A Question for Open Carry Folks.

[ezypikns]

Let me say that whether you open carry or not is your own business, and I support your right to open carry.
It's not available to me legally right now (Texas.....just wait, someone will contadict that statement). It's also not something I'm likely to do anytime. The main reason is that I don't want anyone (neighbors, passersby, anyone) to know that I have firearms in my house. A likely scenario would be you, arriving home, walking into your house with your weapon in plain sight. It seems to me that if that occurs often enough, people might remark or remember such a thing. That's not something I'm comfortable with. Of course, they MIGHT suppose you were a peace officer, and that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.
Do those who open carry see this as a problem?

 

[NetJunkie]

Doesn't bother me. Some of my neighbors know I have guns. We've discussed it. I'm not too worried about someone stealing them. If they do I have insurance to cover it. I want people to know I shoot. I want them to see a "normal" IT professional with a wife, baby, and dog shoot. If they want to learn it gives them someone to lean on if they want. We need MORE people making guns a normal thing...not hiding it.

 

[VARifleman]

I figure I'm better off from actual harm with people knowing that I have firearms and if they attack me they may not fair as well as they would hope. Plus drawing from open is really fast, CCW...not so much.

 

[rfurtkamp]

What I've learned open carrying when I do it: *NOBODY* notices.

I get no stares, no strange furtive cell phone calls, no nothing.

A matte black gun butt against black clothes doesn't exactly stand out, but then again, I don't run around brandishing it either or touching it every 3s or drawing attention to myself.

I don't have any stories to share of being harassed by police or passerby, I might as well been carrying a cellphone.

 

[Sistema1927]

People see me hauling my long guns out to go to the range all the time, so it doesn't really matter if they see a handgun on my hip.

I don't always open carry, but I have done so from time to time, both here in NM as well as in AZ, and I have never experienced any hassles. Open carry is downright liberating.

Edit to add: I agree with the earlier comment that folks don't generally notice. Even while carrying an N-frame revolver and a double moon clip holder.

 

[azhunter122]

I don't see it as a problem as long as your a good neibor and a good person.

 

[Prepster]

I've never had a big problem, but my Prius driving, granola munching, socialist neighbor told me she didn't like that I was promoting a violent lifestyle. I would have told her to get off my property, but she was on the sidewalk. A person like that will never think logically. Nobody else seems to care though.

 

[Defensory]

If people want to open carry, I have no problem with that.

However, I believe they're fooling themselves if they think it's going to deter all criminals. In many cases, it will ATTRACT criminals.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in armed robberies of gun shops, as well as armed robberies of gun shop/firing range employees and customers in the shop/range parking lots, or followed after they left and later robbed.

Not to mention armed robberies of shooters at unstaffed outdoor public ranges, some of whom were even murdered, such as THR's own Reverend McCalla (RIP).

Concealed carry retains the element of surprise, and doesn't advertise to criminals that you've got a gun to steal.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

However, I believe they're fooling themselves if they think it's going to deter all criminals. In many cases, it will ATTRACT criminals.

I think you're wrong. The vast majority of robberies and the like are crimes of opportunity. Criminals, as a rule, are opportunists. They are looking for the simplest, easiest, and fastest way to make $$ without having to get a job. They generally do possess a survival instinct. Of course there are going to be the handful of real mentally unstable types or gang-bangers who want to look "hard" by picking someone armed. But i highly doubt this is "many" criminals. I don't even think it qualifies as "some". "A few" is more like it. There are SO MANY people out there who wander through life without paying attention. Criminals can spot these people with ease. When they see a person who is armed, all they have to do is wait a few minutes for the next person to walk by who isn't armed, and their chances of making some fast cash and living through it increase drastically. They kind of criminal who deliberately goes out of their way to find a harder and more dangerous mark is few and far between.

 

[crotalus01]

All my neighbors know I have guns. I also have the luxory of having at least one neighbor home 24/365.
As far as open carry goes, its much more comfortable in the heat, and to be completly honest most (97%) sheeple dont ever notice that evil gun on your hip

 

[Dr. Fresh]

The trick with OC is situational awareness. Same with CC. Just don't let someone sneak up on you.

 

[xstuntman]

I agree with TaurusOwner 100%. In reply to your question, I think our goverment and news media have done a pretty good job of projecting the image that anyone who openly carries is an unhinged anti-social type, or has a very violent itch. Prepsters Prius driving, granola munching, socialist neighbor is a prime example flaming Politcal Correctness. She'll obviously never carry but on her planet there's a cop on every corner.

Come next September I'll hopefully be openly carrying in the great state of Texas, PC be hanged. Mike

 

[rfurtkamp]

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in armed robberies of gun shops, as well as armed robberies of gun shop/firing range employees and customers in the shop/range parking lots, or followed after they left and later robbed.

I used to have to open and close a shop, usually alone. It was extremely unnerving to say the least, and frankly, open carry at that point is a hopeful deterrent. Anyone who wanted to target me then would have done so open or otherwise if they were serious. After my first freak hangeron looking for an opportunity (or so it seemed), I went overt ugly open carry doing open and close.

As soon as they became available and paperwork came back, I went with an open short rifle (in this case one of my Vector 51s) doing the same. I still had a concealed handgun (or two, sometimes) but I wanted to make it clear to anyone watching that the best targets were at some other gun shop.

Yes, bad people want to target things of value - but even then they'll reasonably take easier, softer target. If someone had targeted that store or me personally, well, I was screwed anyway, it was just a fact of the job. Determined people with a plan and patience will screw up even the wary just doing their job more often than not.

It's also the same reason that I try not to go shooting alone as much any more, I want someone to cover my rear whenever possible out at the line.
If I'm alone, I typically drive out to change targets every time and bring the rifle with me in the car (and yes, you can drive out to do targets at our range).

My biggest fear when out and around isn't the determined, focused, experienced criminal - they're going to probably make anyone's day hell. It's the inexperienced retard who will start brandishing and shooting, and hopefully see I have a weapon and pick somewhere else or reconsider his actions.

If not, I have no children. My old lady knows I love her, and I try to be safe out there. If somebody's got to go, I pray it's not me but I don't leave children behind who have to be taken care of, I'm a virtual cripple with no hope of recovery. May the bad guy choose me instead of someone with a future and family to take care of.

 

[Catherine]

Say what, eh? I disagree.

I do NOT think that Open Carry attracts CRIMINALS as some people think and have posted here. I think that it makes a CRIMINAL think twice about making you his V I C T I M!

Catherine

 

[RDak]

Yes, overall, you'd think it would deter attacks.

 

[LKB3rd]

I agree with TaurusOwner 100%. In reply to your question, I think our goverment and news media have done a pretty good job of projecting the image that anyone who openly carries is an unhinged anti-social type, or has a very violent itch. Prepsters Prius driving, granola munching, socialist neighbor is a prime example flaming Politcal Correctness. She'll obviously never carry but on her planet there's a cop on every corner.

I have a neighbor, whom I discussed open carry with, and she became annoyed and said "I don't want to see that." She has told me other times that she feels safer knowing that I have guns and am close by. So, she has an irrational fear of, and animosity towards guns, but hypocritically likes that I have them, in case someone ever assaults her, or what have you. "Cognitive dissonance."

 

[Gentleman Ranker]

As someone who is trying to make up his own mind about open carry, I don't see any evidence that carriers get targeted for crime more than anyone else does. I suspect that it is more a deterrent than not.

Open carry does seem to attract attention, though not as often as I would have thought. This story from the opencarry.org forum seems more like the thing one would have to worry about -- some goof deciding it would be fun to play games with the Gun Nut(tm). But even that doesn't seem to be common.

The opencarry.org forums seem to be the best single place to look for evidence about open carry questions.

regards,

GR

 

[NavyLCDR]

How would you prove that open carry deters crime anyway? I guess you could poll all the convicts in prisons if they ever passed someone up because they were OC. Personally, without it being proven, I would like to give criminals some credit for IQ and think that it would be easier to rob someone not carrying a gun - that you could detect anyway. So I will continue to OC and hope that it deters the criminal rather than forcing me to defend myself against them.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Back to the OP... no I don't worry about being seen with weapons going into/out of the house. I've got to do that to go to the range anyway.

 

[bnkrazy]

I OC more and more each week. People see me taking guns to the range, etc. as well. I don't worry about people seeing me with guns. I think it helps break the stereotypes when people see other "normal" folk carrying and using guns responsibly.

 

[moooose102]

i think that open carrying will deter MOST criminals. not only from attacking you, but anyone in the vacinity. BUT, it may very well attract the criminal you really don't want, THE DESPERATE, VIOLENT CRIMINAL. if he/she is truly desperate. they wouldnt even think twice about killing you to get your gun. which they would see as a tool to attain their freedom.

 

[jpruitt]

The main reason is that I don't want anyone (neighbors, passersby, anyone) to know that I have firearms in my house.

I almost agree with you. I want people to know I have A gun. I just don’t want them to know I have lots of them.

As far as open carry, I think it would deter more criminals than it attracted, plus it’s a little quicker to bring the gun into action should it become necessary to do so. If I had the option I’d prefer open carry to concealed.

 

[crebralfix]

Almost every gun shop in Northern Virginia has employees that openly carry a handgun.

 

[csmkersh]

A likely scenario would be you, arriving home, walking into your house with your weapon in plain sight. It seems to me that if that occurs often enough, people might remark or remember such a thing. That's not something I'm comfortable with. Of course, they MIGHT suppose you were a peace officer, and that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.
Do those who open carry see this as a problem?

No, I don't see it as a problem even here in Texas. While I can't open carry on public property or property not belonging to me or under my control, I may legally open carry on my own property or business.

Here's the current law on unlawful carry/possession in Texas:

§ 46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS. (a) A person
commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or
recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal
knife, or club if the person is not:
(1) on the person's own premises or premises under the
person's control; or
(2) inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle
that is owned by the person or under the person's control.
(a-1) A person commits an offense if the person
intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or
her person a handgun in a motor vehicle that is owned by the person
or under the person's control at any time in which:
(1) the handgun is in plain view; or
(2) the person is:
(A) engaged in criminal activity, other than a
Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance
regulating traffic;
(B) prohibited by law from possessing a firearm;
or
(C) a member of a criminal street gang, as
defined by Section 71.01.
(a-2) For purposes of this section, "premises" includes
real property and a recreational vehicle that is being used as
living quarters, regardless of whether that use is temporary or
permanent. In this subsection, "recreational vehicle" means a motor
vehicle primarily designed as temporary living quarters or a
vehicle that contains temporary living quarters and is designed to
be towed by a motor vehicle. The term includes a travel trailer,
camping trailer, truck camper, motor home, and horse trailer with
living quarters.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an offense under
this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third
degree if the offense is committed on any premises licensed or
issued a permit by this state for the sale of alcoholic beverages.​

 

[Picard]

Since over 1/3 of Americans have guns in their homes, a criminal has a good chance of getting guns when breaking into a home. However, if someone knows you are armed, it will make them think twice before committing a crime against you.

A gun isn't something that I'm scared or shy to show others. I want others to see it as something normal, the way that I see it. Much damage is done to the RKBA movement because gun owners feel like they have to hide their tools. I don't know how that kind of thinking started.