What prompted the current open carry fad?

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A decade ago in VA I saw it fairly often. I think people there got fed up with the "you can conceal here, but you must open carry there" laws, so I'd see guys walking in the grocery store with 1911s on their hips.

It's illegal here, so I never see it except for rural towns where old ranchers seem to have an understanding with the local law.
 
Well, a year ago, you'd see an -occasional- thread discussing the topic, but folks were far more concerned with CCW, etc...

Now, it's like every other thread is OC this, OC that... Just wondering what started folks thinking about it.
 
Now, it's like every other thread is OC this, OC that... Just wondering what started folks thinking about it.
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Well, we finally all agreed that .45 is better than 9mm (or was it the other way around???) and we needed something else to talk about ;)

Personally, I want to know if anyone OC's OC ?
 
I started open carrying in 1999 around the time I turned 21 and got my first pistol. I knew it was legal so I went ahead and did it.

Nothing bad happened, nobody freaked out, and the police never hassled me.

I had to speak up when I started reading posts on the internet (mostly rec.guns and the packing.org forums) from doomsayers who claimed that anybody who open carried would be simultaneously jumped by gang-bangers looking for a gun, arrested for terrorizing the public, and be subjected to the lamentations of outraged soccer moms.

I don't know for sure what started the current buzz about OC, but I know that Virginia's restaurant OC requirement and the Ohio open carry marches probably helped.

I like to think that maybe there's a broader social inertia building, of people that are realizing what liberty, freedom, and individual responsibility are all about.
 
It's illegal here, so I never see it except for rural towns where old ranchers seem to have an understanding with the local law.
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We're working on it.

As other's have said, when you are talking about carrying in 90+ degree heat, it can be easier and safer to do so openly. I really hope we get open carry passed in the next state legislative session. Unfortunately, my state rep is not completely for it. But, he is pushing for allowing concealed carry on college campuses.
 
I can't speak for anyone other than myself, so here is my reason for carrying a gun either openly or concealed: Crime.

Eight times in two years I've been at the scene of armed criminal activity. I survived every one by keeping a low profile and trying to remain unseen behind some large solid landscape or architecture. I was never the primary target.

Incident number nine changed everything. We have a fair number of door to door salesmen-mostly landscaping services. Funny how they always show up after I've finished planting a new tree or shrub or just mowed the lawn. And they never seem to have any tools-not a rake or shovel or even work gloves. Some walk, some ride bikes, some actually arrive in an (empty) truck. Normally I keep my eyes open.

One morning I started walking down to a neighbors house, 3 or 4 doors away. I wanted information about her rooftop carrier. Halfway there I heard a bicyclist approaching. Suddenly I was struck vigorously between my shoulder blades by this creeps outstretched hand. As I straighten up and turn to face him I heard "gimme your money, old man!"

I replied "I'm not an old man, and I ain't giving you (expletive deleted)".

He dug around in a pocket of his dirty cargo shorts and came out with a small stainless steel auto pistol, saying "Then how's about I cap your (expletive deleted)!"

Long story shortened: I gave up about twenty buck in a green bulldog clip and a couple Sacajawea dollars carried so I'm never broke. As he road away, he turned and said "Next time you better have more (money) old man!"

I guarantee one and all, that next time, I'll have a whole lot more to give him!
 
I just got off the phone with a police sergeant I know. I live in Idaho, one of the most gun friendly states in the nation and asked about open carry in town. It's completely legal by state statute but he said you'd spend a lot of time spread-eagled on the ground as no one does it and they would respond to a call by a concerned citizen. He pointed out that the police don't know who you are other than a man with a gun. If you check out, you'll be on your way but there will always be a next time. My town has about 40k people and most people mind their own business but the only time you'll see me OC is in the country. Otherwise, my weapon is concealed.

It's really hard for me to believe some of what I've been reading about OC here and on other forums regarding no one paying attention. Hell, I'd freak out if I saw someone carrying a side arm in Costco and I'd move in another direction.
 
It's really hard for me to believe some of what I've been reading about OC here and on other forums regarding no one paying attention. Hell, I'd freak out if I saw someone carrying a side arm in Costco and I'd move in another direction.
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I that person was simply minding their own business and shopping with a holstered sidearm, I'm curious as to why you would freak out?
 
I'd freak out because it's simply not done around here. It's out of the norm. If we met in the country (where I live), I wouldn't think anything of it because it is more common out here.

In all my travels, I don't know that I've ever seen anyone anywhere (talking about larger towns here) OC a firearm who wasn't in uniform or wearing a badge on their belt.
 
Try concealing a glock or XD, and you'll see why. Also, CCW costs alot of time and a bit of money. Most people would rather not go through the process of waiting all that time to carry, so they go the open carry route until they either receive their CCW permit, or maybe one day feel like getting one.
 
CSG said:
I just got off the phone with a police sergeant I know. I live in Idaho, one of the most gun friendly states in the nation and asked about open carry in town. It's completely legal by state statute but he said you'd spend a lot of time spread-eagled on the ground as no one does it and they would respond to a call by a concerned citizen.
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Did he say what other legal and peaceable activities would get you in trouble? I'd hate to be tackled because I wore my hair parted on the wrong side or had the wrong color socks and someone called the police about it.

CSG said:
It's really hard for me to believe some of what I've been reading about OC here and on other forums regarding no one paying attention. Hell, I'd freak out if I saw someone carrying a side arm in Costco and I'd move in another direction.
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Believe it or not, it's true. Whether most people don't notice or don't give a damn, I've never had anybody freak out on me.

Would you freak out if you happened to glance someone's concealed weapon?

Freaking out when confronted with a reminder that you're aren't as safe as you'd like to think is counterproductive (whether the reminder is a real threat or just someone more prepared than yourself).

It's far better to just recognize that potential threats are everywhere (though actual threats are rare) and deal with life with calm and rational preparedness.
 
We're working on it.
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I hope it goes through as well. Purely coincidence, but I just dropped a check in the mail for TSRA this morning.

It's completely legal by state statute but he said you'd spend a lot of time spread-eagled on the ground as no one does it and they would respond to a call by a concerned citizen.
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You should ask him what reason he would give to a court for making a person stop and spread eagle on the ground for following the law.
 
Hell, I'd freak out if I saw someone carrying a side arm in Costco and I'd move in another direction.
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Generally if I see someone open carrying, I assume they are a stand up person. When I think of a dangerous criminal bent on doing something wrong I don't think of someone open carrying. I think of a concealed weapon. Also, I don't have any stats to back this up but I view a criminal just shoving a gun in their waistband rather than using a holster.
 
You should come here and be the guinea pig, waterhouse. I'm just reporting what the local police said. Personally, I think OC in an urban era is foolish for a variety of reasons. I think concealed carry is much smarter. No need to advertise, element of surprise, and all that.

We have no issues with CCW's in this area and as a former LEO myself, I've had a CCW since I lived in California (where I was a LEO in the 70's). I've had my Idaho CCW since I moved here in 1994 and also have a Utah CCW. WE don't need to disclose to law enforcement that we are armed but carrying a gun, exposed on your hip, is not normal dress and I suspect not the norm in most cities regardless of whether or not it's completely legal. It doesn't surprise me that local law enforcement would respond appropriately to a "man with a gun" call.

I'm just saying that if you open carry in town here, expect to get noticed.
 
You should come here and be the guinea pig, waterhouse.
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I have no reason to travel to Idaho, and no desire to be a guinea pig. If he is a sergeant you know, it seems like it would be much easier for you to ask him than for me to travel to your state.

If a cop I knew told me that his reaction to a law abiding citizen obeying the law would be to get them down on the ground spread-eagle, I would ask why he would do such a thing.
 
You can go to this website, which has a seperate section for each state, plus the applicable state laws. I open carry in Coeur d'Alene all the time. I hve never been "spread eagled", but I have walked right by the police there at times.

Must be a different Idaho in the pacific time zone. ;)

http://www.opencarry.com/


bob
 
Folks, I'm just reporting what I was told and what I think about OC. I do it all the time out in the country but wouldn't dream of it in town. Sorry if you don't like my opinion or it agrees with yours.

I understand it's legal but so is CCW in 40 states and not all cops are aware of it. You can *expect* to get hassled on occasion by law enforcement. The only time I was was as an off-duty deputy sheriff in the Bay Area of California. I foolishly was exposing my sidearm while swinging a golf club in a department store. I was approached by two uniformed police (so much for my SA) but after showing them my badge and ID it was a short and polite encounter with a bit of chastisement for exposing my weapon carelessly.
 
It strikes me as, i don't know, a little sad that you'd freak out over a legal carry of a sidearm, but a law enforcement officer stating that he'd violate your legal rights seems a non-issue?

I am a big fan of open carry because it show's the sheeple that yeah, normal people carry firearms, despite what certain politicians and media types say. We hide 'em like they're porn and it makes it easy for the unwashed masses to believe they're evil.
 
Jesse, I would wonder why you had a firearm in plain view and move away from you. You look like a nice guy and I've got two young kids myself but I don't know you and would wonder why you would carry an exposed weapon rather than concealed. Just the way I feel about it.
 
On-going and very lively discussions going on in the PAFOA forums over OC (which is legal in Pennsylvania).

Take a look at the many threads...http://www.pafoa.org/forum/concealed-open-carry-121/

In a nutshell, if Open Carry is legal in your state, (to quote one of our fine PAFOA members)

We want and deserve the ability to legally open carry a firearm without harassment.
We want and deserve to have police officers that are trained well enough in the laws of their own jurisdiction so that we do not get harassed while NOT committing a crime.

In regard to the many hassles we have encountered OCing...doing such dastardly things like ordering pizza or eating dinner...:what: Another member wrote.....

"When officers decide to act in a manner that is inconsistent with the law and is a violation of their rights, members here (at PAFOA) stand up for themself and refuse to allow their rights to be violated...... The confrontations that occur and have occured are a result of the officers either not knowing the law and rights of citizens, or the officers not caring about the law and rights of the citizens. In the case of the first, it is poor training that causes the confrontation, not the OCer. In the case of the second, is it the arrogance of the officer involved that causes the confrontation, not the OCer.

If you truly feel that a citizen standing up for their statutory and Constitutional rights is provoking a confrontation, feel free to move to a nation such as China where no citizen would ever dare to stand up for their rights as I am quite certain the government would welcome you with open arms."

I myself am in full agreement with these statements.

I'm just saying that if you open carry in town here, expect to get noticed
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I'm curious, assuming OC is legal there, "Get Noticed" how?
 
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