buck460XVR
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2007
- Messages
- 10,079
I dunno....it was there a minute ago. Maybe another lightning bolt.
open carry: worth it?
- Thread starter -eaux-
- Start date
- Status
I dunno....it was there a minute ago. Maybe another lightning bolt.
smoking357
member
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2007
- Messages
- 104
Huh?
I OC daily, even here in lib-infested Northern VA. I have never been detained or hassled. (well, there was that one time when the helicopter showed up, but there were twenty of us OC'ing at a cookout in a county park). You know what? Most people don't even notice you're carrying. I'm the opposite of an earlier poster - I only CC when forced to. So much more comfortable!
Even in areas where open carry is legal, there are going to be specific places where doing so is a bad idea, because it might trigger some level of drama. I don't like unnecessary drama in my life.
I would also want the ability to travel to other states that recognize non-resident permits, but do not allow open carry.
For those of y'all who know I am a peace officer, yes, I can carry most places under the provisions of LEOSA, but I plan to also get a Texas CHL to back that up, before I retire.
FWIW, Texas, my home state, is not an open carry state for private citizens, and many police chiefs require their officers to carry concealed under most circumstances, including my chief. I do often visit some open-carry states.
Edited to add: In agreement with zoom6zoom, open carry is SO much more comfortable! Even when carrying concealed, in warm/hot weather, it is NICE to be able to shed that jacket or vest occasionally, to let some of the perspiration evaporate.
I would also want the ability to travel to other states that recognize non-resident permits, but do not allow open carry.
For those of y'all who know I am a peace officer, yes, I can carry most places under the provisions of LEOSA, but I plan to also get a Texas CHL to back that up, before I retire.
FWIW, Texas, my home state, is not an open carry state for private citizens, and many police chiefs require their officers to carry concealed under most circumstances, including my chief. I do often visit some open-carry states.
Edited to add: In agreement with zoom6zoom, open carry is SO much more comfortable! Even when carrying concealed, in warm/hot weather, it is NICE to be able to shed that jacket or vest occasionally, to let some of the perspiration evaporate.
Last edited:
Enachos
Member
Buck,
That was a funny post! I too can't stand AT ALL when someone replies with that sort of stuff. As if EVERYTHING hasn't already been discussed.
That was a funny post! I too can't stand AT ALL when someone replies with that sort of stuff. As if EVERYTHING hasn't already been discussed.
Open Carry is great and I support people that band together to make it acceptable in places unused to it. It is far more practical in some situations. Especially in places without many people. Like in the woods or brush. Which can still be illegal, especially if technically within some judicial boundary, or not engaged in hunting or some other exemption.
As a result backpacking or hiking with a gun can be illegal even in the wilderness while concealed carry is not in certain locations.
Or when doing manual labor. Yard work or heavy lifting when you have a chunk of metal pushing into your side is certainly less enjoyable than various forms of open carry.
Or out on a hot day and you want to take off your concealing garment. Or maybe you spill something on the shirt concealing the firearm and want to take it off?
If open carry is legal you can. Otherwise you become inconvenienced.
One of the biggest benefits to open carry is not just open carry, but the ability to carry concealed and not worry if you are printing, or the wind blows your concealment.
Your Concealed Carry firearm can be exposed without people making "man with a gun" calls to the local police because they saw a holstered gun. All because they have come to tolerate people open carrying, so when you open carry for a split second, it is nothing new.
Or you are out with your woman. She decides looking good for the evening in some paper thin dress that shows some skin is more important than being practical and so later on in the evening she is cold. But because you cannot legally carry openly you must keep your own jacket, even if you are more than warm.
It may be dark and there may not be many people around, let alone likely to see a holstered gun in the dark, but the law says it must remain concealed.
You hit a "gun free zone" and along with all the criminals realize you must immediately take off your gun.
While taking off your gun to comply with the asinine legislation someone notices you. But because open carry is illegal they panic. "Someone has a holstered gun!!!!". And you get a nice chat with several paranoid officers and end up late for whatever you were on your way to do, as well as possibly spotted by people seeing you dealing with the police that you did not want to explain the situation to or to know you had a gun.
Yet if open carry was legal and practiced the problem would have been quite unlikely.
There is many benefits to open carry being an option, even for people that do not like to open carry.
As a result backpacking or hiking with a gun can be illegal even in the wilderness while concealed carry is not in certain locations.
Or when doing manual labor. Yard work or heavy lifting when you have a chunk of metal pushing into your side is certainly less enjoyable than various forms of open carry.
Or out on a hot day and you want to take off your concealing garment. Or maybe you spill something on the shirt concealing the firearm and want to take it off?
If open carry is legal you can. Otherwise you become inconvenienced.
One of the biggest benefits to open carry is not just open carry, but the ability to carry concealed and not worry if you are printing, or the wind blows your concealment.
Your Concealed Carry firearm can be exposed without people making "man with a gun" calls to the local police because they saw a holstered gun. All because they have come to tolerate people open carrying, so when you open carry for a split second, it is nothing new.
Or you are out with your woman. She decides looking good for the evening in some paper thin dress that shows some skin is more important than being practical and so later on in the evening she is cold. But because you cannot legally carry openly you must keep your own jacket, even if you are more than warm.
It may be dark and there may not be many people around, let alone likely to see a holstered gun in the dark, but the law says it must remain concealed.
You hit a "gun free zone" and along with all the criminals realize you must immediately take off your gun.
While taking off your gun to comply with the asinine legislation someone notices you. But because open carry is illegal they panic. "Someone has a holstered gun!!!!". And you get a nice chat with several paranoid officers and end up late for whatever you were on your way to do, as well as possibly spotted by people seeing you dealing with the police that you did not want to explain the situation to or to know you had a gun.
Yet if open carry was legal and practiced the problem would have been quite unlikely.
There is many benefits to open carry being an option, even for people that do not like to open carry.
Last edited:
fiddleharp
Member
This open carry subject reminds me of when I was a young traveling musician. There was almost nowhere in the USA I didn't visit in my conversion van, which I also slept in to save money. I often parked in the nightclub parking lot after the gig (with the bar owner's permission), or in highway rest areas, down side streets, etc.
I wish I had a dollar for every time I was roused from my sleep by a cop pounding on the van. I spent years explaining who I was and what I was doing.
Open carry presents the same problem. Sure, it might be legal, but does the cop on the beat know this? Or does he care?
Explaining yourself over and over again gets rather tiresome. :banghead:
I wish I had a dollar for every time I was roused from my sleep by a cop pounding on the van. I spent years explaining who I was and what I was doing.
Open carry presents the same problem. Sure, it might be legal, but does the cop on the beat know this? Or does he care?
Explaining yourself over and over again gets rather tiresome. :banghead:
PX15
Member
Well,
I've said it before and I'l say it again..
I carry a firearm as a last ditch self defense weapon.. I always carry MY weapon concealed.
Here's why..
I DON'T WANT a bad guy who might have such intentions to know I have a firearm...
I DON'T WANT to wear my firearm openly, as IF a bad guy sees you are armed you will, IMHO, be the first to get his attention..:banghead:
I DON'T WANT to wear my firearm openly as it does intimidate some, and generally those intimidated are NOT gun lovers to begin with, and seeing someone, non LEO, carrying a weapon openly, IMHO, only hardens their negative opinion of those of us who appreciate our 2nd Amendment rights.
Yeah I know... Who cares what "they" think?
Well, I think of considering the feelings of folks other than myself in such matters is not necessarily a bad thing.
For me it's not about my "right" to carry a firearm openly, it's more the fact that I think doing so offers more negatives than positives..
So I don't do it.
But that's just me.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
I've said it before and I'l say it again..
I carry a firearm as a last ditch self defense weapon.. I always carry MY weapon concealed.
Here's why..
I DON'T WANT a bad guy who might have such intentions to know I have a firearm...
I DON'T WANT to wear my firearm openly, as IF a bad guy sees you are armed you will, IMHO, be the first to get his attention..:banghead:
I DON'T WANT to wear my firearm openly as it does intimidate some, and generally those intimidated are NOT gun lovers to begin with, and seeing someone, non LEO, carrying a weapon openly, IMHO, only hardens their negative opinion of those of us who appreciate our 2nd Amendment rights.
Yeah I know... Who cares what "they" think?
Well, I think of considering the feelings of folks other than myself in such matters is not necessarily a bad thing.
For me it's not about my "right" to carry a firearm openly, it's more the fact that I think doing so offers more negatives than positives..
So I don't do it.
But that's just me.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
Full Metal Jacket
member
right. this is an exclusive club where you have to be anyone to get in, dude.
fiddleharp
Member
God! I hope this "dude" business goes the way of "groovy!" the leisure suit, Twenty-Three Skidoo, The Cat's Pajamas, the Nehru Jacket, and the pet rock soon!
I'm not sure of how much more of this I can stand!
I'm not sure of how much more of this I can stand!
mljdeckard
Member
Is it not a good idea to have the option?
I open carry when I'm in rural areas in the state. When I'm in downtown SLC, I think it draws attention from people who I want to stay ignorant and silent. They aren't a problem now, why make them a problem?
I was surprised this fall, I was in a very remote mountain town in southern Utah for the deer hunt, in a convenience store grabbing items for the day, with my 1911 on my belt, and I overheard a guy say; "I sure hope he has a permit for that." I considered whether to stop and educate, I decided he was a tourist, and if he didn't say it out loud, I wouldn't call him on it.
I open carry when I'm in rural areas in the state. When I'm in downtown SLC, I think it draws attention from people who I want to stay ignorant and silent. They aren't a problem now, why make them a problem?
I was surprised this fall, I was in a very remote mountain town in southern Utah for the deer hunt, in a convenience store grabbing items for the day, with my 1911 on my belt, and I overheard a guy say; "I sure hope he has a permit for that." I considered whether to stop and educate, I decided he was a tourist, and if he didn't say it out loud, I wouldn't call him on it.
its a classic slippery slope argument. that old lady that was mad you had a .22 with you walking around looking for your dog; is now upset that you are unloading guns from your car in the driveway into the house. now you pull into the garage and shut the door then unload them?
Personally i do open carry; because it shouldnt engender the negative responses listed above, and if more people exercised this right they wouldnt have this reaction.
I do think responsibility and common sense requires at least level 2 retention...
generally my open carry is my g-23, however i do carry a ruger vaquero when hiking, and thanks to the new rule regarding national parks i have alot of new places to go hinking in!
Personally i do open carry; because it shouldnt engender the negative responses listed above, and if more people exercised this right they wouldnt have this reaction.
I do think responsibility and common sense requires at least level 2 retention...
generally my open carry is my g-23, however i do carry a ruger vaquero when hiking, and thanks to the new rule regarding national parks i have alot of new places to go hinking in!
The way I see it is, this whole question hinges on it being 'politically correct'. Those people that are offended think that being 'politically correct' is actually correct. It is not.
They don't care about your rights or mine, they only care about their 'perceived' rights. They don't like it so they think they we should do the 'politically correct' thing and not offend them. This is the only reason we are even having this discussion.
If every gun owner in the US would open carry for a month the shock of seeing a person carrying a weapon would wear off and the problem would mostly go away. Most of the gestapo wannabee LEO's that routinely would harrass law abiding open carriers would get either re-educated or fired.
The reason it is such a hassle today for the individual is because we collectively didn't stand up for our rights in the past.
I don't routinely carry openly or concealed, but I do if I see a need to. The question about carrying shouldn't be 'will I offend someone or be hassled' if I carry. It should be 'do I want to carry today or not'.
These people want us to knuckle under to their desires and every time we do they get stronger and we get weaker, and this is the reason we have this problem now.
I personally think that we should organize an open carry week, which should turn into an open carry future. I know some on here will say that this is too inflamatory, crazy, reckless, irresponsible, etc. Why, because we will get hassled by the man? We already get that. Because we will get ridiculed and verbally harrassed by PC *******s? We already get that. Only when they realize we will stand up for our rights will they leave us alone.
They don't care about your rights or mine, they only care about their 'perceived' rights. They don't like it so they think they we should do the 'politically correct' thing and not offend them. This is the only reason we are even having this discussion.
If every gun owner in the US would open carry for a month the shock of seeing a person carrying a weapon would wear off and the problem would mostly go away. Most of the gestapo wannabee LEO's that routinely would harrass law abiding open carriers would get either re-educated or fired.
The reason it is such a hassle today for the individual is because we collectively didn't stand up for our rights in the past.
I don't routinely carry openly or concealed, but I do if I see a need to. The question about carrying shouldn't be 'will I offend someone or be hassled' if I carry. It should be 'do I want to carry today or not'.
These people want us to knuckle under to their desires and every time we do they get stronger and we get weaker, and this is the reason we have this problem now.
I personally think that we should organize an open carry week, which should turn into an open carry future. I know some on here will say that this is too inflamatory, crazy, reckless, irresponsible, etc. Why, because we will get hassled by the man? We already get that. Because we will get ridiculed and verbally harrassed by PC *******s? We already get that. Only when they realize we will stand up for our rights will they leave us alone.
mljdeckard
Member
killgrill,
It's not the odds, it's the stakes. If you say that the odds of being attacked while carrying are small, you might as well agree with the antis in that being attacked AT ALL is a remote possibility, so why carry at all?
And ask yourself, IF someone is driven enough to attack someone when they KNOW they are armed, how dangerous is that person?
It's not the odds, it's the stakes. If you say that the odds of being attacked while carrying are small, you might as well agree with the antis in that being attacked AT ALL is a remote possibility, so why carry at all?
And ask yourself, IF someone is driven enough to attack someone when they KNOW they are armed, how dangerous is that person?
Everytime this comes up, somebody has to say, "If you are OC'ing, you'll be the first one shot blahblah, blahblah."
Prove it. I'm sick of reading it. Prove it, or just go away.
Yes, there are places and times that call for discretion. But I'm tired of people who are just spreading fear. We get enough of that from the antis.
-Mark
Prove it. I'm sick of reading it. Prove it, or just go away.
Yes, there are places and times that call for discretion. But I'm tired of people who are just spreading fear. We get enough of that from the antis.
-Mark
Hey! I've been looking for a Nehru jacket for a while now. They're so far out of style they're back in. Don't be dissin' the power of Nehru.
As for OC, predators look for prey, the weak. They probably won't be messing with people who carry guns and I have never read of a case where a citizen carrying a weapon was "shot first." If I'm a BG, I'm going to move on to the next target of opportunity.
Erik M
Member
It has been documented on this site by first hand experience and elsewhere on the internet that LEO's will harass you even though the law is on your side.
Recent events in Cali. The officer made referance on Facebook to harassing individuals that OC and possibly shooting one if they did not follow his commands correctly while prone on the ground as he held them at gunpoint.
Recent events in Cali. The officer made referance on Facebook to harassing individuals that OC and possibly shooting one if they did not follow his commands correctly while prone on the ground as he held them at gunpoint.
Gungnir
Member
So does that mean that we should let the Police de facto stop open carry because of harassment?
What next, peaceful protest? Religious groups? How about people driving imported cars? Or listening to a certain form of music. Police harassment is police harassment, like anything if you give in to it, then it will lead to your loss. People died for the right to keep and bear arms, I think it's our responsibility to take a little harassment to keep it.
It's political correctness gone mad, it's perfectly legal, and if I offend someone doing something perfectly legal so what, every time I go somewhere someone offends me, by their own or their kids behavior, or attitude, or comments, or even face. Should I tell them they shouldn't be doing whatever it is because it offends me? No they're not affecting my rights, I expect the same in return.
What next, peaceful protest? Religious groups? How about people driving imported cars? Or listening to a certain form of music. Police harassment is police harassment, like anything if you give in to it, then it will lead to your loss. People died for the right to keep and bear arms, I think it's our responsibility to take a little harassment to keep it.
It's political correctness gone mad, it's perfectly legal, and if I offend someone doing something perfectly legal so what, every time I go somewhere someone offends me, by their own or their kids behavior, or attitude, or comments, or even face. Should I tell them they shouldn't be doing whatever it is because it offends me? No they're not affecting my rights, I expect the same in return.
Erik M
Member
In no way am I saying dont OC because the police state doesnt like it, I just listed those examples because that what someone could could find themselves experiencing. Taking a stand and exercising our right is the only way we will keep it.
jakemccoy
Member
People who whine about others open carrying sound to me like a bunch of over-privileged, annoying, spoiled brats. It's really, really, really difficult to listen to your nonsense. You have more freedoms than you can appreciate.
You folks in "shall issue" states should watch what you wish for because you just might get it. If enough people wish others wouldn't open carry, then you'll get your wish. Your wish will be granted in the form of more gun restrictions, either legislation or law enforcement policies. They'll be more restrictions than you want, and you'll be whining about the good ol' days. For example, your state may decide to outlaw open carry and pass laws that will make your life miserable if you get caught accidentally open carrying. You know that would suck, and don't pretend it wouldn't.
I'm 36. I became a gun owner 4 years ago. At that point, I first learned about concealed carry and open carry for civilians besides cops. It seemed so backward to me that the law in California allows open carry but rarely allows concealed carry permits. After years of reading about this topic, it still seems odd to me.
Anyway, I've said it many times: In California, when someone wants to restrict open carry further, it's a threat to carry generally. Concealed carry is basically not an option in Cali. Open carry is realistically the only legal option in Cali.
You folks in "shall issue" states should watch what you wish for because you just might get it. If enough people wish others wouldn't open carry, then you'll get your wish. Your wish will be granted in the form of more gun restrictions, either legislation or law enforcement policies. They'll be more restrictions than you want, and you'll be whining about the good ol' days. For example, your state may decide to outlaw open carry and pass laws that will make your life miserable if you get caught accidentally open carrying. You know that would suck, and don't pretend it wouldn't.
I'm 36. I became a gun owner 4 years ago. At that point, I first learned about concealed carry and open carry for civilians besides cops. It seemed so backward to me that the law in California allows open carry but rarely allows concealed carry permits. After years of reading about this topic, it still seems odd to me.
Anyway, I've said it many times: In California, when someone wants to restrict open carry further, it's a threat to carry generally. Concealed carry is basically not an option in Cali. Open carry is realistically the only legal option in Cali.
Last edited:
mljdeckard
Member
I would submit, that being patient and civil has gone a long way in Utah, it certainly did more good than being confrontational.
- Status
