it's just a bad idea or that it's impossible it can actually do harm to our cause.

If I'm out 4-wheeling in the desert between central Utah and the Nevada border, or stopping at any of the little town out there for gas, then yes, I'll open carry. If I'm carrying on the belt or in a shoulder rig, and a breeze blows my cover off momentarily, I don't much care. I sometimes carry in ways that make it obvious to other gun people I'm carrying, and I don't care.

BUT, this doesn't mean that it's a good idea to open carry on 400 South in downtown Salt Lake, past the hippie U of U coffee shops. The last thing I want to do is give people who were previously apathetic about guns a reason to care. The more ignorant they are, the more blissful they are. We are on a good run for getting rid of ridiculous gun laws here, and I see no no need to whip up some opposition to the next one.
 
I open carry! i tlked to the sheriffe told him im 18 and wanting to open carry, they looked up the laws and said go for it. also this dosnt mean open carrying in some counties. other counties dont allow it. At 21 im getting my concealed permit. till then i open carry where i can
 
Activism isn't a discussion forum. Activism Discussion is.

If you want to preset a plan of some action in support of RKBA this is the place to do it.

If you want to discuss and/or develop a plan AD is the place for it.

If you just want to jaw about OC then General is the place for it.
 
I liked the pictures of the open carry rally.
Why was everybody hanging onto AR-15 and Semi-auto rifles?
You don't open carry rifles.
You open carry pistols and revolvers.
No wonder people in your area are afraid of people carrying openly.
If I saw a guy carrying an AR-15 thru town I think I'd have a serious issue with open carry too.

For the record - I open carry my .357 S&W regularly - in a holster.

I live in the Pacific Nortwest where it is common to see people carrying on any given day.
We don't need a picnic to show that we carry around others that are carrying.
Seems to me like you're preaching to the choir.
The rally in the pictures seems way out of context for an open carry rally.
Seems like a bunch of gun enthusiasts showing each other, that their gun is bigger than the other guys gun! (pun intended)
 
I OC around the farm, and in town in our unincorporated agricultural community... sometimes, and yes, maybe because I want people to get more used to it. But I'm 51 years old, and kinda look like a cop anyway, so nobody seems to give it a second notice. I'm always concealed-carrying too, as habit, and I think it's the tactically better habit.

Les
 
gideon_70 I would suggest you NOT OC in Flordia. In fact, Florida is one of only SIX states in the entire United States that completely bans open carry of handguns.



An OC Activist and 1 of the 3%
Ed Stephan
 
Please enlighten.
790.053 Open carrying of weapons.--
(1) Except as otherwise provided by law and in subsection (2), it is unlawful for any person to openly carry on or about his or her person any firearm or electric weapon or device.





An OC Activist and 1 of the 3%
Ed Stephan
 
When my wife and I OC, which is all the time we keep these Pennsylvania Gun Rights fliers handy: http://paopencarry.org/pdfs/Pennsylvania_Gun_Rights.pdf

I have been OC'ing for over 20yrs and usually don't have any problems. I do hand out about 50 of these fliers a month and more when we go to the TEA parties. I also am a Certified NRA Instructor in 6 different disciplines as well as former military. I have a License to Carry Firearms for PA, Utah CCW, and New Hampshire CCW. This combination allows me to carry in 36 states as well as transport with running afoul of the laws which vary greatly between states. Yes, I am an OC Activist!!

Most people do not even notice I'm OC'ing.
People are conditioned that they see something on a belt and it usually registers as a cell phone. Most of the ones that do notice are usually more curious than any thing else.
The biggest thing with OC'ing is to get used to carrying and act naturally and show the sheeple that OC'ers are normal everyday people that are concerned with their own protection.

I also suggest the younger members that want to get into get training, especially retention training. Also invest in a good level II retention holster and learn your state laws inside and out because the younger folks are the most apt to be hassled because they are easy targets and most LEO's think they don't know the laws.
There are several good web sites on Open Carrying www.opencarry.org (National), www.paopencarry.org (Pennsylvania), www.pafoa.org (Pennsylvania)

One other thing, If you plan to either Open Carry or Conceal Carry in other states like I have know the laws of that state forwards and backwards


An OC Activist and 1 of the 3%
Ed Stephan
 
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I haven't yet, but I will open carry. I enjoy the thought of it and my local sheriffs department is good about it.
 
I'll keep everyone notified of the coming Pennsylvania OC dinners as well as the other activities we have going on.

There will be quite a few of us going out to Harrisburgh for the fall session to work to get through some of the bills stalled in committee like HB-40 and SB-866 of course we will be OC'ing as well to and from the capitol.



An OC Activist and 1 of the 3%
Ed Stephan
 
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