To Open Carry or not to Open Carry

[RancidSumo]

Well, here in the great state of Wyoming I am legally allowed to carry at the age of 16. I don't really have a need to nor do I think I will make a regular habit of it but I have considered doing the Walmart Walkthrough and carry a few other times to see what it is like. My question is, do you think it is more trouble than it is worth? Do you think that someone who doesn't plan on carrying on a regular basis should bother especially with me being 16? I am kind of worried that I could be arrested by LEOs that don't know the law. What do you think, should I just not bother or should I give it a try?

 

[VARifleman]

If you're 16 carrying a handgun, make sure to follow the Youth Handgun Safety Act.

http://www.atf.treas.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/i53002.pdf

I like open carry, but I've never open carried in WY, and the fact you're a minor throws another variable in the mix.

 

[Solo Flyer]

Since you live in Green River,Wyoming(I have been there,lucky you)you know everyone in town including the Sheriff,Wyoming has no statutory age limit and you feel like doing it and have the legal right to do it,I say head for Wal-Mart Open Carrying......With Pride.

 

[Standing Wolf]

People who are afraid to exercise our civil rights don't still have them.

 

[Black Knight]

I don't mean to insult you but being 16 and carrying may not be smart. At 16 someone may see a young punk or gang member instead of the real story. What is the general feeling for carrying in your area? Personally I wouldn't do it in this day and age at 16. When I was 16 no one batted an eye at a 16 year old open carrying down Main Street, but now its another story. The fact that you are asking for opinions tells me you have a good head on your shoulders. Whatever you do be careful. Maybe you should do the walk with a parent so it doesn't attract too much attention. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[RancidSumo]

Going off the link VARifleman provided, it doesn't look like it is legal for me to posses a handgun except to go to the range.

 

[donjulio]

Anyone who is allowed to open carry, should. If everyone did it, people in general would develop different opinions about firearms.

 

[Solo Flyer]

RancidSumo,notice Vermont's legal age at 16.
Wyoming declares no statutory limit.
I believe you can legally OC in Wyoming.
If I have to Solo Fly in there with you we're going to take that walk.
And to borrow the sig line from Titan 6 "and I mean it."

http://www.opencarry.org/vt.html
http://www.opencarry.org/wy.html

 

[RancidSumo]

I am going to check a few things first but I think that I will give it a try.

 

[ProficientRifleman]

If it is legal to open carry, then do so! Make it common. Make it NORMAL!

 

[ZombieHunter]

+1 to the "if you can legally do it, do it legally and regularly." Seriously, you ALWAYS have the reason to carry. Be prepared and all the accurate cliches!

 

[Solo Flyer]

If it is legal to open carry, then do so! Make it common. Make it NORMAL!

Amen.Like it was for well over a hundred years.

 

[jrfoxx]

The way I read the law VARifleman linked, and I'm not a lawyer, you are OK as long as you have WRITTEN permission to posess the handgun, from a parent/guardian. The written permission exception looks to be a wholly separate "exception" from the above one about employment, target shooting, hunting, ranching, etc. I dont see an "and" between the sections, so I would take them to be separate, and you only need to meet one of them, not all, or several. One of our legal minds would be better able to verify that one way or the other though.

that said.If you decide to OC, I say more power to you, and personnaly think it's great. I dont recall anything in the 2A that sets an age limit, so have at it. Sadly though, my opinion means squat in regards to the law, or the reality of how it will be viewed/enforced. You are probly the best judge of the possible outcomes for doing it, as you know the mood/attitudes of your town better than any of us who dont live there.

 

[csmkersh]

Well, here in the great state of Wyoming I am legally allowed to carry at the age of 16. I don't really have a need to...

How do you determine you have a need? When you're looking down the barrel of another's weapon? Little late, isn't it?

Carrying a firearm is like having insurance or a fire extinguisher. You don't want to need them but never no when you will need them until it's too late to change things.


Comment meant for all who don't carry either open or concealed.
​

 

[TallPine]

Just dress appropriately. For WY that would mean jeans, cowboy boots, and western shirt, and of course a single action revolver

 

[brighamr]

Given the heller decision that 2A is based on commonality... we NEED to make Open Carry common again

Try it. After a while, you will carry daily...

 

[RancidSumo]

Just dress appropriately. For WY that would mean jeans, cowboy boots, and western shirt, and of course a single action revolver

Well mabey not all of that but I night give it a try with my grandpa's old single action .357.

 

[finz50]

If you're legal, GO NUTS!

 

[mekender]

heres a good read on it...

http://guywithguns.blogspot.com/2008/06/open-carry.html

 

[Picard]

If you can, open carry! I wish I could. Hopefully some day I will.

 

[owlhoot]

If you do carry grandpa's old SA, just remember to keep the hammer down on an empty chamber...assuming the old gun is not one of those new-fangled Rugers.

 

[Solo Flyer]

Well mabey not all of that but I night give it a try with my grandpa's old single action .357.

Way to go RancidSumo.We're proud of you.

 

[240GMAN]

This would be my first ever post on THR.
I too live in a state with open carry. I carry concealed though. And I still don't like the thought of someone seeing my handle poking through my shirt. I don't want anybody to know I'm carrying. To me it attracts too much attention my way. I'm not saying open carry is bad...I just don't have the temperament for it. If you feel comfortable practicing OC, and it's legal...go for it.