How do you carry? Open or Concealed?

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OP, I open carry almost all the time. This subject is one of the most often debated subjects on gun forums like this one. Just search for "open carry" or "oc vs cc" on THR and you'll find HOURS of reading material. Not to get down on you for starting this thread - I don't care how many times folks want to debate it.

The discussion always seems to come down to this: the OC side says it will probably deter bad guys and, if the gun is needed, it is easier to access it quickly. the CC-only side says they want the element of surprise. My advice: read a few threads and decide for yourself. Also, there is a lot of good info on OpenCarry.org, including plenty of stories about folks whose openly carried handgun prevented a crime from occurring and/or sent low-lifes scurrying simply by being visible.

~D
 
I go concealed unless I'm at the farm and shooting. I live in KS which is also an OC state but I just choose not to for a couple reasons. 1) I don't want to have to answer all the questions from all the ignorant people around me. 2) I don't want to have to deal with the LEOs who might get involved, as it varies from county to county in KS as to how the sherriff feels about it. 3) Most importantly in my case it has to do with my daily attire. I wear scrubs basicly 24hrs a day mon-fri so OC isn't really an option with scrubs. Even on the weekends when I wear jeans I prefer the same concealed system I wear during the week. I support open carry, but I personally won't because I don't want the potential BGs knowing that I have a hidden advantage.
 
How do you carry? Open or Concealed?
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I prefer to carry concealed and the majority of my carry is that way. I have nothing against open carry and think it should be legal everywhere.

Whenever I carry openly (usually either at open carry events, in the woods or in low populated areas) my gun is in a Kydex retention type holster.
 
I carry concealed 99% of the time. I don't like the attention OC usually brings me. I had a neighbor last year knock on my door to complain about me occasionally open carrying, and although he didn't personally stop me from doing it, I have gotten odd looks at the grocery store, gas station, etc.

I'm just not a big fan of people staring at me.
 
It's been said before but I'll reiterate: OC vs. CC is probably the second most contraversial handgun topic on these forums, second only to 5.7x28mm. Here's what it boils down to:

OC believes the gun acts as a deterrent to crime, and that if the general public sees a responsible gun owner, it might take some people off the fence of being an anti.
CC believes that OCing gives away the element of surprise, and that antis will be reminded that people carry and try to harass you or change laws.

They're both right, but you can only select one answer.
 
They're both right, but you can only select one answer.
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Naaah, you can believe both are true and use either method to suit the needs and wants of the day.

F.Scott Fitzgerald said, "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function."

Both theories are true to some degree, and both represent competing pressures on you to go one way or the other. Which view is most compelling may depend on a lot of factors from your own experiences and opinions, and may change over time, or even day to day, situationally. But it is always a balance of forces, not a sworn allegiance.

Being absolutely wedded to only one possible truth is not the sign of an enlightened, reasoning intellect.
 
Well, Sam, at any given time you can only select one answer. Do you open or concealed today? (Although you may switch throughout the day, but you get my point). The problem I was trying to point out is that because you can only choose one option at a given time, even though there's two right answers, is why there's such a hubbub whenever the topic is discussed. That is an interesting quote, though.

It's funny you mention it though, because I'm getting ready to start OCing in western WA, and was wondering if it might be a good idea to cover it with my jacket when it's raining. Different answers for different reasons.
 
I open carry 99% of the time because in my location and circumstances the strategic and tactical advantages of open carry far outweigh the disadvantages. In addition, my contact with the public, which has been in such locations as downtown Seattle and SEATAC International Airport, with the people who do notice and comment about 95% run positive. Of the 5% negative, the vast majority of negative comments have come from concealed carriers informing me in a snotty tone that I should cover up my gun.

I had one guy in line at Jack in the Box look down his nose at me, nod toward my gun and say in a snotty tone, "I carry mine concealed." I replied, "You aren't very good at it." He asked, "What do you mean?" I replied, "I know you are carrying a gun." He didn't have a response to that.

We were at KFC and a big redneck looking guy said I should cover up my gun. My 15 year old daughter said, "He's not a criminal, he has no need to hide a gun." No reply to that one either. God love her!

I enjoy my interactions with 95% of the public caused by my gun. It's the concealed carry only people who take personal offense to the sight of my gun, in a holster, on my belt that I don't particularly like dealing with.
 
Skribs said:
It's been said before but I'll reiterate: OC vs. CC is probably the second most contraversial handgun topic on these forums, second only to 5.7x28mm. Here's what it boils down to:

OC believes the gun acts as a deterrent to crime, and that if the general public sees a responsible gun owner, it might take some people off the fence of being an anti.
CC believes that OCing gives away the element of surprise, and that antis will be reminded that people carry and try to harass you or change laws.

They're both right, but you can only select one answer.
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As a member of the OC camp, I think that you're over generalizing.

I really don't think OC acts as an overall deterrent (meaning reduces crime) per se, so much as it makes you an obvious obstacle. As with any obstacle, you can either circumvent or overcome it. Why climb over a boulder when you can walk around it? You won't necessarily prevent the store/bank from being robbed, but it's unlikely to happen while you're there.

I OC because it's generally more comfortable and (here in VA) requires no paperwork or money beyond buying the gun and ammo and investing in a holster. As there are no demonstrable tactical advantages for eiter OC or CC, there's no tactical reason to do one over the other. As VA is generally quite OC friendly, I don't really get the kinds of looks a lot of you talk about and I've never been bothered by LEOs. So I personally have no social reason to CC either.

Even if/when I get around to getting a CWP, I'll probably still OC my primary and CC a backup.
 
HDCamel, that's what I meant. It's a deterrent from criminals attacking me.
 
I usually carry concealed in public however open carry is legal in my state so I don't get all crazy about how well I conceal anymore.

I've often wondered if all states mandated open carry how it would change the attitude of the general public as well as those that are dead set on concealed carry?

I welcome discussion on this subject but don't mean to hijack the thread so perhaps it's better suited to its own thread?
 
CC for me.

I don't like folks staring at me, questioning me, or calling the cops on me just because they are ignorant of OC laws.

As for detering crime....
In the olden days, when men routinely carried swords or knives or pistols on their side, crime was still a huge problem.
OC didn't stop crime then and it doesn't stop crime now.

The only folks that I have ever seen OCing were cops or folks trying make a political statement.
 
OC in public, cover up for convenience when entering stores and private property. VA has no force of law for no-gun signs so I cover up, and shut up.
 
Concealed, but wish my state had OC. I'm tired of having to hide the fact that I am a law abiding citizen who supports the 2A. I really don't care what other people think about my carrying or if it makes them "uncomfortable". I'm not carrying for their benefit, I'm carrying to protect myself and my family!

As for "if a bad guy see my gun"... It doesn't make me a target, it makes me something to avoid. And, if the bad guy is going to go in "guns blazing", I'd rather not have to fumble with my shirt or coat to free my weapon! Just my opinion...
 
One of the earlier posters said this is an oft debated issue. I've never seen it debated before. Not comparing the two forms of carry. Here in NY you can't carry openly. I can't imagine what it must be like to live in such a free state that would legally allow such a thing. I'm happy for you who can. I would never expect such choice to come to this part of the world. I strongly suggest all you folks who have the means come visit this place so you can appreciate what can happen when ignorance rules. You have to vote.
 
easyg said:
As for detering crime....
In the olden days, when men routinely carried swords or knives or pistols on their side, crime was still a huge problem.
OC didn't stop crime then and it doesn't stop crime now.
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How many news stories have you seen about an open carrier being robbed?
And knowing the liberal media... if it happens, it WILL get crowed about.
I do both, depending on what I am wearing.
Only issue I have ever had was with canadian tourists calling 911 on me in Va while OC.
Yea, that didnt go well for them when the officer showed up and ripped them a new arse.


Jim
 
Most often concealed even if very lightly so; as in Real Estate it's location, location, location.
 
In Alabama, we're technically open carry, but not in a vehicle. I mostly got my CCW card so I didn't have to worry about it so much, and I keep my XD45acp in an appendix IWB holster. Works fine right there, and conceals even with shorts and a t-shirt.
I'd like something smaller for more casual/less crime-prone areas, but for the moment, the XD is surprisingly concealable.

Back in NM, I open carried my Super Blackhawk with impunity, but I think that, to be a real overall deterrent, there needs to be a "critical mass" of folks carrying. Otherwise, you're the odd-man-out, and I just don't like drawing that much attention to myself.
With CC, the baddies don't know who's strapped, which is useful in a society full of cowering hoplophobes.
 
75% of the time, I OC. Juge revolver in a Tagua leather holster. I sometimes, however, carry my Colt mustang in an IWB leather holster. Not sure of the brand, it's in the bedroom and the wife is asleep. KY has is OC friendly. I go into an Arby's fairly regularly that is frequented by police, and they just smile and nod.
 
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