Okay - Here it is - POLL - Open Carry, Yes or No - and Why.

[Ian]

I have done it and will do it in the future. Why?

* More comfortable than concealed carry
* Faster draw (important in responding to animal threats)
* No cover garment required (a big plus in hot climates)
* Deters crime before it happens. An ounce of prevention...
* Desensitizes observers to seeing guns

Al Norris - You are, indeed, da man.

 

[Al Norris]

As long as we are giving history lessons, I'll finish part of what I said in my previous post. Remember I said I didn't know from where Idaho's open carry came from?

Well it seems that in 1889, the territorial legislature passed a law that prohiited private persons from carrying deadly weapons within cities. This law was struck down by the Idaho Supreme Court in 1902 in a habeas corpus case called In re Brickey, 8 Idaho 597 (1902).

It's real short, but the guts of the decision are contained in the first two opening paragraphs:

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW-BEARING ARMS, VOID STATUTE.-The act of the territorial legislature, approved February 4, 1889, which prohibits private persons from carrying deadly weapons within the limits or confines of any city, town, or village in Idaho, contravenes the provisions of the second amendment to the federal constitution and the provisions of section 11, article 1, of the constitution of Idaho, and is void.

POLICE REGULATIONS-FIREARMS-CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS.- While it is, undoubtedly, within the power of the legislature to prohibit the carrying of concealed deadly weapons, and such regulation is a proper exercise of police power, yet the legislature does not possess the power to prohibit the carrying of firearms, as the right to do so is guaranteed to the citizen both by our federal and state constitutions.

Emphasis is mine, as it appears that the Idaho Court understands not only the 2A, but it's own version. which at that time read: "The people have the right to bear arms for their security and defense, but the legislature shall regulate the exercise of this right by law."

Of particular interest is the second paragraph, which paved the way for a rewrite of Art I section 11 in 1975 to to reflect this single court ruling. In 1988, concealed carry legislation was passed.

So at least in Idaho, concealed carry was always a privilege. The right to bear arms openly, was only briefly abridged. I love this state... Just wish I'd been born here!

 

[anotherKevin]

bump - re: CO dropping UT non-resident CCW

Have any of the posters here been impacted, as I have, by the loss of non resident UT permit restrictions in Colorado? And if so, have you used open carry as a work around, as I believe I will need to?

 

[mljdeckard]

Mostly no.

Even though it is legal in Utah, I see it as a convenience that I won't be prosecuted if I accidentally flash or print. Also, private businesses won't eject me for carrying if they don't know I'm carrying.

There have been times when I have carried openly, but usually in situations where it doesn't attract attention. Riding horses, hunting, range, etc. I suppose if there were a demonstration of solidarity between gun owners to carry openly for one day, I would tell the people I know and work with, "You all know I carry, so I don't need to show off today, right?"

In the majority of situations, it is in my best interests that the people I am protecting against don't know that I am carrying.

 

[Nomad101bc]

In my state by law you must only conceal your pistol its mandatory concealed carry. Its a better law because then the criminals must always be fearful and they never know if the 100 pound blonde they were planning on raping is packing. Further more there is an entire book called More Guns Less Crime that proves concealed carry laws are the most effective crime reduction system.

 

[Marshall]

I wouldn't mind it being legal. I'd vote for it in the affirmative. "At times" was my answer.

 

[OBXMIKE]

I open carry wherever I legally can. I am not afraid of offending snivelling soccer moms and sheeple. I am within my rights in NC to open carry if I choose. I am forced by my government to accept homosexuality, illegal aliens, political correctness, taxation without representation, government schools, and a myriad of other intrusions / insults on my liberties and beliefs. I'll be danged if I give a HOOT what you think of me open carrying! And it makes me SICK to hear people that claim to be supportive of RKBA down-talking those that choose to exercise thier right, especially CCW instructors. I hear time and time again about how open carry is "tactically inferior" and could result in blah blah blah........show me some HARD #'s and I might reconsider, but in all my reading over the years I have not ONCE read of, seen or heard of any instance of all these horrible things coming to pass that could happen to you if you open carry. If you support the right to keep and bear arms, support the right to keep and bear arms. If not, maybe it should be re-written as the right to keep and hide arms, because heaven forbid, you might SCARE somebody. Sheesh! :banghead:
Sorry, rant off..........

 

[Kentak]

I answered "no."

For the same reason I don't wear a trucker hat and a mullet.

Also, stealth is better.

K

 

[BADUNAME13]

No. I prefer to not let my enemy's know I am armed till it's too late.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Yep,

Then I'll have an excuse to get ivory grips.

 

[KenpoProfessor]

I express my right to carry openly every day I go out. Why, because it is my right, and screw anyone who is afraid of just SEEING a gun. I just got here from CA and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let my rights fall away as they did. Tactical, so what, I'm a 7th degree Black in a very formidable art of Self Defense, I don't need a gun. I won't let people put me in a closet again for being a gun enthusiast and expressing my rights, ever.

I haven't got my CCW yet, but when I do, I'm still gonna carry OPEN just because I can

Have a great gun carryin' Kenpo day

Clyde

 

[Glockman17366]

I can't give a particularly good reason for open carry...but if I wanted to remove my sport coat (which is the covering garment for any larger (G19, G17) handgun, I don't want to get busted out right..nor do I want to upset the patrons of a resturant or other establishment.
That's a rare occasion for me...I prefer the tactical advantage of concealed carry.

 

[Firefall]

I voted no. My reason:

I'm NOT against open carry. I just believe that open carry calls a lot of un-needed attention to one who only wishes to defend himself and his family. mainly to LEO, a jury and a judge if you had to use the gun and was in court.

I can see a potential problem or problems, too. Some really unscrupulous people will ALSO (sorry, not shouting atcha;-) carry in the open and will try and cause a scene with you where ordinarily they'd not know of the pistol you carry and wouldn't cause near as much problems. (gangsta wannabes)

If everyone did carry in the open like in the Matt Dillon show Gunsmoke, I would carry in the open too. OMO but they wouldn't.

Here in Alabama, most folks would look at you as a smart alek looking for trouble. I wouldn't but you know how some fence straddling types on the right to guns, are.

I wish the open carry folks of the Commonwealth of Virginia the very best in whatever you do!

darkop

 

[Comp-tech]

I voted yes to OC for a number of reasons....the main one is our RIGHTS!....while I will contend that there MAY be times/reasons that it might be prudent to CC, upsetting "the sheeple" is NOT one of them.
How else are we to retain/regain our rights?.....by staying "in the closet".....I think not!
As to tactical reasons.......there are no "numbers" proving or even indicating that CC has ANY tactical advantage except when it concerns BGs....the typical cowardly "sneak attack" does have advantage when someone is up to "no good".
Why do you think that LEOs carry openly?.....ask ANY LEO if he/she thinks they would have any advantage by CCing and I can almost guarantee their answer.
It's hard for me to understand how anyone could think that by concealing your weapon, thereby making it harder/slower to access, could have ANY tactical advantage.....you'd rather them "start something" then have to fumble for your weapon when seconds count rather than them KNOWING that an attack on you may result in serious injury/death?....backwards thinking in my mind.
If a BG KNOWS that I am not a "pushover", they are likely to follow their cowardly ways and move on to "easier pickin's"
As for the Virginians....YES...my hope is that we can all have the same rights that they enjoy.

 

[LarryS.]

I voted "at times" because it's sort of like having the option to choose the correct tool to fit the job at hand.

 

[Elza]

I would like to see Texas go open carry. I would still carry concealed but I would carry OWB without having to worry if it accidently showed.

 

[Sage of Seattle]

I think Comp-tech said it well (welcome to THR by the way!) regarding the so-called tactical advantage.

Now, since I don't understand the thinking on this, perhaps some of you CC only people can help explain it to me -- I genuinely would like to learn, but here's how I see it.

So you (as the CC only type guy/gal) would rather have someone jump you and THEN try and draw or perhaps struggle for a while to disengage rather than have the BG go somewhere else and leave you alone as he spots your pistol on your hip? I posted something similar on another forum, but isn't winning without fighting the best victory?

I suppose I could be obnoxious and say that, by concealing your firearm, you secretly hope that someone will attack you so you can surprise them with your CC piece.

Okay, I don't really believe that last part, but it does get tiresome to have the CC-only crowd intimate that a person only OC's because they want to show off, or some other nonsense.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Vote: Open Carry
Reasons:
1. While many obviously think that concealment is a benefit (I won't be a target), I think that you are more likely to be a target if you are not obviously armed. Why would I go after someone that is clearly armed?
2. Quite contrary to the above, I believe it is a deterent. Most criminals are cowards, and not looking for a fight.
3. I am absolutely, unabashedly unashamed of being armed and prepared to defent myself.

 

[mica]

I carry, period! I use a paddle holster. If I happen to wear a coat or jacket then I am CC'ing. If it's warm weather, then I am OC'ing.

It's funny how people that never OC are full of doom and gloom and they know nothing about it. I OC everyday when the weather is warm. People don't start crying and run in fear, they do not dial 911, they do not stare. Sometimes these type of 'incidents' happen to OC'ers but not often. I am exercising a natural right that the Great Commonwealth of Virginia has not made illegal, as many states have.

Frankly some of the arguements against OC sound like some Brady Bunch gibberish. You don't have to like it, it is not for everyone, but you should respect the rights of others if they choose to OC.

The main reason I OC is because it is A LOT easier. I don't have to think about what I am wearing, change clothes or any other nonsense. I just walk out the door and go about my business.

This kid is out of the closet

 

[Machete]

No because, I don't want people freaking out, and also I think it doesn't let criminals have your spec down.

 

[jselvy]

I decided to open carry when I decided to move to Wyoming.
I stood on the street in Cody at the height of the tourist season and started counting the weapons that I could see. It worked out that about every sixth man was OC'ing. It didn't bother me, it didn't bother anyone else. As for the tactical question I OC but my wife CC's I want the bad guys to keep their eyes on me, they won't see her coming.

Jefferson

 

[Hawkflyer]

I OC and CC indifferently. If it is hot I OC, if cold I CC. On occasion I conceal my sidearm out of respect for others. While this fits my lifestyle, others may feel differently. What I will never understand is why other people cannot live and let live in this regard.

Carry is carry, Concealed or Open makes no difference. The responsibilities are the same.

 

[Standing Wolf]

People who are ashamed to exercise their civil rights don't still have them.

 

[Autolycus]

It doesnt bother me. I think that it is funny that when the majority of people here complain about gun laws that they have a problem with open carry. The Founding Fathers open carried, they did it in the 1800s and part of the 1900s, as well as some still do it today. It doesnt cause problems, so what is the big deal?

I would if it were legal. Maybe not all the time but I have no problems with the idea of someone always open carrying. Its their choice to make and I support them.

 

[Franchised]

I am one of the Virginia open carriers. I do it for political activism. I receive more positive comments than negative while publicly open carrying. I've recruited a couple people into the world of personal defense firearms simply by them seeing my weapon and them asking about it. Others, perhaps 10 or 12, from direct personal contact while open carrying, now know that a gun doesn't automatically make a person bad. I even converted one mild anti--just by luck I said the exact right thing that got through to her.

Yes, there are tactical risks. I have deliberately weighed those risks and likelihood against the personally observed benefits of OC, and have chosen to OC.

I can't accept that a great many people are truly sheeple to the core. Neither can I accept that we should leave people to their fears or apathy.

Regarding bad press, and stirring up the anti-gunners, its just a matter of being ready to handle the press and counter the anti-gunners. Remember, even bad exposure is still exposure. Sympathetic fence-sitters might be enough outraged to get off the fence and get active for 2A. I truly think all 2A'ers combined outnumber the anti-gunners.

Imagine the gains for 2A if a great many of us open carried.