Concealed vs. Open Carry

[CaesarI]

OK... I've been at it with my anti-housemates for some time now. One of the points on which housemate J is fixated on, is that Concealed Carry is less effective than open carry.

I've rebutted with the usual arguments about having the element of surprise, and the badguys can't tell kinda thing, but a recent thread has caused me to seek the wisdom of others on the matter.

OK, so the question?

Why SHOULD guns be concealed anyway?

-Morgan

 

[Old Fuff]

There are two good reason to "carry concealed." The first, as you mentioned, is to keep an element of suprise. This may or may not make a difference in a serious situation, but it's a sure thing if a bad guy is up to something serious someone who is openly carrying a gun is going to be the first person on their list - possibly for a shot in the back.

The other reason is that in many places people get scared to death if they see anyone with a gun. Here in Arizona the natives are seldom concerned but some winter visitors have a cow. I see no reason to go around making more anti-gun voters, and yes, these sheepies can vote.

Of course if you have a good reason to carry openly then do so.

 

[TheBluesMan]

A very convincing argument is that criminals don't have any idea who is and who isn't armed when weapons are carried concealed. CCW, therefore, also protects citizens who choose not to carry. Everyone is safer when there are a few thousand "card-carrying good-guys" intermingled with the unarmed populace.

Think of CCW holders as sheepdogs disguised as sheep. When the wolves decide to attack, they're in for a surprise...

 

[Standing Wolf]

All other things being equal, I'd rather carry openly than concealed: I can pack more gun more comfortably in a low-slung hip holster than any other way I've found, and I think it would do the nation a world of good to see lots of armed law-abiding American citizens.

The advantage of concealed carry is that you don't have to worry about weather.

I live in an open carry state, but have been assured by a number of people who've lived her much longer than I it's a bad idea in the cities.

 

[MacPelto]

TheBluesMan hit it. The biggest advantage to concealed carry is that everyone else can act as a 'free-rider'. Bad guys can't easily tell who is armed, and have to be more cautious around everybody.

Actually, Standing Wolf has a great point too, if open carry were available here, I would do it, but I would have to spend more money to get a foxy-looking gun, that I would have to put into a foxy-looking holster, and then protect from the elements. If it's concealed, I can just throw a Glock in a beat up holster and nobody'll know (hopefully.)

That being said, I wish I could carry open. Personal arms should not have to be hidden, like a dirty little secret. If more people saw us carrying, they would have to come to terms with it, and hopefully would get over their fear of inanimate objects, and get on with their lives.

So, now that I've been thinking about it, if I could open carry, I thiink I'd carry a Clark Custom 50th Anniversary Meltdown ...

Foxy, ain't it? (I'd have to lose those goofy-lookin' sights, though)

 

[Standing Wolf]

Foxy, ain't it? (I'd have to lose those goofy-lookin' sights, though)

Definitely foxy—but I believe I'd keep the rear sight.

 

[Med 10]

That is THE most beautiful pistol i have ever laid my eyes on!