Would you open carry if it was legal?
- Thread starter Parallax
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Thumper
Member
Sometimes. Depends on my surroundings.
xenobia
Member
Sure. But then again I enjoy playing with people's perceptions. 
lostone1413
Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2004
- Messages
- 447
At times I carry open. Guess I look at it as a right and if you don't use it you will lose it
TheFederalistWeasel
member
No, I don't want anyone knowing I'm armed unless I'm in uniform.
Joe Demko
Member
Open carry is legal here; there are no laws saying otherwise. I do not open carry except in uniform. Like weasel, I don't want anyone knowing whether or not I'm armed.
mjb
Member.
No I wouldn't unless my car was to brake down and I was alone on the side of the road. A firearm in open site could deter someone who might try to rob you. I feel more comfortable with concealed carry in most situations. Unless I am in uniform, having a gun in the open raises a red flag for a lot of people.
It seems to be legal here in MI but I don't carry openly because it's asking for trouble.
There have been few times that I almost did it running into a store in the spring or fall when I've taken my jacket off in the car. I still might do it someday but I'm not go out of my way and I'm not going to make a habit of it.
There have been few times that I almost did it running into a store in the spring or fall when I've taken my jacket off in the car. I still might do it someday but I'm not go out of my way and I'm not going to make a habit of it.
longeyes
member
Academic for me at this time but...
No.
Surprise is best.
No.
Surprise is best.
Beren
Moderator Emeritus
It's legal in my state (Pennylvania.) I generally don't open carry because, gasp, I am "sensitive" to the foibles of others and don't wish to cause them needless concern. That said, I don't sweat it if my firearm is exposed for whatever reason.
To me, carrying openly on city streets as a general practice is as sensible as wearing one's underwear on their head. Sure, you can do it, and it's legal, but why on Earth would you bother as a general rule? If you can legally conceal, I consider it only polite to do so.
Out in the woods or on your own property is a different matter; I do wear my underwear on my head sometimes when I'm hiking. Great moisture wiking!
To me, carrying openly on city streets as a general practice is as sensible as wearing one's underwear on their head. Sure, you can do it, and it's legal, but why on Earth would you bother as a general rule? If you can legally conceal, I consider it only polite to do so.
Out in the woods or on your own property is a different matter; I do wear my underwear on my head sometimes when I'm hiking. Great moisture wiking!
It's legal where I live, but except for very limited situations, I don't carry openly.
There's simply too much danger of causing unwanted attention and bad plublicity for gun owners.
I can see how there could be a benefit to people getting more used to seeing people go areound openly armed, but I'm a bit concerned about the reactions of poorly informed law enforcement as well as possible repercussions at work if word travels to them that I go around carrying a gun openly.
I cannot carry at work due to a relatively new company policy forbidding it, as well as the building being posted by the company that leases it to our company.
There's simply too much danger of causing unwanted attention and bad plublicity for gun owners.
I can see how there could be a benefit to people getting more used to seeing people go areound openly armed, but I'm a bit concerned about the reactions of poorly informed law enforcement as well as possible repercussions at work if word travels to them that I go around carrying a gun openly.
I cannot carry at work due to a relatively new company policy forbidding it, as well as the building being posted by the company that leases it to our company.
Guy B. Meredith
Member
Depends on the neighborhood. Definitely not in downtown Oakland, CA. That would be an open invitation to ne'er do wells. On the other hand, hiking areas might be okay.
I would prefer concealed without penalty for not being under deep cover.
I would prefer concealed without penalty for not being under deep cover.
PaulBk
Member
Nope. Technically, WA is an open carry state, but I see absolutely no reason to carry open. For the same reason there are no NRA, RKBA, etc stickers on my vehicle. I prefer a low profile approach to life.
-PB
-PB
Open carry
It is legal in Michigan and so states in the Michigan Consitution.
But I havent yet. CCW for 4 years though.
Some malls or other area can ask you to leave if you have a gun or some other reason. No since making a fuss and being asked to leave and maybe NEVER return.
It is legal in Michigan and so states in the Michigan Consitution.
But I havent yet. CCW for 4 years though.
Some malls or other area can ask you to leave if you have a gun or some other reason. No since making a fuss and being asked to leave and maybe NEVER return.
LSCurrier
Member
I would!
And I wish that others would as well. It would do well for non-gun people to get used to people having guns about. It would allow them to see that every gun carrying person doesn't start shooting things up for no reason.
I wish that I could carry concealed or in-the-open, but alas this is not possible for me as I live in the Peoples Republic of New York. :banghead:
Luke
And I wish that others would as well. It would do well for non-gun people to get used to people having guns about. It would allow them to see that every gun carrying person doesn't start shooting things up for no reason.
I wish that I could carry concealed or in-the-open, but alas this is not possible for me as I live in the Peoples Republic of New York. :banghead:
Luke
12-34hom
Member
Open carry.
No on the open carry, nobodys bizz but mine while armed in public, unless on duty.
I'm into the low key mode myself.
12-34hom.
No on the open carry, nobodys bizz but mine while armed in public, unless on duty.
I'm into the low key mode myself.
12-34hom.
YES
I am sick and tired of my concealed weapon digging into my side, getting covered in sweat and lint. Texas 110 degree heat does not lend itself
to proper concealed carry clothing.
Open carry would also allow me to carry a larger more accurate weapon.
A BG would probably think twice about messing with an openly armed citizen.
They are cowards and usually go for the weakest targets.
I am sick and tired of my concealed weapon digging into my side, getting covered in sweat and lint. Texas 110 degree heat does not lend itself
to proper concealed carry clothing.
Open carry would also allow me to carry a larger more accurate weapon.
A BG would probably think twice about messing with an openly armed citizen.
They are cowards and usually go for the weakest targets.
George S.
Member
No I would not. Open carry is (and may always be) an issue with people who are afraid of guns. While some businesses have signs that state they do not allow weapons in their store, open carry may convince even more stores to post signs.
A private business is free to have such a policy and think what would happen if say all the grocery stores in a town were to post a no carry sign. Or all of the clothing stores.
If a BG sees somebody with a gun, he may be less likely to attempt criminal action, or he may do something from a distance or wait for an opportunity to attack. There could be even be a slight advantage to the crook if he knows somebody is armed and can create a plan to deal with it.
I would much rather keep a BG guessing or a shopkeeper in the dark about whether or not I am armed.
A private business is free to have such a policy and think what would happen if say all the grocery stores in a town were to post a no carry sign. Or all of the clothing stores.
If a BG sees somebody with a gun, he may be less likely to attempt criminal action, or he may do something from a distance or wait for an opportunity to attack. There could be even be a slight advantage to the crook if he knows somebody is armed and can create a plan to deal with it.
I would much rather keep a BG guessing or a shopkeeper in the dark about whether or not I am armed.
Aguila Blanca
Member
Yes
Guy B. Meredith
Member
Open carry may intimidate BGs going single or groups of two or three, but where half the neighborhood is a gang there is no intimidation, just challenge.
Old NFO
Member
Not for me- Low key, no stickers on vehicles, etc. Only ones that know I carry are my two LEO neighbors and that's from the range.
I want all the advantage of surprise I can get.
I want all the advantage of surprise I can get.
CentralTexas
Member
Yes!
Every frickin day!
Every frickin day!
ctdonath
Member
The only chance I ever got to carry openly was a visit to Taos, NM - and it felt good. Armed without worry ("is it hidden? does it show? is it legal?") is a good thing.
So long as I was sure I would not be detained for doing so, YES I WOULD CARRY OPENLY.
Yes, there is an argument for not scaring sheep, and not letting perps know who is armed.
There is also an argument for getting the sheep used to the situation ("gee, he's got a gun - and nothing bad happened!"), and letting perps know who not to mess with ("he's not a sheep; let's go find easier prey").
Concealed carry supports a culture of fear: your fear you might be "made", your fear someone might find out and freak, sheeple's fear of guns when seen (they only come out when bad things are about to happen), sheeple's fear that someone might be armed, etc.
Open carry, given time for the sheeple to get used to it, eliminates fear. You don't worry about carrying, sheeple don't get scared from seeing guns, even perps simply move on to a safer target (like an unoccupied car).
There is a reason concealed carry used to be considered bad and open carry good: only perps hid their power, and gentlemen wore it proudly.
Let's return to that.
So long as I was sure I would not be detained for doing so, YES I WOULD CARRY OPENLY.
Yes, there is an argument for not scaring sheep, and not letting perps know who is armed.
There is also an argument for getting the sheep used to the situation ("gee, he's got a gun - and nothing bad happened!"), and letting perps know who not to mess with ("he's not a sheep; let's go find easier prey").
Concealed carry supports a culture of fear: your fear you might be "made", your fear someone might find out and freak, sheeple's fear of guns when seen (they only come out when bad things are about to happen), sheeple's fear that someone might be armed, etc.
Open carry, given time for the sheeple to get used to it, eliminates fear. You don't worry about carrying, sheeple don't get scared from seeing guns, even perps simply move on to a safer target (like an unoccupied car).
There is a reason concealed carry used to be considered bad and open carry good: only perps hid their power, and gentlemen wore it proudly.
Let's return to that.
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