Hi:
I have heard the term "Open Carry" What exactly is this and what states allow this?
Thanks,
Jimmy
I have heard the term "Open Carry" What exactly is this and what states allow this?
Thanks,
Jimmy
Open Carry
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flop-shank
US Veteran
Open carry means that the gun is exposed for anyone to see, as opposed to concealed carry.
Bob R
US Veteran
Jimmy,
What flop-shank said. It isn't concealed. As far as the states that allow it, I only keep up with what is close to me.
I can OC in WA (which I do about 90% of the time), ID, MT and if I ever go to OR I will look up the laws there. You can also OC in AZ. One I know for sure you can't OC in is TX.
This site will fill your head full of OC stuff: www.opencarry.org
bob
What flop-shank said. It isn't concealed. As far as the states that allow it, I only keep up with what is close to me.
I can OC in WA (which I do about 90% of the time), ID, MT and if I ever go to OR I will look up the laws there. You can also OC in AZ. One I know for sure you can't OC in is TX.
This site will fill your head full of OC stuff: www.opencarry.org
bob
Glock 'em down
Member
I am completely and totally against open carry 110%. The element of surprise could mean the difference between winning and losing...or in other words...living and dying.
I know, I know, everybody always says, "well...what about this" or "if" this and "but" that. If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd ALL have a merry Christmas.
The fact of the matter is, if a BG sees your gun, chances are he's gonna take you out of the equation and seek out others just like you. Then, he's gonna do what he planned on doing in the first place.
Remember...he's seen "yours" but you haven't seen "his."
Just one flatfoots view of thangs.
I know, I know, everybody always says, "well...what about this" or "if" this and "but" that. If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd ALL have a merry Christmas.
The fact of the matter is, if a BG sees your gun, chances are he's gonna take you out of the equation and seek out others just like you. Then, he's gonna do what he planned on doing in the first place.
Remember...he's seen "yours" but you haven't seen "his."
Just one flatfoots view of thangs.
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aterry33
Member
Did anyone see the nutcase carrying the AR-15 around near where Obama was speaking? That has sort of been the "image" of the open carry debate lately, at least in much of the mainstream media.
Kollin
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Categorically not true. Just about every criminal interviewed about that situation has said they would just find another target or wait for the armed person to leave the area. They aren't out to get hurt and don't want to chance it. Even the common criminal has some brains.
Knightrider03m
Member
I am completely and totally against open carry 110%. The element of surprise could mean the difference between winning and losing...or in other words...living and dying.
I know, I know, everybody always says, "well...what about this" or "if" this and "but" that. If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd ALL have a merry Christmas.
The fact of the matter is, if a BG sees your gun, chances are he's gonna take you out of the equation and seek out others just like you. Then, he's gonna do what he planned on doing in the first place.
Remember...he's seen "yours" but you haven't seen "his."
Just one flatfoots view of thangs.
THANK YOU!
I only OC when I'm working or when I go to they picnics only because in both places, I'm expected to have a gun. Outside of that, I CC. Plus its not worth the hassle if the cops get called on me.
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sipowicz
Member
The only way I want someone to see my gun is from the muzzle.
GatorFarmer
Member
Open carry is perfectly legal in VA.
Contrary to the opinion that a person would be singled out as a target, if someone pages back a bit, or uses the search function, they can read about a defensive shooting here in VA (I think it was in Richmond) where the gun owner was open carrying an Uberti SA revolver with a 7.5" barrel in a convenience store. The robber ignored the gun owner and went up and shot the owner instead. Lots of people either don't notice things or don't exactly plan things out. (If someone was capable of making complex plans and following through, they wouldn't be doing strong armed robberies...)
I don't generally make a practice of it for the simple reason that in ye olden days, cops were occaisionally targeted for a "gun snatch" (one of the reasons for the security holsters coming along) and I don't want to mess with a security holster (I don't like Serpas).
Contrary to the opinion that a person would be singled out as a target, if someone pages back a bit, or uses the search function, they can read about a defensive shooting here in VA (I think it was in Richmond) where the gun owner was open carrying an Uberti SA revolver with a 7.5" barrel in a convenience store. The robber ignored the gun owner and went up and shot the owner instead. Lots of people either don't notice things or don't exactly plan things out. (If someone was capable of making complex plans and following through, they wouldn't be doing strong armed robberies...)
I don't generally make a practice of it for the simple reason that in ye olden days, cops were occaisionally targeted for a "gun snatch" (one of the reasons for the security holsters coming along) and I don't want to mess with a security holster (I don't like Serpas).
Bob R
US Veteran
I don't buy it. If your statement had any ring of truth to it then I would imagine cops would have a big ole bullseye painted on them. They would be shot indiscriminately by bad guys so they can get on with what they had planned in the first place.
I think being an OC'er acts as a deterrent, it will possibly prevent having to draw a gun from concealment because if the bad guy notices your gun he will almost always move on without doing anything. I don't have data to back this up, just my opinion.
As far as a person being taken out because he is OCing, I call BS. I have yet to hear of one. Much like my position, this one is just opinion also.
As far as being a target for the cops to hassle, shouldn't happen where I live. OC is perfectly legal, there is no requirement for me to produce ID, and the mere fact I have a gun visible in a holster is not grounds for a stop.
If I am stopped and the LEO starts by "hassling" me it goes straight to "Am I being detained?" "Am I free to go?" If I don't get a straight answer such as yes or no I inform him that his refusal to give an answer is an admission that there is no grounds for the stop. I don't buy the, "Well, we just need to talk or the don't you want to clear this up approach very well. Either detain me unlawfully or I am walking away.
If the approach is done with respect toward me, then cooperation and respect is returned. A stop on the street is not the time for the LEO to give me his personal feelings on the practice of OC, his only concern is whether or not I am in compliance with the law as far as open carry is concerned. If I am within the boundaries of the law, it will be a very quick encounter, which will be recorded in case I need the recording of the stop for other reasons.
And yes, I have been called "one of those" by the police here.
bob
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David Sinko
Member
Open carry is legal here in PA. At our Crimes Code updates earlier this year we were explicitly advised/reminded to NOT hassle people who open carry. I heard that our department is already facing one lawsuit stemming from such an incident, but I do not know the details of that and will not speculate. I have seen a few people (not many at all) carrying guns openly on their hips and I would never think of stopping them or even giving them a second glance, but that's just me and I'm probably in the minority.
Dave Sinko
Dave Sinko
ACP230
Member
Years ago I saw a guy riding a horse alongside the major highway where I live. He had a large S&W revolver in a holster on his hip. It looked natural to me. (Since the horse was not a vehicle there were no problems with the MI concealed carry laws in effect then either.)
I sometimes open carry while fishing (usually have a concealed J-frame on me also). Hunting deer I have carried a Ruger Blackhawk .357 or a Contender .357 Maximum in the open.
I am not impressed with the idea when I'm carrying in town, or on trips, for defensive purposes.
I sometimes open carry while fishing (usually have a concealed J-frame on me also). Hunting deer I have carried a Ruger Blackhawk .357 or a Contender .357 Maximum in the open.
I am not impressed with the idea when I'm carrying in town, or on trips, for defensive purposes.
I was going to open carry today.
But after seeing another one of your informative posts on why not to open carry, I'm carrying concealed today.
Who could argue with those facts of yours?
USAF385
US Veteran
As stated.. Open Carry is legal here in PA.
I've done it twice... sort of. Both times I had my 681 in an OWB holster and I was only at the gas station.. only at the pump.. didn't even go inside.
The first time some guy gave me a double take and nearly walked off the sidewalk. The second time nobody noticed. I personally wouldn't open carry in most places.
I've done it twice... sort of. Both times I had my 681 in an OWB holster and I was only at the gas station.. only at the pump.. didn't even go inside.
The first time some guy gave me a double take and nearly walked off the sidewalk. The second time nobody noticed. I personally wouldn't open carry in most places.
Jeb Stonewall
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Unlike you Willy, I didn't see any of those facts or reasons in that post you are talking about.
So I'll be out and about with my gun hanging out.
Oh, for a moment there I thought your user name was Zumbo.
Go get 'em, cowboy.
Spotteddog
Member
If it's legal in your area, you may have as much of a problem with it as you wish. Or, you can work the halls of your state legislature to attempt to have your ability to do so rescinded. However, you might want to consider for a moment that someone in government must have thought it an important enough piece of law to have "on the books" at some point? You can argue as to whether your IQ goes down based strictly on where one's being carried, but unless it's illegal your opinion on it will matter little.
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