Open Carry Poll

[Zonamo]

I can understand the rationale of those that prefer to carry concealed for "tactical" reasons. But objecting to open carry because it might instill hoplophobia in others is the worst of reasons to oppose the practice.

Hoplophobia (n.): The irrational fear of weapons, correctly described by Freud as "a sign of emotional and sexual immaturity". Hoplophobia, like homophobia, is a displacement symptom; hoplophobes fear their own "forbidden" feelings and urges to commit violence. This would be harmless, except that they project these feelings onto others. The sequelae of this neurosis include irrational and dangerous behaviors such as passing "gun-control" laws and trashing the Constitution.

-- Eric S. Raymond

 

[strambo]

I fully support everyone's (every citizen's) right to do so for whatever reasons they want. Whether or not I would depends on the situation. Even if I thought it was the stupidest idea in the world...that would (should) have no impact on someone else's right to do so as long as it isn't endangering anyone else's rights (which it doesn't).

 

[Glockfan.45]

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

Dammit I got soda all over my keyboard now.

 

[Hobie]

It has likely already been noted that open carry is permitted in VA and in fact is permitted in some places concealed carry is verboten.

 

[longwatch]

Like Hobie said

Sometimes you may have to open carry because that is the only legal way to be armed. In Virginia, OC is a the only legal way to carry when in a restaurant or club that serves alcohol. OC is also the only option for those who are under 21, or those who don't have a permit or can't get one but can be legally armed. We haven't seen any backlash against gun right here in Virginia since open carry has been revived. People do not freak out, and for the most part do not notice or do not overtly react if they do. I know this because I not only support open carry I do it often. I live in the suburbs of Washington DC and in about 2 years of regular open carry around here I haven't had the cops called, or been harrassed by anyone, or been kicked out of any place. It wasn't always this OC friendly though, it took publicity and few incidents like the Champs and Starbucks deals to get it this way in Virginia.

 

[ocam]

I'll admit I am guilty of the concealed carry of arms( I am licensed). I don't feel comfortable about it, but I feel forced to by current attitudes. I do this to ensure I don't alarm people not used to seeing them. I would think that it would be opposite of what they should be alarmed by.

For example, carrying a baseball bat openly is perfectly legal. I've never had any funny looks when having one in hand. Now if I was to walk up to you with a bat concealed behind my back and you noticed, you would be right to conclude I was up to something. I would rightly get shot.

Walking open carry, I am letting you know that I am armed and therefore I mean no harm. I am not hiding a gun and waiting for when you least expect it to use it on you. In fact when I carry concealed, that is my worry, someone will misinterpret my carry.

Concealed weapons were thought to be the domain of outlaws and highwaymen previously in our history. Trying to search for quotes but I could only find the one below. I know there is a great one by Benjamin Franklin.

ocam

"I find this corpse guilty of carrying a concealed weapon and fine it $40." - Judge Roy Bean, finding a pistol and $40 on a man he'd just shot

 

[mikeb3185]

i would like the option, only because in new york conceild means conceild, if someone sees your weapon you can kiss your permit goodbye

 

[Sry0fcr]

I support it and I'd do it just to stop worrying about what kind of holster to buy...

 

[Mr. James]

I support it and I often do it. Most people assume I'm a cop. Just yesterday, had a hilarious conversation with the owner of a local bagel shop who tried to assure me that I am, or at least had been at one time, a policeman. He never said as much, but I'm pretty sure it had to do with the 1911 he'd glimpsed on my hip.

In fact, as mentioned, in Virginia, I am forced to uncover if I go into a restaurant that serves alcohol.

 

[GeorgiaGlocker]

I support it but I would not do it. I only conceal carry. Although here in Georgia, open and conceal carry are both legal. Some states just allow open carry. That is why I support it. I just feel more comfortable with conceal carry. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I do it and I support it... Colorado is an open carry state.

but some common sense is in order.

Starpping on a hi-drag lo-speed tac rig and a half a dozen magazines to go fetch a gallon of milk at #:30 am isn't the same as packing a sidearm on a hike.

One might assume in situation 1 that you are looking for trouble, while in situation 2 that you are just 'woodsy.'

If anything when you are carrying, concealed or openly you should take pains to be polite and courteous.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I support it but only do it when I'm out in the back country. It's a huge no-no in DC where I work, and not particularly well received in Northern VA where I live. Go down towards Fredricksburg or Orange...nobody bats an eye, especially during hunting season.

 

[ajax]

Some guys have said they don't want the bad guys to know they're armed ,or the police so they won't get hassled. I have to agree with Tall Pine on this one. It's your constitutional right to own and carry. If a criminal see's me armed he knows the possible out come. If he see's me without a gun he see's a possible mark. I'm not worried about the police because I'm a law abiding citizen who would be exercising his constitutional rights. I just wish I lived in a state where I could make that choice, instead I'm still fighting it out in the great state if Chicago.

 

[LaVere]

Michigan Open carry

I would like to be more comfortable with open carry here in Michigan. I have a CCW but sometimes I take off my outer garment or jacket and then stop for gas or other quick stop. I then have to put the garment back on. To do that sitting down is not easy for me. So I get out, standup, then place my jacket on. " just a pain." I may just stop that all together. I have, just to amuse myself removed the gun set on the floor and go in with just the hoster showing. In the colder seasons I have too many layers on so I'm always concealed.


.

 

[LoveMyCountry]

I just wish I lived in a state where I could make that choice, instead I'm still fighting it out in the great state if Chicago.

Ajax,

It's simple, just point your car west and go 1896.94 miles.

LoveMyCountry

 

[got cope?]

Open Carry

If more people did it, the uncomfortable would become more comfortable seeing someone open carry.

 

[Standing Wolf]

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

 

[Byron Quick]

If you don't assert rights, don't be surprised when the government follows your lead, friends.

Penguin, your poll needs another option: "I support open carry, have open carried in the past, and will do so in the future."

Before Georgia issued carry permits, open carry was legal without permission. Of course, our masters didn't like that and while concealed carry with permission was allowed eventually, the same statute made open carry without a permit into the misdemeanor of 'carrying a pistol without a license.' Second offense is a felony. The relevant statutes might make the second offense a felony only if penalties are still in effect over the first offense-I'm not sure of that.

As far as people being made uncomfortable by open carry...I don't know how or what is being carried to make them so uncomfortable. My experience with open carry is different in that the vast majority of people-about 90%-are completely oblivious to open carry. Most of the remainder notice but ignore it. The only comments I've ever had were assumptions I was an undercover police officer. Right. Shoulder length hair, bell bottoms, and sandals-open carrying a BHP...I'm undercover alright.

Open carry bespeaks aggression rather than preparedness.

Therefore, grampster, concealed carry bespeaks hidden aggression, correct? Simple tests reveal fallacious logic, friend. Aggression is an act not an attitude. It is possible that open carry could be a symptom of aggressiveness in an individual but concealed carry wouldn't change that attitude or even hide it.

 

[ugaarguy]

I support it and do it (when I'm not deployed). Idaho is open carry. I carry when bumming around in the desert sage there and when I'm out at the range. No one there really cares beause most everyone owns a gun or several guns.

 

[skers69]

I wish I could. Both sides of Kansas City and the towns around it have laws on the books that prohibit open carry. I would do it in a heart beat if I could. Missouri has had CCW for a while. Kansas just passed it and will issue permits starting Jan 1. This brings up a good point.

I really can not CCW in Kansas. My work will not allow me to have firearms on company property. So during work hours I am forced my hand and can not CCW. I can not afford to lose my job. And most big corps have the same type of restrictions on weapons on company property.

At Home I could do as I wish. On the open streets I can not defend myself. I have been struggling with this for some time now. Do I get a CCW permit and somehow find a place to park off of company property? This would expose my vehicle to possible theft....gun inside. Or do I just submit to the man and not have the ability to defend myself? Hard questions that I have not come up with any answers to.

I wish open carry was a option.:banghead:

 

[stevelyn]

Support and do when appropriate for me.

 

[Mousegun]

The Tn. lawmakers (for a major change) were smart enough to keep the word "concealed" out of the equation when the carry laws were imposed. This prevents someone from getting pegged if their gun accidentally shows while in public.

The problem is that there are too many displaced northeners, like myself, who may freak if they saw a horrible gun because many have come from states that just don't get it yet, ---- like myself.

But now that I have displaced, I have seen the light (and it is often the flash of the muzzle while at the practice range) and although open carry is an option in Tn. I choose to keep it closed as not to shake up the hood.

 

[cbsbyte]

I support, though don't practice, open carry for hunting, hiking, camping where legal and on ones own property but not for walking around town. I just don't see the point in it since CCW is muchless attention graping in public. Who wants to be constantly annoyed by police yelling to drop your weapon everytime a blissninny calls the police about a armed man on the street. Society has changed too much to allow open carry in public. In Mass it is legal to open carry in public but is ill advised since one could get arrested for brandishing and loose ones CCW. The only times you will see people open carry is during hunting season(with a hunting permit) or on private property with permission of the owner.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I saw a guy in plain clothes at the Wal Mart open carrying in a
holster and I thought nothing much of it. He could have been
off-duty police or a citizen with a handgun carry permit (like me).
I don't think too many people gave him more than a first glance.
No one got bent out of shape over it.

My only problem is, car-jackers or stick-up men would know who
to avoid in the parking lot.

 

[JesseL]

I support and practice open carry. The area I live in may be the open carry capital of the US .

In a free society, nobody should be afraid to do something that is legal and safe just because of the irrational concern it may cause others. If people are alarmed by the sight of my weapon, that is their problem - not mine. I can't be responsible for the phobias of every irrational person out there. There is nothing more special or deserving of consideration about hoplophobes than there is about people who are afraid of black cats or bright colors.