Why hide our weapons?

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abrink

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Moyock North Carolina but i go to VA a lot also.
It just occurred to me. Why hide our guns? Should we really have to hide our guns to make people that don't like guns feel safe? Or are you going to stick to the element of surprise thing? IMO it's better to make it clear that you won't go down easy and that you will defend people around you than to surprise your criminal. What if he harms someone in the time it takes for you to get to your weapon? I know it probably won't happen but do you know how many times crimes would have been prevented if someone had been openly carrying a firearm at the time?

Now I'm not here to spark the open/concealed argument...again. I'm just asking why do you make it a point to hide your weapon? I usually carry concealed to buy I'm starting to question it.
 
I sort of agree with you. I think OC is a good idea sometimes (assuming nobody will call the cops on you on another idiotic "man/woman with a gun" call that I'm sure the police just LOVE) as I think it would be a major deterrent to criminals. Thugs want to take the path of least resistance. Why do you think they go after old ladies and such and not big, burly 300lb dudes? If a crook sees that you're armed, he won't try and take it from you, he'll find someone else, who's an easier target.
 
I've started to move more toward your line of thinking as well. These days the only reason I carry concealed is because Florida won't let me open carry. I strongly feel that open carry is what will win our fight. When people begin to get used to the sight of well mannered, respectful, free citizens carrying firearms the anti's lose the wind in their sails. Plus, open carry is just more comfortable and makes it more likely people will carry on a day to day basis.
 
My biggest practical problem with open carry: the laws prohibiting ANY gun carry under certain & frequent conditions are so complex, stupid, obtuse, and open to interpretation that open carry risks someone (esp. cop) seeing me carry, realize it's illegal, and get me tossed in a cage for doing so - when I didn't even know I was doing anything illegal. Walking past a bus stop? Didn't know the state/feds owned the building? Wasn't aware a "public gathering" was forming? A school is <1000 feet away? Ironic thing about GA: you can own any gun you want, you just face a host of bizzarely prohibited locations.
 
Ohio Rifleman said:
…assuming nobody will call the cops on you on another idiotic "man/woman with a gun" call that I'm sure the police just LOVE
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Well…people can call the police for practically anything. I had someone call the police on me for open carry today, quite frantically in fact, and from the sound of it they were telling her they weren’t going to come. I was in the park for another 45 minutes or so and even saw a patrol car driving by the far end, but they never stopped or even looked for me.

I don’t believe in hiding your carry weapon, if you live where you have a choice anyway. The ‘element of surprise’ has some merit, but it backs you against the wall tactically. The only time it can do you any good is when you’re already in the thick of it and need to fight your way out. Open carry has a definite deterrent effect. We didn’t with the cold war against the USSR because of the weapons they didn’t know we had.

I would much rather prevent a criminal encounter than fight my out of one.
 
About 10 years back, I was at a local store. A well-dressed gentleman was standing looking at some items. He was open-carrying an autoloader...a Glock 17 if memory serves me. I asked him if he were a police officer. He simply responded, "No, Michigan has 'Open carry'".

I looked at him and said, "Cool, but I'd want to carry a Colt 1911."

With that, he engaged in a heck of a lengthy conversation about Michigan's firearms laws. It was a great conversation! He closed the conversation with a single point that I will not soon forget:

If you plan to open carry, it is imperative that you present professionally. Keep your hair groomed, face shaved, nice clothes. Use a professional holster, not a piece of junk. Basically, go out dressed like a detective would dress. But, if you go out dressed in dirty, greasy, torn jeans and a filthy shirt, unshaven, sure people will call the police.
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I responded, "It sounds like dress-for-success for open carry of firearms".
 
I'm Not A Sheepdog

QUOTE" it's better to make it clear that you won't go down easy and that you will defend people around you than to surprise your criminal"

That's the statement that concerns me. I don't carry to defend other people ( no that does not mean I will sit there and watch a group of thugs set your grandmother on fire) my CHP imputes no police powers to me nor, does it confer upon me any duty to respond.

As to why I'm prefer to hide my gun. I'm just one of those very private people. If I don't know you I don't want you to come up & start a conversation W/ me about what kind of gun I'm carrying. I don't want to have to waste my time "educating " the manager of my local Wal-Mart on local open carry laws. And finally by openly displaying my firearm I place control of my life in the hands of whatever anti , or soccer mom wants to call the cops & scream "man W/ a gun" I don't need the hassle.
 
I got thanked yesterday at WalMart for open carrying.

I know of at least one incident where a potential bank robber changed his mind once he saw a bank customer in line with his 1911 exposed.
 
And finally by openly displaying my firearm I place control of my life in the hands of whatever anti , or soccer mom wants to call the cops & scream "man W/ a gun" I don't need the hassle.
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I mean no disrespect, but that seems like an odd way of thinking about it. You're "placing control of your life in [anothers'] hands"?

I guess you had better be willing to do the same if, on the off chance, you print or your cover garment reveals your concealed firearm then. I mean, I understand we all play the odds and the odds of a concealed weapon showing AND a person notices AND they call the cops is probably less, but the vast majority of people don't even notice an openly carried pistol in the first place.
 
I wouldn't open carry if I could.

Most trouble makers have "tough guy" complexes, and I feel like it would egg the stupid criminals out there on.

Remember, a couple of kids tried to hold up a police station not too long ago.

Criminals do not follow your logic.
 
When I carry concealed I carry concealed. If I carry openly I have no control over some soccer mom freaking out & calling the cops, I do not want to deal W/ that (potential) hassel.

Bottom line I don't invite people I don't know into my space. I like to blend in, I don't care to draw attention ( however minimal) to myself.

If I'm openly carrying a gun I stand out & I don't like to stand out.
 
Open carry these days in the general public tends to make people nervous, and gives the impression that you're showing off your equipment...sort of "John Wayning" it. It also makes you the primary target should a criminal who is truly bent on his mischief sees your weapon before you see him coming.

In 1989, a W-S police Sergeant who was moonlighting at a local seafood restaurant demonstrated the dangers of open carry when four miscreants planning an armed robbery during the evening meal walked in...straight to him...and shot him out of his seat.

Only rage, guts, and sheer determination thwarted their plans when he got back to his feet and killed two of them on the spot. The others ran, and were arrested later that night.
 
I open carry here in Ga on a fairly regular basis. Funny thing is only twice have I been given grief and both times it was female immigrants. One at a restaurant which none of us frequents any longer due to their anti attitudes. The other was at my bank, she didn't know the laws and is a friend so we talked and now she and the bank manager carry. When I enter the bank they always make sure to talk to me.

Even when I conceal, I print alot. Only someone >500lbs would call me thin.
 
In 1989, a W-S police Sergeant who was moonlighting at a local seafood restaurant demonstrated the dangers of open carry when four miscreants planning an armed robbery during the evening meal walked in...straight to him...and shot him out of his seat.
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It's one reason why I am in favor of everyone else carrying openly all the time. The more people the better. I won't do it. That way I don't distract attention from the people who enjoy having as much attention as possible.

For a small fee I will stand up, point at the person, and shout "That man has a gun!" I guarantee as much attention as anyone might want.
 
It changes with my mood.

If I'm feeling good about life, or it's too warm, or I know I'm not headed anywhere a confrontation would really hinder me (e.g. OCing at the supermarket's no big, OCing at work is a great way to get fired) I'll OC. I like spreading the good word.

If I wear my gun openly for years and never have to draw it in self-defense (inshallah) then it's helped to spread the word. If I conceal my gun and get in a justified SD situation, I may have spread the word, depending on the number, proximity and preexisting leanings of witnesses.

And if I get shot out of my seat, maybe it's just my time. But that unfortunate circumstance depends on a) my being in an encounter like that and b) a BG actually willing to shoot.
 
If you plan to open carry, it is imperative that you present professionally. Keep your hair groomed, face shaved, nice clothes. Use a professional holster, not a piece of junk. Basically, go out dressed like a detective would dress. But, if you go out dressed in dirty, greasy, torn jeans and a filthy shirt, unshaven, sure people will call the police.
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EXCELLENT! Someone that actually thinks.
 
OP stated
Now I'm not here to spark the open/concealed argument...again.
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Um ... Aren't you?

Then the OP asked
I'm just asking why do you make it a point to hide your weapon?
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Well, no offense, but we sure have seen our share of open carry threads, lo these past few years, with no earth-shaking developments.

There's the law, and then there's reality. Many actions are not specifically forbidden by statute, yet citizens don't commonly do these things.

Though, looking back over the past forty years or so, many things folks would never, ever have considered doing or saying in public back in the day are commonplace now ... e.g, using foul language in public places, wearing one's trousers halfway down one's buttocks and exposing one's underdrawers, public intoxication, men wearing hats or caps in churches and eating establishments, not removing hats while the National Anthem is played at sporting events, "music" which espouses violence toward the ethnic majority, law enforcement and women ... the sad reality is, open carry to some is as distasteful, disgusting or horrifying as the above may be to most of us ...

So, let's just keep chipping away, and hopefully, someday perhaps, open carry will be as acceptable, in the metropolis, the 'burbs or Podunkville, as displaying one's boxer shorts or dropping F-bombs while dining next to those nice old folks and their grandkids at the local Applebee's.
 
Main reason I prefer concealed carry to open is that open carry of firearms creates a distraction with most people you deal with.

When dealing with customers and such, I don't want to have to deal with explaining my gun every 10 minutes, even if the response was 100% positive, it would still become annoying.

When dealing with customers and such that don't like guns, it would become an impediment to doing business.


Aside from the tactical disadvantages of open carry (eg: badguy walks in to rob wherever OC guy happens to be ... sees OC guy ... shoots him first, THEN proceeds with robbery) there are a lot of social and business reasons why keeping my gun under my shirt is advantageous.

My primary reason for carrying a handgun is NOT to make a political statement, its to have an effective means of self defense always at the ready.
 
Main reason I prefer concealed carry to open is that open carry of firearms creates a distraction with most people you deal with.
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Have you really found that to be true? When I've been travelling in states that allow OC I have never experienced that.

I've never had anyone even notice really. I think it very much depends on how you look. Dressed nice with a BBQ holster and a cowboy hat I've never even earned a second glance because of the gun.

The hat gets more looks and is more of a distraction than the gun really..... :)
 
I live in an OC state, and I have noticed that OCing does tend to distract people Iam doing business with....normally only them since they are the only people I am talking with long enough for them to notice it, but almost every person I talk to for more than a few minutes starts to eye the pistol.
 
I carry concealed unless hunting . I also chew copenhagen and smoke , I dont inflict spit cups and cigars on others at random either. You may label it hiding my weapon , and my " bad " habits but i think of it as common courtesy for the folks nearby. It bothers me not how you dress , speak , nor how you carry after all i dont have to live with you or justify anything about you . If your happy then its fine by me .

I do find it disingenuous that you start out with
Now I'm not here to spark the open/concealed argument...again.
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and then say
I'm just asking why do you make it a point to hide your weapon?
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Better weasel words have been spoken by no current politician .

As stated above carry how you will i dont care , however leave my choices out of your crusade.
 
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