Open or Concealed

[riceboy72]

I'm of the opinion, too, that concealed is the only way to carry. Woods or gun shop or range, it's always concealed on me.

 

[Evil-Twin]

Pa is an open carry State

I live in the suburbs of a large city... no one carries open here in the south eastern part of the state, but when I go upstate, Potter, Pike, Sullivan, counties, I open carry because all the locals do.. I've been carrying as a civilian for 35 years..

 

[shafter]

I've always wondered how looking like you could protect yourself somehow made you more
of a target than looking like you were unable to protect yourself.

I often wonder the same thing. I have several thoughts on the subject. I don't think one method has a clear tactical advantage over the other. The person who open carries will never know what threat was just mitigated because a would be perpetrator saw a gun and decided to quietly back off. It's well known that criminals target the weak and not the strong.

The thought that a criminal might spot someone open carrying and take him out, or make a gun grab is valid, but how often is that really happening out there? I don't know.

Lately I've been open carrying more often. As a cop I don't have to worry about being hassled. My badge is worn next to my gun. If I'm out of state I will conceal it most of the time per state laws.

I think the choice of open vs concealed should be up to the individual. Both have pros and cons depending on circumstances and the state shouldn't make that decision for people.

 

[Schlegel]

The thought that a criminal might spot someone open carrying and take him out, or make a gun grab is valid, but how often is that really happening out there? I don't know.

I looked pretty hard and could only find two instances of it happening (to a non-leo) in the whole Internet. One of which was in a town that mandates unloaded-only open carry.

 

[Kleanbore]

The thought that a criminal might spot someone open carrying and take him out, or make a gun grab is valid, but how often is that really happening out there? I don't know.

No one knows.

But that's really not the question, since very few people carry openly in the first place.

I looked pretty hard and could only find two instances of it happening (to a non-leo) in the whole Internet.

Means nothing. Contrary to popular belief, not everything that happens can be found on the "whole Internet".

Recently, a neighbor of ours parked in another neighborhood and put in earbuds to cut grass at a property there. He was attacked from behind, badly beaten, and robbed. His car was taken.

No electronic police reports, no news stories, broadcast or in print. You can search the "whole Internet" and you won't find one peep about it.

 

[buck460XVR]

You won't catch me open carrying unless I'm hiking in the woods.

In civilization, people can identify me as a threat making me a target if things go down.

Folks with this kind of mentality are only a threat to themselves.

There is a time and a place for both. This includes when within the so called "civilization". In a civilized world, folks know that guns themselves are not the threat. In an intelligent civilized world, folks know for every gun they see being carried openly, there are 10 carried concealed they don't see, thus open carry is not a threat. It takes some kind of intelligence and discretion to carry responsibly either way. If one does not know this, they should not be carrying either way.

 

[GEM]

The thought that a criminal might spot someone open carrying and take him out, or make a gun grab is valid, but how often is that really happening out there? I don't know.

If you followed the numerous discussions of OC, you find many proponents say they will OC in low threat environments and away from hoodlums and miscreants.

They wouldn't OC on a crowded subway or in a high crime urban environment.

So a suburban Starbucks or the woods is fine. Whole Foods is fine.

But we don't have large enough samples in areas frequented by smash and grab criminals to make a statement.

PS - I can manage concealed carry just fine in the TX inferno, so I don't buy the heat argument at all. Just pick the right clothes.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Superman Syndrome ....

Carrying a gun openly does not mean you won't be attacked or be a victim of a violent crime.

Some license holders or armed professionals get what I call: Superman Sydrome. They put on a weapon then think nothing will happen to them or they will prevent any crime/incident.
It does not work like that.
Whether you opt to conceal a firearm or carry openly, you still need to be aware of your surroundings, be alert and make sure your sidearm is secured.
A incident I bring up on gun message boards is a armed security officer who was approached by 2 strangers "asking for directions". The security guard became lax & was led on by their friendly manner. The 2 crooks then pulled guns out & stole the guard's firearm, badge, OC spray, etc; .
The fact that guns or weapons not being snatched isn't common doesn't mean you can be casual in how you carry or display it.

 

[Lycidas Janwor]

Do you prefer to carry open or concealed? Now that it is summer I find it hard to carry my 9mm concealed. I feel uncomfortable with open carry. Is open carry something you need to get used to?

Concealed, all the time. I prefer no one knowing that I have a gun. One of the reasons is that I'm not a person who likes to stand out. I don't want anything drawing attention to me. Another reason is I don't want people around me to feel uncomfortable.

 

[Gun Master]

Exactly!

 

[MyGreenGuns]

Both. Depending on the situation.
Usually concealed.