i know my feelings, i ask for yours.
why should i register with the state to ccw when i live in an open carry state?
on the other hand, why should i put up with all the garbage that comes with carrying open when carrying open is my right? should i register with the state to save myself the explaining? do i even owe anyone an explanation at all?
just how militant does it make me to exercize a right? there seems a serious descrepancy between what my rights are and reality.
do i open carry (possibly viewed as civil disobedience) to find out how my local LE feels about it?
-eaux-
I didn't read all 8 pages of responses (for lack of free time) but I'd like to respond to your original post, from my point of view. I've struggled with the issue extensively and finally let it go recently (and without therapy even!).
I live in an open carry state as well, yet I chose to register and apply for my CCW. My reasoning was in part due to the gang activity in my area, but mostly because of the local law enforcement. I'm not a LE basher but I have not been impressed with the level of professionalism our LE exhibits. From my experience OC'ing just begs for attention. I know, it sucks. It is our right but unfortunately our society exists behind such a blanket of wool so that all common sense is confused with political correctness, fear, crime and hatred.
OC'ing has done nothing but brought me pain and suffereing, even from the local LE that don't respect private citizens that OC. I was once asked by a LE officier in a fast food restaurant to stop OC'ing because it made his job harder.
As far as the local gang activity, if you open carry in an area heavily patrolled by gang grunts, you are seen as encroaching on their territory, you're immediately marked and chances of being followed or attacked until your out of the territory is pretty strong.
With a wife and a baby now, I have chosen to swallow my pride and carry concealed where ever I legally can.
I think the most difficult question to answer that you asked is "do I even owe anyone an explanation at all?" Thats a hard one to answer.