Mind my own business, or inform carrier?

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

BBQJOE

Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2007
Messages
737
Location
ARIZONA
So I'm standing in line at the a grocery in AZ. There is a gentleman in front of me, I'd say he's about 65 years old.
He is carrying OTWB, open top holster at 5:00.

His shirt in untucked, except in the 5:00 area, where his shirt is behind his pistol exposing it completely.

Seriously, I could have pulled his gun from its position, and shot this guy numerous times in the back before he would even know it.

Should I have told him his firearm was exposed, or do just as I did and mind my own business?
 
Well, if that were me I'd want someone to discreetly tell me that my gun was exposed. So while you did nothing wrong by minding your own business, you might have done him a favor if you had told him.
 
As a fellow gun owner I probably have discretely let him know. Its a risk, he could take it several different ways.
 
Isn't OC legal in Arizona? Maybe he didn't care and/or was just waiting for you to try and take his gun..........:scrutiny:
 
The guy was open carrying in Arizona. There is nothing more natural.

I don't get why people feel the need to conceal their weapons.
 
.
^ ^ ^ Good one. :D


I don't get why people feel the need to conceal their weapons.
Click to expand...

Concealment may be prudent in mixed company. And by "mixed company", I mean environments where The Hoplophobe is in attendance.

:-|
 
I don't get why people feel the need to conceal their weapons.
Click to expand...

In this case he's open carrying in a un-secure holster behind his back which is the direction you have the least situational awareness.

It's also on area of your body that you give up most of your arm strength to reach to.

Not many other worst ways to OC, imo.
 
Sounds like with his shirt that way, possibly he wanted it to show. But that's just me.

For myself, considering its advantages and disadvantages, I prefer crossdraw carry, with the butt forward. Seems it would make a gun grab from behind slightly more awkward and take a little more time and give you a little warning. Especially with a retention strap. But that's just me.

Until Colorado becomes civilized again, I will keep mine concealed anyhow. But that's just me.

Possibly the best answer would be something like this: "Beg your pardon, Sir, but I wouldn't consider myself a gentleman if I didn't let you know your fly is open."

He might thank you and say, "Yes, but not for everybody."

Terry, 230RN
 
Last edited:
I probably would have asked him what make and model it was, even if you know already. That way if it is supposed to be concealed he'll realize it isn't. And if he is open carrying, you're just having a conversation with another gun enthusiast.

The merits of open carry or concealed carry is a different topic, and ultimately a personal choice.
 
The merits of open carry or concealed carry is a different topic, and ultimately a personal choice.
Click to expand...

I agree. My comment wasn't to derail the thread. Just, imo, OC, unsecured, behind the back isn't I good way to OC.


To answer the OPs question, it's hard to say with out being there but I have given a heads up to the person (in AZ) and he thanked me.
 
BBQJOE said:
So I'm standing in line at the a grocery in AZ. There is a gentleman in front of me, I'd say he's about 65 years old.
He is carrying OTWB, open top holster at 5:00.

His shirt in untucked, except in the 5:00 area, where his shirt is behind his pistol exposing it completely.

Seriously, I could have pulled his gun from its position, and shot this guy numerous times in the back before he would even know it.

Should I have told him his firearm was exposed, or do just as I did and mind my own business?
Click to expand...
He may have been open carrying intentionally.

The truth is, any open carrier can have his gun snatched by anyone. And it has happened. That's why open carrying is foolish, IMO.
 
Shaq said:
He may have been open carrying intentionally.

The truth is, any open carrier can have his gun snatched by anyone. And it has happened. That's why open carrying is foolish, IMO.
Click to expand...

Thousands of foolish people are wandering the streets, highways and byways of America at this very moment! :rolleyes:

Tell us about all those "happenings".:scrutiny:
 
Back to the OP.... I liked the discrete, polite "excuse me sir.. your showing".



As far as the Open Carry / Concealed Carry tangent - why not carry concealed and keep your tactical advantage - that is what you do to maximize your safety and those with you. Open carry is an expression of your 2nd amendment beliefs and you are allowed to make that political statement.

Swanee

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
let him know, for his safety, the public's, law enforcement, and so he doesn't make that mistake again.
 
If you felt the need to say something, a question like "Hey, is that a Model 642?" would bring his attention to the gun, at which point he might cover it if he felt like it.
 
So now,according to Swanee, OC is making a political statement! :what: I always thought it was a basic part of the RKBA, AKA the 2nd Amendment. ;)

However, from the land of Al Franken and Jesse Ventura, all things are possible.

Working with cops for 20 years ,almost all ,including many detectives, open carried. All giving up that all important "tactical" advantage and making political statements. :rolleyes:

I think not. But just go on rolling your own. :D
 
If it was about to come out and hit the ground? Then by all means, if not? Do we really need to inject ourselves into others business always?
 
TRX said:
If you felt the need to say something, a question like "Hey, is that a Model 642?" would bring his attention to the gun, at which point he might cover it if he felt like it.
Click to expand...
I said this one time to start a conversation about comparing external extractors on 1911s. Instead I got his knee jerk canned speil about excersizing his 2nd amendment rights. At that point I knew the convo was dead.

I like the quiet "your 2nd amendment is showing". I'll use that next time.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

E
  • Locked
Wal-Mart Employee Open Carrying?
Replies
16
Views
1K
Sam1911
S
I
  • Locked
Quandary of mind, offended a guy
2 3
Replies
67
Views
4K
CZguy
C
B
  • Locked
LEOs, guns and mindset, part 2
2 3
Replies
52
Views
2K
Deanimator
Deanimator
G
  • Locked
At my LGS today and were they busy!
2 3
Replies
52
Views
3K
Captcurt
Captcurt
K
  • Locked
Rant: Why Some Shooters Should Mind Their Own Business At The Range
2 3 4
Replies
77
Views
6K
sohcgt2
S
Back
Top