You should focus on what's the desired end state, and not the actual process to get there.

You say you open carry, and that some folks appreciate that. So you have already made the decision that carrying a gun isn't a bad idea. How that gets done is immaterial really.

For some, it might be open carry isn't a legal option. It could be that open carry isn't a good tactical option for their situation. It could be "the principle" of it. It could be a logical way to deal with a myriad of legal issues, such as no waiting periods/background checks/whatever.

Some folks get pretty fanatical about things they do. Guns are no different. To one person, if you are not carrying a Glock 19, and taking $300 classes every month from the "tier one" operators, and travelling all over the country to get training, etc. then you aren't doing it right. To someone else, just meeting the minimum requirements, if any, is all they need to do.

Both have made the decision, as apparently you have, that a gun on you is a good idea. The desired end state is the same for all of you. How you get there is up to you.