Open Carry Poll

[1911Ron]

I open carry when ever i can. Arizona does not allow us to carry (open or otherwise) into resturants that serve alcohol:banghead: i'm hopeing to convince our legastlature to change this.

If more people OC the "sheep" will be more comfortable with it (hope hope)

 

[TallPine]

I dont like the idea of somebody standing in line behind me checking out my piece. Unless you are trained in weapon retention I think its a bad idea.

Yeah, but it would be a great exercise in situational awareness.

Sometimes I will hook a thumb in my back jeans pocket so that my arm blocks access to my sidearm. Or hook thumb or fingers in front pocket and keep elbow tucked in over the grip.

As far as clothes, just fit in with the local area, and reasonably neat and clean. I wonder though, if a solid, light to medium color button up shirt sorta implies some sort of security without actually impersonating anyone...? I haven't had any problems so far - just some "I wish I could carry at work" grumbling at a place of business.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

In fact, it's legal in 43 states, most just don't know. I make sure to carry laws and paperwork to prove to uninformed officers that it is infact legal, since I don't want to be arrested.

43 states?

It sure would be nice if you could back that up, because after spending a lot of time on www.packing.org, and lesser amounts of time on both the handgun law site and www.opencarry.org I don't get the sense that there's anywhere NEAR 43 states that allow open carry.

 

[expvideo]

The map on page 2 already backed my statement up.

The red states are the only 7 (subtract from 50 and your get 43) that don't allow. The orange states allow, but there are strict laws regarding how and where.

 

[10-Ring]

I support carry of any kind in an effort to turn the tide in my state.

 

[MCgunner]

It'd be fun to go to the store with my engraved Blackhawk .45 in a thumb strap western Buscadero rig. I might try that a few times if I could. Walmart probably wouldn't mind. Other than that, CCW is the way I would go.

Actually, I think my Blackhawk, or a SA revolver, would be a good open carry. It'd be fast out of the holster and quick on target even if it's slow to reload. Could always carry the 9mm in the pocket like always. And, you gotta figure starin' down the muzzle of a single action .45 with the hammer back has got to give you pause.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I support open carry and do it sometimes around the house. Used to be the neighbors stared, not knowing what to think. Now it doesn't get a second look. In Michigan there is "no law against open carry," but in the words of my instructor, "Just try it!" I would love to see the MCPL cover it also. In other words if you have a CPL, you don't get the hassle from the cops due to people shrieking. If nobody complains, no harm no foul. If they do, "CPL? Sorry for the inconvenience sir."

Before anybody starts, I agree with you that if there isn't any law against it, cops shouldn't be hassling you anyway. Trust me, in MI they will. You may win in the end, but at what cost? And how many times are you going to go through it? The CPL should be a pass for the grey areas such as "open carry" and "printing."

"Sorry lady, he's licensed. He can carry that gun as legally as I."

 

[Stauble]

i wish Florida would allow open carry. it would be soooooo much more comfortable. its quite annoying carrying around a conceled weopn in 90+ degree weather.

 

[SoCalShooter]

1911ron: seems a little silly not to allow people to carry into a restraunt that sells alcohol, all you gotta do is post a sign that says "any person carrying a firearm cannot be served alcohol" problem solved...atleast to me anyways.

 

[glennv]

I have never seen anyone open carry in RI but it is legal. You'll get shot though.

 

[FTF]

Open carry is OK where I live if you have a permit.

I've open carried just a few times. Going to the range, I've open carried. A few times I ran out to get gas and said to heck with putting on a bigger shirt and just left it open instead. At my apartment going to check the mailbox, take out the trash or run to my car for something I open carry just because it's just a 1 or 2 minute thing.

Normally it's concealed. I will, however admit that I really don't make much effort to avoid printing. It's concealed, but if someone looked hard enough I'm sure they could figure out I had a pistol, if they knew what to look for. Thing is, most people don't even look, notice or even care. Most probably think it's a blackberry or something.

I don't open carry because I don't want people staring, it scares people in the city and I would rather have it as my ace in the hole to tell the truth.

 

[Zonamo]

what the heck does "anomylous" mean (since I'm in an orange, anomylous state) ?

As others said, anomalous means that open carry is allowed in certain places and/or under certain conditions. For example, Nevada is a traditional open carry state but local jurisdictions like North Las Vegas have severe restrictions-like a little piece of New York or Illinois out west

Gold Star states have open carry explicitly allowed by law with no pre-emption, meaning local jurisdictions cannot pass more stringent rules.

Check your specific state at the open carry website to see what and where there are restrictions.

Open Carry.Org

Open carry used to be a lot more common when I was younger, before the state started to get a little California and Illinoid. A friend used to work at the County dispatch and said they often had calls like this, especially during snowbird season:

Frantic caller: There's a man walking down the street with a gun!

Dispatch: Calm down ma'am. What's he doing?

Frantic caller: He's got a gun!!!

Dispatch: And?

Frantic caller: And?! He's got a gun!!! Aren't you going to do something?

Dispatch: You're not from around here, are you ma'am?

 

[grampster]

I am a proponent of concealed carry. I am opposed to open carry.

I believe knowledge is when one knows that he doesn't know. Universal concealed carry imparts the possibility that people around one MAY be armed. This knowledge may mitigate criminal acts but at the same time not distress the Eloi. Two plusses. The less an armed person does to draw attention himself, the safer everyone is, especially the fellow who is carrying concealed. This sort of safety is accomplished by not having to give up any civil right. Some may say that open carry is the ultimate freedom. I don't necessily agree. I believe concealed carry creates more freedom because one gains or keeps the freedom of anonimity as well as keeping and bearing arms along with the rest of the freedoms we have.

Let's face it. Why in the world do we in the firearm culture seem to think that openly carrying a firearm around in public is a necessary exhibition to ratify the fact that we are a free society?

You know, the 2A speaks to the fact that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Why? Well, it was because the founders, those of the anti federalist ilk, were afraid of standing armies. They insisted upon a B of R.

They knew a "militia", all able bodied men of a certain age, was necessary to the security of a free state, paticularly since they, the founders, were not enthralled with standing armies. Since the militia was not a standing army, they needed to have private arms; "...shall not be infringed". The founders also required that militia be "well regulated'. Yes! I understand regulated is a term that had a different meaning then than it does now. Well regulated meant that the militia be familiar with the manual of arms; how to use and handle them, so that they would be a usefull tool if needed.

To walk around with a sidearm openly displayed, or to be accustomed to walking around with a rifle slung over one's shoulder while at Wally World picking up pablum for the baby, is not efficacious, nor is it necessary for the readiness of an individual. To expect that a person who chooses to be armed be a might circumspect in doing so, does not, imho, infringe my right to keep and bear arms.

Carrying a proper sidearm, concealed, on the other hand, does smack of being properly regulated because one has to put some thought into the type of firearm being carried and the manner it is carried. It also implies that a person might have indulged in some practice in going around in that state. The person who would put this kind of thought into the manual of arms, probable would be more effective in the proper handling of a circumstance.

Just my .02¢. Oh, and I've been carrying concealed since 1964 and never have felt the need to do otherwise.

 

[NineseveN]

grampster, that's awefully shaky reasoning if one were to use it as an argument to prohibit what others do. If that's your own mantra for why you don't do it, kudos to you, but that kind of insight doesn't really make a compelling argument in regards to the conduct of others.

Just a handful of shillings for thought.

 

[SoCalShooter]

A show of force can be a deterrent in its self and so can covert force. i say both are useful.

 

[grampster]

The previous remarks are just my thoughts, nothing more. I wonder why some folks are so adamant about open carry. I've handled firearms most of my life, about 50 years. If I was out and about and observed someone openly carrying a sidearm, it would cause me to wonder about the motivation of that person.

I do not live my life in condition red. I see no point in that. Carrying concealed, to me, is like carrying a pen, or a pocket knife, some cash or a debit card. It's about being prepared to be able to accomplish things if necessary. Open carry bespeaks aggression rather than preparedness. I no more see the need to openly carry a firearm than I do walking around with wad of cash in my hand.

 

[Zonamo]

If I was out and about and observed someone openly carrying a sidearm, it would cause me to wonder about the motivation of that person.

Your belief that someone openly carrying is somehow "trying to make a point" is one of those misperceptions that more common open carry would dismiss.

Time was around these parts it was the only way one was allowed to carry, and as such was a display that caused no one to "wonder about motivation."

Today it's still the only way to carry for those that don't want or don't have a "special government permit," and it's still a sight more comfortable even for those of us that do.

Maybe a permit is required in your state to carry a pistol at all, and maybe you don't like to openly carry yourself. I respect your personal choice.

But IMHO there is no more reason to question the motivation of someone for "brazenly" carrying their firearm openly than there is to question someone for "surreptitiously hiding" a pistol on thier person.

If they are peacefully and lawfully carrying thier sidearm, it shouldn't matter one iota whether it is carried concealed or in plain sight.

 

[LoveMyCountry]

Grampster,

Let's face it. Why in the world do we in the firearm culture seem to think that openly carrying a firearm around in public is a necessary exhibition to ratify the fact that we are a free society?

Why did Rosa Parks not just move to the back of the bus? Why did black students engage in peaceful sit-ins at whites only lunch counters?

If you cannot exercise your rights, do you really have them?

LoveMyCountry

 

[RNB65]

Open carry is like gay men kissing in public. It may be legal, but it makes everyone nearby uncomfortable.

When folks who are neutral on the gun control issue are made to feel uncomfortable in public places, it will only cause them to move away from their neutral position and towards supporting gun control efforts. Not good.

I say carry concealed or don't carry at all.

 

[Zonamo]

It may be legal, but it makes everyone nearby uncomfortable.

I hear there are places where women taking off their burhkas in public "makes everyone nearby uncomfortable." If a right that irrationally offends should not be exercised, then those women should stay covered up so as not to hurt the cause of rights for women.

Of course in other places, uncovered women doesn't cause discomfort to others.

Good thing there are still places in America where an uncovered gun doesn't either.

 

[NineseveN]

Open carry is like gay men kissing in public. It may be legal, but it makes everyone nearby uncomfortable.

Well yeah, because we all know how gays kissing in public turned out...


Gay shows on TV, well known figures "coming out", homosexuality becoming more and more accepted overall. Yes, what a terrible example to set.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

homosexuality becoming more and more accepted overall.

It has!?!? Damn, so much for doing this just to pi$$ people off.

Open carry is like gay men kissing in public. It may be legal, but it makes everyone nearby uncomfortabl

Trust me, it dosn't make everyone uncomforatable.

And you know what they say about people that get too uncomfortable about it... they are afraid they might like it too much.

Although I do hate to see most types of PDA. I think some things are for behind closed doors or private situations. I closed mouth kiss is ok but people that go at it in public gross me out.

 

[LoveMyCountry]

When folks who are neutral on the gun control issue are made to feel uncomfortable in public places, it will only cause them to move away from their neutral position and toward supporting gun control efforts. Not good.

A move from neutral can go both ways. How many people on that bus or in that restaurant came away with their views changed for the better? Why would seeing an armed person going throughout their day, doing the same things as everybody else, raising a family, shopping for groceries, make them think anything bad about guns?


LoveMyCountry

 

[razorburn]

expvideo, you open carry in Everett? Wow, I'm rather shocked you haven't been hassled by the police for it. I would consider open carry if I did not worry about the hassles that would come iwth it.

 

[Axman]

Hmm, walking down a nude beach with nothing, but a six gun on, not a good picture....

I shudder to think where you might conceal it, OWWWWCH!