My first open carry experience

[Pax Jordana]

Well tonight was a low-key night, however, I said to myself I had to start somewhere and tonight might as well have been it. First I went to the sbux in Media (the county seat), where I know most of the girls that work there. Not a second glance, not a word. If they knew, they didn't care. It was a nice way to 'ease in' to OC though, there was only one guy in the place besides me and he didn't make an issue of it.

Sbux was a stop on my route; I was really headed to my brother's across town to eat some chinese food and watch a movie. Problem with Media is that parking is a bear on saturday nights. LOTS of pedestrian traffic, from parking to bars and bars to bars and restaurants. Generally, a hoppin' scene. So I parked two blocks away, and strolled down the main drag. Not a word was spoken! When I got to the only [my bank's] ATM (a very conspicuous and well-lit location, within stumbling distance from most of the bars on the strip) was the only time I'd heard the gun mentioned. I had passed by a 50something couple, and the wife gave me a look. Well, from behind I hear hubby say, faux authoritatively,

"Must be a stakeout."


I couldn't help but chuckle. I walked back to my car without further incident, ate some chinese, a good time was had by all.

I don't feel weird walking around with it in public, or I didn't tonight. That might change on a sunny, sober (them not me) afternoon. And I didn't run into any cops. Things will improve, I think, with experience - and through this I've gained the confidence to *get* the experience.

Things went well, I think! Comments?

Edit: This is the suburbs of Philadelphia - OC is still sort of a 'big deal'.
Edit: This is not a debate on the merits of OC versus CCW. Thank you.
Edit: When the *heck* did I get to be a 'senior member'?

 

[strat81]

Guns kill. Yours must be broken. Please send it to Sarah Brady for inspection and repair.

In all seriousness, good for you! After I was practically dared to open-carry by my city council, I have been toying with the idea. But of course, in small BFE Nebraska, word travels fast. For now, I'll use open-carry as an excuse to let my CCW print.

 

[MartinBrody]

Good deal. I live in Chester County but am in Media frequently. I think most people assume when they see someone with a holster and gun that you are law enforcement. I hear a lot about open carry these days for PA. I wish more people would do it, congrats I wish I had the guts to OC. I think in states where CCW permits are "shall issue", most people that would carry do so concealed.

 

[Mannlicher]

I get the feeling here that you would not have been adverse to a confrontation over your open carry.

 

[dasmi]

I've open carried all over AZ, not a word, not a glance, nothing. It's a good thing.

 

[gdvan01]

Edit: When the *heck* did I get to be a 'senior member'?

I believe it goes by your post count.

 

[glockamolee]

I've opened carried in Montana and Wyoming. Yes, in the towns also, not just the boonies.

It's a cultural mentality that "allows it." Here in Michigan, I wouldn't dare carry open in the city or suburbs.

Not until cultural values change. Which means that I'll only get to do this east of california, but west of the Mississipi.

 

[CajunBass]

Never been a problem here in Virginia for me.

My wife and I went for a "drive" yesterday, and stopped in several places with both of us open carrying. Her a Glock 19, and me my Colt Commander (We're a mixed marriage). As far as I could tell no one even noticed the guns. My wife said she thought one woman at a "Burger Doodle" joint glared at her. I said "It wasn't the gun. She just wished she had red hair like yous." (I know the right things to say.)

We stopped in a country store, a marina, and a trypical convience store before the day was over. No one ran screaming in panic. No one called the cops. No mothers threw themselves over their children.

On the other hand, the zombies did keep their distance.

 

[GhostlyKarliion]

I wish I could legally OC here in Oklahoma, oh well, we are making small steps towards reclaiming our freedom at least.

glad everything went good for you, be encouraged friend, OC more often, if you got the protected right, use it.

 

[Tom Servo]

Her a Glock 19, and me my Colt Commander (We're a mixed marriage).

I don't care for OC, but in my neck of the woods, it's not unheard of. In the rural areas, it's generally not even noticed. In urban areas, people can get a bit touchy, though.

 

[glassman]

OPEN CARRY

Howdy neighbor. I'm a Springfield (delco) resident and am in Media quite often. I'd be willing to bet that if a 'statey' saw that little gem on your hip, they'd be on you like a wet t-shirt. Advertising that you carry can only bring you problems in this neck of the woods, IMHO. Yeah, I know it's legal but why put yourself through the hassle. You might find also that people give you a wide birth at Packy's. Maybe see you at Target Master's one of these days.

 

[Pax Jordana]

I have been toying with the idea.

So was I, for the longest time. My first stop was a place where I knew the help, I think that was really important.

I wish I had the guts to OC.

C'mon with me, we'll meet glassman at Targetmaster!

The first time I OC'd reminds me of the first time I CC'd. You walk around feeling a little bit like you just farted and hoping nobody catches a whiff... until you realize that nobody (so far in my experience) gives a rat's patoot.

I get the feeling here that you would not have been adverse to a confrontation over your open carry.

With a citizen? I would've talked to them about it, had they asked. With a cop? Honest to god I was scared to death. It's perfectly legal to OC here - but it would've put a damper on my evening to be proned out and ground into the sidewalk.

I'd be willing to bet that if a 'statey' saw that little gem on your hip, they'd be on you like a wet t-shirt.

Shifty, believe me. There's no such thing as brandishing in PA (ianal), it is NOT covered under disturbing the peace. yes, cops can hassle you, but legally the only thing they can do is get the store owner to ask you to leave - and if you don't leave, it's then trespassing.

Though as I said before, I do believe at some point I will be detained for OCing, with some degree of courtesy or force (some people talk of a friendly verbal exchange, others of a dozen cops having a party directly on top of you), but at its very core OC is legal and VERY visible, and that's why I'm doing it.

Besides, it puts me on par with gandhi, jesus, martin luther king, and gecko45.


I didn't know we had all these philly suburbanites on THR - you guys wanna make a range day?

 

[Oleg Volk]

I think that open carry is a useful step in acclimating others to the sight of guns. It should also be done with a retention holster and backed with a concealed gun.

 

[230RN]

It's your 100th post that kicks you into the senior member category.

I had the same reaction, but then again, I'm pretty old anyhow.

Open carry is legal in CO but discouraged among CCW-ers, at least in my County, near Denver.

Can't blame them, the enforcement officers have enough to do without responding to calls from the hand-wringers who live that near to the City.

I accidentally open carried once in a restaurant. I carry cross-draw IWB sans holster*, and went into a restaurant, sat down with the 1911 facing the wall and took off my jacket.

Came time to wash up after ordering, I honestly forgot and went to the toidy with it sticking out of my belt. I don't know if anyone noticed, but when when I washed up, I suddenly realized I was splashing a little water onto the butt. Dried it off with paper towels, and skulked-slunked back to the table feeling very nervous, keeping my arm over the arm, as it were. Feels funny walking that way without swinging your arm. Got back to the table and "whewed" over my micro-adventure, wiping my brow with my forefinger and casting the sweat off with a flick of the hand.

I used to open carry 9con) holsterall the time when I rode my motorcycle up into the mountains for an outing. Stopped at burger joints, gas stations, fishing tackle places, etc. with no trouble, but of course that was all more or less in the boonies. And it was 20 years ago.

I have a dream of summertime OCing in an ankle holster. With shorts. Just 'cause.

But I doubt I really have the chutzpa to do it. I just don't need the hassle.

---------
* Watch it. Some states require a holster.

 

[chris in va]

If I may add something, you may want to carry a copy of the statute that allows OC in your area.

 

[alucard0822]

I have to say im a little jealous down here in MD. We have been fighting for years for shall issue CCW reform, or OC, or even to be able to protect ourselves in our homes without arrest and prosecution. Why fight for rights if we dont excercise them once we have them. We all know the stats and the truth that carrying prevents crime and empowers citizens to personally protect themselves and their families. The antis would have people believe we are all batman wanabe's and will turn beautiful and crime free cities like DC, Baltimore, and Philly into wild west boomtowns. I belive the only way we can show people the truth is to carry, to fight for our rights, and when the public can see firsthand the respectful and responsible attitudes that we have always had, hopefully they will realize the self evident logic in arming law abiding citizens. Thanks to all who carry wherever they are, hopefully I will be legally able to excercise my right one day.

 

[TallPine]

If I may add something, you may want to carry a copy of the statute that allows OC in your area.

Some states may have such a law, but out here in the west it is just simply not against the law (there is no statute concerning open carry whatsoever).

 

[230RN]

Open carry is in the Colorado Constitution in a sort of bass-akward way:

http://www.i2i.org/Publications/ColoradoConstitution/iscolocn.htm

Article II, The Bill of Rights (Colorado), Section 13:

"Section 13. Right to bear arms. The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called in question; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons."

So CCW-ers have it both ways, but, as I said, it's discouraged in some urban areas, and in Denver County, it is considered illegal. There's sort of an unspoken comporomise there --although Denver asserts its "home rule" authority to ban open carry, it was forced to allow CCW under the new laws. Nobody except a few absolutists want to upset that sort of "gentleman's agreement" by pushing the issue any further.

I thought of carrying some of these statutes around, but by the time I got done assembling data for various contingencies, like, for instance, carrying in the Post Office under "Subsection D," which subsection they never post in the Post Offices, I found I'd have to carry around a 100-page folder of all the enabling statutes, so I said the heck with it.

I decided I was too old to screw around like that, and I would just follow all the fake "rules" they've come up with and be content to carry concealed, pursuant to my license.

Wisdom. Better part of Valor. And all that.

As I say, "Rights: use 'em or lose 'em. But abuse 'em and lose 'em, too." As another example of my wimpiness, I note with relish that switchblade knives are also "arms," but you ain't gonna get me to challenge that one, either.

At least not until I hit the Lotto big time.

 

[Pax Jordana]

I think that open carry is a useful step in acclimating others to the sight of guns. It should also be done with a retention holster and backed with a concealed gun.

:banghead: Oleg, your wisdom astounds me. Or perhaps, my shortness of foresight in contrast to it. All I had to back up my gun was youthful aggression and (lacking) cardiovascular fitness. For the record, though, I was carrying OWB in an Uncle Mike's belt slide. It has a thumb break on it. And given it was my first time out I was the whole time (think I did well not showing it though)

If I may add something, you may want to carry a copy of the statute that allows OC in your area.

Some states may have such a law, but out here in the west it is just simply not against the law (there is no statute concerning open carry whatsoever).

Ayuh! common law. not prohibited? It's 'allowed.' Google Ortiz V. Commonwealth and Commonwealth v. Hawkins to see it backed up.

IANAL- but according to the PA laws.. you can OC a gun anywhere in PA except on the streets of philadelphia (so much for state preemption) during a 'declared state of emergency' and _loaded_ in a car. Having a CCW removes all those restrictions (For both OC and CC).

Edited to add: Terroristic Threats and Disturbing the Peace are not considered applicable according to case law. If the cops try to nail you just to nail you, Official Oppression is a second-degree misdemeanor

 

[PennsyPlinker]

Congrats PJ on your successful OC in Media!

I'm not exactly a Philly suburbanite, but I am only about an hour outside the city. I would be up for a range day, and perhaps I will get around to open carry. The question then becomes, should it be the Ruger Redhawk .44 mag with the 7 1/2" barrel or the Taurus 4410 Judge with the 6 1/2" barrel?

 

[M2 Carbine]

Oleg Volk
I think that open carry is a useful step in acclimating others to the sight of guns. It should also be done with a retention holster and backed with a concealed gun.

I agree 100%.

Also agree with the advice about "you may want to carry a copy of the statute that allows OC in your area".
Police are notorious for not knowing all the laws.


Good for you Pax Jordana.
I wish Texas had the OC option.

 

[silverking]

There are times I would rather OC and it is legal here.......BUT.. the drawbacks of having the law all over you just isn't worth it to me. That type of detainment to me would be a real hassle and it probably would occure just about every time I OC'd.

 

[.cheese.]

Wish I could OC here.

 

[plexreticle]

If I have a choice I would CC over OC 99.9% of the time.

 

[Winter Borne]

Hey Pax,

Here in VA any citizen can open cary usually with no problem. (the mannassas 7 not a typical responseby local PD) I CC every day but have thought once or twice about OC, perhaps much like you, to check reactions. I have hesetated only becouse I prefer the BG's not to be able to single me out as the first guy to deal with should I fine myself in a situation. This has never come up thankfully, and I have never had to draw any self defense weapon other than attitude, but if I should ever find myself in a situation with a potential BG, I'd prefer to have him think I was un-armed until it was too late for him to do anything to neutralize me. It's why I believe CC permits are such a good deterent to crime. No one know's who's armed and potentially, any one of us might be.

Glad it worked out for you though.