Open Carry

GunnyUSMC said:

I’m all for open carry, but I also believe there is a time and place for it. I’ve seen several people in stores that open carry, but have as much situational awareness as a hog staring at a wrist watch.
When you see the guy in Walmart dressed like Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead, you just got to shake your head.
And then there are those that look like they spent more money on their T-shirt then on the holster they have on their hip.
Like I said, I’m all for open carry, just not for careless carry.
What are your thoughts.

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Do we really need to do this again?

Gunny I have mixed feelings.
With all of the anti nuts I don’t open carry. But I like it when people do responsibly as it raises awareness.

I think what you describe is bad for us. Irresponsible open carry makes us all look bad. So we have to figure out how to get those types to understand that while they have a right to go all commando if they keep doing it they may lose that right.

In our town there’s a Hardee’s that always has a few good old boys who open carry there hanging out drinking coffee. We love it. We also joke that it’s the safest Hardee’s in that if some crackhead came in to Rob the place he’d have about four or five guns on him so fast it’d be mind numbing. And those are just the open carry folks. We also joke that half of the other customers are probably conceal carrying.

A few years ago an anti made a false call on a guy open carrying in Fairfax. Thankfully the police handled it properly and after they found out the guy was a good guy they let him go. But the traffic stop was a nightmare for him. Unfortunately the media never reported if the anti was charged with filing a false report.

I’ll be up there in two weeks and will be conceal carrying as always. And as much as I’d like to open carry to make a statement the risks are too high there. Not only of false police reports, but of crazies doing something stupid. And that’s before we even mention MS13 and how big they’ve gotten there.

buck460XVR said:

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Do we really need to do this again?

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I respectfully disagree

It’s a great topic and one I think actually needs to be discussed MORE.

But I think it needs to go beyond opinions, and I to the issues. Unfortunately the topic gets emotional and folks don’t discuss how it benefits and hurts us and what we can do.

GunnyUSMC said:

Avoid the topic if you don’t like it.

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It's not the topic, it's the condescending attitude of OPs like your towards other responsible gun owners. Why the need to put other pro-gun folks down? Is irresponsible OC any different than irresponsible CC? How about irresponsible hunting and gun storage in the home? All of this is done by a small percentage of gun owners, but yet, someone starts a thread on OC and they want to put all OCers in the same boat as "the guy in Walmart dressed like Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead". With all of the folks with negative attitudes towards gun ownership, why do fellow gun owners fell the need to be so belittling of their brethren, when for the most part, irresponsible OC is much more rare than irresponsible CC and hunting? Mostly in a vain attempt to show some form of superiority.

I open carried when I worked in a gun shop, as did the other employees, in NC where it is legal. If we went to the other stores in the strip mall (where those stores' owners and employees knew us) to get something to eat or drink, a haircut , etc. during break, we were still open carrying, and never had any problems. Open carry is illegal in Fl in almost every case. This is a concern to me since I prefer to carry strong side, and I ride a motorcycle. It is very easy to go from concealed carry in this manner to "accidental open carry" on a motorcycle due to physics. I know what the law says regarding "briefly displaying the concealed firearm". This is to cover "wardrobe malfunctions". Define "briefly". Would that be my jacket whipping up once? 1-3 times? Or it sliding up and remaining there for a certain amount of miles? If open carry were legal here i wouldn't have to worry about this, or worry about having to explain myself.

My only problem with it other that taking away one of my (at least perceived) advantages of not being obviously armed, is that if everyone can see it, it’s hard to make a decision on what one...



I am all for the right but I don’t open carry unless I’m on private property but I don’t see that as the same thing, because that was legal before any laws came around.

IMHO carry as the law permits or as you see fit and don`t worry about the rest.

I open carry from time to time, and it always amazes me that most times nobody takes any notice. In this day of cell phone fascination, most folks are so glued to the virtual world that they don't see what is going on in reality.

buck460XVR said:

It's not the topic, it's the condescending attitude of OPs like your towards other responsible gun owners. Why the need to put other pro-gun folks down? Is irresponsible OC any different than irresponsible CC? How about irresponsible hunting and gun storage in the home? All of this is done by a small percentage of gun owners, but yet, someone starts a thread on OC and they want to put all OCers in the same boat as "the guy in Walmart dressed like Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead". With all of the folks with negative attitudes towards gun ownership, why do fellow gun owners fell the need to be so belittling of their brethren, when for the most part, irresponsible OC is much more rare than irresponsible CC and hunting? Mostly in a vain attempt to show some form of superiority.

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What was condescending about Gunny's original post?

Read between the lines much?

I live in a rural area and open carry almost always around home and nearly always concealed everywhere else. I support the right to open carry although I don't think it is the best choice for many situations.
Like Gunny, I also shake my head at "the open carry at Walmart guy that desperately wants to be noticed"

Sistema1927 said:

What was condescending about Gunny's original post?

Read between the lines much?

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Just that this subject has been hashed over so much, I know exactly where it's going. This is not a new or rarely traveled subject, it rates right up there with "what gun for bears?" and generally has about as much creditable info to be gleaned as the numerous "dumb guy at Walmart" threads. Funny, how this is a combination of "Idiotic Open Carry"and "Dumb Guy at Walmart". Somehow, I really think we are better than this.......but, maybe not.

Oops, see below. Stoopid WiFi.

buck460XVR said:

Just that this subject has been hashed over so much, I know exactly where it's going. This is not a new or rarely traveled subject, it rates right up there with "what gun for bears?" and generally has about as much creditable info to be gleaned as the numerous "dumb guy at Walmart" threads. Funny, how this is a combination of "Idiotic Open Carry"and "Dumb Guy at Walmart". Somehow, I really think we are better than this.......but, maybe not.

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With the steadily increasing number of states that have "constitutional carry" this topic may be useful as a new thread, rather than the old threads that tended to get bogged down in the weeds.

There are several good reasons to open carry and a few really bad reasons (bad-- related to lack of training, gun handling skills, awareness, etc...) and an honest discussion would be welcome.

fine figure of a man said:

Like Gunny, I also shake my head at "the open carry at Walmart guy that desperately wants to be noticed"

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Narcissistic personalities tend to go outside the realm of common sense and norms drawing attention to themselves.....they are lonely people looking for acceptance.

NIGHTLORD40K said:

I would remove the pistol from its holster and place it in "secure encasement" under the seat while riding, then put it back on when I got where I was going.

I actually had a SD scenario occur while on my bike. I dismounted, took cover behind the bike, and kept the target covered while waiting for the deputies to arrive. They didnt have any issue with this method, and since I never fired, they returned my weapon after the scene was cleared.

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I prefer not to be seperated from my sidearm (thus denying access to it), or being forced to mess with it putting it into or taking it out of a saddlebag in a parking lot every time I stop. I believe this would cause even more attention from onlookers. Under the seat isn't an option for me since that space is tight and occupied by a battery and oil tank. While I largely agree with Gunny about those who walk around with a safariland strapped to their thigh and eleventeen mags, the only scenario where this really affects me is Fl law on open carry and my chosen mode of transportation on a nice sunny day. If Fl allowed open carry, I would not have any concerns about exercising my constitutional rights while utilizing a specific class of legal transportation for which I am duly licensed to operate.

FL-NC said:

I open carried when I worked in a gun shop, as did the other employees, in NC where it is legal. If we went to the other stores in the strip mall (where those stores' owners and employees knew us) to get something to eat or drink, a haircut , etc. during break, we were still open carrying, and never had any problems. Open carry is illegal in Fl in almost every case. This is a concern to me since I prefer to carry strong side, and I ride a motorcycle. It is very easy to go from concealed carry in this manner to "accidental open carry" on a motorcycle due to physics. I know what the law says regarding "briefly displaying the concealed firearm". This is to cover "wardrobe malfunctions". Define "briefly". Would that be my jacket whipping up once? 1-3 times? Or it sliding up and remaining there for a certain amount of miles? If open carry were legal here i wouldn't have to worry about this, or worry about having to explain myself.

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I would remove the pistol from its holster and place it in "secure encasement" under the seat while riding, then put it back on when I got where I was going.

I actually had a SD scenario occur while on my bike. I dismounted, took cover behind the bike, and kept the target covered while waiting for the deputies to arrive. They didnt have any issue with this method, and since I never fired, they returned my weapon after the scene was cleared.

Having observed multiple open carriers in NH, MO, AZ, and AR, I’ve noticed a high correlation between OC and nylon holsters, slobbish appearance, obesity, and an apparent lack of situational awareness. I’ve never seen someone in plain clothes who wasn’t a cop OC with a retention holster. I can only assume, but this indicates to me that those who open carry and therefore ought to prioritize retention training probably have none.

And yes, a slovenly appearance does no favors for the stereotype of the American gun owner.

They only reason I want it here is that since SC is CC only, any "oops" that lets people see that you are carrying can lead to a conversation with a LEO about it.

I personally know folks who have been pinned with brandishing charges when their hand never touched the gun. Thrown out in court, but still a pain. A lot depends on the cop's interpretation of the law at arrest time. With OC legal, it doesn't matter who sees your holstered gun, unless they are just looking to make a scene.

I support anyone's right to OC but it certainly opens you up to getting unwanted attention. As a motorcyclist, I usually will carry in the small of my back. I've considered utilizing my drop-leg holster (bought before I knew any better!) when riding as it would be more comfortable and accessible but, well, refer back to my opening statement...

I tend to think a majority of these OC folks are new gun owners who haven't been awakened to the total realm of gun-carry responsibilities, nor the education from a CC class.

Is it our job to educate them, in a public setting such as Wal-Mart, risking a confrontation eruption?

I've seen them... they are rare. Yes, I think they damage the general perception of gun-carry, but what do we do as a positive influence?

buck460XVR said:

It's not the topic, it's the condescending attitude of OPs like your towards other responsible gun owners. Why the need to put other pro-gun folks down? Is irresponsible OC any different than irresponsible CC? How about irresponsible hunting and gun storage in the home? All of this is done by a small percentage of gun owners, but yet, someone starts a thread on OC and they want to put all OCers in the same boat as "the guy in Walmart dressed like Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead". With all of the folks with negative attitudes towards gun ownership, why do fellow gun owners fell the need to be so belittling of their brethren, when for the most part, irresponsible OC is much more rare than irresponsible CC and hunting? Mostly in a vain attempt to show some form of superiority.

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I concede your point to the matter as to if we in the shooting community do NOT need to do the anti gun crowd a favor and dump on "black rifles" if 'we' do not choose to own or shoot them.

But in my NOT so humble opinion,we = the shooting community can have a DISCUSSION and not an argument about any and ALL items ,gun/shooting related.

But from my perspective as a retired LEO, I HATE to see OC as I am very sure that the person has no ability to stop a gun grab !.

And even if they are actually perfect at that technique = I sure as hell do not wish to be around ANYONE trying a gun take away.

A CC gun,is and should remain a secret until its not a secret !!.

I have CC'ed for more than a few decades [ many more than most were born here ].

And while I enjoy a gun show,and LOVE all the gun shops,that is the ONLY place I want to actually see guns out in the open [ other than the range of course ].

Now that I have shared my "opinion" it would be nice to see other's opinions and NOT nasty comments as to my preference.

That is called Discourse !,and not near enough of it from ANY in the public domain.

scaatylobo said:

But from my perspective as a retired LEO, I HATE to see OC as I am very sure that the person has no ability to stop a gun grab !.

And even if they are actually perfect at that technique = I sure as hell do not wish to be around ANYONE trying a gun take away.

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I agree with this. If you open carry, you should be responsible enough to get training covering retention techniques.

"Should" is the operative word in my comment. Drivers "should" have training before getting on the road. Driving is a privilege, not a right, so states may require training and a test.

Constitutional carry can be considered a "right" as related to the 2A. That's a little fuzzy to me. I'm sure better informed folks could expound on how open carry is related (or not) to the 2A. In any case, I do not really think I "like" state government telling me that they require "x" before they allow me to carry openly (or concealed). Is that truly within a state's authority to do so?

Hokie_PhD said:

With all of the anti nuts I don’t open carry. But I like it when people do responsibly as it raises awareness.

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Hokie_PhD said:

A few years ago an anti made a false call on a guy open carrying in Fairfax. Thankfully the police handled it properly and after they found out the guy was a good guy they let him go.
I’ll be up there in two weeks and will be conceal carrying as always. And as much as I’d like to open carry to make a statement the risks are too high there. Not only of false police reports, but of crazies doing something stupid.

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As a resident of northern Virginia, I have to say that open carrying does raise awareness -- but in the wrong direction. People here are not receptive to carrying guns, and open carrying just rubs it in their faces. The few times I have seen someone open carrying, it has made me cringe. Not because I feared the gun, but because I feared the bad impression it was making on others.

Open carrying is legal in Virginia, but it is something that should be done only as a last resort. That is, if we want to keep that right and not have it abolished. A few incidents would be all it would take for the legislature to abolish open carrying. This is actually low-hanging fruit for the antis.