How many carry open?

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

In the state of Alabama one has to have a license
to carry concealed. While I don't condone open carry, one
may choose to do so on his/her privately owned land.

The reason behind my thoughts/opinions on open carry
are very simple. In an attack upon my person, I always
prefer to have the element of surprise on my side. I"m
of the belief that if you use a distractor, followed by the
use of physical force* (if necessitated) one will come out
the winner of most confrontations.

*Deadly physical force should only be used as a last
resort!!!

Part II: Please forgive me folk's, as I just realized that
I interjected my personal opinion in the thread related
to the original question. This is something I don't like
doing, unless asked with the thread starter.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[cratz2]

I carried openly exactly one day... Just when I found out that open carry was legal in Indiana.

I was not comfortable with it and I highly doubt I will do so again in the near future. But it is nice to know that on the chance that my shirt pulls up and my gun is exposed, I won't be breaking any laws.

Honestly, maybe if I lived in a more rural state or city I might consider it.

 

[goalkeeper91]

Sure, I've opened carried, while dressed in BDU's. Of course, Uncle Sam and the Army were paying me to do it at the time, so I don't think that counts.

Seriously, I did open carry for a couple of weeks while on a friend's family farm/ranch. THere were concerns about a pack of dogs running loose, a sighting of a mountain lion, snakes, and a rash of recent break-ins. It was, by nature, a rural area, and due to the dogs and break-ins, most everyone in the town (population about 150) was carrying while working. THere were no strange looks, except the first couple of days until everyone got to know who I was.

And, open carry was not a decision of legality, politics, or whatever. At the time (and this was a whie back), concleaed carry required a permit, but there were no restrictions on open carry. Being small town, no one bothered with permits, they just carried when they felt the need. And, open carry is a lot more comfortable when doing farm chores on a hot day.

If you care, I carried a Smith 686, 4" barrel in a paddle holster behind my right hip, with two speedloaders on my belt.

 

[halvey]

Never in public.

Sometimes around the house. Then my wife can get used to it.

 

[antediluvianist]

It's understandable

If you open carry, how do the people around you know whether you have a license or are just a nut out to kill people?

Since there are in fact so many nuts around, it would be safer for people to consider that you might be a nut and act accordingly (avoid you, and/or call the attention of a cop.) Of course they do not have the right to throw bottles at you or whatever, but they sure can avoid you and/or point you out to a cop.

If the cop speaks to you and you show your legal documentation and then he still confiscates your firearm (assuming that you are in a state that permits open carry), then like the earlier poster wrote, the cop will have to explain his ignorance of the law.

But why should people immediately assume that you have the legal documentation for open carry or even ownership of a gun? Not every person walking down the street with a gun exposed is necessarily a legitimate owner.

 

[Majic]

Not everywhere requires you to have any documentation to carry openly. Here in Va you just strap on your favorite handgun and go about your business. About the only thing that you could be questioned about is your age.

 

[TallPine]

If you open carry, how do the people around you know whether you have a license or are just a nut out to kill people?

How do you know that anybody you meet is not a nut out to kill people?

I mean, if they don't obviously have a gun on their belt, then they must being carrying one concealed (that was the thinking we used to invade Iraq, anyway ) ... so if they are hiding it then they must be up to no good right ...?


But then I live in Montana, where you can carry a black rifle on a sling over your shoulder in downtown Billings, and nobody hardly notices, or at least nobody cares.