Open vs Concealed Carry

[jhaase]

I am interested to hear opinions on Open vs Concealed Carry. Why would one carry openly if concealed is allowed? What is more important....the visual deterent or the element of surprise? Thank you for your thoughts.

Jim
Chicago, IL - no gun rights but plenty of daily gun murders.

 

[ryanrichmond]

I don't open carry because I have my concealed permit. I don't know why one would OC if they had the option.
Unfortunately, OC'ing is taboo to a lot of people. Some stores will ask you to leave if they see you're carrying, people get nervous around you, and you're always being looked at like a criminal so why bother with the hassle if you can just conceal it?

 

[JohnD13]

My personal preference is for concealed carry. Of course here in NY it's the only option available! I think that even if open carry were allowed here that I am more comfortable with concealed carry.

 

[mljdeckard]

How long since we've discussed this one, it's been.......minutes.

 

[yeti]

How long since we've discussed this one, it's been.......minutes.

Naw, ain't been no where near that long.

 

[shooter_from_show-me]

I don't open carry because I have my concealed permit. I don't know why one would OC if they had the option.
Unfortunately, OC'ing is taboo to a lot of people. Some stores will ask you to leave if they see you're carrying, people get nervous around you, and you're always being looked at like a criminal so why bother with the hassle if you can just conceal it?

I agree with what Ryan said.

 

[SaxonPig]

“Open carry?”

97. Some states allow carrying handguns openly (unconcealed). I confess that I have never lived where this was legal and I have never done it. Maybe this is why I imagine it would make me self-conscious to wear a pistol out in the open. While I have nothing against the concept, and if you choose to do it I won’t argue with you, I think that concealed carry may be best for self-defense. Why give up the element of surprise? If you are standing in line at the bank with your pistol in your holster for all to see and a gang charges in to rob it, you will either be disarmed at gunpoint or simply shot at once. There is one case I know of where this happened and I have heard of a couple others.

 

[22-rimfire]

I generally think concealed carry is a far better option overall. However, I have a job coming up where there is some concern for my safety from a neighbor. I am thinking of carrying my Glock 23 in a holster openly that day. I suspect they will think I'm a cop which is just fine. They are druggies and as a result, unpredictable. Should something happen, I can certainly bring the Glock to bear much quicker than my usual pocket carry.

I support anyone's choice as far as carry method. For me, keeping the gun concealed generally is the better option. Whatever you do, do it legally.

 

[clamman]

Man this has been beat to death. I'm glad I have a right to open carry but geez, why bother? Chest thumping is for those who are wet behind the ears. I prefer to be a quiet citizen and keep it concealed.

 

[45Fan]

We have the option in indiana, though most conceal their pistols. I have noticed a few that open carry, but descreetly. Its when a person is strutting around a store with a 5 pound pistol, making sure EVERYONE knows its there, that I have issue with. We shouldnt deny ourselves of our rights because it may offend someone, but using our heads and not making an scene of having a gun goes a long way in keeping the antis from causing an uproar, and the people that have no opinion either way not not side with the anti crowd.
I keep mine concealed. Not just for the social aspect, but I also see it as a tactical advantage in the instance I get caught in some sort of armed robbery. It may act as a deterant if a criminal sees a gun, but it just a easily could make you the first target when they start shooting.

 

[DeepSouth]

What is more important....the visual deterent or the element of surprise?

That depends entirely on the circumstances, and the attacker.

It's not for everybody, but about half of the gun community fights against it buy saying "I think people should have the right to BUT....."

If you want to OC and can legally do so, then do it. If you don't want to then don't, and quit trying to convince everyone they shouldn't. Because when/if you succeed in your argument, the gun community will likely loose another right thanks in part to you/us.

For the record I don't OC, I used to when I rode my bike but I haven't OC'd since I sold it.

http://www.thehighroad.org/search.php?searchid=8346957&pp=25

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=546712&highlight=open+carry

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=518877&highlight=open+carry

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506779&highlight=open+carry

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=494152&highlight=open+carry

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=492202&highlight=open+carry

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=489300&highlight=open+carry

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=461370&highlight=open+carry

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=460544&highlight=open+carry

 

[Blackrock]

I OC in the back country and on my Quad or in my Jeep. Also around my local area where no one gets uptight about it. I CC in the city and out on the road so as not to advertise that I am packing. Here in AZ it don't matter, just how you want to carry is personal preference.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Divide and conquer? Hmmm!

 

[Nushif]

Hmm. All the fishing aside I'd carry openly for really just one reason: Comfort!

IWB is uncomfortable as hell for me, and I don't like wearing more than one shirt in summer.
If Open Carry was more acceptable I could wear my nice beretta hat, my cargo shorts, my black Golf polo and a classy leather holster with my E9. THAT is comfort. Throw in a pair of nice hiking boots and we have a good day ahead.

Now back to your normal schedule.

 

[stuckinsocal]

Can anyone provide any cases of an OC'er being shot/shot first because the BG knew he was carrying a gun? That's the biggest argument against OC, but nobody backs up their claims of being shot first. I can definitely see both sides of the argument and personally, I OC because it's the only legal way to carry a gun (unloaded...Hate CA laws). But it seems to me that the "you're going to get shot first because they know you have a gun" argument is a pretty weak argument without any evidence to back it up.

 

[GunChick]

I wish people would OC a little more often. My main reason to OC would be faster response and easier access to my firearm. I don't see how it's easy to get to when it's in my purse or under two layers of clothing. I kind of think that if more people would OC, the arguments against it (shot first, unarmed, hit on the head and unarmed, etc) would maybe lessen.

 

[K-Rod]

I don't see the point of OC if you can CC. As far as "Providing facts" how can this be done?
1). Don't think said BG is going to admit, "I shot him because he OC"
2). The person who OC & was shot can't say "I was shot because I OC" because he's dead.

It's more of a common sense issue. Ever since we as a human race have been fighting in wars & battles, the tactical approach has been take out the big guns first. That can not be argued. ANYONE with just the slightest amount of common sense would do this. You can't tell me if you are in a situation where there's two BG's & one is armed, that you as an armed person wouldn't take out the armed BG first. The BG is thinking the same thing as well. As I said, it's the common sense thing to do to gain the tactical advantage.

"Its when a person is strutting around a store with a 5 pound pistol, making sure EVERYONE knows its there, that I have issue with. We shouldnt deny ourselves of our rights because it may offend someone, but using our heads and not making an scene of having a gun goes a long way in keeping the antis from causing an uproar, and the people that have no opinion either way not not side with the anti crowd."

Kuddo's to 45Fan for being able to say it the way it is.

IMO, a person should be investing more energy into aruging about their gun laws "Only allowed to OC an unloaded gun" (Whats the point??)

 

[Puddin99]

It's obvious that THR is not the place to discuss open carry. If you want to find out about it, go to:
http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/forum.php

Much friendlier people there to discuss the topic at hand.

Whats really said is that were on the same 'side' yet were not. Concealed carry is a privledge, open carry is a right (in most states).

 

[Hanshi]

I think open carry tends to attract unwanted attention and can make some folks nervous. I carry open now only when in the woods, boonies, friend's farm, etc. There is really nothing wrong with oc where legal. I prefer cc as being less "public" and I don't like gawkers. Several knives are usually on my person and they are cc. Where legal; whatever sails your boat.

 

[Screamingalpha124]

Booger Hooker............HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA, yeah, that was funny

 

[K-Rod]

Yes, OC is a/MY right. The problem with that is it's the "chest thumpers" right as well. The difference is theres two types of OC'ers. The respectful OC'er & the chest thummping "Its my right" OC'er.

The respectful OC'er understands that A LOT of people are scared to death of firearms & will respect that fear. We as gun owners have the responsiblity to keep our rights but also educate in a non-forceful in "your face" way.

The "Chest thumper" OC'er doesn't care about in the slightest that people are scared of firearms. They won't educate & they won't be respectful. They just say "Its my right & I don't care if I made the whole soccer field uncomfortable. It's my right so you have to deal with it."

 

[Snowy Rivers]

Hi all.

NEW HERE
Allow me to introduce myself (Snowy Rivers)

I am a 58 YO gal, been in the gun training business for many many years.
Own a gun shop
We are a small manufacture also.

We are in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon)

I do a lot of CCW training here.

I can answer the question here and the answer does have many possible answers.

Carrying a gun in the open, draws attention from the "SHEEP" that you do not want.

If you live in places like Alaska where people simply dont get all distraught over a gun on the hip, no sweat.

You come to the lower 48 and in most metro areas, the "sheep" get nervous when they see a gun.

The last thing you need is to have some idiot call the cops and scream, THERE IS A MAN WITH A GUN in the coffee shop.

Sooooooooo your sitting there in Starbucks having a cuppa and reading the paper and in rolls a couple uniformed officers, (Guns at the ready MAYBE)
Scare the hell out of all the sheep and then find out that you are perfectly legal.

The result, your coffee got cold and people were unecessarily scared out og their little minds. (does not take a lot in some cases)

We instruct all of our students (getting carry instruction) to keep their guns under cover (must have the permit of course)

If your interest in carrying open is a macho thing, it can have effects that you dont want.

I have no axe to grind and believe 100% that people should be able to carry to defend themselves.

I am a 100% card carrying good old gal.

Hope you find this useful.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Snowy

 

[Sauer Grapes]

OMG! The OC\CC thing again?

 

[Sgt405]

Hello all,
First time here. I started my law enforcement career some 35 years ago. There wasn't this anti gun hysteria back then. We cops, and the general population knew it was the evil behind the gun that was responsible for the crime. Now, in this politically correct climate with no personal accountability the only thing left to blame is an inanimate object-THE GUN! THE EVIL GUN! Society has now been conditioned so that when they see one they scream for me. A crime is/about to be committed. Hysteria breaks out just from the mere sight of it.

Now the call goes out, I respond. How in the world am I supposed to know if its a good guy or not? There are plenty of gun carrying idiots I have stopped who are prohibited. I feel for you guys and gals but have some leeway for me too and other cops. That gun is a deal breaker until I know your a good guy and I don't know that until I've already responded and then it just may be too late.

Just an old cops opinion who also is an NRA Life Member.

 

[suzukisam]

personally I only cc, and oc is legal in most cities in MO, because if the feathers start flying I want to look like all the other people until my piece comes out. I want to have the option to decide at what point in the bank robbery, gas station stick up, car jacking, ect... I surprise the BG. I am totally cool with oc I just like to reserve the element of surprise for myself. when a bad guy pulls a gun/knife/baseball bat you are already working at a disadvantage, he knew what he was about to do and you didn't. so I want to surprise him back. IMO I feel like if I advertise my position as being armed, I'll draw focus to me. but if he has no clue, then while he's focused on the clerk/teller/ect then I will have a little freedom, to draw without eyes on me.. this is for me, if you oc than maybe you'll scare them off before any of the previously mentioned occurs. but who can know ahead of time what one BG is thinking. so I choose cc