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

[tinygnat219]

It's legal in VA, but it's not for me.

Open Carry leads to too many "what ifs" and marks you as a potential target to go down first. Also depending on the jurisdiction, it can draw too much attention from either an LEO, or people I just don't want to know that I have a gun. Some people beleive it or not are actually intimidated by the firearm strapped to the hip, regardless of legality.

What is the purpose of Open Carry aside from going into a restaurant that serves alcohol. What does Open Carry actually accomplish? Not much from what I have seen or heard. Before the flames commence, yes I am aware of the VCDL EM who managed to scare off a bank robber while at a bank. Thing was, the EM was also unaware of what happened until after the robber had fled. It's easy to say that the robbery could have gone the other way with this person becoming the first target to be taken down.

Again, I won't be one to try and strike it down, as I feel that anymore compromise is stupid, but I won't be open carrying either. To each his own.

 

[Dgindlesperger]

a well armed sociaty is a polite sociaty

 

[harrygunner]

Voted against, just for me personally. I don't want the possibility of being hassled. I fully support others who want to.

However, it occurred to me OC'ing once might be a good rite of passage, a good way to help a teen keep a proper perspective on gun control as they enter life.

I'm thinking about having my kid, who just turned eighteen, carry openly in Arizona.

Thought the two of us would walk around just a bit as a clear demonstration that guns and fear/hysteria are not linked, except in the minds of some people.

 

[Johannes_Paulsen]

If there were civil disorder (rioting, etc.) and I had to venture out, I could see myself openly carrying -- if for no other reason than it would be easier to draw my pistol should it be necessary, and in that situation it's more likely to be necessary.

Otherwise, I would keep it concealed. No need to scare the horses unnecessarily.

 

[coyote_jr]

Who resurrected this old thread?

 

[Ant1]

I prefer concealed carry, for the element of suprise.

 

[wingman]

I'm undecided on this, I do think in certain areas of the country it would be fine, rural small towns, etc. I personally like the concealed part of carry.

 

[lostone1413]

The thing is it should be up to the person not the Government how he carries. Here in Arizona at times I like to open carry. I do it to show the people from out of state this is a gun friendly state. If they don't like it then get the H**L OUT!

 

[Blackfork]

Simpler is better. The government should be tossed out of this question. Open or concealed ought to be up to the citizen.

 

[jselvy]

+100 Blackfork

Jefferson

 

[samtechlan]

I would rarely, if ever, carry openly but I certainly think it should be legal.

 

[brighamr]

I would open carry 99% of the time to show my friends/family/co-workers that guns are not "scary death weapons causing harm on society using cop killing bullets"

I would not open carry at a funeral or a sporting event or any event that would have abundant alcohol for obvious reasons.

 

[jselvy]

Why not at a funeral?

Jefferson

 

[tepin]

I can open carry in MN but dont or have not as of yet. I like the element of surprise on my side. No need to let the scum-bags have a 1-up on me.

 

[tepin]

Or maybe the BG will just walk up behind you while you are looking at the twinkies and put a round in the back of your head THEN ask the clerk for the money.

....I may never get to "pre-make" that choice if I walk into a store and just put a pistol barrel under the clerk's nose. Sure, cops might come, but by default they can't shoot if I don't threaten them.
However, if I walk in the same store and see a .45 on a typical-looking man's side, he is not held by all the same rules and regulations a cop is (or so I believe, being a bad guy). As a matter of fact, he's carrying that gun to kill me. Kill me eh? Well, maybe I'll come back later, or pick another store, or maybe there's more than one gun-packin citizen out there gunnin' for me, but the next one has it under his coat. Maybe I better get a job instead, and live another day....

 

[anotherKevin]

Who resurrected this old thread?

I did. Are you the thread police?

 

[Picknlittle]

I vote yes. I understand the logic behind folks being somewhat un-nerved by the sight of an openly carried handgun, but I think people are more bothered by the concealed gun that is revealed briefly.

What alarms people is seeing anything that they are (1) not accustomed to seeing and (2) by the idea that something is secretive. If you have a rational reason to carry, even if your rational isn't shared by me or others, then by all means openly carry. If more people carried openly, it wouldn't be such a spectacle.

As for being singled out for having a gun, would you rather be singled out for a bad haircut, a really dumb looking hat or maybe a truly reprehensible vulgar tee shirt.

I say tote'em and show'em .

 

[cbsbyte]

Well it all depends on where one lives, and the application. Personally I would not open carry in any urban, or residential area even if the state laws allows it. It brings unwanted attention, and maybe even harassment by uniformed LEOs. While in the great out doors, or on ones own property I don't see an issue with it. For instance in Massachusetts it is legal to open carry, but doing so WILL result in fines, revoking of LTC, and maybe a court hearing. There are a few people I know that do open carry when hunting or hiking in state Forests, but in reality it is just not a great idea in this State.

 

[30 cal slob]

situational for me.

more often than not, i'll OC at any NoVA Starbucks.

seriously - OC where CC not allowed by law.

example: in VA, this is restaurants that serve alcohol.

OC does change the way i consider carrying my pistol.

first off, a retention holster is a must.

secondly, condition 3 is pretty silly. i carry cocked and locked when OC, whereas if I CCW i'm susceptible to being lazy and carrying with no round in chamger.

 

[jselvy]

It is rather too bad that the mere thought of harassment by our oh-so-perfect LEO's is enough to cause us to divest ourselves of our rights willingly.
Has it not occurred to anyone that an application on file is De Facto registration? How about that the ability to regulate is the ability to destroy? If you doubt that please look at your huge collection of post 1986 machine guns.
If you won't stand for an unrestricted right for fear of public disapproval, then what will you knuckle under to next?

Jefferson

 

[Erebus]

In MA it is legal to open carry but not a good idea. You will cause "Man with a gun" calls just about everywhere. The two cops that gave the handgun safety coarse that I took stated it's legal but if you do you will get the cops called on you. And if you cause the police too much trouble the police chief can yank your permit.

I also don't want a potential assailent to know where my sidearm is so he can plan around it.

 

[jlbraun]

If I'm out of cell phone range, open carry.

 

[longwatch]

I open carry in an urban area, a very liberal one at that. I have had almost no problems at all. The only bad incident I had was with the MCPD at Tonys in Manassas, which I don't view as a problem with open carry. Rather I think it is a problem with level of training in that department. I expect they know open carry is legal now.

 

[HiroProX]

Open carry is how I carry.

 

[Rudy Kohn]

Voted "At times"

Open carry is illegal in Texas, of course. I hear there's a movement to change that.

My idea is that I may be open carrying at home and decide to do something outside for a couple of minutes--take out trash/recycling, etc., and it may be more trouble than it's worth to disarm. So, assuming it was legalized, might do so at times, but not for any prolonged periods. Might not at all.