bpisler
Member
Yes i would,in fact i've been doing just that for the last 13 years.
Would you open carry if it was legal?
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bamawrx
Member
My Alabama Open Carry Story
I have open carried in Alabama during one tense period. It was the Hurricane Ivan aftermath Sept 2004. I live in an area that was truly decimated. It was during this period that it became evident to me that laws restricting open carry will come to haunt you if you find yourself in a manmade or natural disaster. All day and night you heard a seemingly constant flow of sirens. It was common knowledge that the police were in way over their heads, and just exactly how were you to call them? Cell phone didn’t work, no power, phones were down in some areas, and the roads were impassible. People that did not belong in the area suddenly were everywhere, some for good others for ill. I carried my .45 on my hip everywhere I went and had NOT A SINLGE comment. Absolutely no one mentioned the weapon. I felt more secure and I sense my neighbors did too.
I do not open carry otherwise and have not since, but this experience has taught me a valuable lesson. We need to make sure our laws allow drastic measures for drastic times. I had to cover my weapon while in a vehicle to comply with the law and did so willingly. But without the open carry AG opinion my efforts to secure my neighborhood would have been hampered. The visible presence of the arm helped to set a tone with the non-resident foot traffic that this is a bad place to hang out. We experienced no incidents of theft or other problems that were happening all around us. If things had degraded only slightly, I may have needed to resort to a more capable weapon system (long gun/shotgun). Thankfully, we made it through a very difficult couple of weeks without incident.
I have open carried in Alabama during one tense period. It was the Hurricane Ivan aftermath Sept 2004. I live in an area that was truly decimated. It was during this period that it became evident to me that laws restricting open carry will come to haunt you if you find yourself in a manmade or natural disaster. All day and night you heard a seemingly constant flow of sirens. It was common knowledge that the police were in way over their heads, and just exactly how were you to call them? Cell phone didn’t work, no power, phones were down in some areas, and the roads were impassible. People that did not belong in the area suddenly were everywhere, some for good others for ill. I carried my .45 on my hip everywhere I went and had NOT A SINLGE comment. Absolutely no one mentioned the weapon. I felt more secure and I sense my neighbors did too.
I do not open carry otherwise and have not since, but this experience has taught me a valuable lesson. We need to make sure our laws allow drastic measures for drastic times. I had to cover my weapon while in a vehicle to comply with the law and did so willingly. But without the open carry AG opinion my efforts to secure my neighborhood would have been hampered. The visible presence of the arm helped to set a tone with the non-resident foot traffic that this is a bad place to hang out. We experienced no incidents of theft or other problems that were happening all around us. If things had degraded only slightly, I may have needed to resort to a more capable weapon system (long gun/shotgun). Thankfully, we made it through a very difficult couple of weeks without incident.
Lone_Gunman
Member
My mamma always made me take off my cap guns before sitting down for dinner when I was a boy.
I think this would have applied to real guns as well in polite society.
I think this would have applied to real guns as well in polite society.
thorn726
Member
that whole story makes a whole lot of good sense. emergency times, you need the extra protection, and i bet your neighbors appreciated it.
i wonder what it would be like here in the city.
if all the gang bangers had their stuff out always.
it's a tough scenario to imagine. everyone can carry openly, all the time.
you would have a lot of people hiding theirs anyway.
man this is a real mind boggler.
because here there is more than just self defence, or making people around you afraid, you have the whole gangster idiot i am tougher than you culture.
like if the piece on my hip is too big, i might have to prove i can use it type of stupidity.
for most people, i see it as well, if everyone did it, we'd all probably be a bit safer.
BUT= in the gangster/turf/hood scenarios?????
im clueless.
worse or better??????
HungSquirrel
Member
bamawrx, thanks for sharing your story. What part of Alabama do you live in? I live in Baldwin County. We got NAILED by the eye as it was coming ashore. I've never been nervous in a hurricane before, but Ivan got me close to being nervous. 
If one were to open carry in Alabama I suggest keeping a printout of the AG decision in one's wallet.
If one were to open carry in Alabama I suggest keeping a printout of the AG decision in one's wallet.
wheelgunslinger
Member
I used to carry a ruger bisley vaquero openly when I worked in the log cabin restoration business. I drove a jeep and couldn't secure the weapon inside (soft top) when I went into businesses. So, I just kept it on and went about my business.
Diners, Hardware stores, and gas stations never had any problem.
However, a color case hardened sixgun in a padded uncle mike's holster is less of a visual threat than a cutting edge autopistol with a tac-light.
I had sheriff's deputy's nod at me while I was eating lunch in restaurants. Never a single panicky word though.
But, for anyone living in a populous area, carrying open is a big bag of worms. Especially if you run into a LEO having a bad day. (Or if he got picked on a lot in High School...)
Previous poster was right. You'd better carry a copy of the law that says you can in your pocket.
As I recall, North Carolina has a "brandishing" law as well as one that mentions "public panic" or some such. Either can be twisted to curtail open carry at a dpeartment's discretion.
Diners, Hardware stores, and gas stations never had any problem.
However, a color case hardened sixgun in a padded uncle mike's holster is less of a visual threat than a cutting edge autopistol with a tac-light.
I had sheriff's deputy's nod at me while I was eating lunch in restaurants. Never a single panicky word though.
But, for anyone living in a populous area, carrying open is a big bag of worms. Especially if you run into a LEO having a bad day. (Or if he got picked on a lot in High School...)
Previous poster was right. You'd better carry a copy of the law that says you can in your pocket.
As I recall, North Carolina has a "brandishing" law as well as one that mentions "public panic" or some such. Either can be twisted to curtail open carry at a dpeartment's discretion.
727 torqueflight
Member
i would love to one day see open carry of firearms legal
Let me answer from a different angle...
I'm a Texan. Open carry is illegal in my state. If that were to change, I'd have to have a new barbeque gun, and some new clothes.
Sign me up for a US Firearms Single Action in .44 Special with a 5 1/2 inch barrel. The gun would be nickel; on a blackpowder frame, and it would have elephant ivory stocks. It would have my signature on the back strap, and it would be consecutive serial numbered to a gun I would present to a friend of mine.
I would carry it in a crossdraw holster and I would make damn sure that my jeans were always starched, my shirt crisp, clean and ironed, and I'd have Ben Wheeler's kid make me a new pair of boots.
When I would wear this gun, my body language would be friendly, my appearance non threatening, and I'd be paying attention.
Come to think of it, I guess not much would be different, except the new boots.....
I'm a Texan. Open carry is illegal in my state. If that were to change, I'd have to have a new barbeque gun, and some new clothes.
Sign me up for a US Firearms Single Action in .44 Special with a 5 1/2 inch barrel. The gun would be nickel; on a blackpowder frame, and it would have elephant ivory stocks. It would have my signature on the back strap, and it would be consecutive serial numbered to a gun I would present to a friend of mine.
I would carry it in a crossdraw holster and I would make damn sure that my jeans were always starched, my shirt crisp, clean and ironed, and I'd have Ben Wheeler's kid make me a new pair of boots.
When I would wear this gun, my body language would be friendly, my appearance non threatening, and I'd be paying attention.
Come to think of it, I guess not much would be different, except the new boots.....
bamawrx
Member
I live in Atmore, which is on the Baldwin/Escambia County line. As you know the eye moved north/easterly and passed directly over us. The tornadoes were numerous and audible. That was the scary part. Any good places to shoot in your area? I am considering moving to Baldwin in the next year or so.
And yes, I agree the AG letter print out would be a must for anyone wishing to test the waters so to speak. I didn't have the opportunity to take the letter as I had no power to print it out. I'll need to think ahead next time.
And yes, I agree the AG letter print out would be a must for anyone wishing to test the waters so to speak. I didn't have the opportunity to take the letter as I had no power to print it out. I'll need to think ahead next time.
HungSquirrel
Member
I do my shooting on my grandpa's forty a few miles west of Summerdale. There's a shooting range at the Wilcox Rd. exit off I-10, the first exit east of 59. There's also an indoor range at a pawn shop in Daphne.
Where I currently live (Mobile) I don't think I'll risk open carry. A) It's a city and B) I live on a university campus, so keeping a gun here would be iffy.
Where I currently live (Mobile) I don't think I'll risk open carry. A) It's a city and B) I live on a university campus, so keeping a gun here would be iffy.
Sam
Member
Like Systema said, around here no one cares either way.
Sam
Sam
Bubbles
Member
Open carry is not only legal in Virginia, it's the only lawful way to carry a firearm into a restaurant with a license to serve alcohol. So yes, I've done it, even in the left-leaning suburbs of northern Virginia.
People either 1) don't notice, or 2) don't care.
People either 1) don't notice, or 2) don't care.
How about this one, MallNinja:
A fast open carry holster is faster than a fast concealed carry holster. For one thing, you don't generally have to move clothing out of the way.
As we approach the ideal of everbody(not locked up for being a criminal or insane) carrying arms, open carry starts making more sense in that the sheepdogs are outnumbering the sheep, so looking like a sheep is no longer such an advantage. Having that extra speed can be handy.
A fast open carry holster is faster than a fast concealed carry holster. For one thing, you don't generally have to move clothing out of the way.
As we approach the ideal of everbody(not locked up for being a criminal or insane) carrying arms, open carry starts making more sense in that the sheepdogs are outnumbering the sheep, so looking like a sheep is no longer such an advantage. Having that extra speed can be handy.
richyoung
Member
were it legal, I would strap on the heater every time I left the house....
Lennyjoe
Member
Did it this weekend as a matter in fact.
After the THR Buckeye AZ several of us went to Sonic for lunch. Myself, Sumpnz and Len in Phoenix were all open carrying cause it was warm enough to wear a t-shirt.
Love to see the looks on the sheeples faces when 3 guys walk up in jeans, tee's and sidearms.
After the THR Buckeye AZ several of us went to Sonic for lunch. Myself, Sumpnz and Len in Phoenix were all open carrying cause it was warm enough to wear a t-shirt.
Love to see the looks on the sheeples faces when 3 guys walk up in jeans, tee's and sidearms.
CAPTAIN MIKE
Member
Standing Questions: More Fear or Less?
Here in Nevada, open carry is legal.
But unfortunately, the sight of a gun by some does cause those who are afraid of guns to be very apprehensive that "something is about to happen". So the question for many of us is: would the sight of you engaging in Open Carry cause more fear or less by those who see you?
Recently one of my little boy's Cub Scout buddies was visiting on an overnight visit as I came home from work with my sport coat over my arm and my sidearm in its Fobus holster obvious to anyone who saw it. I happened to overhear the comment my son made when his friend asked him if his Dad should 'wear a gun'.
In response, my Little Guy (age 7) said "Where ever my Dad goes, people are safer." I smiled as I passed by and headed upstairs to get out of my business attire.
He's right, of course. People ARE safer. Whether they know it or not. On my part I do occasionally open carry, but not to make a show of it - more so as a matter of convenience.
Thinking about the tactical side of things, I definitely feel that concealed carry gives me a certain 'edge' on a BG who doesn't know I'm armed. On the other hand, Open Carry also sends a message -- a mixed one in my opinion.
One part of the mixed message is that we are not a bunch of knuckle dragging 'Gun Nuts' as portrayed in the Mainstream Media and that normal people who are good guys can safely and responsibly be trusted to bear their firearms in public without the need to call out the SWAT Team. The other part of that mixed message is the issue of apprehension and fear that non-users may experience -- the uncomfortable feeling that maybe this location is now "not safe" because there's some guy walking around with a gun on his waist.
I do think anyone who carries openly would be very wise and prudent to consider (and train in) Handgun Retention and Take-Aways if some jerk decides to surprise you in line in the grocery store and snatch your firearm.
Here in Nevada, open carry is legal.
But unfortunately, the sight of a gun by some does cause those who are afraid of guns to be very apprehensive that "something is about to happen". So the question for many of us is: would the sight of you engaging in Open Carry cause more fear or less by those who see you?
Recently one of my little boy's Cub Scout buddies was visiting on an overnight visit as I came home from work with my sport coat over my arm and my sidearm in its Fobus holster obvious to anyone who saw it. I happened to overhear the comment my son made when his friend asked him if his Dad should 'wear a gun'.
In response, my Little Guy (age 7) said "Where ever my Dad goes, people are safer." I smiled as I passed by and headed upstairs to get out of my business attire.
He's right, of course. People ARE safer. Whether they know it or not. On my part I do occasionally open carry, but not to make a show of it - more so as a matter of convenience.
Thinking about the tactical side of things, I definitely feel that concealed carry gives me a certain 'edge' on a BG who doesn't know I'm armed. On the other hand, Open Carry also sends a message -- a mixed one in my opinion.
One part of the mixed message is that we are not a bunch of knuckle dragging 'Gun Nuts' as portrayed in the Mainstream Media and that normal people who are good guys can safely and responsibly be trusted to bear their firearms in public without the need to call out the SWAT Team. The other part of that mixed message is the issue of apprehension and fear that non-users may experience -- the uncomfortable feeling that maybe this location is now "not safe" because there's some guy walking around with a gun on his waist.
I do think anyone who carries openly would be very wise and prudent to consider (and train in) Handgun Retention and Take-Aways if some jerk decides to surprise you in line in the grocery store and snatch your firearm.
Zach S
Member
Occasional open carry could be a definate possibilty depending on the situation*. I wouldnt do it habitualy though.
*For example, ever had a heater hose bust on your shirt? If you reacted anything like me, you simply ripped the shirt off before you get burned any worse. Not entirely a good thing to do when there's a pistol under it. Thankfully there was no public to go armed to the terror of in the mall parking lot at 02:00.
*For example, ever had a heater hose bust on your shirt? If you reacted anything like me, you simply ripped the shirt off before you get burned any worse. Not entirely a good thing to do when there's a pistol under it. Thankfully there was no public to go armed to the terror of in the mall parking lot at 02:00.
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