There are circumstances under which I might OC, but I am not a fan most of the time. I did not even like it in crowds while in uniform with a level III holster (and as pointed out above, not a Serpa). I dislike the fact that snowflakes drive some of this discussion, but at least where I have lived and worked for the last 26 years, OC makes enemies. To them, it is not about a right; it's about having that right (that they don't believe is a right) shoved in their face. I want to be left alone and my walking big dogs and my generally unwelcoming demeanor is a good start. I have become more dedicated even in the last few years to being as gray as possible, not sticking out.

Making enemies: I have recounted before being dispatched to a call of somebody openly wearing a pistol in a grocery store (eastern edge of the state). I read the call and perceived the problem immediately - the complainant did not have a 509 area code. He was just as big a crybaby as I had predicted and was really upset that we had no reason or intention of making contact with the armed individual. He expressed a strong view that OC was wrong, and that he was going to contact his representative about changing the law. We don't need that. We have enough trouble with people from the wrong part of the state going after us.

Pick your time and place. Do it thoughtfully, with due consideration of the pros and cons. Most people have the situational awareness of a rock and will not notice you are armed. A few will. I don't want to interact with them, and I will vigorously use my first amendment rights if they get on my nerves. I'm happier if I don't have those encounters.

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NHI, 10-8.

I'm honestly surprised at just how strongly folks feel on the subject.

Personally, I prefer to concealed carry because I feel that open carry would attract unwanted attention. I don't have notions of concealed carry providing some form of tactical advantage because if I'm in the presence of someone who's planning on shooting up the place and he can see me, then chances are he's going to shoot me regardless of whether or not he knows I'm carrying, and obviously I wouldn't have adequate time to react either way. Nor am I particularly concerned about folks yanking my gun from my holster since I'd obviously be more conscious than to carry it in such a way that any idiot could just casually take it from me.

In fact, if more folks were to begin open-carrying in my area, and it didn't cause a huge fuss, then I could even see doing it myself, provided that I had a fancier gun to open carry.
I'm honestly more concerned about effeminate non-binaries making a scene over me open carrying than anything else, because I'm convinced that there are far more of them than these gutsy criminals who will apparently follow through with their plans rather than seek an easier target after seeing someone open carrying, much less stroll right up to someone and attempt to snatch away their gun.

I honestly wish that open carry were more common and that the vast majority of US citizens would excercise their Constitutional Second Amendment rights, because I think that it would serve as one heck of a deterrent towards crime if would-be troublemakers could see that there were way more law-abiding citizens who not only lived their day-to-day lives, but had an obvious indication of their will to defend themselves. Only the absolute craziest of individuals would dare start trouble if they knew that they were surrounded by armed citizens who wouldn't hesitate to cut them down in an instant.

Call me foolish if you will, I've been called much worse. If attempting to make others look foolish helps you make believe that you're the most intelligent guy in the room, then that's your prerogative, but make no mistake that you're the only one who will think highly of you for it.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

Open carry is legal in Maine but I only do so in the woods while hunting or wandering around.

Its been so cold here lately , I could conceal a sawed off shotgun with the amount of cloths I wear! Summer it gets mighty Hot around here.

I'm with Pisgah, why lose the advantage of surprise to mr. bad guy.

I have no opinion on open or concealed carry that I care to share. I'm not here to convince anyone to OC or CC.

I do both. It depends on where I'm going and what I'm doing. I also use a Safariland GLS retention holster when I OC. I don't go to places that have a known potential for trouble either.

Living the Tech Life

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

I couldn't say it any better.

At one time in Ohio concealed carry was something you had to defend in court if you were charged. used a "Prudent Person" argument. Would a "Prudent Person" be carrying a firearm in this situation. A business man making a deposit, maybe. An average person going to the grocery store, probably not. In theory open carry was legal, but a lot of places open carry would get you an inducing panic charge.

One of the test cases a person was charged with concealed carry. The LEO justification was that a "Prudent Person" would not have felt the need to conceal carry in that situation. The judge asked the prosecution if open carry would be allowed in that situation and was told that: No, that would be inducing panic. At that point the judge decided that the 2nd had been violated, more or less.

Back in the early 80s I managed Exxon stations in Columbus, Ohio. Around Christmas time there was a string of robberies where once they got the money the robbers would take the employees in the back and shoot them to eliminate witnesses. A lot of people started concealed carrying as a result. I started openly carrying a 1911. When asked why I replied 1911s were recognizable and it was to advise would be robber to leave me alone because I'd take them with me if need be.

One Saturday morning I had someone come in, look around, look at me and walk across the street to the BP station. A few minutes latter the BP station manager called to make sure I was all right. The person had walked across the street and robbed the BP, so the manager assumed I had been robbed first and since I didn't sound an alarm assumed I was dead or injured.

A couple times that I know of I've had an exposed firearm act as a visual deterrent, which means there are probably several time that happened that I don't know about. Having said that that is probably the only time as a civilian I deliberately open carried as a visual deterrent. The 2% of the time I open carry I try to be as discrete as possible and it's more a matter of convenience that making a statement.

Open carry is legal in PA - BUT - as soon as you get in your car, it's considered concealed. You have to know all the ins and outs in your particular state.

Since I have a permit, the only time you will see me openly carrying is when I'm on my way, to or from , hunting or the range. I will then routinely get gas or coffee while openly carrying. But that is about it. Never day to day, it just begs too much grief.

However, I've been spotted many times by local & state LEOs and I have never been asked about it or having a permit.

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DAO Hunter, SWCA #2955

As I'm sure Guarddogg56 knows Maine is a constitutional carry state. Open carry is okay but whats the point. hunting, fishing, woods bumming fine. What point are you trying to make by open carry? If your just trying to P off the moonbats thats fine but maybe we shouldn't get em more fired up about guns than they already are. I am as pro 2nd Amd. as anybody and more than many, yet last summer I walk into Waly world and find the young man dressed in mismatched camo, a K-bar on one hip and a 1911 in one of those tactacool strapped to the thigh holsters. My 1st though was Oh good lord grow up. If your wondering down main st with your AK, AR,... I am going to be VARY on edge. moving to get out of the area, ready to do whats ever I have to, and pray ya get run over by a cement truck before you have the opportunity to pass your dna along to another gen. Let the situation your in dictate how you carry, try a little common sense, and consideration for others.

All the people who scream "open carry will just make the bad guy shoot you first " ...maybe haven't realized criminals don't enjoy a fair fight ...unarmed sheep are much easier to rob and kill !
I'm standing with you on this discussion !
Thanks for posting ,
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

I agree with this 100%.

It's why so many shootings take place in gun free zones. The criminals want to be the only ones there with guns. They don't want to chance facing armed resistance.

I'm also a PA resident and have always thought that made no sense at all, but it is the law. It's also probably part of why I don't think I've ever seen anyone open carry in public places other than police or security guards.

As a CC license holder I could conceivably open carry without having a problem when I got in my car, as could anyone with a license to carry, but it's just not done where I live. I'm sure it would attract the kind of attention most of us don't want.

Personally if I did see someone open carrying I wouldn't think anything of it other than that it was unusual.

I don't understand why so many think it's ok to open carry in the woods and on ones own property. I tried it years ago and found a bunch of leaves and trash in my holster and the time I ran a chain saw I had a holster full of saw dust. My gun may print but it's always concealed on the homestead. Larry

I believe shrouded-hammer snubbies were designed at the urging of some very clever cops to give the element of surprise. I want that advantage.

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Open vs. concealed carry, 9mm vs. .45 ACP, revolver vs. semi auto, hand loads vs. factory loads. Last time I counted, there were 82 billion threads across cyberspace on these topics and the debates are far from solved.

I respect your right to open carry but I too prefer concealed carry. I'd rather my adversary think he's found a lamb, then find out I'm a wolf.

If you open carry, I highly recommend a holster with some form of retention on the gun. You might also want to familiarize yourself with videos taken in prison recreation areas where inmates were observed practicing disarming techniques with each other.

...open carry allows carry of ‘more gun,’ a ‘fighting gun,’ or some other nonsense ignore facts.

I personally concealed carried a 14 shot 9mm most days the last 15 years of my career...spent mostly in New York City, DC, Boston, and other big cities. Never ‘made’ as CCW. That included travel and carry in all 50 states.

On the other hand, for the last 13 years or so I have carried a 642, 60, or G43 about 99% of my days. Doing so has found me traveling in more than 30 states and somehow surviving with such a little gun.

My point? I see zero need for open carry, but if the law allows it and you for some reason want to, have at it.

Be safe.

I saw a guy open carrying at 1 a.m. He ran an all-night fireworks stand along the highway. That seemed appropriate.

Even though its prohibited at my club (for safety reasons) I saw a guy open carrying. It seemed out of place to me. But heck. I don't make the rules. He did have a cool pancake holster for his snubbie. The holster held a speed loader behind the trigger guard.

The O.P. asked for opinions, and that's what I've read were given.
Didn't see anyone saying he "should or shouldn't" do anything so I don't understand why some are accusing others of trying to tell someone what to do.

Open carry is legal in my state as well, but I don't do it, quite simply because I see no reason to....and plenty of possible drawbacks.

Walking down the street counting $20 bills is also legal here.
I don't do that either.

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Stay protected my friends.

Meh.........do what ya want...............

As far as offering an opinion, I would daresay that nobody gives a royal rats rear what I think and it certainly won't change any minds. I do what works for me. A healthy understanding of Criminal law and ramifications of certain actions as witnessed first hand over the years defending people who thought they understood what "Self Defense" "shoot da burglar" and "castle doctrine" meant and gave them impunity to do guide my decisions. I also know how very emotionally and financially devastating ANY involvement in the criminal justice system is. Although at age 65 , having raised my children to independent adulthood and having buried three of the four persons I am tasked with ( my mother still is with us), my life's work is pretty much done, and although I would love to live out a long and uneventful life, prison doesn't really scare me as much as it did 30 years ago.

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Forum consigliere

I only open carry on my place or the dirt roads surrounding. CC carry
a .44 special and sometimes a .22 mag backup the other 90+% of the
time.
I do see some open carry in NW Arkansas and most of the time I think
they are saying, look at me. But in this state that is their right and
everyone to their own opinion.

Open carry isn't legal under most circumstances here in Florida and even if it were I would probably continue my concealed carry. I like the idea of those around me not knowing that I have a gun on me...YMMV

It's pretty plain that all our circumstances vary: urban vs. rural, degree of cultural acceptance, reason for carrying. My first reason for obtaining a CCL was for use while hunting. Sometimes my coat tail would drape over the butt of my revolver. Some very zealous game wardens considered that "concealment". I considered it keeping the snow out of the holster. With the permit it didn't matter.

While that is not my reason for carrying concealed today, I still don't think of that sort of open carry in those circumstances as a "statement" or a provocation.

Sort of like the single-action-for-self-defense thread, while my main motivation for carrying in the woods and swamps is not self-defense from criminal attackers, if that should occur I don't think I am at a disadvantage with a heavy-loaded .45 Colt single action in a belt holster, and I've survived an armed encounter or two.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

CC'ed Carry for sure. Although OC is so much more comfortable; this isn't the Wild, Wild West anymore. Unfortunately. Either way when I'm out on a long hike out in the country my .41 Magnum Black Hawk rides on my hip. Not when I'm going out for dinner or shopping. I've carried a gun since I was a 14year old kid growing up in the Rockies. Wasn't to concerned about 2 legged vermin then. More worried about being mauled by a Mountain Lion. On my 110 mile round trip into town that gun was hid in my truck ( this was in the 80's). Nowadays my shooter is carried everyday concealed; because "I can,legally". Im way more concerned about 2 legged Vermin now! Just seems no matter how hard I try I always feel like I'm printing to some degree. I would guaranty most people wouldn't notice. With my J frame and a Tee Shirt and shorts I still feel there's printing to some degree . Enough were a trained eye would notice.

I feel open carry in an urban enviro is just foolish. You have to be hyper vigilant, carry in a retention style holster & should have some decent open hand skills for weapon retention. That rules out most people that want to OC. Just cover it up & practice from concealment. I don't want anyone to know I am carrying a gun, ever.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

WHo said it would be fair? Bad guys aren't terribly bright, but if they are in someplace to do bad things, you walk in see who is what & shoot the armed guy in the back of the head.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

To me open carry feels like a combination of "look at me" and "shoot me first". I don't want to advertise the fact I have a gun on me.

I went to lunch with a friend the other day "wearing" one of my EDCs IWB under a coat. When they sat us in a booth I laughed and said to him that ordinarily I prefer a table but in the booth I could take my coat off and scrunch it up next to me and nobody would see the legally, open carried pistol.

I understand the concept of the RKBA and open carry. I just prefer to not do it.

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Come and take it!!

Commonly known as a Hawaiian, or similar, shirt.

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Sure you did

A lot of very good thoughts on this issue. Personally, I only open carry when on our property, hunting or afield. In public, always concealed. (Probably my Jersey upbringing.) Even living in a very gun friendly area, the looney nature of anti gunners and the advent of red flag laws everywhere, I prefer to remain anonymous, for social and tactical reasons.

I conceal carry because of environmental conditions.
I run my guns dry from October to May.
The chenoo is out there.

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never get out of the boat

Is this assessment based on your experience dealing with criminals Fred?

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Retired Career Security Guard

Open carry is just a big red sign that says, "shoot me first"

I think I'll stick with concealed carry.

I only know two guys who open carry and they are both low IQ and "look at me" types. They go out of their way to make sure people see them and the gun.

They just love the "respect and admiration" they get from everyone when they have a Glock strapped to their hip. One guy especially loves the thigh holster. Thinks it makes him look like Wyatt Earp.

The “shoot me first” argument always makes me laugh. Has anyone ever been “shot first” in the 30 years I’ve heard this? If it hasn’t happened, it ain’t gonna happen. I’ll be happy to change my mind in the face of evidence.

That said, I think open carry is the white guy equivalent of wearing your pants below your butt with your undies showing. Its all attention grabbing behavior. If that’s what you want to do, have at it. Its a free country.

My oldest son once called me from a Jimmy John’s in ABQ saying he just saw his first guy open carrying. I said I bet it was a Springfield XD in a thigh holster. He said - how did you know that???

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

It’s legal in Ohio. I haven’t seen anyone do it. Maybe in the country. I say do it if you want. I never will.

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Two Handguns every day

My point fatcat for open carry in the wood is comfort, I usually have a back PAC or belt PAC on so open carry is more comfortable for me.As for moonbats or flatlanders there aren't many if any out where I go in the Maine woodNot that I give a rats **** bout them types

OCers get butthurt because CCers feel the need to disparage OC just because it's not their preferred method.

Instead of just interjecting their reasoning for CCing, they feel the need to condescend and interject [usually] completely unfounded garbage reasoning as to why, "it's not the wild west," or "I don't want to make myself a target," or "muh element of surprise," or my personal favorite, "You must be compensating for something."

The thought that someone would want to be "attacked as if they were a lamb so they can pounce like a wolf" seems like an unsafe midset. It makes it sound like you are looking for a reason to use your weapon in self defense. A deterrent is a good thing, since the goal is to never have to use your weapon - not to pretend you're unarmed so you can jump out and make a Hollywood John Wick defense move.

I'll never disparage anyone for CCing. I will disparage people who think everyone should do things the way they do them because there's obviously only one way to do things.

I feel like this monthly installment if this conversation is about beat to death.

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SWCA 3563
10mm aficionado

In before the lock..............

The shallow end of this here 'think tank' is filling up purty quick !!!


.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Holy Smolly didn't realize this here Post would get so much attention. I'm just concerned about printing. Conceal, print a little bit be aware of your surroundings. Don't go showing off your gun in public. Kind of like a Nudist Beach or a Regular Beach.

I also live in Colorado. Open carry has always been legally allowed, with very few restrictions.

During my 24 years as a cop I responded to dozens (perhaps a hundred or more) "man with a gun" calls. City parks, public sidewalks, residential areas, business districts, there will always be someone picking up the phone and calling 9-1-1 any time they see another person with a firearm.

Several years ago I made a road trip, starting early in the morning while it was a little chilly and ending mid-afternoon while the weather was uncomfortably warm. I stopped for fuel at a self-serve station near the edge of a city, got out of the truck without my jacket on, swiped my credit card, filled up the tank, then drove away. Never made eye contact with anyone else while there. Several miles down the road a deputy sheriff lit me up and pulled me over. Apparently someone noticed my holstered handgun while I was at the gas pumps and called me in as a "MWAG". Wasted my time, wasted the deputy's time, all because some citizen overreacted to an everyday legal event.

I carry every day. I have friends and neighbors who have never seen me unarmed, but most of them don't know that.

Legal is good. Common sense is better.

YMMV

Yes. but you are disparaging. Reread your post and then look up "disparaging." And assuming a superiority I don't think you're ready to bear. You shouldn't make fun of the statements of others, which you did. I think it shows contempt, which up till now has been mercifully absent from this thread.

Calling out illusions of grandeur and hero complex is not disparaging. That would imply it's an opinion.

Can we agree that illusions of grandeur and a hero complex is a bad thing?

My reply has been edited for clarity.

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SWCA 3563
10mm aficionado

No, we can't agree on that. Your opinion that those are illusions of grandeur must be supported by something other than sneering at those who do not share your views. Otherwise. it's unfounded and akin to bullying. That, in MY opinion, is arrogance unsupported, probably not qualified with enough experience to back it such harsh criticism. I'd like to know what gives you license to disdain others...I don't mean disagree with others, I mean disdain. You're the only one doing this! Very disappointing and I hope this doesn't reveal an unattractive side of your personality.

I see people open carrying on a regular basis. Not every day, but often enough. I have open carried and probably will again. I find myself doing so less frequently, though, after seeing the look of panic on a young woman's face when she noticed my gun. Nothing came of it, but she was obviously frightened. I smiled a lot and joked with the people around me in line at the tire store to try to ease her fears. It seemed to work. I have no reason to want to frighten innocent people, so most of the time now I cover it up.

Notice that I did not say open carry is stupid or that it's asking to be shot or seeking attention. I do not believe any of those are true.

We all have to make the choice that is right for our situation.

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Or something like that . . .

Do you reall not realize that this is the absolute antithesis of your opening post?

You say you're concerned about printing so your solution is to open carry?!?!?

In what Universe does that make sense?

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Retired Career Security Guard

No smoke it is what I would do if I were a criminal. Its a no brainer. If I am there to commit mayhem & kill as many as possible, guy caring a gun goes 1st. That would be armed, sec, armed leo or OC. Like I said, criminals are not really smart but they arent totally stupud either. Aparently many OC never think about that. We wont even get into gun grabs, yes it does happen.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

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That's just somebody talkin.

So, one day not too long ago I was on the street in Colorado Springs helping someone pick up stuff that fell out the back of his truck. While bending over, apparently my too short jacket rode up over the butt of my J-frame concealed in one of YOUR IWB holsters . At that exact moment one of the city's finest rolled up and did a double take.

Officer - Is that a gun in your belt?
Me - Yes it is. I have a license to carry.
Officer - Sir, put your hands on the hood. I am going to disarm you.
Me - OK
Officer - Show me your license.
Me - Right here.

The officer took my gun and my license to the squad car for a few minutes, then returned them and said "Have a nice day."

Lobo - knowing you probably made more than a few contacts on Nevada Ave. in your day, what happened here?

PS - nice horsehide BTW. I use it all the time!

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

I can't speak for Lobo but I used to Live on S. Nevada (in the Apartments behind J.D. Byrider) I used to work in the KFC on Nevada & Brookside.

The cop was within the law (barely, in Colorado and officer is allowed to disarm you during a traffic stop) in Colorado but he was being a butthead. I would have complied but I would have got his business card and asked for a supervisor and casually mentioned James Sorensen (Google Sorensen V. Colorado Springs).

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Retired Career Security Guard

What are you even talking about? Who are you? I do not know you. You do not know me. Not sure why you're getting all emotional. I mean, it's ok if you like John Wick.

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SWCA 3563
10mm aficionado

Funny! This incident was within a block or two of your old haunts. S. Nevada Ave. has/had quite a rep for all kinds of bad stuff. I was just on my way home from the nearby Home Depot on a Saturday morning. It is much safer now than in years past. Of course, I was 100% compliant with the officer, but it left me a little jittery. Any interaction between armed individuals, even with no bad intentions, requires full attention.

I looked up your Sorensen v. Colorado case. That was a little more extreme situation because the defendant argued with the cop and was subsequently disarmed and arrested, illegally it turns out. I would never argue with a cop because they are always right! And deservedly so. One can always argue later with a judge in a civil manner. However, the case affirmed the right to carry in a public space. Thanks for your insight.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!