Concealed or Open Carry

Concealed.

Concealed for me. the less people know that I am armed the better.

Concealed. I'm not convincing anyone of anything and open advertises gun available to steal. Also, it can instill fear in others and solidify their anti- gun beliefs.

Concealed.
I don't want to be the first guy in the coffee shop shot.

Concealed! Surprise is an element I count on.

Open when hunting.

Concealed all other times. Walking, hiking, shopping, motorcycle, ….

In public, I conceal carry. Same reason I don’t have stickers all over everything I drive, telling anyone what my interests are and what goodies I might have or flash my bank roll everywhere I go, or wear seductive clothing…

Why attract attention to myself, when my goal is to just be left alone?

Think of putting my pistol under my shirt as “camouflage”, see if that helps on the reasoning.

Depends. If it's a situation appropriate to Open (like fishing some remote location, or out on a long hike, or the like), then open.
Otherwise, day-to-day, concealed.

Just "what" gets carried varies, too.

I have a feeling that this thread will end poorly.

Concealed is my preference. I have had the police called on me when my concealed firearm printed in a restaurant. I don't need that kind of hassle and I have to imagine it would be worse if I routinely openly carried. It is legal in my state but it isn't often done and I'm OK with that as I think this right is better advanced through subtlety than militancy. A more in your face approach will just harden the various opposition forces and thereby make deeper advancements more difficult.

Most of the time I prefer concealed.

The only times I open carry are when I'm out and about on my property or hunting. As others have noted the element of surprise is a thing that should not be lost if it can be helped.

Fine Figure of a Man said:

I have a feeling that this thread will end poorly.

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Like not carry at all poorly?

Concealed and not because I'm in FL; I preferred concealed in KY too.
Something like the unsneaky pete might as well be open carry.
Untucked shirt is effective at concealing gun on belt; I encourage everyone to cease unrequired shirt tucking, nobody cares.

Concealed... because I could care less what anyone else's opinions are on carrying and I don't need any hassle from some liberal with a mental deficit. Liberals can't contain their anger when they see a bumper sticker or yard sign, so I'm not giving any miserable person's sorry brain anything else to think about than necessary.

Concealed in urban areas, including most "open space" park land (due to legal restriction).

Open carry on friendly private property, National Forest, BLM, or remote National Park.

I am not a huge fan of urban "slob open carry". If you are going to do it, nice business casual attire with a high and tight OWB is necessary, and don't look like a fugitive from the "Larry The Cable Guy" show, or the local "Magic The Gathering" club.

jmorris said:

Like not carry at all poorly?

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Even worse, 'hurt and offended by how, what and where others carry' poorly. Maybe even with reloaded ammo.

Concealed.

Element of surprise is an important factor.

Why give it up?

I only open carry when I am hiking primarily because it is mostly in warmer weather when I will be wearing a tee or polo shirt with my pistol holstered OWB. then OC is the easiest way. Otherwise I conceal carry OWB unless I have to seep conceal when I go IWB. Personally I do not think open carry makes anyone more receptive to guns.

jmorris

Think of putting my pistol under my shirt as “camouflage”, see if that helps on the reasoning.

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Very well put my friend!

To my way of thinking concealed carry is the best and most discrete way to carry.

If I am out in the woods, hunting or camping in the middle of nowhere I will open carry for quick access. If I am at a campground I will conceal carry.

All other times I conceal carry. I am not the type of person that likes to draw attention to myself so I don't feel the need to wear a statement on my hip even though the state I live in is an open carry state. If there is a situation where I need my gun I would rather it be a surprise. If I were going to rob a liquor store I know I would shoot the guy with a gun on his belt first!

I remember watching some game warden reality show where there were a couple of guys packing revolvers on their hips at their amateur gold mine shanty. Some one else alerted the game warden who went to check the guys out. Then the game warden hauled the guy that was a convicted felon with a pistol on his hip off to jail. LOL!!!!!

It's situational to me. Around the house, At work, out camping/hunting, I prefer to open carry. I don't mind going to the store or running errands before or after work while open carrying, but if it's my day off and i'm out running around, or going to a social event of some kind, i will carry concealed.

When I do carry, I open carry. I make my own holsters, I like "showing" them off.

1942bull said:

Personally I do not think open carry makes anyone more receptive to guns.

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I think I've related this before...

I'm at a food fair in the downtown of a large city. Four or five blocks of a major street closed to traffic, heavy concentration of families walking around. Food booths lining both sides of the street.

Two sloppily dressed characters wearing tactical drop holsters and some camo start walking through the crowd. No interest in the food, just appear to be looking for shock value, and they get it. People are pushing their kids behind them, obviously scared and angry.

Zero hearts and minds were won, not a good way to sway people towards 2A, actually just the opposite.

Hunting, hiking in the wilderness with nobody around, great. In a crowd in an urban environment, couldn't have chosen a better way to piss people off.

Some may think "well, that's their problem if they don't like open carry". Personally, I care enough about people to not want to spoil their day, as these mopes did.