I Open Carried Today - people's reactions

As far as people's reactions...let's just say that people do not take kindly to a person wearing a gun. Approx 90% of the public looked at me all weird, wouldn't talk to me, gave me the cold shoulder, and acted in a way to avoid me at all costs.

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I've been open carrying for years, and I'd say only ~5% of the public even notice, and maybe 1% care one way or the other. Most who have cared, are very supportive.

It must be either a regional thing, or the demographics of your store.

Granted it was in a pretty rural area, but I had my first OC experience in Vermont while taking some tactical classes near Lake Carmi.
Lunchtime rolled around (with steamroller speed, since we were having so much fun) and I asked the instructor what his preference was, since I was renting/borrowing one of his expensive Kimbers (the other classmates brought their own pistols).
He said, "go on into town with it, if you like." I shrugged my shoulders, kept the weapon holstered and ate twice at the lakeside diner... in neither case did anyone seem to notice, care or make comments.

johntaylorny, did you happen to be acting nervously, fidgeting with your sidearm, or otherwise actively drawing attention to it?

As far as people's reactions...let's just say that people do not take kindly to a person wearing a gun. Approx 90% of the public looked at me all weird, wouldn't talk to me, gave me the cold shoulder, and acted in a way to avoid me at all costs.

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As has been mentioned before, this could be a demographic issue in terms of the "general" publics view of openly displayed weaponry.

I guess open carry is not a good idea.

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I would not jump to this conclusion just yet.

When it is indeed legal to openly carry, then you have that established right. If others do not acknowledge or agree with this (due to their own lack of weapons education and/or lack of knowledge regarding various laws specific to CC/OC or maybe simply due to their own media induced fear), that is their hangup and hence, should not necessarily be your problem.

In addition, as the law permits, whether or not OC is a good idea is for you to decide, not others. What I mean is, it is up to you to determine when OC would be more beneficial vs CC, given various scenarios you personally may/may not encounter. Public misconception, however, should not be the driving force behind such a decision, IMHO.

Just continue using your "right" with a high sense of maturity and awareness. Let others "less in the know" think what they will as this may simply be unavoidable. Just do not abuse the "right" and if the opportunity presents itself, educate others.

If, however, you find it hard to dismiss the reactions that you receive during OC, then simply go back to CC. Nothing wrong with that either. Having said this, I strongly feel that you should never, ever be ashamed or hesitant in exercising your right (just use a healthy dose of prudence).

While you cannot always control public reactions, you are in complete control of your own actions. Be safe out there!

What I often wonder is why do people react so negatively to OC? I CC myself since I don't want the attention, but how many BGs are going to open carry? How do onlookers automatically assume you are not a cop, security, the property owner, or a law abiding citizen. The problem is with the uneducated onlookers not the OCer. Blame the people not the gun.

Why do people react so negatively to OC? Hmmm....let me guess. They realize that the masses are "not so noble". (Think...Hurricane Katrina looting, etc) When a person OC, it is a reminder to others that "the man with the gun" have the power of life and death in their fingers. It's not a very comforting thought for many that "ordinary people" can have such power. (I know...makes no sense... but I'm answering your question.)

Is this logical? Of course not. Cars...those two ton vehicles are just as deadly...but we would never think of outlawing those things.

Do I support OC. Of course!!! Would I open carry? Maybe not...but I do want that option.

When a person chooses to exercise their right to legally OC, does it support our "Right to Bear Arms" cause? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. Just remember, if you OC...you remind others of this important right. Which is a good thing. On the other hand, if you OC with the "in your face" attitude towards the "sheeple"... it could create a backlash...and who knows...laws may change and OC becomes illegal in your area.
You must exercise wisdom with OC. Dress and act appropriately when OC... look and act professional...choose the time and place so as to not scare the public.. I guess its one of those judgement calls...

On the other hand, if you OC with the "in your face" attitude towards the "sheeple"... it could create a backlash...and who knows...laws may change and OC becomes illegal in your area.
You must exercise wisdom with OC. Dress and act appropriately when OC... look and act professional...choose the time and place

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Bingo.

Could it be your perception? If you stop and actually people-watch, most folks are pretty oblivious to the world around them and, if not exactly hostile, unneighborly to strangers in general.

How did your employees react? Do you allow them to carry at work?

Simply put, a great many people are afraid (i.e. have an irrational fear) of guns.

I am sorry for the negative reactions, and hope it doesn't hurt your business. I open carried for years until AZ got a CCW law, and got mine as fast as I could. I open carry in uniform, but that's normal. I have gotten negative reactions, but by and large most people ignored it or were oblivious.

Granted it was in a pretty rural area, but I had my first OC experience in Vermont

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Wait until the flatlanders start showing up, then the fun starts.

OC= bad idea, crim walks in store he sees your gun he robs you. OC is only good if you are waiting on your CCW and need to protech your self, or go in a group with other gun owners.

OC= bad idea, crim walks in store he sees your gun he robs you. OC is only good if you are waiting on your CCW and need to protech your self, or go in a group with other gun owners.

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What a load of BS, the only documented case of such an instance was found to be a scam.

OC= bad idea, crim walks in store he sees your gun he robs you. OC is only good if you are waiting on your CCW and need to protech your self, or go in a group with other gun owners.

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If this were true, why don't police officers CCW? They're out there every day with an exposed weapon - what's to stop the badguys from just sneaking up on them and wreaking havoc?

Many thousands of private citizens OC every day. I'd love to see a list of instances detailing the type of situation you describe above. I'll bet you money that the number of occurrences versus number of regular OC'ers is so small as to be insignificant.

Me thinks me smell the stink o' troll... If I be wrong, I apologize later

(edit wrong thing)

I have never seen a person OC only cops.

Maybe its just the area.

I was in a restaurant for lunch yesterday. Two men and a woman walked in the front door. I noticed immediately that both men were open-carrying. I could not see a gun on the woman. Upon noticing the openly carried guns, I scanned the two men. One wore a T-shirt that had the logo of the local PD mounted officers on it. The other wore a plain T-shirt. Both wore jeans. Their guns were all black. The woman was inconspicuously dressed. Both men were of sturdy build. I sized them up as off-duty cops but kept an eye on them.

I was with a group of about 10 people and I didn't notice one other person's eyes even pick up on the weapons.

All that to say, unless you draw attention to your gun or wear a gun that stands out (e.g. silver against dark clothes), I'd be willing to bet very few of the members of the general public will even notice.

but kept an eye on them.

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Why!?
How many criminals open carry!?

Maybe your community/area is liberal and don't believe you have the right to OC.

johntaylorny said:

I guess open carry is not a good idea.

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I would appreciate it if you would not attempt to make sweeping statements applicable to me. Open carry is not a good idea for you. It is perfectly fine and acceptable to me, thank you.

Mudinyeri said:

I sized them up as off-duty cops but kept an eye on them.

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I would keep an eye on off-duty cops as well. Now, if you thought they required more of your attention simply because they were carrying guns, I too would like to know why? Twin brothers are standing in line at Wal Mart, one is wearing a gun, the other isn't. Would you feel differently about the one wearing the gun?

The idea that someone must be watched because they are carrying a gun comes straight from the Brady Bunch and other anti-gun groups' propaganda. The gun means nothing, it is only an inanimate object.

That is generally how normal, sane people in the real world view open carry johntaylorny. I'll catch a ration of a four letter word for this. But internet gun forums are not the real world, even ones as well moderated as THR.

That is generally how normal, sane people in the real world view open carry johntaylorny. I'll catch a ration of a four letter word for this.

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Well, seeing as how you just questioned the normality and sanity or most of the members of this board, perhaps you'd be better off leaving us nutjobs and finding somewhere else to post.

And btw, if "most people" view OC that way, frankly that's tough. Maybe one day they'll suck it up and get used to the fact that just because someone has a pistol on their waistband doesn't mean they're getting ready to commit mass murder.

One reason I love Alaska. I've walked into a hippy granola store here with an M-91 Mosin strapped to my back and nobody batted an eye.

Maybe we're all abnormal and insane around here.