Should Open Carry Be the Law of the Land in All 50 States?

[The Night Rider]

The state of Louisiana has always had Legal Open Carry .
I was born and raised here , lived my whole 74 years in this state ...
Legal Open Carry never bothered me one iotta ...
It is a right I enjoy having .
Why does it bother you so much ?
Gary

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Good thing no criminal would ever try to take somebody's Open Carried gun from them right?

 

[HKGuns]

My thoughts are the States should decide. Exactly the way it is now, we have more than enough unconstitutional Federal mandates.

If you want to open carry, enjoy your liberty. If you don't want to, don't criticize others for doing so........

 

[wayneinFL]

The problem with leaving it up to the states is that some of the states are going to decide it will be illegal. Carrying for years in a state where concealed carry is common, but open carry is illegal, I don't ever think I would open carry. But if my shirt rides over my gun as I'm getting something out of my trunk at the store, I don't think I should have to spend thousands on a lawyer to keep it off my record.

 

[bearcreek]

Man tries to steal gun from Detroit officer who stopped for gas before joining Taylor Swift detail

New video shows a Detroit police officer who stopped for gas before joining the Taylor Swift detail wrestling with a man who tackled him in the middle of a g...

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Good thing no criminal would ever try to take somebody's Open Carried gun from them right?

Are you saying it should be illegal then? I feel like, on forums like this, people don't clearly differentiate enough between things that they think should be illegal/legal and things they think are a good/bad idea.

 

[trackskippy]

The problem with leaving it up to the states is that some of the states are going to decide it will be illegal. Carrying for years in a state where concealed carry is common, but open carry is illegal, I don't ever think I would open carry. But if my shirt rides over my gun as I'm getting something out of my trunk at the store, I don't think I should have to spend thousands on a lawyer to keep it off my record.

Well, supposedly, the supremacy clause would take care of that, and the states are still supposed to follow and abide by the Constitution, which is, supposedly, still the law of the land, but I think thats really all just an illusion anymore, and actually has been for quite a while now.

What we need is, to go back to how things are supposed to be, with a very small federal government, and any government control of any type, other than what is allowed in the Constitution for that matter, get all of them out of our lives and wallets, and try and get back to actually being a free people.

 

[The Night Rider]

Are you saying it should be illegal then? I feel like, on forums like this, people don't clearly differentiate enough between things that they think should be illegal/legal and things they think are a good/bad idea.

I've already responded to the topic

I voted yes.

I absolutely support your right to make your own decision regarding open carry as long as it doesn't conflict with the property owners right to ban the practice on his property.

However I think it's a really dumb thing to do

 

[GEM]

I'm ok with bans on OC. It's a fine point but not OK with concealed carry bans on business locale open to the general public. That's another long debate. I will point out that business bans are pushes as way to make concealed carry useless as now being seen in many states.

 

[Speedo66]

A Republican NYC council woman from Brooklyn was arrested the other day after she was seen open carrying a pistol at a pro Palestinian rally.

She said she was just there to observe, unfortunately for her it’s against the law to carry near a protest or rally, and most assuredly illegal to open carry in NYC.

She has (had) a permit to carry, both it and her weapon are in the hands of the NYPD, and she was given a summons to appear before a court.

Once again we have a politician, an attorney this time, who think the laws are not meant for them.

Here’s a link to an article: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/13/nyregion/councilwoman-inna-vernikov-gun-arrest.html

 

[Gumby0961]

There is also a very real risk of the weapon being targeted by thugs, and being mugged by a mob of them for it.

I was think the exact thing, they target you for phone and your car. Why show them you have a gun too? I think the exposure would be to much of an advantage for them.

 

[GEM]

As far a being targeted, go to activeresponsetraining.net and search on open carry. You will find many examples and analyses of the average dude losing his gun.

 

[Styx]

A Republican NYC council woman from Brooklyn was arrested the other day after she was seen open carrying a pistol at a pro Palestinian rally.

She said she was just there to observe, unfortunately for her it’s against the law to carry near a protest or rally, and most assuredly illegal to open carry in NYC.

She has (had) a permit to carry, both it and her weapon are in the hands of the NYPD, and she was given a summons to appear before a court.

Once again we have a politician, an attorney this time, who think the laws are not meant for them.

Here’s a link to an article: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/13/nyregion/councilwoman-inna-vernikov-gun-arrest.html

She wasn't OCing in the traditional sense. She was CCing, but apparently the butt of her gun showed. She most likely was incorrectly under the the impression that she was carrying legally on public streets and not apart of the protest.

I'm also not sure if it will stand in court in the long run that NY abd other liberal states cab ban the exercise of 2A rights on a public street just because someone else is protesting in the area or because their are a lot of people area, e.i., when a lawful citizen may need a firearm the most.

 

[Styx]

... feel like, on forums like this, people don't clearly differentiate enough between things that they think should be illegal/legal and things they think are a good/bad idea.

Yes, the thread has morfed into an old fashioned done a trillion times already "CC vs OC" debate instead of a "should OC be a legal or illegal with the force of law behind it in all states" debate. I agree. Many people on this forum do seem to be able to keep the two separate, but judging by the poll numbers, they are in the minority.

 

[jdc1244]

‘Law of the Land’ as in the Supreme Court strikes down laws prohibiting open carry contrary to the will of the people of the states – no.

Advocates of states’ rights must be consistent in such advocacy.

 

[buck460XVR]

My view:

1. Should be legal
2. Incredibly stupid and counterproductive and risky unless in the field (as hunting - done that).
3. If you open carry a rifle in today's world, you are an idiot unless in the field. If the gun comes off your shoulder , prepare to be shot.

It's that simple.

What's simple is your thinking. So is the calling folks idiots and stupid, as some kind of way to prove the superiority your opinion. There are many scenarios outside of just hunting where OC is productive and without any more risk than CWC. But one has to realize that there areas that are not heavily populated municipalities with hardened criminals running amuck. I and many of my neighbors OC on our private land all the time, even outside of hunting season. If someone is going to try and take my gun , they have to be close enough to see I have a gun on me. They may even have to catch me as I drive by on my SxS. Long before they get that close, I will be aware. In my state it is legal to carry a loaded handgun in your vehicle (even when moving) without having a CWC license, but it cannot be concealed. Even with a CWC permit, access to the open firearm while driving said vehicle, is easier than any CWC holster. Oh, how stupid, eh?

As I said, responsible gun owners should know what and how they should carry in various scenarios. While I agree carrying an AR into Wal-Mart may be foolish, it isn't any dumber than assuming a responsible gun owner doesn't know the appropriate method of carry for any scenario they may encounter. Calling responsible gun owners stupid because you don't understand their situations are different than you can comprehend, is what's stupid.

 

[bearcreek]

‘Law of the Land’ as in the Supreme Court strikes down laws prohibiting open carry contrary to the will of the people of the states – no.

Advocates of states’ rights must be consistent in such advocacy.

At what point in "the people's" infringement of the Bill of Rights would it be ok for the SC to strike down their will?

 

[bearcreek]

I've already responded to the topic

Sorry. This thread is getting long and as all threads related to open carry do, is on it's way to becoming yet another endless debate about it's relative tactical merits.

 

[GMax]

To keep snd bear arms shall not be infringed.

Pretty clear what that means. Not even debatable

 

[Speedo66]

She wasn't OCing in the traditional sense. She was CCing, but apparently the butt of her gun showed. She most likely was incorrectly under the the impression that she was carrying legally on public streets and not apart of the protest.

I'm also not sure if it will stand in court in the long run that NY abd other liberal states cab ban the exercise of 2A rights on a public street just because someone else is protesting in the area or because their are a lot of people area, e.i., when a lawful citizen may need a firearm the most.

She had an agenda, and I think intimidation was part of it.

Of course I could be incorrect, but personally I don’t think her exposing it was accidental.

 

[InTheSwamp]

Personally I don't like the bad guys seeing who is armed. Also if open carry was a common sight, I think the bad guys would do the same and blend in.

The law wouldn't be compulsory. It would only ALLOW you to do it.

 

[Styx]

She had an agenda, and I think intimidation was part of it.

Of course I could be incorrect, but personally I don’t think her exposing it was accidental.

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She had to have know OC is illegal at the very least. I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt that she's not that stupid and purposely wanted to be arrested.

I believe her shirt might have came up. She did interviews and their are previous video of her standing and walking in the same area without the gun being openly carried.

 

[GEM]

Typical responses that one can successfully OC out in areas where there is little threat from other humans. So what. I'm unimpressed by that argument. It is still stupid in most populated areas for SD. Your situational awareness works when there are few folks near to you. So what does that mean for the issue of its utility outside of the those areas. OC in the NYC subway.

 

[Styx]

Typical responses that one can successfully OC out in areas where there is little threat from other humans. So what. I'm unimpressed by that argument. It is still stupid in most populated areas for SD. Your situational awareness works when there are few folks near to you. So what does that mean for the issue of its utility outside of the those areas. OC in the NYC subway.

We get it. You and many others aren't fans of OC. Do you believe there should be more gun control and gun owners should be legally punished for open carrying?

 

[Gumby0961]

I voted no for the reason is there are people I know personally that I would not want carrying a gun open or concealed. There are a lot of loose cannons out there, they quick to act or react without thinking. Why make it OK for them to carry? You put 2 or more of those types together and you have instant gun fight. Even worse just add alcohol.....

I'm not saying it should be illegal, I just don't think it should be legal for everyone.

 

[Thomasss]

Personally I don't like the bad guys seeing who is armed. Also if open carry was a common sight, I think the bad guys would do the same and blend in.

Bad guys do it now anyway. Good guys are generally afraid to do it. BUT good guys do concealed to get the drop on bay guys.
But then this is Wisconsin where open carry is part of the state constitution. It's interesting that out in the sticks, no one cares probably because of all the hunting. This year 640 firearms were stolen out of cars in the People's republic of Milwaukee in the first 3 months of the year. You're restricted from drinking alcohol and carrying. So guns are left in cars for smash and grab. Cops were checking participants of NRA convention years ago as members were allowed and encouraged to come to the show armed. It's about the only time, I've known cops to openly check people at the front gates.

 

[The Night Rider]

Cops were checking participants of NRA convention years ago as members were allowed and encouraged to come to the show armed. It's about the only time, I've known cops to openly check people at the front gates.

Were they checking for to see if people were armed or to see if people had permits?