Poll. Open Carry. Are You Comfortable Openly Carrying In Legal States?

[Good Ol' Boy]

I've done it in my small rural county no problem. In the city no way.

I see plenty of folks OC'ing in the city and it doesn't bother me or anyone else that I've seen so far. In fact nobody seems to notice.

For me though it would take my situational awareness to a paranoid level were I to OC in the city. No need for all that drama, I just conceal.

 

[Kleanbore]

But, as I said, most OCers I note seem fairly attentive to their surroundings and look to have squared-away carry systems.

I would never rely on the idea of 360 degree vision.

The majority of times that I see somebody open carrying they're using some cheap nylon one size fits most belt holster. The retention is usually a velcro strap...

For a sworn officer apprehending a suspect, that would be important.

For a civilian ambush victim, the holster would likely matter little, except in the movies that people play in their minds.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

For a sworn officer apprehending a suspect, that would be important.

For a civilian ambush victim, the holster would likely matter little, except in the movies that people play in their minds.

Have you ever been an civilian ambush victim? Because I have I don't know how much difference the holster I was using made but I'm pretty sure that if I had to make two distinct moves to get my gun out I'd have been way too far behind the curve to defend myself.

Most of the trouble I've had to deal with was people who were targeting me because I was a security guard and they assumed I'd be an easy mark.

In almost every instance I saw the person approaching me and was able to position myself to my advantage.

 

[Kleanbore]

Because I have I don't know how much difference the holster I was using made but I'm pretty sure that if I had to make two distinct moves to get my gun out I'd have been way too far behind the curve to defend myself.

Reasonable point.

In almost every instance I saw the person approaching me and was able to position myself to my advantage.

That would likely be the case for those who were not successfully ambushed. But if not.....

 

[jhb]

I live in a state without legal open carry, pretty much at all, unless fishing or on private land. it used to allow it until voters allowed it to change for the feelings of others, as well as heavy corporate political influence and lobbying. realize this.......once its gone, its gone forever.

I voted for yes, cause I would carry openly everyday if I was allowed. for many reasons. biggest reasons is easier access to the gun and carrying comfort.

for those of you lucky enough to live in a state that allows it. making others feel comfortable is one thing, and is nice and all........... but it doesnt top or beat your rights and safety.

others disagree with me and thats fine and i support their right to disagree. to each their own.

 

[Kleanbore]

We have OC in all jurisdictions for those with a CCW permit, and in some places for others.

I consider myself a whole lot safer when carrying concealed.

I have never seen a convincing counter to Greg Ellifritz' comments, posted above.

There's far too much at stake for me to try open carry.

 

[Old Dog]

I say it because I've seen it.

Perhaps this state has a slightly more informed and experienced class of OCers than yours. I don't deny that there are the knuckleheads out there, simply observing that most OCers I see in my area, and around the state, seem to have a bit more on the ball ...

you are helping to prove what I said is true.

Didn't bother to read through the post for context, did you?

Ironic that in bygone years, the civilized man carried openly, while those regarded as sneaks and scoundrels concealed their firearms.

For a crowd that continually maintains as a collective that they're independent thinkers and don't care what others think, a lot of the responses in these OC threads belies that.

And for those whose sole opinion on OC is based on the tactical fallacies of the practice, many seem to ignore that many practice OC not for any tactical reasons, but rather to make a political statement. I don't have a problem with that. I don't routinely practice OC, although when hiking in the mountains I do, along with a large number of others enjoying their outdoor recreation while OCing.

 

[JERRY]

Perhaps this state has a slightly more informed and experienced class of OCers than yours. I don't deny that there are the knuckleheads out there, simply observing that most OCers I see in my area, and around the state, seem to have a bit more on the ball ...

Didn't bother to read through the post for context, did you?

Ironic that in bygone years, the civilized man carried openly, while those regarded as sneaks and scoundrels concealed their firearms.

For a crowd that continually maintains as a collective that they're independent thinkers and don't care what others think, a lot of the responses in these OC threads belies that.

And for those whose sole opinion on OC is based on the tactical fallacies of the practice, many seem to ignore that many practice OC not for any tactical reasons, but rather to make a political statement. I don't have a problem with that. I don't routinely practice OC, although when hiking in the mountains I do, along with a large number of others enjoying their outdoor recreation while OCing.

I don't romanticize about bygone years and civilized man the way you... I live in 2020 and if you OC and don't consider the tactical disadvantages when in public you are failing yourself, regardless of the political statement. OC in the field/woods etc is a different story.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Reasonable point.

That would likely be the case for those who were not successfully ambushed. But if not.....

A little off topic but working as a security guard has given me multiple opportunities to be targeted and that has made me hyper vigilant. I pay a lot of attention to what's going on around me. I thats why I've seen it coming almost every time.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Perhaps this state has a slightly more informed and experienced class of OCers than yours. I don't deny that there are the knuckleheads out there, simply observing that most OCers I see in my area, and around the state, seem to have a bit more on the ball ...

Perhaps.

Ironic that in bygone years, the civilized man carried openly, while those regarded as sneaks and scoundrels concealed their firearms.

Historically people started concealing their handguns when municipalities started posting ordinances against carrying guns in town. I haven't really looked into it but I bet that if you researched it you would find that people on both sides of the law were illegally concealing handguns.

And for those whose sole opinion on OC is based on the tactical fallacies of the practice, many seem to ignore that many practice OC not for any tactical reasons, but rather to make a political statement.

I have no objection to open carry. It's not an activity that I'm going to participate in but I have no problem with you doing so. Having said that, I don't do political statements.

I don't routinely practice OC, although when hiking in the mountains I do, along with a large number of others enjoying their outdoor recreation while OCing.

Like I said if you want to open carry go right ahead I have no objection but it gives me the creeps. Whenever I open carry I'm always wondering who's sizing me up and deciding whether or not they can get the gun off me.

I don't know about your woods but my woods are full of crackheads and dope growers. I prefer those kind of folks not know I'm armed

 

[Robert]

If it's legal where you live and you are comfortable doing so, by all means, go for it. If not, don't. It's not rocket surgery. Allow others to live their life as they see fit, legally, and hope they do the same for you. Let's call it a day on this round of OC.