Drawing attention for the sake of confrontation

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In the words of one of our greatest Presidents:

"There you go again......."


I personally get a kick out of "offending" the gun grabbers legally by carrying rifles or pistols openly.
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What a GREAT reason to carry a firearm!
 
We are working for OC in Texas IMO too many people need to mind their own business. Some of the Left just are looking to cause problems by confronting you over it.
 
I take no offense to it, however I agree with the OP. My OPINION is that a large number of open carriers do it for the attention, look at me affect(not neccessarily confrontation). Little stroke of the ego, and thats not the walk of a man used to having a gun on his side, for some reason open carry results in fake lat syndrom for a lot of fellas!!hahaha. To each their own but to me open carry is a tactical dilsadvantage for any civillian or plain clothed if the situation were to change from trying to make a statement to, o **** ive got to use this thing but the bg has a gun to my head first cause I waved a flag saying I have a gun. Why give away your ace?????
 
I open carried for many years when I lived in Arizona. This was before Arizone allowed concealed carry. (Before they became a shall issue state AZ completely prohibited CC) Most people never even noticed I was carrying a gun. I think I had something said to me about it less than once per year. Open carry is just not a big deal in some areas, which is as it should be.
 
Now there's a reasoned response.

Open carry is just not a big deal in some areas, which is as it should be.
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I absolutely agree with that statement. I just don't like being labeled as anti gun or "Left" because I choose to carry concealed (which, by the way, is the only legal way to carry in my state). And since I don't have unlimited funds or access to unlimited free legal representation, reality dictates that I obey those laws.
 
I choose to open carry at times just because it's more comfortable. Around this area it has sparked debates in the media (not because of me doing it personally). I don't do it for any other reason than it is much more comfortable than an IWB holster, especially in the hotter parts of the year. I do have my CHP and I do conceal most of the time, especially winter time or when I am going armed and the people around me don't need to know for whatever reason.

On that note, it is perfectly legal to do so in my state and I have not had any conversations or incidents because of it. You have to remember that the rest of your appearance also matters a lot when you are OC'ing. If you don't look right, it can spark debate, but I choose to present myself like an everyday professional man and it may help to not cause contraversy. YMMV.

Damian
 
I just don't like being labeled as anti gun or "Left" because I choose to carry concealed (which, by the way, is the only legal way to carry in my state). And since I don't have unlimited funds or access to unlimited free legal representation, reality dictates that I obey those laws.
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That's funny, I don't open carry, freely say I don't see a reason to open carry, and NOBODY calls me anti-gun or left. Maybe it's because I don't waste my time telling other people not to open carry or criticizing their choice to do so or their motivations. Nah, can't be that. It's got to be something a lot more obscure...
 
That's funny, I don't open carry, freely say I don't see a reason to open carry, and NOBODY calls me anti-gun or left. Maybe it's because I don't waste my time telling other people not to open carry or criticizing their choice to do so or their motivations. Nah, can't be that. It's got to be something a lot more obscure...
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Wow your comment added nothing productive to this thread. I cant find in this thread where anyone has told someone not to open carry. Im just saying that some people come off like they are doing it for attention. Hey, look at me, I have a gun, I am cool. Those of you who tell me not to open carry if I dont like it Ill repeat myself again, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH OC. I do however find it annoying when people seem to go out of their way to have their gun noticed. I am not saying every oc person does that. My opinion is some do, and im entitled to that opinion
 
I believe in OC. However, I'm just curious...how are you judging whether someone is oc'ing for attention or not? Does it have to do with whether someone does notice, or just how the person is acting? The reason I ask is because someone may not be trying to flaunt it, so to speak, but be in an area where people are likely to get their feathers ruffled. We have all been in areas that are polar opposites....one place where everyone does it, and another place where guns are wholly condemned. So if a person is oc'ing in a place where guns are condemned, people will notice....so is that person flaunting it?

I'm not arguing, just asking a question for thought....
 
I was working for a 'big box' electronics store a couple of years ago for extra Christmas money. A guy came in in 'outdoorsy' clothing, meaning, what I might expect to see a conservation officer wearing, and he had an auto pistol on his hip. He wasn't wearing any badge or official logos. I was at the front door with the (I cringe to even call them this) loss prevention guys, and they started to have a hissy.

"Dude, he has a gun!"

"So?"

"He can't just walk in here with a gun like that!"

"Why not?"

"We don't know if he has a concealed gun license or anything."

"Why would he need one? He isn't carrying concealed."

"But you can't just carry a gun around like that."

"Why not? In this state, you can carry a gun out in the open. If he was trying to do something bad in here, why wouldn't he conceal it?"

The man bought some odds and ends and left. But it sparked a flurry of requests to corporate HQ for guidance, which referred us to state law, which says there is no law against carrying openly for adults who are legally allowed to posess a firearm. It was an ongoing conversation for a week, as I was outed as a gun rights guy about whether or not it's wrong, ethical, or a good idea. I pointed out to them that many customers, including myself walked in and out of the store every day carrying and they didn't even know it.

If I see someone open carrying, (which is rare,) I do look, but it's mostly like I look at a cop to see what they are carrying. I OC when I'm doing outdoor activities in 'less populated' rec areas like camping pavillions and such. I don't OC to make statements. I suppose some people do, but as long as they follow the law, they aren't mine or anyone else's problem.
 
The hissy herd at the door failed to recieve training prior to thier job at the door regarding weapons law in thier state.

No wonder they got all hissy and upset. Next time a gun toting customer arrives to do shopping I hope they are much calmer.

Am I too judgemental? Hope not.

Have you ever gone past a construction site? The workers with the battery operated saws hanging on thier tool belts? Does not merit much attention to me. What good is it for me to get all bent out of shape? No good.

Therefore when I see someone OC'ing it does not merit much attention UNLESS..... certain triggers like not fitting in, walking like bent duck, lame horse or whatever else that is not exactly appropriate or expected conduct.

My position is simple. OC or dont. Or carry concealed. It is not going to be my problem to laud attention upon you however you choose to do it.

Now, I wish the Antis would just leave it and learn that they too can exercise the same rights given to them (Unfortunately....) as everyone else. Surprise!!!! Instead of investing negative emotional and confontational behavior and energy, they just should calm down and mind thier own affairs... unless of course someone sweeps them with poor gun habits or breaks one of the rules of gun safety.

I carry. Sometimes not. Sometimes we both pack. Sometimes not. Leave it be and enjoy your day.

I really feel sorry for the panicky scardey cat anti calling the cops to check me out because they somehow think Im about to masscare the whole street. Bleah. More than likely I would be having a good converstation and comparing the hardware with the LEO if Im so lucky.
 
I do however find it annoying when people seem to go out of their way to have their gun noticed.
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Apart from the internet,have you ever personally wittnessed such behavior?
 
OC seems to scare sheeple, which is really the only problem I see with it. Unfortunately, most sheeple will never join the rest of us. Thus the difficulty in OCing caused to us because of them! :banghead::cuss:
 
Allot of these people I feel purposely open carry in hopes that it will start confrontation so they can rant and rave about it being there right.
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What about concealed carry? Do you ‘feel’ like they purposely conceal in hopes that a robber will think they are unarmed, allowing them to pull their piece and wryly say, “Do you feel lucky punk”? Makes about as much sense.
…in hopes of getting a rise out of people who are offended by it
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Offended? I doubt that anyone, no matter how they feel about guns, would feel offended. Like most people that have never openly carried a firearm, you assume much. The people that do carry openly have a very different experience than your speculation. Do open carriers get a bit peeved when they are illegally harassed by police? Yes, of course. Would you be miffed if the police were harassing you for concealed carry?
 
This is a never ending repeat thread. Nothing positive ever becomes of them. It is legal to open carry in my state and I do open carry often. I try to be reasonable about it tho. If I'm going into my credit union, I leave it in the car, post office...the same. I still have my empty holster on and dont give it a second thought. I have never been asked about the empty holster. Only questions I have gotten about open carrying from other citizens when open carrying was what, not why I was carrying. I usually answer with "it's a 45" or "its a 357" and go on about my business.

Scaring the sheeple is a definite consideration but will not stop me from exercising a right.

I am not a criminal and I dont act like one.
 
The only time I open carry is when Im hunting. Here In AZ it's legal but it's just not worth the Flack the cops and anti's will give you. I see people open carry from time to time and most are 21 year old kids who have just purchased there first handgun.
 
The only time I open carry is when Im hunting. Here In AZ it's legal but it's just not worth the Flack the cops and anti's will give you. I see people open carry from time to time and most are 21 year old kids who have just purchased there first handgun.
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Let me ask you a question Clifford...
Suppose your right to Concealed Carry was no longer available to you. Would it then be worth the "flack"? If you dont exercise your right it can be taken from you as unnecessary. How would you react then? I am far from a 21 year old kid with his first handgun. I want my right to open carry, so do the faithful in Texas who are fighting for their right to open carry as are the good people of Florida. What say you to them?
 
An oldie but a goodie

Been down this road a few times. I've carried for years now, and OC on occasion.
Previous threads have yielded a few basic conclusions for me.
1.) If you're taking flack for OC, you're probably taking it from an anti (whether they admit they are one or not). They just happen to know it's there this time around so you become a target of opportunity. Moreover, when you take flack, you'll usually be accused of showing off (before you're even asked your true intentions). Some young guns are out to show off, but it's generally assumed all OC'ers are out to do the same. Sad but true.
2.) It's best IMO to conceal when you can to preserve tactical surprise and avoid idiot gun grabbers who think it's funny to poke Rambo. But I only exercise a reasonable effort to conceal and don't take EXTRAORDINARY measures to do so. If I don't have the right clothing to conceal it, I don't feel guilty for making quick convenience stops and the like.
3.) Treat this with a "live and let live" philosophy. If you OC, do so tactfully and don't answer until asked. If you don't OC, don't assume others must exercise the same restraint. Like being Muslim, liberal, republican, outspoken, immigrant, hippie, or minority: the fact that it makes someone uncomfortable deosn't warrant their impeding your right to go right on doing it. Nor does the fact we may not do it ourselves excuse us from our American duty to defend our fellow citizens' rights.
For further reference, see http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=354872. SIX pages of flaming and hot-blooded American debate! :D Deanimator, I think you remember this one.
 
Modelof1905, I don't have any issue with OC. I just don't personally do it very often and as I said most people I see OC are 21 or close to it and it is usually there first hangun. I like to chat with them about firearms because I can see that they have some intrest in guns as well. I don't think they are looking for trouble. BTW Texas won't allow open carry? Wow who would of guessed.
 
True open carry is when your holster & belt are speckled with barn paint.

This when I was growing up in Wyoming, 1950's.

The bank in Meteetse was last robbed on horseback in 1955 or 1956,

I believe.

Get a grip, the world has changed bigtime.

isher
 
If you're taking flack for OC, you're probably taking it from an anti (whether they admit they are one or not).
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I take significantly more flak here in this forum for OC in one thread than I ever do when I'm out and about town. What does that say?

It's best IMO to conceal when you can to preserve tactical surprise
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There is no such thing as defensive surprise. It's little more than damage control.
 
this thread has a lot of confrontation for something so simple as this.........if the OP was on the lines of this........Why do some people open cary just to start heated discussions?.........this thread would be entirely diffrent.

I know exactly what the op means. My brother will open carry and then on top of that go out of his way to make sure people know it, usually by running his mouth in a socially unacceptable mannor. Its poor forum and will lead to real problems sooner or later.
 
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