Perhaps "middle" was an incorrect word choice; but still, the choices are polar opposites, when both are at least partially true, yet absolutist, and therefore not fully true. I open carry in a police uniform, but must, by policy, conceal when out of uniform under most circumstances, so I have some acquaintance with the subject matter. Looking at the first choice, well, life is not safe, but here are times open carry will increase one's personal safety, and times it will make things more perilous. Looking at the second choice, the presence of a weapon alone is not a dependable deterrent, and of course, the element of surprise cannot exist, assuming the "surprise" is the mere presence of the weapon. The resolute, alert man is the deterrent, and a resolute, alert man visibly armed with a weapon is more of a deterrent. An inattentive man is low-hanging, ripe fruit, ready to be harvested, whether visibly armed or not.
