The final reason for carrying concealed instead of openly

[Nicky Santoro]

The final reason for carrying concealed instead of openly

New Jersey?

 

[Sinsaba]

... BUT, I don't like to see open carry by anyone, cop or otherwise, without a good retention holster. ...

I fully agree. That does cause one small problem though. In spite of my feelings about open carry, I do mostly conceal carry (must not upset the boss). If I go to a resturant (not with boss or co-workers) that serves drink I HAVE to open carry. Simple enough ... take off my jacket. The rub is that my IWB holster doesn't have a retention strap as I feel that my consealing garmets provide the same functionality (keep other people from grabbing gun).

If at all possible I chage to an OWB holster that does have a retention device.

 

[junyo]

This is the point. It's not the battle I'm trying to win. It's the war. Open carry is not about me, or my safety. It's about the 2nd amendment and liberty. I'm too lazy to fight for small causes like myself.

What's a more convincing headline in the war for liberty "Armed Citizen Slain" or "Armed Citizen Prevents Crime"? While it may feel good to have sidearm show and tell at WalMart, making yourself less combat effective and getting killed because of it just adds another chapter to the antis' "having a gun didn't save this guy" book. The type of people that understand what the 2nd Amendment is about are people that understand objective, practical results, and a record of being able to effectively protect ourselves and those around us when the ball drops is a far more persuasive argument than 'look at my pretty gun'. You don't need a prop or a display to spark that discussion. Don't get me wrong, I open carry - when I think it gives me an advantage. Otherwise, the sheeple can learn by example, when the sheepdog appears in their midst and drops a wolf at their feet.

In any case, carry how you want, and thanks for the clean shot.

 

[rhubarb]

<rant>
the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed
</rant>

If we had a Constitution that was the ultimate law of the land, the issue of offending the delicate sensibilities of a law officer by openly carrying a gun would not exist.

 

[Smurfslayer]

authority has restrictions

just like rights have responsibilities. I've never seen anyone unholster to get to their wallet, If they did it around me, I'd be tempted to leave.... Fast.

This is a discussion for which there can never be a proclaimed winner or loser. Most of the people involved in this discussion already have deeply rooted beliefs. While it may be noble to try and "educate" the public about open carry, it is a tad arrogant. It is similarly arrogant of the self-professed elite to pontificate from on high about how folks "shouldn't open carry because" <insert your pet reason here>. A person carrying a gun responsibly is a plus, be they man, woman, citizen, legal res. alien, police, open or concealed. All this hand wringing over open carry distracts from more important issues like rolling back some of the restrictions on our rights that exist today. We should probably not spend so much time trying to convince the other side of the open/concealed debate they're wrong and be glad that it is the argument at hand... rather than carrying or not.

my few pieces of eight.

 

[Jay Kominek]

I saw this thread, and I remembered I had a dream about open carrying the other night! I was going around with a Glock of unknown model (literally, I remember looking at it and thinking "Why the hell am I carrying a Glock? I don't even own one.") in an open top leather holster. Service counter people were calling me "officer" and I had no idea why. It was really weird. Especially the Glock part. And while I own open top leather holsters, I'd never open carry with one. Or anything without the fancy retention mechanisms. I'm all for open carry, but one ought to be properly equipped for it.

 

[Sinsaba]

Here! Here!!

... so much time trying to convince the other side of the open/concealed debate they're wrong and be glad that it is the argument at hand... rather than carrying or not.

Well said Dave