Is this legal/a good idea?

[carpettbaggerr]

Open carry may not be illegal, but you can still be arrested.

Won't be charged with illegal carry, though. You may be charged with brandishing, disturbing the peace, creating a public disturbance, and that perennial favorite "Going armed to the terror of the people".

Look up the law in NC and you'll see open carry is not prohibited. However, it falls into the grey area of the other laws. It's so uncommon and frowned upon by the authorities, that it is de facto illegal.

Don't know if that's the case in PA, but I'd listen to the LEO's opinions -- they'll be the ones arresting you. You could call the local prosecutor's office, but I'd doubt you'll get a clearer opinion.

 

[what42]

open carry is not prohibited. However, it falls into the grey area of the other laws. It's so uncommon and frowned upon by the authorities, that it is de facto illegal.

That's why the front page of OpenCarry.org has the quote, "A right unexercised is a right lost".

 

[carebear]

What every state needs is someone with time and money and the willingness to get dinged for some of these prosecutorial grey areas and get some definitive case law on the books.

So, who wants to volunteer?

 

[38SnubFan]

Personally...I think it would be great if everyone could strap on and carry in plain view...an armed society is a polite society. Nice talkin with ya !

I agree, and it was nice to speak with you as well. I honestly didn't think I was being "uncivil" in my text, but if I was, consider me "eased up".

If you care to join me Gunnutz, I'm going to sit back and watch the "should-be-dead horse" get tortured some more

-Snub

 

[Gunnutz13]

Hey Snub...

...sorry if you took that wrong, but I wasn't implying that you were "uncivil", just that I enjoy a civil discussion of facts, a good discussion (arguement) on a grey shaded subject brings info to light...I learn something new every day...and if you stop learning...you might as well be dead. I enjoy these forums for just that reason...and have always found nothing but good natured members on this forum. So, please, don't be offended. Peace out...

Hey...I even enjoyed Digglers' kickin' of the dead horse !

Now...what was this thread about ?! Oh yea, brandishing of magazines...I wouldn't do it because it advertises my CCW status. Diggler...your turn

 

[Diggler]

OK, if I must...

The final word for me is that it is legal, so if I choose to do it, I will. And if I get arrested unlawfully, I will fight it to the end. I choose to carry concealed though. I did carry openly in VA late at night in a gas station on the interstate while traveling, and I really think that most people don't even notice (it was an IWB holster). I think it would make a difference if you have a professional looking holster/sidearm versus a cheapie stuck in your waistband.

I just don't like hearing people say that it's up for discussion whether open carry is legal in PA. It isn't up for discussion, it is legal. They are like the people who sit at a red light waiting for a green so they can turn right, even without a No Turn On Red sign.

:banghead:

 

[Gunnutz13]

Diggler...your point is taken...

...I have understood it from your first post in this thread...but given that, I still wouldn't cause my self the hassle of trying to get the LEO (or who ever else) to understand that since it's not stated in the law that it is illegal, then hence, it must be legal. So, I guess we can bury that horse now, ok? I'll catch you and 38SnubFan down the line...I"m gonna go shovel 3-5 inches of snow off the homestead...C YA

 

[38SnubFan]

I'm burying it right along with you Gunnutz! LOL. It's probably gonna be 8-10 inches where I'm at, but I live in a 1-bedroom apartment with off-street parking, so luckily all I need to clean off tomrrow is my car.

-Snub

 

[Gunnutz13]

Hey 38SnubFan...

whew...I'm tired of shoveling snow, and still more to come. My house ( built in 1902 ) sits on a little over a half acre of property...and has a 4 car parking area off to the one side. Between the walkways, steps, digging out the cars, and the mouth of the driveway the township keeps plugging up when they plow by...I'm beat ! Still have no idea where Franklintown is...gotta dig a PA map out. Wonder how Diggler made out with this snow...I'm not sure where he lives either...I did give the horse a nice headstone though...

 

[carebear]

The world is topsy-turvy.

We have guys all bundled up riding their motorcycles in town now.

 

[Diggler]

I live about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh.

I haven't left the house today... I'm a programmer, so I can just VPN with my laptop and it's the same as being at work.

Pretty nice... hopefully the roads will be bad tomorrow morning too...

 

[abaddon]

You know a thread deserves to die when...

Four consecutive posts are about snow
Most of the other posters are just talking past each other and not getting
anywhere

By the way, 50-60 degrees and sunny up here

 

[Diggler]

Wow... you have a day in Seattle where it's not raining?

 

[carebear]

Wow... you have a day in Seattle where it's not raining?

If I recall correctly, they're so rare they give them individual names, like tropical storms or those massive granddaddy elk.

 

[Spreadfire Arms]

I've seen weird things like this. I was at the gym a few months ago and a young guy, about 23 years old was wearing wind pants and a t-shirt and Nike's sporting an empty Fobus paddle holster on his hip. No gun, just an empty holster he had while working out. Strange.

When I was a police officer in CA, albeit off duty, I was at lunch and saw a licensed private investigator/bounty hunter guy at a Chinese Restaurant. he took off his jacket and exposed shoulder holster w/ sidearm and 2 magazines. mind you he did not have a CCW, he was a licensed armed security guard in essence. he had one of those "Bail Enforcement Agent" badges clipped to the shoulder holster.

I didn't say or do anything, I just thought it was tactically stupid. If something were to happen in that restaurant everyone would expect him to act, since he's obviously the "cop." I would just keep eating my chow mein

but yes, there is no requirement for CHL holders to keep their magazines out of sight, only the firearm needs to be concealed. it is unfortunate but there are some CHL holders who like people to know they are carrying.

i once spoke to a CHL holder at a gun show in Fort Worth. he told me that he didn't like panhandlers and that if one approached his car he'd point his gun at them. if they kept coming he'd shoot them.

different strokes for different folks, i guess.

 

[abaddon]

Wow... you have a day in Seattle where it's not raining?

I'm as surprised as you are. We've had a good 2 weeks. I think California stole our rain. They can keep it as far as I'm concerned.

 

[38SnubFan]

Still have no idea where Franklintown is...gotta dig a PA map out.

Well, if you look at Gettysburg and then look about 20 miles north (going up US 15) you'll see Franklintown. Actually, you might not, since the population of this little town is only about 400-500 people, maybe less. Dillsburg is the next closest town, only 2 miles north of Franklintown.

Ironically, there was a law on the books since the inception of this town in the late 1700s requiring ALL law-abiding, mentally/phyiscally capable individuals to keep a readied, loaded firearm in their homes at all times. They didn't strike the law down until 1995. More ironically, everyone followed the law, and I'd say at least 90% of those people still live here (and haven't gotten rid of their guns, either).

We also haven't had an incident of violent crime in a VERY LONG TIME. I like this little town; as the saying goes, "An armed society is a polite society."

-Snub

 

[Gunnutz13]

Hey abaddon...

...this makes 4 posts on sunny weather in Seattle...time to bury this thread now, huh?

Seriously...I agree, it's not nice to hijack a thread like "we" have...I'll see you, 38SnubFan and Diggler in the Rallying Point area from now on...