The Mysterious Taboo Around Open Carry...

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Zedicus

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Forgive me if this Comes across as a Rant (It's not), but, what is the deal with the strange Taboo around Open Carry....?
(Note to Moderators: I mean Open Carry of ANY Firearm, Not Only Pistols)

To me, it would seem Logical that Open Carry (Where Legal) would be a Very useful and Effective Tool in our Ongoing battle for RKBA.

Think of it this way, If Enough People Open Carried (Wherever Legal) we would not only Help Educate Police who Mistakenly & Wrongfully detain or Arrest people for Open carry, thus also saving them a fortune in Lawsuits, but we would also be putting an end to One of the Anti's Favorite & Most Powerful Tools, The Fear the Average Joe/Jane has of the sight of a Gun, or of someone in Possession of one in Public.

Plus you would quite possibly get a bonus of the Anti Legislators no longer having the excuse of Imaginary dooms days of the Shootout at the OK Corral happening on every street.:rolleyes:

In Short, if we Take away the General Publics Fear & Gradually Ingrain into them that Normal Every Day Law Abiding Citizens are not the Psychos that the media & Anti's want them to believe we are, the Anti's will have fewer effective things left in there box of tricks.:cool:

Flame me, Call me nuts, But at least put this to some Serious Thought.
I Believe that this could be a incredibly Effective Tool to us provided enough of us do it, and do it right.:)
 
I confess to ambiguity. Yes, open carry is one way to make a statement. But at the same time, it is also a way to frighten and cause apprehension on the part of those who might not be anti-gun but who can be leery of seeing a gun displayed openly.

Needless to say, the antis jump on this and exploit that concern, trying to create fear and hatred. Once they work people up, they can and will demand more gun control laws.

I expect this thread is the result of the open carry movement in Virginia. Virginia has a "shall issue" CCW license, so about any honest citizen can go armed without disturbing others. Sure, some folks like to tweak other people just for the hell of it. But this particular "statement" will lead to more calls for gun control and may very well result in repeal of the CCW law, which would be an enormous step backward.

Maybe I should join those who scream about rights and the second amendment and protecting myself. But I see no reason to alienate people just for the fun of it, especially when we are in a precarious position in the area anyway. The antis will beat on us in any event; but do we have to keep handing them bigger and bigger clubs?

Jim
 
There's a thread in the Legal & Political Forum that explains the problem and it has nothing to do with taboo.

Most folks don't want to be hassled and/or arrested and/or have their guns confiscated.
 
Out here in the People's Republic of CA, it's not a taboo- it's a "Disturbing the Peace" arrest.
 
I'd like to see more open carry myself.

The problem is that the people that go first are going to be the ones screwed over.

They will get all of the hassle and, if convicted of something, none of the benefits.


Maybe if we dressed in cowboy clothes or other colorful garments it might lessen the fear of the gun-phobes.
 
Noooooooo, not another open carry thread!

Like I've said a million times now, I think open carry is a good idea, and I do it regularly.
 
I confess to ambiguity. Yes, open carry is one way to make a statement. But at the same time, it is also a way to frighten and cause apprehension on the part of those who might not be anti-gun but who can be leery of seeing a gun displayed openly.
Click to expand...

I tend to lean a little more towards its a good idea. Sure some folks will be apprehensive or paranoid when they first spot the weapon on you, but if we strive to display the proper demeanor when carrying openly (cow ?!) then people would (in the course of time) become more accustomed to seeing weapons without becoming overly alarmed. Demeanor is everything.

How many people read those news accounts of the guys who got their pistols confiscated and returned the next day and thought 'I didn't know that was legal...', this is good press and helps educate the masses. Similar wrongness will be brought upon some of us if we start doing this and while realizing that nobody wants to get in trouble, it would be kind of necessary to accept this and let it run its course while fighting it legally where necessary. There would be news accounts, victories, defeats (grrr) and most importantly the word would spread and more people would begin realizing that good people carry guns too. Money probably more effectivly spent than sending it to the NRA.

Maybe. If enough people were'nt THAT ignorant so as to display the wrong demeanor while carrying and do more damage than help. It sounds good on paper but may actually be a dream at this point considering the average IQ is what? 106? and dropping.:(

Most folks don't want to be hassled and/or arrested and/or have their guns confiscated.
Click to expand...

True enough but is the wrong reason to not excercise your rights. Fear is killing America slowly.
 
IMHO Open Carry is a good idea strategically and a bad idea tactically.

Strategically it would do exactly as the original poster suggests - condition the sheep and eliminate their fear of seeing weapons in every day use. This howeve can only be accomplished if our government reps wish it. All they'd have to do is make open carry legal (require a permit like CCW as a start) and then as part of the law mandate that public service messages be broadcast to the effect that folks shouldn't freak out just because they see someone carrying.

Tacticaly open carry is a bad idea only so long as concealed carry is the norm. I'm sure everyone here has heard or read the arguments as to why so I will not go into them.

Long term the most benefit will be accrued to RKBA by open carry. Unfortunately neither our leaders nor indeed do many of us have the courage to follow through and do what is necessary to make open carry happen.
 
I agree with Vern. People will get used to anything if they see it often enough. But if you are going to be the first in your city, you might not want to do it with your most beloved or expensive gun!
 
12 years and counting in phoenix az
with no problems to date.I've never been hassled by the cops or anybody else.If i lived somewhere where i had to have a permit to carry i would get the permit.
 
Scaring people in Hoplophobistan aside, in areas where people are already at least used to the sight of openly carried guns (like much/most of Arizona), continuing the practice is a good way to keep the place from becoming anti.

I've open-carried in MT, CO, and AZ, and plan to do it more in the future. So far, I've never had a problem.
 
I have a strong preference for concealed carry. I have nothing against open carry, except that it isn't exactly the most polite thing to do.

It's better for your weapon to be hidden, because when the SHTF in a restaurant and the goblins know that you're armed- well, I wouldn't want to be you unless you're some kind of Max Payne / McClaine hybrid.

Nothing wrong with carrying it around, I just don't feel the need to endanger myself that way. I also like the idea of not having people notice me, watch me, or even see anything about me worth paying attention to.

Gun = attention.

I might do it, especially in the south or out west, but more often than not I suspect it'll be covered up.
 
blacks didnt get rights by protesting amongst themselves. they marched in DC, got in everyones face, and stood up for what was theirs.

if we dont do anything to stand out then we wont have anyones attention then we wont have a chance to educate the public.
 
Living in an area that has always been open carry I find no problem with it. I look around everyday and find things that are offensive to me personally, but if the person involved with it is within the law then it's not for me to complain to the authorities. If Miss prissy soccermom is terrified by seeing my legal handgun on my side while her over use of perfume is making my eyes burn from my allergies then how does either one of us have a right to say anything? I just put up with her scent or move out the way till it no longer bother's me. She has the same options. Just how do you report non-criminal activity?
A lot of the different opinions comes from those who probably have never been exposed to the concept. I just don't understand the statements that if you open carry it makes you more of a target in a certain senerio. If you carry concealed then you become a target much more frequently (like all the time) because you appear to be unable to defend yourself. If you were a betting person and playing the odds then which would you choose?
If you are ambushed, which is the most likely senerio in any event, then you may or may not have a chance to get your weapon no matter how you carry. You take your chances either way, but don't think you are any better off no matter how you choose to carry as life offers many little surprises to every imaginable situation.
 
My biggest worry is the the following...

A. I'd be noticed - and not noticed for much of anything except i've got a firearm strapped to my waist. Most would prolly assume i'm some kind of LEO... but i'd just rather not be noticed.

B. It creates a situation in which someone of ill-intent might decide I'd be ripe for the taking. I'd like that sort who decide on me to not do it because i've got a gun that would be the first thing they'd go for. I'd rather the fact that i have one be a complete suprise. Yer eyes can't be everywhere at once... and while they might not decide to hunker down on a cop (in uniform open carrying) - they might decide to do that to joe blow w/ a gun on his waist.

C. well i don't have a C... heh

J/Tharg!
 
I just spent 3 weeks largely in the backcountry of AZ, NV and CO and did not see one person openly carrying, except for LEOs.

I also wonder how many people who carry guns as part of their profession would do so openly on their own time. The proponents of open carry seem to be invariably non-cops (Is that a better label than "civilian"?)

I still hold that it is culturally inappropriate outside of the woods, sorta like wearing wingtips in deer camp would be. The main proponents seem to have a political agenda rather than a practical.

The visible presence of a gun has not been proven to be a deterrent, or not. Plenty of LEOs are assaulted, and their attackers must know they are armed. About 1/4 of cops killed are done so with their own guns, per the UCR. Plenty of gun shops, banks and armored cars are attacked, and they invariable have armed "security." Platt and Mattix were known for haunting ranges in order to steal guns, and were implicated in the murders of several shooters. To assume that criminals apply sound logic in their decision making is faulty - if they did they would'nt be criminals. It is a great leap of faith to assume that they will spot an openly carried gun and move on.

Viewing the presence of a visible gun as a deterrent is largely talismanic. If it makes you feel better OK, but people use to think the same of crosses and garlic.
 
Sendec :) Right on!

Funny here in Alaska, unless you are in the Bush or fishing, etc, you dont see open carry..

And we got more armed household here than anywhere...

Personally, I can do without a gun hangin off me belt..I got too much bellly fer than...nice lttle gentlemans gun in my pocket is OK, my you know what is long enough for a little gun....:evil:

WildcomfortablbewithhisselfAlaska
 
I don't carry to make a political statement . I don't carry to educate people about firearms rights and responsible ownership . I don't carry to impress anyone . I don't carry to look like a concerned citizen or a LEO . I don't carry as a conversation starter . I don't carry as a fashion accessory . I don't tape my AAA card or First Responder certification to my back or have the first aid kit and fire extinguisher in my truck in open sight to show that I like to be prepared for very unlikely emergencies so why should I carry openly ?
 
I support open carry but I personally would never do it in public simply because its so polarizing. Way more likely to have someone say something, which isnt bad, but you also run the risk of someone trying to make a confrontation which is dangerous.

I think in this day and age it really depends on your area and so forth.
 
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