Open Carry. Yes or no?

[fjolnirsson]

Let's say for the moment that open carry is legal in your state, as well as concealed with a permit. How many of you would consider open carry, and why?
I've heard some say it's bad, and should be avoided.
Others seem in favor of it.

 

[telewinz]

Do more harm than good. Scare BG's and Good Guys, too many immature "gunslingers" out there. It would hurt the pro-gun cause.

 

[ChiefPilot]

I don't know that it's always a bad idea, but I generally don't open carry for a couple of reasons :

1) Right or wrong, it freaks some people out, and I'd prefer not to do that.
2) Some places my wife wants to go are posted (Mall of America), but I won't go there without Mr. Slabsides. What they don't know could save my life.
3) I don't have a holster to open carry anything other than my Ruger Mk. II with

-Brad

 

[Yowza]

SC has no open carry, but if it did I suppose I would probably open carry occasionally if the situation warranted it. I can't imagine why I would ever want or need to during the course of a normal day, though.

Rick

 

[Dave R]

I chose "it depends", but the fact is that UNLESS the majority of people carried open, I would still carry concealed.

In a life-threatening situation, the guy with open carry could be the guy that gets killed first (eliminate the biggest threat).

I still believe that the uncertainty over who "might" be armed is a better deterrent than knowing who is or isn't armed.

 

[jwmoore]

I disagree with telewinz. Open carry does not hurt the pro-gun cause. The more the sheeple see a law abiding, non-uniformed person carrying a gun in a non-threatening manner, the more they realize that lots and lots of people own guns and don't go around randomly killing. There's no blood running in the streets, no shooting over insignifigant events.

There will always be the bliss-ninny that calls 911, but hopefully, that will eventually become the minority.

~W

 

[spacemanspiff]

oh the joy of living in a state where open carry is not only 'legal', it is common to see holstered weapons, and no one cares.

 

[CrudeGT]

I would still carry concealed, but it's be nice to know that if I bent the over, or stretchd and my shirt came up, and exposed the butt of my gun, that I would not be going to jail. Also, in the hot summers here in utah, it'd be nice to take my shirt off and just wear my beater, while out walking around, or going out for cigarette, and not having to worry about getting arrested.

 

[Wildalaska]

And Ill tell ya what, if I see someone carrying openly in downtown Anchorage, this blisninny might call 911 himself. Now outside the city...who cares...

WildsheepleAlaska

 

[Jeff Thomas]

Poll doesn't take this into account, but sometimes it's a workplace policy / politics issue. No open carry in TX, and I did occasionally open carry in AZ, while hiking. But, around clients and most business associates, no. Not a good idea. I'm not interested in elevating political statements over business retention ... there are gentler, more subtle ways to argue the cause than showing up at a client's office with my 1911 cocked and locked on my hip.

Regards from TX

 

[Treylis]

I carry openly all the time in Arizona, even in the most urban regions. Never had any problems from police at all.

When I feel more like arguing, I'll jump in the "open carry is good/bad" debate that's already beginning to erupt here. ;-P

 

[pax]

A right that is not exercised might as well not exist ... and soon won't.

pax

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them. -- Mark Twain

 

[jwmoore]

And Ill tell ya what, if I see someone carrying openly in downtown Anchorage, this blisninny might call 911 himself. Now outside the city...who cares...

WildsheepleAlaska

WA,
I'm admittedly ignorant of Anchorage, so I ask, Why?

pax, wonderful point.

~W

 

[Black Majik]

I would if my state allowed it.

Cuz as far as I'm concerned, if open carry is somehow allowed in California I'd have a better chance to carry than getting a CCW permit.

 

[Foe[H]ammer]

Yes because mostly of my mode of dress ... slacks and button ups do not allow for most of the more comfortable modes of carry.

 

[Standing Wolf]

It's a heck of a lot easier to carry more gun more comfortably openly than concealed, and anyway, it would do the sheeple a world of good to see law-abiding American citizens carrying guns openly and safely.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Michigan has open carry in that there is no law forbidding it. It's one of those "just try it!" states. However it would depend on the particular part of the state I'm in, and the circumstances. I'm generally content with concealed, but never hike the wilds of the Upper Peninsula without a slabsided 10 strapped on.

 

[spacemanspiff]

And Ill tell ya what, if I see someone carrying openly in downtown Anchorage, this blisninny might call 911 himself.

you gonna call 911 because someone walking on 5th avenue has a leatherman on their belt?

dont make me start open carrying through spenard just to see how many times you call the po-po.

 

[stevelyn]

Depends. We have both...er three options here in AK. Open carry, concealed w/ AK CHL and of course VT style carry. We can choose any of the above.
However legal, open carry in an urban area like Los Anchorage or even Fairbanks these days draws too much unwanted attention and wouldn't be prudent as a practice. Too many handwringing, panty wetters out there.
In rural communities both on the road system and off, it's not given a second thought. I suppose it would depend on the activity one was engaged in as to how they carry a sidearm.
Hunting, goldpanning, hiking, dinking around in the woods, working on your property, etc. open carry is probably the most practical. Shopping at Wally World, any of the malls, eating out, concealed is the most prudent.

 

[Foreign Devil]

I think it's better when all carry concealed, that way the bad guys never know.

>WildsheepleAlaska<

i thought you said you hated "sheeple" (I hate that word)

 

[gggman]

In most social situations, open carry would draw too much unwanted attention. To each his own, some people like attention, but as someone who has carried concealed for many years, I prefer to keep my weapon concealed. Besides, in Maine, it's illegal to have a loaded weapon in a vehicle without a CCP, so you'd have to unload the weapon every time you got in the car.

 

[P95Carry]

Depends on the (local) political climate.

PA has no written bar on open carry ..... but for the most part there is the concern over ''freaking out'' people. Is it worth the hassle?? Tho as Pax so rightly points out ... a right not excercized will become a right disappeared.

So much seems to be down to compromize .. but, I will and do carry openly at times ... albeit in places non public. I am open carry about the home ... going to mail box .... and when flying R/C planes, invariably am without concealment top garment. I doubt tho I would carry open about town .. added to which, the one big bonus of concealed is the element of ''is he/isn't he'' for the bad guys .... now that is good!

 

[Wildalaska]

i thought you said you hated "sheeple" (I hate that word)

I was being sarcastic.. I despise the word....

dont make me start open carrying through spenard just to see how many times you call the po-po.

I see you on the streets at all, Im callin the cops

WildhelloneighborAlaska

 

[TCD]

In rural communities both on the road system and off, it's not given a second thought. I suppose it would depend on the activity one was engaged in as to how they carry a sidearm.
Hunting, goldpanning, hiking, dinking around in the woods, working on your property, etc. open carry is probably the most practical. Shopping at Wally World, any of the malls, eating out, concealed is the most prudent.

couldn't have been said better myself. I see people open carry all the time outside of cities, however, most people tend to CCW while in cities.

edit:
In Alaska that is

 

[LynnMassGuy]

I wouldn't. I don't need anyone to know when I am carrying and when I may not be. Why show it? What would be gained by it? What is so hard about throwing a shirt over it? Would it issue a chalenge to less lawful citizens? Would it deter someone from confronting me when a civilized confontation is in order? Why clearly mark the unarmed citizens for the bad guys?

My humble opinion.

John