thewillweeks
Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2014
- Messages
- 285
There's a lot of going back and forth about concealed and open carry but I want to talk about one opportunity that open carry affords more than open carry.
When we open carry we have the chance to have honest discussions about laws regarding our rights, not just the right to bear arms. When we legally and openly bear arms we are demonstrating a right many people don't know they even have.
This year I've had the excellent chance to room with 3 guys I didn't know real well, honestly only knew one before moving in. I've had the chance to train them in firearm safety, and also teach them about our right to bear arms. One, a lifetime Kansas resident was sure that you had to have a some sort of permit to own a firearm and all of them were interested/surprised by open carrying. They've given me a hard time since my 21st birthday when I started open carrying almost everywhere I legally could, even avoiding going places with me if I was going to carry. It was funny last night when on a whim we skipped town to a local park and got quite disoriented in 6 foot brush. We weren't "lost" but we were not exactly sure where we were, none of us having been there before. When the coyotes started to howl (which in Kansas they're starting to pick up wolf like howls...another interesting topic) the first words out of their mouths were "Do you have your gun?". It was nice to have a little proof my education process with them has made some process, that they're starting to understand why I carry. One of them has even commented he'll likely purchase a pistol soon so he can carry when he feels the need to.
Concealed carry is great, but it doesn't always afford the same discussion chances that open carry does, so I think they both have a place. I'd like to hear from you guys, do you have tips on how to talk to people when open carrying? Also, do you have some positive experiences you'd like to share? I know open carrying at first made me nervous (afraid to get kicked out of a store or something like that) but now it's becoming fairly "normal". I've had positive experiences in all the stores I've visited, despite a few dirty looks, and the church I attend has been very receptive, even having me help taking offering one week while carrying.
Just to note, I'm definitely not saying open carry is better or anything like that, I'm just noting it has the fringe benefit of opening discussion. Whether it's worth it, that's up to the individual to decide.
Any thoughts guys?
When we open carry we have the chance to have honest discussions about laws regarding our rights, not just the right to bear arms. When we legally and openly bear arms we are demonstrating a right many people don't know they even have.
This year I've had the excellent chance to room with 3 guys I didn't know real well, honestly only knew one before moving in. I've had the chance to train them in firearm safety, and also teach them about our right to bear arms. One, a lifetime Kansas resident was sure that you had to have a some sort of permit to own a firearm and all of them were interested/surprised by open carrying. They've given me a hard time since my 21st birthday when I started open carrying almost everywhere I legally could, even avoiding going places with me if I was going to carry. It was funny last night when on a whim we skipped town to a local park and got quite disoriented in 6 foot brush. We weren't "lost" but we were not exactly sure where we were, none of us having been there before. When the coyotes started to howl (which in Kansas they're starting to pick up wolf like howls...another interesting topic) the first words out of their mouths were "Do you have your gun?". It was nice to have a little proof my education process with them has made some process, that they're starting to understand why I carry. One of them has even commented he'll likely purchase a pistol soon so he can carry when he feels the need to.
Concealed carry is great, but it doesn't always afford the same discussion chances that open carry does, so I think they both have a place. I'd like to hear from you guys, do you have tips on how to talk to people when open carrying? Also, do you have some positive experiences you'd like to share? I know open carrying at first made me nervous (afraid to get kicked out of a store or something like that) but now it's becoming fairly "normal". I've had positive experiences in all the stores I've visited, despite a few dirty looks, and the church I attend has been very receptive, even having me help taking offering one week while carrying.
Just to note, I'm definitely not saying open carry is better or anything like that, I'm just noting it has the fringe benefit of opening discussion. Whether it's worth it, that's up to the individual to decide.
Any thoughts guys?
