Open Carry Encounters

[NavyLCDR]

These "activists" are only making it more difficult for the rest of us.

Seems like the "activists" did pretty damn well in Arizona and Wyoming. Without "activists", no statutes loosening gun control would be proposed or passed.

 

[Rail Driver]

I've only had positive or neutral reactions primarily. I OC any time I'm in a state which allows it and my wardrobe permits (otherwise I'm concealed, w/ CWL).

I've also experienced first hand that open carry can help deter crime. While in line to pay in a gas station in Kentucky around 1am, three males that appeared to be in their 20's or late teens came in at the same time acting in a very suspicious manner (heads slunk down, hands hidden in pockets, sunglasses late at night, bandannas, tattoos, whispering to each other) while a fourth waited in a running car outside. I observed one of the group notice my handgun and whisper to the others pointing it out, resulting in the group leaving without ever coming in past the door.

Perhaps they were just uncomfortable with the sight of my firearm, or thought I was a cop and they smelled like drugs, I don't know, but myself and the clerk both agreed that it was a good thing they noticed my pistol and decided against whatever they had planned.

 

[Lou McGopher]

Just a note:

I would rather the thread not get too far away from being a recounting of reactions experienced while open carrying.

 

[rbernie]

OC'ed a bunch of times in northern VA back between 1985-1995, usually because I rode a motorcycle around (didn't have a car) and carrying the gun concealed was illegal whereas OC was not. Got one MWAG call on me in Arlington, and the police were polite and thorough. Took me about 20 minutes to get through the wickets that they erected (check me for outstanding warrants, check the gun S/N to see if it showed up stolen).

Getting gas was always interesting - most folk got nervous but none of them ever had the gumption to engage me in conversation.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

New Hampshire may soon get Constitutional carry, it was heard in the Senate last Wednesday.

 

[Kleanbore]

What difference does it make if it [(open carry)] is legal or not if you can't do it when it's legal because of the threat of possible illegal government action against it?

The primary concern among CC people and CC-supporting law enforcement officers with whom I have talked is that the new criminalization of open carry may lead to charges against those who carry concealed who have inadvertently exposed parts of their firearms.

A secondary concern is that waving a red flag in front of the overwhelming number of people in the urban areas who still strongly oppose concealed carry (for idealogical reasons--there haven't been any problems so far) may fuel a campaign against the state preemption section of the concealed carry law.

We have had one community pass an anti open carry law with no apparent triggering event, at the same time passing anti-CC law in spite of state preemption.

 

[IlikeSA]

I've open carried in the Denver metro area (not Denver itself) twice in the past week, and the first time had nothing said to me, anywhere. Friday though, my wife and I were walking from Old Navy to TJ Maxx, and I passed an officer talking on his phone in his patrol vehicle. Upon leaving TJ Maxx, he comes up and asks if he could chat with me. Im always open to talking to officers, being a former one myself, and trying to get some beta on the area, so I say sure, what's up? He asked if I was carrying on a badge or permit. I said I was not carrying on a badge but open carry was legal here, with or without a permit. I still showed him my permit, and of course he wanted to run it. Go ahead, I said. He tried to tell me it was a CONCEALED carry permit, which I replied that it was a Georgia WEAPONS permit, allowing me to carry any way I wanted, and any weapon I wanted. I told him that the reciprocity was good, and that I was well within compliance with Colorado state law (where it is only for handguns), which he acknowledged.

He said he knew it was legal to open carry, but some people in the area get kind of upset, so could I please cover it up. I said that I didn't mind, as long as it was a request, which it was.

So far, that is the only noticeable reaction I have gotten since I open carried here. There was a hiking trail thing when I was chatting to a person about the trail, and then they got a funny look on their face, and walked away with their group quickly. Maybe they weren't used to seeing open carry in National Parks, but I don't know if it was that or something else.

 

[Lou McGopher]

If a cop asked me to cover up, I'd politely decline. If a property owner asked me to cover up, I would probably politely excuse myself from their property. So far, I've not had either situation occur, though I do now feel more compelled to a pressed button-down or polo shirt, instead of some worn out, decade old t-shirt.

Half the time I'm out and openly carrying, I have my daughter with me. I can't imagine I look too threatening with a nine-year-old girl skipping around me, asking for toys or candy, and hanging off my arm like I'm part of a jungle gym.

 

[Ala Dan]

Alabama AG Opinion 84-00205

Until last week, I've never-ever had a problem [or comment] from anyone
while open carrying. On Saturday, the 23rd of April '11 I had a brief but
courteous discussion with a Jefferson County, AL sheriffs deputy (whose
name I will omitt on purpose); about "open carry" under Alabama law.

While it was agreed that former AG Charles Graddick's opinion #84-00205
is still the law of the land; this deputy claims "it only goes so far, and covers
you only on land that YOU own". He stated that if a person open carries in a
public place, where "widespread panic" by citizens may occur, then it is to be
considered illegal, and the weapon must be concealed. Rather he is right or
wrong, we are still friends and crime fighter brothers~! NO harm, and NO
foul - so all is well.

 

[jiminhobesound]

I have no encounters here in Florida. However, as a aside, being an old man, The negative reactions are reflections of a very segmented society. I have a lengthy, will not relate it here, diatribe on the value of the draft. One of the virtues was throwing peoplel from many diverse segments of society together in boot camp. In the following years of active service those diverse groups usually shared experienceces that molded an American different from today's breed.

 

[PATH]

NYS resident who cannot carry handgun openly!

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Only negative reactions have been from Police officers and one soccer mom who was full of lurid fantasies about what might happen if I "snapped."

 

[merlinfire]

might happen if I "snapped."

What happens if she snaps while driving down highway 75 in her hummer?

 

[Ryanxia]

I rarely OC but ony two comments come to mind.

1) (Family was up from Mass) Mother: "Put that away" Me: "Nope"

2) "Are you a cop?" Me: "Nope, just like to shoot"

I prefer CC.
<deleted>

 

[Jonah71]

It's just too normal around here. Very few comments unless it's simple curiousity concerning brand and/or caliber. But there are more CCW than OC.

 

[Steve Raacke]

I OC everywhere and often get the Are you a Cop question. Had a lady ask me yesterday as we were leaving the grocery store. I told her "No". When she asked me why I carry a gun I replied like I always do...."Zombies."

 

[GoWolfpack]

I count eight times in slightly more than a year of open carry that someone has commented on my gun to my face. All were either enthusiastically positive or neutral. Had a very nice cordial conversation with a man in Lowes about shooting in general.


I feel that it is a good thing for people to see an ordinary person doing ordinary things who just happens to be carrying a gun.

 

[Geckgo]

I live within 1000 ft of a school, OC is out unless I stay on my own property, which I usually do

 

[TrickyDick]

LOL, I have people ask me "Why do you carry a gun?" I simply reply, "Why DON'T YOU carry a gun?" They're usually baffled, and so I just give them some food for thought and say "Remember, when seconds count, the police are only minutes away." Some understand, and some aren't exactly the brightest crayons in a box. So for those, I thoroughly explain the core idea and basic law of my state (Maine). that usually does it, and of course they'll always be that one who just can't understand that the common citizen has a right to carry.

 

[Cosmoline]

I've had a few slack-jawed stares from out of towners and tourists when carrying long guns or handguns openly, but mostly they're accepted. Never had problems with the authorities. I've had only a few aggressive reactions. One from some German tourists and another more recently from a "soccer dad" who confronted me about the item in my backpack scabbard at the bookstore. The item in question was my walking stick! This may have some links to the assault umbrella case, since it seems certain antis are so ignorant of firearms that a stick looks more like a rifle than a rifle. They have no frame of reference.

 

[Monkeyleg]

One from some German tourists...

What is it with German tourists?

 

[milefile]

People noticed. Of course they did. I notice. But I appear to be a balanced and responsible man so people don't freak out.

 

[ccw_steve]

I agree completely with NavyLT's comments.

Kleanbore, doesn't it just indicate that there is a problem with the way our system works? I think that as long as people are responsible with open carry, we (the RKBA movement) should be supportive. If it leads to more criminalization of CC, then OC has just advanced the schedule a notch or two. Eventually there will be a showdown between liberty and tyranny, and it will happen regardless of what the RKBA community does. I hate to be a pessimist, but I think it always gets worse before it gets better.

 

[au01st]

Been kicked out of stores (against their store policy...that one went up the chain and I am now welcome back openly carrying).

Been hassled by LEO: "You need to cover that." Me: "No, thank you." LEO: "I could arrest you." Me: "OK." I continued shopping and was not arrested.

Had the opportunity to educate a few sales clerks about OC, as well as a few folks at the gun counter.


I'm a big guy, and can't think of a comfortable way that my XD 45 will conceal, so it sits in a nice leather holster on my hip. I also do my best to not dress like a bum, and I think most people don't even notice.

 

[SimplyChad]

Only open carry while in new Mexico. (still can't in the great State of Texas). most people dont notice but this weekend I was in Ruidoso with the wife and a few friends. All of us were OC. Anyway we were shopping after a hike. Very friendly town had the dog on a leash and a woman in a very funny outfit comes up to the left side of the group and proceeds to tell us that we should be ashamed of ourselves for bringing such a vicious breed into public. (there's a back story there I won't go into) anyway we all turn to face her and being right handed it's the first time she sees the guns. She then screams about it on a crowded street asking if our man killer dog and guns made us feel big. after that we passed each other like 4 time all four times she would do something to point them out until one of the locals told her to mind her own business.