Open carry, if its legal for you...

[ezypikns]

whoa......

too much info.

 

[bnkrazy]

I'd suggest not walking into a bank with a gun on your hip. It serves no good purpose, and potentially puts you at a variety of risks, for all the reasons already stated.

I routinely OC in my bank. I already posted about an instance where OC in a bank thwarted a robbery. I suppose that's no good purpose?

And, the stated risks don't hold water with myself or many of those that OC.

 

[outerlimit]

It is legal here, but that means I would have to disarm everytime I went into a public building, higher ed. inst., place that serves alcohol or any of the other myriad of places that CCW is forbidden (even with CCP).

It's much easier and more practical to CCW here.

 

[wrs840]

I routinely OC in my bank. I already posted about an instance where OC in a bank thwarted a robbery. I suppose that's no good purpose?

And, the stated risks don't hold water with myself or many of those that OC.

OK, I'll give you due credit on that, and great if it works for you. I just disagree with those here who imply that those of us who decide to OC some places and CC in others are somehow letting down the brotherhood of armed citizens or speeding the loss of RKBA.

Les

 

[Mags]

In NM you cannot open carry in a bank or a place that sells liquor for off premise consumption but you can conceal carry in those places.

 

[Straight Shooter]

A right unexercised is a right lost.

So someone who carries concealed isn't exercising their right? That's ridiculous.

You have choices in how you exercise your right. You can OC, CC, or just have a firearm for home defense or not have a firearm at all. All of these choices are exercising your right.

Also, someone who CCs has to get a license to do so. That means they have to go to their local sheriff and declare that they are going to be carrying a firearm. This is trackable, how many people get carry licenses can influence politicians.

On the other hand, here in PA, you don't need a license to OC. The only people who know that you are carrying are yourself and the people that you encounter while you are doing so. Those people either will have no effect (they don't care) or a negative effect (they will call the police). I seriously doubt anyone is going to change their mind about guns because they saw you carrying, actually I think it will reinforce their currently held position, pro or con.

I open carry everywhere and haven't had a problem

Never had a problem with what? - other people giving you a hard time? Great! But that's only part of the argument. Many who CC disagree with the tactics of OC. That's not out of fear, its a tactical decision.

 

[bnkrazy]

OK, I'll give you due credit on that, and great if it works for you. I just disagree with those here who imply that those of us who decide to OC some places and CC in others are somehow letting down the brotherhood of armed citizens or speeding the loss of RKBA.

If you think about it, OCers are walking billboards. Like it or not, they are advertisements for firearms ownership. Some, like myself do it to show others that "normal" people own firearms. That's not the only reason, but it is a reason.

I suppose some may think that they are doing more for the RKBA cause by OCing. They may be more visible, but I don't think OCing absolves anyone from writing congressmen, staying abreast of the issues, participating in pro-2A events, donating to pro-2A groups, etc.

To me, it's just one more way to show support for the 2A, so I do it, and encourage others to as well.

 

[Aran]

It is legal here, but that means I would have to disarm everytime I went into a public building, higher ed. inst., place that serves alcohol or any of the other myriad of places that CCW is forbidden (even with CCP).

It's much easier and more practical to CCW here.

You'd still have to disarm in those places if you were concealed.

Unless you're trying to argue that concealed carry is better for ease of breaking the law, in which case, that's absolutely NOT high road.

 

[outerlimit]

Of course.

Who in their right mind would advocate civil disobedience? A person who would do that, would have to be completely insane.

I only do what my government allows me to do, regardless of my rights.

 

[model of 1905]

The Real Mags, there is no law against Open or Concealed Carry in a Bank in New Mexico. You are correct about establishments that sell liquor for offsite consumption, only CCW is allowed. No carry is permitted in any establishment that sells for onsite consumption, however we are trying to get that changed to allow CCW in restaurants.

Btw, concealed carry of a loaded handgun without a permit in New Mexico is a petty misdemeanor.

I am not a lawyer nor am I offering legal advice. Do your own research. The information you receive on the internet is worth what you paid for it.

 

[Aran]

Of course.

Who in their right mind would advocate civil disobedience? A person who would do that, would have to be completely insane.

I only do what my government allows me to do, regardless of my rights.

Could you point out the Right to Break A Law I Disagree With for me?

 

[Mags]

Model of 1905 the Bank thing was what I was taught in CCW class. I will do some research though but not on the internet I seldom believe much I find there.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Technically legal out here in Colorado, but you will likely be harassed by the fuzz, I don't want the attention, nor that enounter with LEO's.

 

[bnkrazy]

Could you point out the Right to Break A Law I Disagree With for me?

Remember, rights exist whether or not governments choose to acknowledge them.

If the government passes a law that denies you one of your Natural Rights, I'd say it is acceptable to disregard that law.

Of course, working to correct/repeal the law is preferable in a system such as ours, but some people don't have that luxury.

 

[Aran]

Oh good, you're one of those guys I'll be seeing on the news.

Can I have your name so I know who to watch for?

 

[TooTaxed]

In my opinion, open carry in urban areas is not a good idea...concealed carry is far preferable.

(1.) It marks you as someone who may be looking for trouble...people who observe you will stay away from you and probably call the police. People will NOT be favorably impressed. Hassles are not enjoyable.

(2.) Someone may scrag you for your gun, the same way they steal guns from the police...one or two guys immobilize your arms, while another grabs your gun and either runs or confronts you with it. NOT fun!!

In summary, CCW provides security while not alarming others. Open carry...in urban areas...alarms others and may not give you security.

 

[RAMRunnr]

The only problem with open carry where I live, North Carolina, is the law reads "as not to terrorize the public". The law is vague as to what terrorizes the public actually means. So if someone calls the police and complains about some dude caring a gun at Walmart, then you might be in trouble. I have open carried without problem on occasion, but I do not make a habit of it. I have the conceal carry permit so I just carry that way so I don't have to worry. I do know of a few guys that do both at the same time. One of them carries a .44 Mag on his hip and a .380 ACP in his pocket. So far not problems, but you never know.

 

[cleardiddion]

I simply do it because I'm not old enough to have a CHL and I don't believe that just because my age doesn't permit me to carry 'normally' or as some others see it as 'the only right way' that I should be defenseless.

I've been open carrying for over a month now and I actually haven't had any sort of problems, this is including the socialist commune of Boulder.
In fact, people who've asked about it have been rather cordial about the issue and I think have actually learned a thing or two about personal rights.

Keep up the good work OC'ers!

 

[Oro]

open carry in urban areas is not a good idea

Yeah, that's the idea that really sinks us all. "Oh, speaking out about what I really think in public would put me on the Gestapo's s*&t list." So I won't. Are there other natural and constitutional right that you feel we should only use in private, not in public?

I open carry when and where I want. Mostly it's rural. But last month I ran my cc license through the washing machine (they are paper here, not laminated, and you are NOT allowed to laminate them). The local PD is anti-gun, so they won't replace my license until the state mandated 30 day period elapses. So I oc downtown. Yes, it freaks people out, but then they have the option to let me cc, but they won't. Live and learn.

The local PD could be more gun friendly and could issue the license when the background check is complete (they actually did it in front of me, then told me they'd hold it for 30 days just to be contrary).

Gun rights are a running fight in this country. If you can OC, do it, to help advance the cause. Don't hide your light under a bushel, if you get my drift...

 

[TAB]

so let me get this strait, you know your cuasing others to worry, but that helps the cuase of the 2a. Please explain how.

 

[jakemccoy]

Some people won't open carry because it's not socially acceptable. Those same people wouldn't carry concealed if it was socially unacceptable. I guess do what the masses tell you is OK. That's the safest way to go.

By the way, there are basically two groups of people posting in this thread: (1) people who cannot legally carry concealed but can legally open carry, and (2) people who can legally carry concealed and also can legally open carry. These two groups might as well be in different threads because they're coming from entirely different perspectives. I'm in the first group.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

Honestly, I think most guys who open carry when they could concealed carry are just fooling themselves into thinking they're scaring criminals or something.

Only reason I could ever see to open carry would be that it's more comfortable.

 

[christcorp]

Personally, if I lived in a place that DIDN'T allow me to conceal carry; but somehow allowed me to OPEN carry (Assuming it's not an age issue); and I felt so frightened that I had to carry OPENLY in public; then I'd be looking for a new place to live. That or else you're too paranoid.

Some people here are just screaming about THEIR RIGHTS. And how that OPEN CARRY is the only way we can ENFORCE our rights. Well, that's a crock of you know what. Having rights; such as right to bear arm; right of free speech; right to freedom of religion; etc... ALSO means that people have the right to NOT have a gun; the right NOT to listen to speech; the right NOT to worship religion; etc.... People know damn well what's appropriate. Whether it's being at the beach in a bikini or at church in a bikini. Whether it's a group of kids walking down the street on a saturday afternoon coming back from a baseball game wearing baseball uniforms; or it's 11pm at night and a "Gang" of kids on the street corner wearing baseball jerseys. Or whether it's someone in hunting clothes, outdoor gear, etc... on his/her way some place and has an open carry sidearm because they are involved with an activity; or someone who's walking around the street, supermarkets, etc... apparently dressed in normal clothes, who is simply either trying to look cool or make a political statement.

I guess I can legally walk around with t-shirts on that say "Abortion is Murder" but I don't. Because the political issues aren't suppose to be fought on the street. Now; if you truly believe that your life is at risk; and that you really need to carry a weapon; then why don't you get a concealed weapons permit? And most states even allow for IMMEDIATE issuance if your life truly seems at risk. E.g. ex-husband stalking you. As far as you aren't 21 and can't carry concealed; how did you survive for 18 years? When I became an adult, I was willing to take on responsibilities in areas that increased the level of risk. As such, I sometimes carry concealed. Some places I go I'm not allowed to carry concealed. But the point is, I don't carry open for POLITICAL reasons. I don't carry open to be COOL. I carry open because I happen to be going between two places where I was using the gun; and I don't want to leave it in the car. It's usually a very quick stop such as a mini-mart.

But I don't walk down the street open carrying. It's not appropriate; unless it's tourist season. Then they all expect us to wear guns and cowboy hats. I actually had people comment because I was working with cattle and was wearing a baseball style cap and sneakers. Yes, I wear boots on a horse. But I'm not going to wear a big belt buckle while riding a horse. And when working on foot, sneakers are sometimes the more comfortable footwear. Same applies with open carry. Doing so for political reasons is wrong. I hurts the cause. You're not helping our rights at all if you make other citizens nervous and infringe on their right to happiness by making them scared. If you want to help the cause, the educate people. The anti-gun crowd. But this whole; right not exercised is a right lost; stuff is just garbage. Such a right will only be taken away because of nervous citizens who are afraid of your guns. They will push for local laws and permits. If they aren't afraid or scared, the citizens won't push for such laws. Most people think it's the government who is trying to take away our rights. That is incorrect. The congress isn't presenting any bills that some group of citizens didn't ask for. Citizens know the difference of you walking into a mini-mart on a weekend with a gun on your side from out shooting or hunting; a person walking down the street on a wednesday afternoon for some other political statement reason.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

Doing so for political reasons is wrong. I hurts the cause. You're not helping our rights at all if you make other citizens nervous and infringe on their right to happiness by making them scared. If you want to help the cause, the educate people. The anti-gun crowd. But this whole; right not exercised is a right lost; stuff is just garbage. Such a right will only be taken away because of nervous citizens who are afraid of your guns. They will push for local laws and permits. If they aren't afraid or scared, the citizens won't push for such laws. Most people think it's the government who is trying to take away our rights. That is incorrect

+1,000.

This is absolutely correct.

 

[wrs840]

^^^^

ditto. Well put.

Les