What prompted the current open carry fad?

[torpid]

Don't kid yourself, bad guys will open carry as well. How would anyone tell the difference between the good or bad guy? They'll blend right in with the rest of the crowd.

And in a situation when nobody is OCing and the criminals hide their weapons, they stand out from the law-abiding CCWer how exactly?

It seems that either case, the criminal has a weapon, and still blends in with the rest of the crowd.

Though I have a sneaking suspicion that people with felonies might have less inclination to display their guns for the world to see than one who is legally cleared to do so.

 

[JesseL]

Don't kid yourself, bad guys will open carry as well. How would anyone tell the difference between the good or bad guy? They'll blend right in with the rest of the crowd.

I think it's going to be a while before you start seeing bad guys open carrying. Most of them seem disinclined to drop much cash on a holster; they see to prefer pocket or 'mexican' carry.

How do you tell the bad guys right now?
The only way I know is to see a guy doing something bad.

 

[JesseL]

The response from my local police chief on his feelings about open carry:

The carrying of unconcealed firearms is lawful conduct. No further comment.

 

[rhubarb]

I think Thomas Jefferson started the "fad." He didn't come out expressly on one side or the other of "open" carry, but I doubt it crossed his mind that open carry would be prohibited in favor of concealed carry.

"One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them." _Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1796.

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body, and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks. Never think of taking a book with you. _ Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Peter Carr 09-19-1785

And not explicitly on the topic of carrying a gun, but relevant to the restrictions on open vs. concealed carry:

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it._Thomas Jefferson, 1791

 

[F4GIB]

Too many ED commercials.

 

[JesseL]

Too many ED commercials.

Pardon?

Some of us really do a disservice to our efforts to defend the right to keep and bear arms. Implying that carrying a sidearm (open or not) is a sign of sexual inadequacy or that the mere sight of sidearms is somehow rude or discourteous, is playing right into the antis hands.

There is nothing sexual or shameful about owning and carrying firearms. Don't help perpetuate the myth that there is.:banghead:

 

[tpaw]

And in a situation when nobody is OCing and the criminals hide their weapons, they stand out from the law-abiding CCWer how exactly?
It seems that either case, the criminal has a weapon, and still blends in with the rest of the crowd.

You got it. Some are quite bold and fear nothing.

 

[FCFC]

I think it's going to be a while before you start seeing bad guys open carrying. Most of them seem disinclined to drop much cash on a holster; they see to prefer pocket or 'mexican' carry.

I think you''re very probably right. At least, if you mean bad guy=person with felony or any other condition or history that would preclude ownership of a handgun. But what about some kinda bad guys who ain't been to the slammer yet?

What will happen when some bad characters from the hood, guys who have have never been busted (or who have misdemeanors which do not preclude gun ownership) and who are of age decide, "Hey, I can pack me a High-Point in a holster and walk right down the street. In fact, all of my frens who ain't been busted, we can ALL walk down the street packin'--and ain't nobody can stop us. We don't need no stinkin' CCW to be packin'! Let's roll!"

Will that happen? That would be quite interesting if it does. Just think of a bunch of guys, crooked caps, dreads, grilles, heavy chains, hoodies, WIDE pants....walking through the mall--all with guns on holstered hip. All legal like.

Our brothers in arms...

Actually, they wouldn't really need a holster.

 

[herohog]

I've open carried for years. It started in Louisiana, an open carry state that, at the time, was virtually impossible to get a CCW permit in. Years later, before Shall Issue, I DID get a permit but you would not believe what it took! My job had to require it (I had an FFL so I said "Speedy, you need a CCW permit!"), I had to have a $10,000 (signature) bond, I had to have the local Sheriffs office sign off (I had to shoot the same combat course the officers did for their range master. I scored a 95 out of 100 with a $99 Norinco Tokarev, He was NOT amused). November 7, 1994, I was issued permit 0375. That is 375 permits in the whole state of Louisiana! They were rare as hens teeth!

I have had CCW permits in 2 other states since then and still open carry every now and then. Sometimes I do it because I have to (restaurant) or because it's convenient or just for the hell of it.

 

[tpaw]

Just think of a bunch of guys, crooked caps, dreads, grilles, heavy chains, hoodies, WIDE pants....walking through the mall--all with guns on holstered hip. All legal like.

Sounds like productive citizens in our society to me.......
You mentioned WIDE pants.....allow me to add something.....pulled down to their crotch....

 

[whosyrdaddy]

"Hey, I can pack me a High-Point in a holster and walk right down the street. In fact, all of my frens who ain't been busted, we can ALL walk down the street packin'--and ain't nobody can stop us. We don't need no stinkin' CCW to be packin'! Let's roll!"

In the alternative, they could just go get their ccw. That's the thing about "shall issue", it doesn't discriminate on skin color, baggy pants or music preference.

 

[JesseL]

What will happen when some bad characters from the hood, guys who have have never been busted (or who have misdemeanors which do not preclude gun ownership) and who are of age decide, "Hey, I can pack me a High-Point in a holster and walk right down the street. In fact, all of my frens who ain't been busted, we can ALL walk down the street packin'--and ain't nobody can stop us. We don't need no stinkin' CCW to be packin'! Let's roll!"

As long as they're not actually committing crimes, I don't really care if they do. I don't favor people losing their rights for the crime of looking scary.

If they are committing crimes, it doesn't really matter much if they're legally allowed to open carry or not, does it?

I guess if it actually happens and freaks people out enough, I suppose someone might start pushing for a ban on open carry. Is that what concerns you? It doesn't quite make sense to not exercise your rights for fear of losing them though.

Actually, they wouldn't really need a holster.

In Arizona they do.


From ARS 13-3102:

13-3102. Misconduct involving weapons; defenses; classification; definitions

A. A person commits misconduct involving weapons by knowingly:
1. Carrying a deadly weapon without a permit pursuant to section 13-3112 except a pocket knife concealed on his person; or

...

F. Subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section shall not apply to a weapon or weapons carried in a belt holster which holster is wholly or partially visible, or carried in a scabbard or case designed for carrying weapons which scabbard or case is wholly or partially visible or carried in luggage.

 

[wyocarp]

I'm of the opinion that if more people saw good people wearing guns that the general opinion towards guns would soften even if ever so slightly.

 

[torpid]

What will happen when some bad characters from the hood, guys who have have never been busted (or who have misdemeanors which do not preclude gun ownership) and who are of age decide, "Hey, I can pack me a High-Point in a holster and walk right down the street. In fact, all of my frens who ain't been busted, we can ALL walk down the street packin'--and ain't nobody can stop us.

And maybe these non-felons who are all of age might even -gasp- stroll over to the voting booth and exercise even more civil rights!