Today is my first day Open Carrying.

[Nightwing]

Please say a quick prayer and wish me a good experience. Today is my first day Open carrying.
I have the day off of work, and only have errands to run at Walmart, Home Depot, and at my Church.
I've read every single bit of Statute and Law I can get my hands on about open carry, and I believe I am now well enough informed to know what I can and Can't do.
May this be the beginning of a long gun toting voyage for me, and may I never have need to actually even remove this amazing tool from it's holster.
I believe that God is my protector and I have nothing to fear, but I also believe that the bible has told me that it is foolish to not have the desire to protect yourself and those around you from the works of evil men. This is why I've chosen to take the road of Open Carry until I get my CCW in 3 months.

And 1 last question for you guys, becasue it seems like I'm not totally 100% sure on this one even after all the reading...
Can I remove this gun from my holster and put it in a drawer in my desk at church? I believe it qualifies as storage and not concealing.
It will only be in the desk when I'm there. Even if I go to the bathroom, it will be put back in my holster.
Tell me if this is ok or if it's considered an illegal practice. I see no reason why it would be a problem, but I am asking instead of assuming that I know everything. Also, even though the law is TOTALLY clear on the rules, I want to be assured by some folks that my carry in places like WalMart and Home Depot is completely legal, as long as the entirety of the gun and holster is in plain view.

Thanks guys.

 

[Pat-inCO]

Is this a joke?

 

[Nightwing]

No. This is not a Joke. I have been a long time gun owner. I am interested in exercising my right to openly carry my pistol. I have well educated myself, and now am asking for reassurance that I have properly understood the law and what is required of me until I receive my concealed permit.
You have to start somewhere.
I'm a responsible individual. I'm trying to be as responsible as I can. I value the opinions and knowledge of the people here that are FAR more experienced than me, and I am expressing my concerns to those that I know can give me answers. Please.... this is not a Joke

 

[scrat]

i dont know its one of those things where we wish we could do it but you can get into a lot of trouble. lets say someone gets you upset or trys to argue with you. any movement or touch can be considered a threat and could lock you up.

 

[scrat]

well i hope you live in texas. What state do you live in.


man i hate this.

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[Nightwing]

I live in Colorado.
Yes... I know not to open carry in Denver city limits, and to keep my gun in my Glovebox Locked.
But all of my errands will be run in Adams County, and in the town of Brighton, Specifically, all day today.

 

[rjohnson4405]

Prayers sent and I think it's a great idea. If you're relatively certain you won't get in trouble where you live (sound like you are) I think it's important to exercise your right. Good move on being well-educated, even carrying a copy of statutes isn't a bad idea because even LE aren't always aware of them.

Good luck.

 

[Harpo]

I'm assuming you are in a state that allows open carry, and you are not "testing" the law or making a 2A "statement". With this in mind, I'd suggest you find some local folks who open carry in your area, and talk to them. They can give you a feel for any problems or pitfalls that are common in your community.

As far as leaving your weapon in a desk drawer, I'd be sure that it is unloaded, the ammo is in a separate location, and that you alone have access and control to the desk.

Prayers offered, and keep us posted!
Harpo

 

[Nightwing]

Thank you guys!
No. not a 2A statement. Just exercising my right to protect myself and others who choose not to.
Well.... off to run errands. Wish me luck.
I'll print some statutes at Church.
Anyone specifically have an idea what I should print and carry that would be most useful to me if I needed it? I could print EVERYTHING but my wallet wouldn't close, so I want to print JUST what's important to my defense if a Peace Officer is confused on the facts.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Vermont]

Don't try to argue with a police officer. If he wants to arrest you, tell him once that open carry is not illegal. If he still wants to arrest you, let him and then get a lawyer.

 

[xsquidgator]

See if you can find a Colorado equivalent to Jon Gutmacher's "Florida Firearms Law". Good book and the author is a local (to me) lawyer who is the first person I would call in the event I needed a lawyer in a firearms or self-defense matter. Surely there is someone (more than one someone) in your area, just a matter of looking around. The "Florida Firearms Law" book might even be worth getting. Colorado law is certainly different in some ways than FL, but part of what I got out of the book was that it presents the law and then presents what it actually means.

Good luck with your OC. I empathize with the sense of purpose, I felt the same resolve when I originally got my CWP and started carrying. I think it's one of the ultimate statements of individuality.

 

[Nightwing]

Don't try to argue with a police officer. If he wants to arrest you, tell him once that open carry is not illegal. If he still wants to arrest you, let him and then get a lawyer.

And I ask again, what statutes or laws can U print and put in my wallet that would allow me to say "Officer. Pelase take my weapon, and my wallet and look in the pocket of it. There is a printout of colorado rules (or whatever) that will explain that what I am doing is not illegal. Please cuff me, and detain me for your safety, if need be, and feel free to radio in verification of these rights."

 

[DaveBeal]

Can I remove this gun from my holster and put it in a drawer in my desk at church?

First of all, I am not a lawyer. I assume that you're asking whether putting the gun in your desk would be considered concealment. My understanding of the Colorado definition of a concealed weapon is that it must be concealed on or about your person and be available for immediate use. I don't think the drawer would be considered on or about your person, but that's just my opinion.

 

[cleardiddion]

Tell us how it goes!
And best of luck!

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Based on your recent thread regardling this, particularly your rambling letter revealing all your insecurities about guns, I would suggest you aren't ready to carry a gun, open or otherwise.

Can I remove this gun from my holster and put it in a drawer in my desk at church?

I have no idea about the legal aspect, but as a general rule, it's best to leave the damn thing in the holster. Messing around with it every time you stand up or sit down is a recipe for placing an unexpected hole somewhere.

 

[CountGlockula]

I hope you went to www.opencarry.org before you left the house today.

Anyways, good luck and be safe.

 

[icanthitabarn]

Who said its not safe to be on the internet?

 

[30 cal slob]

one has to be careful not to be seen as "brandishing" a gun.

taking the weapon out of the holster IN A PUBLIC PLACE can get you in hot water for brandishing in certain jurisdictions. just be sure to check up on that aspect of CO law.

the best thing to do is keep the thing holstered. most ND's happen when folks are messing around with their weapons.

if you are OCing, i strongly suggest you use some type of retention holster (as long as you're not OC'ing a loaded Glock or similar).

best of luck, and PLEASE check out the CO forum at:

http://www.opencarry.org

 

[Justin]

Leaving the weapon unattended in a desk drawer is a horrendously bad idea.

 

[cchurchi]

I open carried (while riding a bullet bike) about 8 years ago after nearly being run over on my motorcycle and also after being harrased several times. A large black glock sticks out quite a bit when wearing a white t-shirt. I also had a concealed permit at the time. Looking back, even though I only did it on about 5 rides, I think it was stupid.

People really seemed to stear clear of me though and I certainly didn't get harassed.

 

[Mainsail]

The police aren’t going to arrest you for open carry in CO (I wish you would edit your profile so that information is available without others having to ask). You may be detained by the police, however that would only be appropriate if the officer has reasonable articuable suspicion that you are or have committed a crime. The police cannot legally seize you without that. Being or looking suspicious is not ‘reasonable articuable suspicion that a crime is afoot’; there must be the element of some crime, which he can verbally express, that you are committing.

If you are stopped by a police officer (and not in your car) the first question you must ask is, “Am I being detained?” Everything hinges on the officer’s answer to that question, so don’t let him dodge it or distract you with another question of his own. If he tells you yes, that you are being detained, immediately ask, “For suspicion of what crime are you detaining me?” If his answer is, “Because you’re carrying a gun” and open carry is legal, then he’s blowing smoke up your butt. Immediately request a supervisor. Where you are going, why you are carrying a gun, or why you chose to wear that atrocious purple shirt today is not police business. They like to demand identification as an opening, if they do, ask the question, “Am I being detained?” I don’t know what the ID requirements are there (here in Washington I’m not obligated by law to show them anything unless I’m in my car) so you might want to research that.

If he says, no, that you are not being detained, politely wish the officer a fine Colorado day and move along. Don’t get into a debate with him, don’t argue, just leave or go back to what you were already doing.

 

[Treo]

The Colorado state constitution provides that any action not specifically forbidden by law is allowed. As such there is no law permitting open carry in Colorado, there's just no law forbidding it. So you can't just print up a statute to hand to the cop.

That said arguing W/ a cop is very, very bad Ju-Ju if a cop tells you to put it up get his business card and comply ,you can write a letter to his supervisor later. If they want to arrest you, invoke your Miranda rights and let them. You can get a lawyer later, if you start arguing you may beat the gun charge but you won't beat the resisting arrest charge.

As for leaving the gun in your desk what's the point? leave it holstered

 

[Bob R]

Officer. Pelase take my weapon, and my wallet and look in the pocket of it. There is a printout of colorado rules (or whatever) that will explain that what I am doing is not illegal. Please cuff me, and detain me for your safety, if need be, and feel free to radio in verification of these rights."

I don't know how it works in CO, but here in WA I only have a few phrases I use with the police when open carrying.

If the cop is in the least bit hostile, I ask " Am I being detained?" At that point it is yes or no. If no it is "Am I free to go?". If yes (detainment) it is "Could you please get a supervisor?"

Once the supervisor gets there we can all have a non-confrontational chat about the pertinent laws in WA state. And I can also ask the officers to articulate a reason for stopping me. Open carry of a gun is not a reason to detain a person in WA.

Here in WA the laws are good for open carry, just that some police need some education.

Make sure you know all of the state and local laws before you go out with a gun in plain view, you may be able to educate people (and police) about it.

bob

Mainsail, do we go prescribe to the same school of thought, or what? While I was typing, you were doing the same.

 

[JesseL]

Don't worry. Be Proud.

I predict you will:

• Not be hassled anywhere
• Notice that most people don't see your gun
• Notice that most of the people who do see your gun won't particularly care

Being confident, calm, and looking clean cut are the secret to open carrying without trouble. When you know that you're not doing anything wrong it shows, and people respond.

I've noticed that carrying with a quality belt and holster (I like thebeltman.net and El Paso Saddlery) also helps with the reactions. Avoid nylon like the plague, as well as Kydex (decent holsters, but less friendly looks).

Last weekend I open carried when I took my wife and son out to breakfast. Didn't get a single dirty look and the only indication that anyone noticed was the guy waiting to be seated who asked me if my pistol was a 9mm.

 

[scrat]

i think im going to get something to eat, make another pot of coffee and get ready to hear this one. Now if we dont get a reply from this guy in the next few hours i guess we will know what happened. jus need the story.