Saw my first open carry yesterday

[sigpro]

Been living in NC for a couple of years and yesterday, I saw a civillian openly carrying a handgun. First time I've ever saw that. It was a guy on a Harley wearing what I guess was a Walther P99. Don't know if I would openly carry even if I could, but It's nice that folks have that right.

 

[Ryanxia]

Open Carry is a wonderful thing. I find it easier to conceal carry but the best way to raise OC awareness is to host little events that raise public awareness. Some responsible groups put on an Open Carry ice cream social, others do an OC trash pick up day. We have the right so let's increase awareness so it's not as big of a deal.

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

.

What a coincidence, I saw my 1st one yesterday too.



I was at work and went into a gas station to get a drink where some other cops where and a guy on a motorcyle was open carrying.


The cops said, "What an idiot."



I didn't say anything. But the cops didn't harass him or say anything to him. I have no problem with carry. I think most cops don't. They just think it's wiser to do it concealed.
.

 

[sigpro]

I'm a Cop, and I don't have a problem with it from legal point of view. I'd just hate to be standing in line at the 7-11 with my gun exposed, when some nut comes into rob the place. I'm also not crazy about those You Tube videos where a guy goes out packing in public, with the intention of getting stopped. I get the point they are trying to make, but the Videos make both gun owners and cops look bad. Just my opinon. Oddly enough, my deptments regulation forbid open carry for off-duty officers.

 

[kirkosaurus]

I'm a Cop, and I don't have a problem with it from legal point of view. I'd just hate to be standing in line at the 7-11 with my gun exposed, when some nut comes into rob the place.

Chances are great that your exposed gun will cause him to not rob the place as criminals look for easy targets and don't want holes in them. Congratulations, your open carrying just kept a robbery from happening.

 

[FMF Doc]

Depending on where in the Great State of North Carolina you are, OC is very common. Out towards the mountains, OC is practically the standard. The law doesn't strictly forbid it, and as long as you don't get caught up with the "going armed to the terror of the public" clause you are good. I see it occasionally here in the coastal region, but not like out west. Though you also see a lot more revolvers in some pretty serious calibers out there, so OC is almost required. I'm not saying you can't conceal a Ruger SuperRedhawk Alaskan in 454 Casull, but it would take some serious effort!

 

[Grmlin]

I prefer to carry concealed, just me I'd rather the eliment of suprise if necessary. N.C. gets kind of hot/humid in the summer so its either a pocket holstered pistol or open carry. Still think it looks funny to open carry in shorts especialy lg frames.

So what is a freedom spong?
I retired from the Marine Corps 6 years ago and I still refer to non-military personel as civilians.

 

[sigpro]

Grmlin - couldn't agree more. I don't think I'd want the bad guy to know I had a gun, untill I was ready.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I open carried into the bank today, the teller was a bit surprised to see me with weapons as I also had a Bulgarian AK 74 Bayonet on my left hip and my XD-40 on my right hip. The bank manager gave an obvious double take as I was leaving as he was saying goodbye.

Grmlin - couldn't agree more. I don't think I'd want the bad guy to know I had a gun, untill I was ready.

I would rather the criminal see I'm a threat to his petty well being and pick another victim instead of seeing my weapon after he has already started his attack making things even more deadly as he then starts to fight for his own life when he just wanted to steal your wallet and nothing more.

I'm not saying that OC is always better then CC but OC does have a lot of advantages going for it.
<deleted>

 

[brickeyee]

Been living in NC for a couple of years and yesterday, I saw a civillian openly carrying a handgun. First time I've ever saw that. It was a guy on a Harley wearing what I guess was a Walther P99. Don't know if I would openly carry even if I could, but It's nice that folks have that right.

Congrats on not screaming in fear and curling up in a fetal position.

 

[phil dirt]

I don't like the idea of open carry. It intimidates people, and in my opinion, it does more harm to gun rights than it does good. If I, personally, saw a guy walk into my bank openly carrying a pistol and a bayonet from an AK74 on his side, my blood pressure would definitely rise. You can be sure that I would watch this guy like a hawk!

 

[mortablunt]

Apologies accepted. Nominated for most humorous accidental thread derailment.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I don't like the idea of open carry. It intimidates people, and in my opinion, it does more harm to gun rights than it does good. If I, personally, saw a guy walk into my bank openly carrying a pistol and a bayonet from an AK74 on his side, my blood pressure would definitely rise. You can be sure that I would watch this guy like a hawk!

If it wasn't for the bayonet, I could be seen as an off duty cop because of my overall appearance. Tucked in shirt, many things on my belt, well groomed, and acting casual and joking around with the teller. I do understand what you are saying to a point but I wouldn't worry about someone like that if I saw them. Anyway the Bayonet just looks like a large knife to most people and it's not really any more scary that it could be mounted to a rifle.

 

[Creature]

I dont mind open carry. In fact, I applaud those who endeavor to champion the cause.

But what I do mind is when I see a knucklehead wearing a sub-standard holster that has ZERO weapon retention features with the pistol half falling out of it...or the opposite, a non-LEO, non-operator knucklehead wearing a drop-leg (tactical) holster who has yet to shoot the H&K Mk23 strapped inside it. If you choose to open carry, do it properly. Use an APPROPRIATE and QUALITY holster

 

[NavyLCDR]

I'd just hate to be standing in line at the 7-11 with my gun exposed, when some nut comes into rob the place.

Here is a real life example of what happens in that circumstance:

http://www.ammoland.com/2009/07/19/...mond-va-golden-market-shooting/#axzz1pgVr8Vj7

From the article:
"Here are my thoughts from watching that tape:

Talk about a cold-blooded, fast attack where an innocent was shot without warning! Unbelievable. Situational awareness is really important. Luck doesn’t hurt, either.

Open carry was an advantage in this case because in the video I saw just how fast the GO managed to draw his gun and begin to return fire. You always hear about how open carry is so bad tactically – you’ll be the first one shot, etc. Oh, yeah? The GO had a HUGE gun in plain sight and he was NOT shot. Who got shot first? An unarmed store owner."

I'm also not crazy about those You Tube videos where a guy goes out packing in public, with the intention of getting stopped. I get the point they are trying to make, but the Videos make both gun owners and cops look bad. Just my opinon.

I agree. Just carry the dang gun for self protection in a manner that you decide is most effective for you, in your location and circumstance. I have only had one problem with a police officer who didn't personally like my choice and harrassed me for it. The rest of police officers who have been around my gun didn't care and have been 100% professional in their actions.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

But what I do mind is when I see a knucklehead wearing a sub-standard holster that has ZERO weapon retention features with the pistol half falling out of it...or the opposite, a non-LEO, non-operator knucklehead wearing a drop-leg (tactical) holster who has yet to shoot the H&K Mk23 strapped inside it. If you choose to open carry, do it properly. Use an APPROPRIATE and QUALITY holster

I actually saw a cop with a simple slide holster once. A criminal could have easily grabbed it and shoot him in the back before he had a chance to try and retain it. When I open carry, I now use a Galco HALO holster which is a thumb break. I will never open carry without some form of retention on the holster and I always do my best to keep aware of my surroundings and who is standing near me. I keep my right arm free to both be able to use it if God forbid and also to retain it.

I do agree about someone open carrying because it's cool, I do it because at the moment, it's the only way I can legally carry. My XD has honest wear from being used and drawn from a holster countless times during practice.

 

[HARV6]

You probly weren't the first person there that hadn't seen it before. That's a big reason why I don't personally open carry in public...its unusual, so you stick out like a turd in a punchbowl, and everyone keeps their eyes on you. Too many stories about OCing and someone calls the cops to make sure you're not a whack job. CCW and you just blend in with the crowd. I'd rather be another brick in the wall that would put down an attacker as soon as his head turned in a different direction.

 

[sigpro]

Boy, when these guys clean up a thread, they don't mess around!
Anyhow, I guess we will just have to agree to disagree on this one. I'll admitt that there are some pro's to open carry, but I don't think it is for me.

I actually saw a cop with a simple slide holster once.

Here's the thing about that. Lots of new hires go through the Police Academy, get issued a glock or whatever. Now, the police Academy should teach them how to shoot, and how a retention holster works, but they really don't teach them much about guns, or holsters. They will probably explain to them the laws and policies regarding off duty carry, but thats about it. So these guys get out on thier own and they have a duty weapon, they want to carry, but know nothing about concealment holsters. They are also, usually broke, being newley hired civil servants and all. So they will go out and buy a cheap Velcro and Nylon holster from the local sporting goods shop, and walk around with a barely secured, poorly concealed, full sized handgun. If they work at a decent Department, someone might pull them aside and speak with them about it. Usually they'll eventually get straightened out, one way or another, and get a decent holster.

My current dept. has fairly strict off dutyweapons policies, which give us less options that an armed civillian (uh, I mean non-sworn person). we aren't allowed to carry anything smaller than a .380, no pocket carry what-so-ever, gun has to be secure in a retention holster. Obviously no waist band carry. Some guys will actually go out and get a regular concealed carry permit, just so they can carry a .25 or a .32 in a pocket holster.

 

[Flintknapper]

phil dirt wrote:

I don't like the idea of open carry. It intimidates people, and in my opinion, it does more harm to gun rights than it does good.

Please explain?

If I, personally, saw a guy walk into my bank openly carrying a pistol and a bayonet from an AK74 on his side, my blood pressure would definitely rise. You can be sure that I would watch this guy like a hawk!

Yes, the FIRST time...maybe the second time, but generally speaking the "public" is very accepting of things (even if different) once they see no harm is being done.

ONLY by exercising our rights and exposing the (largely misinformed) "public" to responsible O.C. will we ever get them used to it. IF it were common enough, eventually....soccer Mom's would stop screaming "man with a gun", grabbing up their kids and running for their lives. Sheeeesh.

 

[BP Hunter]

I also saw an individual in a gunstore open carrying. He was carrying an XD and was obviously cocked with the cocking indicator showing itself. He was carrying it with the supplied plastic holster that came with the gun. Honestly, if you were going to carry openly, at least carry it in a good holster with some form of retention.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Open carry by plain clothes law enforcement is very commom here. Sometimes they have their badge on their belt by the holster but often they don't. You can't hardly go out to lunch without seeing someone with a pistol. If a civilians were allowed to carry openly it would be such a common sight that nobody would notice.

 

[Ryanxia]

What Flintknapper said, although I CCW 99% of the time

 

[Sam Cade]

The cops said, "What an idiot."

You should have agreed with 'em.

Then pointed at their pistols.

That "only ones" stuff annoys the heck out of me.

 

[av8usn]

I.M.O. O.C. is a double edged sword; it does, in fact, raise the public consciousness to the legality of carrying a gun openly. On the other hand, I believe it makes the carrier a "shoot me first" consideration for the nefarious bad guys.

 

[sigpro]

The cops said, "What an idiot."

Are sure they were talking about his Gun? Maybe he was wearing white after labor day.

That "only ones" stuff annoys the heck out of me.

Just rember that those laws are not made by police officers. They are made by elected officals, and bussiness owners.