For those that open carry - why?
- Thread starter seeds76
- Start date
- Status
Schofield3
Member
I figure because you can;
Because it promotes awareness of our right to carry arms (depending on state of course) to others who may not have known;
And because it can act a deterrent to crime.
Because it promotes awareness of our right to carry arms (depending on state of course) to others who may not have known;
And because it can act a deterrent to crime.
nitetrane98
Member
You seem to presume that a BG would go ahead with his plans knowing there was an armed person at least in the vicinity, much less choose him as his victim. Armed robbers use a gun because it neutralizes a bigger victim. The BG doesn't have to go looking around for somebody his size or smaller, "Well, it looks like I can whip this guy, I'll rob him." If he sees a gun on somebody's hip, I'm pretty sure it would at least give him pause. I carried one in plain view for 20 years in uniform. You get used to the stares but I'm a lot more under the radar now days. I didn't change the world in 20 years and me OCing likely won't change nothing either. YMMV
shootistpd27
Member
Crooks are like Hyenas. They don't scour the prairie looking for the biggest and strongest wildebeast in sight. They look for the small, decrepit and weak. Thanks be to God that man was given an equalizer so that the meek and mild could be transformed into a formidable adversary. I live in Mississippi where we do not have an open carry law and I regret that. I am a police officer so I open carry every day (while in uniform.) People open carry so that they will not give off the perception that they are victims. A woman who is 5-2, weighing in at 98lbs with a 38 snubby in her purse only appears to be a small victim-to-be. However if she were wearing that snubby on her hip, well, that changes everything. I have experienced it personally myself. I am treated extremely different when I am wearing a uniform and a Sam Brown armed for bear, than when I am wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and a Glock 22 under my shirt. I applaud all those who carry openly. Those who carry openly not only refuse to be victims, they also refuse to look like one.
Clipper
Member
How many news stories have you seen about OCers who were deliberately attacked because they were OCing? None, (there was a hoax story in MI, but it was busted) because it doesn't happen. How about CCers who were, because the BG didn't know their 'victim' was armed? lots.
I OC, mostly in summer, when I don't wear a cover garment in warm weather, but I also will shed my coat in the store, etc...Also, in Michigan I can OC (with a CPL) in places I can't legally CC (Hey, I didn't make the contrary carry laws).
I OC, mostly in summer, when I don't wear a cover garment in warm weather, but I also will shed my coat in the store, etc...Also, in Michigan I can OC (with a CPL) in places I can't legally CC (Hey, I didn't make the contrary carry laws).
You may find this hard to believe, but lots of people miss the fact I am armed. I even had a women in line at the store complain to me she didn't like the fact someone else was OC never even noticed I was. Maybe a Jedi mind trick, I don't make a big deal out of it and lots of folk never even notice.
Cosmoline
Member
I do it to upset the tourists.
wyocarp
Member
Yep, that is my experience as well. I open carry every day, everywhere except in church and the post office.
I have noticed that some individuals of the not so clean variety in gas stations late at night noticing my firearm but I've yet to have one of them try to shoot me just to see if they could do so without dying in the process.
I OC from time to time, but I'll be honest, I don't do it for some strategic reason and I don't do it as a political statement... it's just way more comfortable. I typically don't do it in "public places", like Wal-Mart or in a restaurant. But if I'm heading up to my folks's house to fix something and back home, I'll usually just OC.
As for the whole "BG can see my gun" thing, I don't sweat that too much. I would if I were OC'ing in crowded places, but those are exactly the types of situations I would be avoiding if I were OC'ing.
As for the whole "BG can see my gun" thing, I don't sweat that too much. I would if I were OC'ing in crowded places, but those are exactly the types of situations I would be avoiding if I were OC'ing.
Mainsail
Member
You're at a disadvantage if you ever have to use your sidearm. If you ever have to draw and fire your weapon you will lose. Even if you prevail against the attacker, you still lose. Your life as you now know it will not be the same after a shooting. Ask anyone who has ever been in a self defense shooting, if they could go back and change anything, what would they choose? They will all tell you they would not be there; they would have avoided the entire encounter. If you’re with your family, will your wife or children understand why you just killed another human being? Will they ever?
Only the internet fools and immature mall ninjas hope they will need their sidearm, everyone else who has ever seriously given it some thought hope and pray they will never have to. So now, consider your question again. Is it more advantageous to appear to be unarmed and an easy mark, or is it more advantageous to make it plain to a potential attacker that you are armed and ready?
franconialocal
Member
A big +1 to Cosmoline's post. 
But really....in NH it's your right to, and I'm all for it even as a LEO. I come in contact with open-carriers all the time and they are generally the kindest, most respectful folks I deal with.
But really....in NH it's your right to, and I'm all for it even as a LEO. I come in contact with open-carriers all the time and they are generally the kindest, most respectful folks I deal with.
smince
Member.
While I agree in principle, there is a time and place for everything. I'd rather be CCW even in places where I can open carry.
Always carrying, no one knows. I prefer it that way.
Always carrying, no one knows. I prefer it that way.
smince
Member.
I am not opposed to open carry and I understand it is our right to keep and bear arms. Tactically I think we lose the advantage if we open carry. I'm not willing to give up that advantage just to make a political statement.
The less attention that you draw to yourself in public the better off you are.
The less attention that you draw to yourself in public the better off you are.
mljdeckard
Member
I do it sometimes, but I'm certainly not an absolutist. When I'm geared up for outdoor activities, and out in the rural areas in which I do them, sure. When I'm say, in downtown Salt Lake City, why aggravate people who would otherwise not care. Now they have a REASON to vote against me. I would just as soon let them stay ignorant.
As for it being a tactical disadvantage, not really. It is difficult to say that the possible advantage of secrecy isn't outweighed by the factor of deterrence. And no matter how fast you can draw from concealed, you can draw faster from an open carry holster.
As for it being a tactical disadvantage, not really. It is difficult to say that the possible advantage of secrecy isn't outweighed by the factor of deterrence. And no matter how fast you can draw from concealed, you can draw faster from an open carry holster.
It sometimes gives me a chance to educate but this isn't why I OC. I can comfortably carry a full sized pistol that is well contained in a tactical holster. I normally carry this if I think there is a higher chance I my need it. If I go somewhere I don't think my sidearm will be welcome, I go CC.
smince
Member.
I'd just rather not be the first one
And don't start the "I live in condition yellow" nonsense. Get into a metro area and you will have stuff happening on your six all day long that you can't see unless you want to install mirrors. Cops live it. Watch some of the vids of gun grabs. Nobody announces it. I wonder how may handgun retention classes OC'ers have taken? A $500 handgun will buy a lot of crack. A nice Glock would be a great find.
By open-carrying, I am giving out way too much information to a potential opponent. If we offer them information about who is carrying and who isn't, they will tend to target the obvious weaker members of society, so there won't be much overall reduction in crime rate, only a displacement.
If you open carry, you may deter someone from attacking you OR you may inadvertantly make yourself the target. If you carry concealed, someone may attack who wouldn't if they knew you had a gun. Pick your poison and roll the dice.
For most applications the concealed weapon has the advantage.
mljdeckard
Member
That's easy to say when you don't have the choice.
First, I'm not trying to suggest whether or not open carrying will make you the first target in a crime b/c I have no idea.
However, may I humbly suggest that one reason you can't find a documented case of open carrying will make you the first target in a crime is b/c so few people open carry in the first place. Yes, you might, and so do a lot of other people on gun forums, but what % of the total population is that that OCs on a regular basis?
In addition to the overall lack of open carryers, the majority of those that do open carry do it in more rural areas. And more crime happens where there are more people, meaning urban areas. So, excluding uniformed cops, the number of people who open carry in areas where a lot of crime happens is statistically insignificant.
It's sort of like saying that if you a Liechtensteinian national in America, you are less likely to be the first target in a crime. (Liechtenstein is a tiny country of ~30,000 people near Switzerland). That may or not be true, but there are so few citizens of Liechtenstein in America there's really not enough data to say for sure.
DeepSouth
Random Guy
I OC when around the house/farm, also sometimes when riding my motorcycle, every now and then just because I feel like it, and always when hunting. In short I chose to when it is most convenient or when I just want to. The great thing about America is the idea that we don't have to show a reason to do something, just the desire. In most cases anyway.
I would also have to ask if there is such a huge "tactical" disadvantage to OC'ing why have leo's done it with such success?
Point made
I would also have to ask if there is such a huge "tactical" disadvantage to OC'ing why have leo's done it with such success?
DAVIDSDIVAD
member
Well, personally, I think *I* help our cause.
Young ladies see a tall, very good looking, obviously highly educated and well dressed young man with a classy pistol on his hip, it will force them to rethink their preconceived notions that people who carry guns all are fat people with neck beards who wear camo everyday.
Young ladies see a tall, very good looking, obviously highly educated and well dressed young man with a classy pistol on his hip, it will force them to rethink their preconceived notions that people who carry guns all are fat people with neck beards who wear camo everyday.
MT GUNNY
Member
Explain to me how Security Guards, Body guards and Police are "different" than Me, You or others like Husbands and Fathers, Mothers?
zombienerd
Member
I resemble this remark...
I usually open carry when I'm well dressed, I see it as an Ambassadorial salute to the RKBA. When people ask questions, and I give well thought out answers.
When I'm in my jeans and tee, the guns usually inside the shirt, but I have on occasion open carried then for comfort reasons.
The first time I open carried, it was a very liberating experience. It was very surprising to me that nobody even paid attention to it, I don't think I got one awkward glance that whole day, from Burger King to the Gas Station, to Sams Club, not a word or funny look.
I haven't seen anyone else in my town Open carry, not to say that nobody does, I've just never seen it personally.
wheelgunslinger
Member
All this talk about which is best is nonsense.
Everyone should have the right to choose. The Musashis who prefer to keep an advantage hidden should be able to do so.
The OC folks who want to OC should be able to do so at their own discretion without fear of the courts.
Everyone should have the right to choose. The Musashis who prefer to keep an advantage hidden should be able to do so.
The OC folks who want to OC should be able to do so at their own discretion without fear of the courts.
- Status
