Today is my first day Open Carrying.

[1KPerDay]

Are you speaking from experience, or just speculation and stories on the internet?

Clearly the latter. Actually a recent CCW class, and it made sense to me. But if you live in a place where it's commonplace, more power to you.

And bonus points for the proper use of the term "Quixotic."

 

[WayneConrad]

I see that the right to carry concealed is a privelage as there is no provision within the consititution that states the right of the individual to carry a concealed weapon.

Please see the ninth amendment, and this discussion on unenumerated Rights.

 

[scrat]

Scrat maybe he needs to OC with a Walker, LOL

That would be one heck of a site.

an almost 16" side arm in .44.

 

[Nightwing]

To those of you that offered support, thanks so much!
To those of you that were critical and didn't even read half my post, and just jumped to conclusions about things I'd clearly talked about if you'd just READ the whole post.... shame on you. You bring this community down.

It was a great experience! actually very calm, as I expected. Got 2 funny comments from some older ladies that were very nice. A small local restaurant owner told me she was glad to see me, and happy to have someone around to protect them (smiling. very nice older lady and her daughter own this little kraut burger place by my house).
Really good experience and I'll be doing it most of the time from now on.
Found that it's easy to manage sitting in pretty much any chair with my holster. Only hard in the car, where I just put it in my glove box. So.... YAY!
Totally comforting. Very calm and enjoyable day for me.
I have discovered I need a better belt also. haha

THANKS THR!!!!!!!

 

[csmkersh]

*

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

  Texas doesn't allow open carry except on your own property. CCW only.
  
  When I leave Texas and travel into New Mexico and Arizona, I open carry. Back in Texas, I'm licensed to carry concealed and do so. If I'm dressed, I'm heeled.

 

[scrat]

Pretty cool nice to hear of your success.


AS for Texas. Wow i did not know. too bad.
any how you live and learn

 

[WayneConrad]

Nightwing, Wasn't it predicted you'd next be writing us from the pokey?

Well done. It's also been my experience that many small business owners are happy to see us carrying, at least in these mountain states. I can only guess why.

 

[scrat]

now if someone would just open carry with one of these. wow what a sight that would be.

 

[mike6161]

happy to see you had a nice time and are not in the pokey (or are you)

 

[JesseL]

now if someone would just open carry with one of these. wow what a sight that would be.
<pics of Walker Colt>

It's not a Walker, but last year on Independence Day I carried my 8" barreled Uberti 1858 Remington downtown. Lotsa fun



One of the local restaurateurs carries a similar Remington every day. I see him strolling Whiskey Row pretty regular.

 

[scrat]

That is soooo coool. im droooling

 

[plexreticle]

It's a good idea to know the law, I just hope the cops do.

I feel open carry is generally a bad idea in public for a number of reasons.

Being:
1. It makes you a target for ignorant police.
2. Many people will assume your a LEO.
3. Makes you a target for people that hate guns and cops.

I'm sure many here will disagree.

Have fun.

 

[Zedicus]

I feel open carry is generally a bad idea in public for a number of reasons.

Being:
1. It makes you a target for ignorant police.
2. Many people will assume your a LEO.
3. Makes you a target for people that hate guns and cops.

I am curious why you only consider the cons and not the pros....

Here are a few pro's.

Pro's:

• Provides many Good Opportunity's to educate people who are otherwise unaware.
• Desensitizes those with an irrational fear of guns.
• Sends a Clear message to would be criminals to reconsider their actions.
• Is a tactical advantage should you (god forbid) ever have to use your gun for the reasons you carry it.
• Can be a good defuser in certain situations.
• If you have a good respectable appearance, you show people that Gun Owners are not a bunch of crazy inbred Hic's.

I could probably go on for a page or more.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Nightwing,

Go to "the belt man"
http://www.thebeltman.net/

expensive but it doesn't get better for carry purposes. I have two (one black, one brown) of the 1.50" double layer bullhide and they are AWESOME! Worth every damned penny of the $60 I paid for each of 'em, especially if (like me) you carry a fairly heavy firearm.

 

[plexreticle]

Pro's:

* Provides many Good Opportunity's to educate people who are otherwise unaware.
* Desensitizes those with an irrational fear of guns.
* Sends a Clear message to would be criminals to reconsider their actions.
* Is a tactical advantage should you (god forbid) ever have to use your gun for the reasons you carry it.
* Can be a good defuser in certain situations.
* If you have a good respectable appearance, you show people that Gun Owners are not a bunch of crazy inbred Hic's.

I could go on about the negatives a page or so but this is the high road.

" * Provides many Good Opportunity's to educate people who are otherwise unaware."

Unaware of what?

" * Desensitizes those with an irrational fear of guns."

People with an irrational fear of guns are the last folks you want to sport you open carry around. They are irrational.

* Is a tactical advantage should you (god forbid) ever have to use your gun for the reasons you carry it.

It's a tactical advantage to wear body armor and a helmet but I'm not gonna do it. No reason too and disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.

"* Can be a good defuser in certain situations."

Really? Tell that to your average LEO.

"* If you have a good respectable appearance, you show people that Gun Owners are not a bunch of crazy inbred Hic's."

What's considered respectable looking?

 

[springmom]

Congratulations on your success. I'm jealous. Here's hoping Texas joins in and allows it next year.

Springmom

 

[WayneConrad]

The man's already decided to carry openly. In fact, he's already got a proven instance of doing it without any evident problems (a bird in the hand). Any particular reason we need to start the open carry debate yet again in this particular thread?

Do you guys see open carriers feeling the need to seek out people talking about CCW holsters, or how glad they are that their permit arrived... and telling them that they really should carry openly instead?

Show a little respect.

 

[Zedicus]

I could go on about the negatives a page or so but this is the high road.

" * Provides many Good Opportunity's to educate people who are otherwise unaware."

Unaware of what?

Guns, OC being perfectly Legal in most states, I could go on but i think most can get the picture.

" * Desensitizes those with an irrational fear of guns."

People with an irrational fear of guns are the last folks you want to sport you open carry around. They are irrational.

You speak of that as if it were an Incurable Cancer....

* Is a tactical advantage should you (god forbid) ever have to use your gun for the reasons you carry it.

It's a tactical advantage to wear body armor and a helmet but I'm not gonna do it. No reason too and disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.

Really? Then why do so many people still Ride Motorcycles if Body Armour and Helmets were such a disadvantage?

"* Can be a good defuser in certain situations."

Really? Tell that to your average LEO.

No need, It was an average Local LEO who Told me that one.

"* If you have a good respectable appearance, you show people that Gun Owners are not a bunch of crazy inbred Hic's."

What's considered respectable looking?

Depends on where you live, It could be anything from Jeans & a T-Shirt Without Holes, to Casual Slacks and a Nice Shirt.

 

[LongRangeMaster]

Actually in Colorado, you can have a pistol loaded in your Car at anytime. You can hide it in the glovebox or lay it on the dash. As for OC in colorado and most all western states, its legal and in most rural areas totally accepted. Denver has its own laws but other than that, knock youself out. I lived in colorado until last year and was told more than once by local LEO to definately OC my gun, they much appreciate it.

TITLE 18, U.S.C., SECTION 242 states that anyone who stops your civil right by way of any means including intimidation or any, or by use of their office, ie. police, they are subject to fine and imprisonment.

If you carry a copy of that law with you, as well as a copy of the 2nd amendment, and notify any LEO of the law and he proceeds to detain or arrest you. He will be guilty of violation of civil rights and you have criminal and civil charges at your disposal.

 

[jrfoxx]

Congrats on a good, uneventful OC experiance.I've done it a fair number of times myself, as I find it the most comfortable and conveniant.Never had anyone even notice as far as I can tell, even when I OC'd a Ruge Redhawk .44 mag in a big ol leather holster (I was coming back from huntng, it was hot).Still no one noticed.Not my preferred carry gun though...awefull heavy, and REAL uncomfortable to wear while driving.....).I did enjoy feeling like a cowboy though...

 

[Grizfire]

I don't open carry, but I'm not going to tell you not to Nightwing. In fact, since its you, and not me, I say go for it. We need more people like you, Nightwing, who have the balls to exercise their rights.

By practicing open carry, you are forcing open discussion and increased awareness with the public. Therefore, in my opinion, practicing perfectly legal open carry will have the long term benefit of supporting our RKBA.


So thank you Nightwing.

 

[Gray Peterson]

"I see that the right to carry concealed is a privelage as there is no provision within the consititution that states the right of the individual to carry a concealed weapon."

I disagree. The 2nd makes no mention of how the arms are have to be carried. Brearing a sidearm under my shirt is still bearing arms. It is no longer a right and suddenly a privelidge if my tshirt covers my pistol?

Robertson v. Baldwin (1897) states that concealed weapons is not bearing arms as protected under the Second Amendment.

 

[rainbowbob]

I have no problem with your general intent but I do with a gun in church.

Uhh...did you hear about the gunman at the church in Colorado?

 

[Im283]

yeah, I meant to comment on the church thing earlier.

Why is it so bad to have a gun in church? Is your bible going to protect you?
Didn't Jesus say something to the effect of sell your clothes to get a weapon?

 

[CajunBass]

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

Pretty much the way it goes around here. From time to time someone will ask me what kind of gun I'm carrying, or "Can I do that too?" or something like that, but that's about it.