Open Carry......

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Skinsanity

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:confused: So ... I live in a state where it is LEGAL to carry openly...No big deal and I have on many occasions, Hunting (obviously) , and on my way to or from hunting or the range when I didnt want to leave the pistol in the car when I get gas or run into a store, now around here thats no big deal....HOWEVER, my question lies in this...There are many people here and in other open carry states that beleive they can and should carry openly for both defensive purposes as well as to "spread information and raise awareness of our second amendment rights"...Now maybe I am missing something, but...to the antigunners doesnt this make us look like a bunch of wannabe modern day cowboys, and defeat the purpose of defensive carry by taking away the ability to surprise a would-be attacker...and also, couldnt this make us more likely to be a target, In that, someone may see the gun, and decide to attack with the intent of taking said gun, say by surprise in the parking lot? I know I am rambling, but, I think that Open carry on a regular basis for defense and awareness is pretty much counter productive on both counts...
 
to the antigunners doesnt this make us look like a bunch of wannabe modern day cowboys, and defeat the purpose of defensive carry by taking away the ability to surprise a would-be attacker...and also, couldnt this make us more likely to be a target, In that, someone may see the gun, and decide to attack with the intent of taking said gun, say by surprise in the parking lot?
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This pretty well sums up the reason I carry concealed. That and I don't have a pretty enough carry gun and $400 leather holster.:p
 
I'm not anti-OC, but it feels like waving a "rob my house when you see me leave" flag.

I'm 6'5", and can put people on edge just by looming up unexpectedly. OC would guarantee a visit with LEO every time I went to the store. IWB only for me, hawaiian shirts, and a forced smile even if my joints feel like someone poured sand and salt inside them.

Any smaller framed person, the OC could be seen as a good "keep away" marker in public, but also gives the attacker advance knowledge of where to focus their attention when ambushing you up close.

Use your judgement, but 1 bad act in public is what people remember, no matter how well "behaved" we all are.
 
This issue has been beaten to death. There is no surprise when indeed the victim of the crime has been surprised, there is no tactical disadvantage to open carry. Want proof? The uniformed police open carry...

Why would one think in any way that an anti-gunner is going to become more anti gun if they see someone open carrying? Indeed, it is rare for people to change their positions on topics like this. Seeing a guy pumping gas, shopping or going about his business with a handgun on his person will show that these are normal people.

Give up the "cowboy" idea, it is tired and without merit. I open carry because I decide to, I also conceal carry because I decide to. The idea that "surprise" will help when a criminal has already gotten the drop on a victim is absurd, two surprises a better situation does not make.

Rethink your position, try to strip away all of the culturally implanted Hollywood ideas about carrying a firearm. Is open carry really problematic, I do not think so...
 
Steve...Perhaps I should clarify...These are not MY opinions, these are my perceived possible reactions...I DONT HAVE a position, which is why I came to the High Road to get some information from those that do and dont to decide if I want to open carry or not...So please, before you bare your teeth, Read what I had to say.

Mainsail...Thank you, thats the kind of stuff I was looking for...This is the kind of thing where I want to weigh all of the pros and cons before I take a personal stance and make the choice of my own accord...valuable information...

Regards
 
Open carry invites criminals to attack you, no more than driving an expensive car or wearing a sharp suit and a Rolex. Since most criminals are out to make an easy buck, and are not looking for armed resistance, logic dictates that carrying openly would deter the vast majority of criminals from attempting to victimize you.
 
Also be aware that some cities (read: the one I'm in) do have ordnance against carrying open, regardless of state law.
 
How DARE those vulgar open-carriers with clean criminal records dare offend those who disagree with their lifestyle choices.

Put them all in jail... better yet, burn them at the stake!

Ewwwwww.... he has a gun!... gross me out, and gag me with a spoon!!!
 
Yes Nushif, Fortunately I live in Idaho, and as far as I have read and understand, City ordinances can ONLY limit the discharge of firearms within city limits, carrying is for the state only...
 
The thing is I am thinking of starting to open carry...and was wondering what the general consensus of it here.....So far it appears to be what I have thought all along....
 
General Geoff said:
Open carry invites criminals to attack you, no more than driving an expensive car or wearing a sharp suit and a Rolex.
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Yeah, that sure worked out here: Amazing use of of a 1875 Remington Army .45 Long Colt - THR
some more: OC stops BG in robbery - THR

General Geoff, can you please share with us verified occasions where an open carrying citizen has been attacked by bad guys because they were carrying openly?

. . and more reading on this (very tired) subject:
IWB Carry vs OWB Carry - THR
 
I just don't like any extra attention drawn to myself while in public. It is purely a personal thing and I do not have a problem with other people open carrying. I wouldn't care to open carry around people I know i.e. family cookouts, superbowl party, and such. I would have to invest in a carry gun with a little more "bling" than my beater glock. :D
 
General Geoff, can you please share with us verified occasions where an open carrying citizen has been attacked by bad guys because they were carrying openly?
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nalioth, I believe you misinterpreted my post. I was attempting to convey that open carrying does not invite attackers any more than wearing a sharp suit and Rolex, or driving a fancy car (both perfectly cromulent activities). I myself open carry on a near-daily basis, and I am a very strong open carry advocate. Have been for years.
 
Okay....I agree about the hornets nest thing...Perhaps I need to just go back to lurking the high road....Thanks everyone for the input
 
I would love to open carry, but Missouri seems to be a weird labyrinth of local ordinances which pretty much insure that sooner or later you will find yourself in an area where it is prohibited. I conceal because it's legal everywhere in this state except for the obvious "We're Unarmed, Please Attack Us" zones like schools and post offices.

I think it's sad that open carry isn't more accepted. A lot of times I really wish people knew how many non-violent, responible people are out there, carrying firearms without incident. Open carry is a good way to show that without saying a word.
 
Okay....I agree about the hornets nest thing...Perhaps I need to just go back to lurking the high road....Thanks everyone for the input
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It also depends a LOT upon which forum you are lurking on! For peoples' opinions with the most actual, real life experience with open carrying, I would suggest www.opencarry.org
 
Seems to me that if we want to make gun carrying more acceptable we have to support open carry. Otherwise it's like being gay in the army -- it's OK so long as you don't tell.
 
Missouri is indeed a labyrinth of local ordinances, and with city limits pretty blurry around the St Louis area, you might just get in trouble by crossing a parking lot because you are now in a different township! I know here in Festus OC is legal, but the LEO's would prefer that one doesn't simply because we have Crystal City, our "twin city" where they have an ordinance against it, and the city limits wriggle all over, not sure even the two agencies know EXACTLY where one is one and not the other. So I CC, lol.
 
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