Open Carry

[OKFC05]

I'm always amazed at the amount of BITTER invective heaped on anyone who might think it appropriate for open carry to be legal, especially considering that ONLY 9 STATES ABSOLUTELY PROHIBIT OPEN CARRY.

I grew up in an open carry state, and learned the "social graces" associated with it. If I were on the way to the range or hunting with the gun on my hip and stoped at the gas station, hardly anyone even noticed. If I were going downtown shopping in crowded stores, I carried concealed instead of open. Well, DUH!

OK is one of the few states that prohibit any open carry, and I find it rather SILLY that I am technically in violation if I expose my concealed carry pistol on state land WHILE I HAVE A DEER RIFLE IN MY HANDS.

All criminal penalties for open carry need to be removed. And no one should be subject to charges because the wind blew his coat back in the store parking lot.

 

[scout]

Interesting post from Michael Bane's blog (The Michael Bane Blog), dated August 20, 2009:

"'...People need to be desensitized to gun ownership. And concealed carry just doesn't help that much. When and how we do that desensitization can matter a great deal...."' (Michael Bane citing Joe Huffman.)

"...NO • BIG • DEAL: In other words, normalization of the carrying of firearms. The open carry movement was able to build on that platform, and it is building faster than any of us imagined. Those of us who have been in the trenches for a log [sic] time are suffering from a bit of paradigm paralysis...we fought so hard to get here, and you want do do what? Of course there was a similar paradigm paralysis when we began the concealed carry battle back in Florida, and look how that turned out...


"...Finally, we Old School guys must embrace the nascent open carry movement. I remember some of the arguments among ourselves back in the Florida days — 'So you want to carry a gun all the time? Isn't that taking things a bit too far?" Too far? The concealed carry movement turned out to be the most important of our movement, because it became the tipping point on the normalization of guns.'" (Above two paragraphs are Michael Bane's words.)

 

[Spotteddog]

Yes Sir!
Precisely as I see it too...
If thought about, just look how successful the other side has been at dumbing down the educational system, while taxing you more to pay for it yearly. If that doesn't qualify as "acclimating" society in general to something, I don't know what does!

 

[J274895]

To jimmyj, I suggest you check out the website OpenCarry.org - A Right Unexercised is a Right Lost!. There you will find a wealth of information about the open carrying of firearms. They even have forums dedicated to each of the 50 states, so you can discuss issues releated to your exact area.

As for those who would rail against open carry, I feel your logic is flawed for thinking that carrying openly would allow the bad guy to "get the drop" on you.

Generally speaking, criminals are a stupid, cowardly lot, who would most likely prefer to victimize the helpless and unprotected sheeple of the world rather than someone who openly displays their firearm. Concelased carry is great, I do it all the time, but to a criminal you're just one more of the unarmed sheeple.

You're just as likely to be the first target as the last, whether you carry open or concealed.

 

[Spotteddog]

Did I forget to mention the possible advantage of open carrying (after painting it of course) a formerly blue training Glock in a non-retention holster?
This while still carrying concealed of course?

 

[JJFlash]

FYI, open carry is legal in Oregon.

The ONLY time I had a less-than-eloquent encounter with a LEO, it was while carrying concealed. I was stopped for a burnt-out headlight, and INFORMED said LEO (while my hands were on the steering wheel) that I had a permit and was carrying a concealed weapon. As show of gratitude, I ended up with TWO pistols pointed at my head as I slowly retrieved my driver's license and registration from my wallet, located just behind my piece. Oddly enough, neither cop had me remove my pistol and neither asked to see my permit. The smaller of the two cops (135lbs) returned my L&R and proceeded to tell me how "lucky" I was that I fessed up to carrying right off the bat, because "people have been dragged out of car windows before, 'ya know...."

He couldn't have pulled me through a barn if he had a tractor.

These were Pennsylvania State Troopers, by the way.

 

[Bob R]

Well, here is a guy who would pobably wet his pants if OC became common. At least he is an avowed anti-gunner and not someone who professes to support the 2A, fellow shooters and gun gun owners, but only the parts they like.

There's even an organization whose raison d'etre is promotion of open carry (see http://opencarry.org/). These are the shock troops of the gun lobby. And, they are not going away. We're going to see more of them and we'll be seeing increasing incidents of open carry, not just at big events for publicity, but at grocery stores, at concerts, on the street, in places of worship.

Get used to it Bryan, we are on the move!

'Open Carry' of guns - logical direction of gun lobby's campaign - Bryan Miller

bob

 

[Zilmo]

Well, here is a guy who would pobably wet his pants if OC became common. At least he is an avowed anti-gunner and not someone who professes to support the 2A, fellow shooters and gun gun owners, but only the parts they like.



Get used to it Bryan, we are on the move!

'Open Carry' of guns - logical direction of gun lobby's campaign - Bryan Miller

bob

So, everyone who doesn't share your opinion, is the enemy, eh?

 

[Bob R]

So, everyone who doesn't share your opinion, is the enemy, eh?

I am not even sure how you managed to make that leap, but you did.

My mode of carry should make no difference to a supporter of the 2A. Yet for some reason it does.

In this thread alone people who OC have been called a "nutcase", "idiotic" and a "cowboy". And now somehow you have developed psycic powers and presume to know what I think.

And this is on a gunboard, where the 2A should be fairly important. I guess it is, as long as their interpretation of the 2A coincides with yours, at least that is what it looks like.

You have made it crystal clear that you are against open carry. But maybe you can explain to me why people who open carry are less deserving of protection under the US Constitution and the Constitution of many states than those who carry concealed. From your responses to any OC threads it seems to me that you feel OCers are less than second class citizens when it comes to the protection of the 2A.

I choose my method of carry, and often that is openly. I am sorry you have such an issue with that. But however and whatever you decide to carry, as long as your are legal in your community, I will support you. It is a shame you can't do the same.

bob

 

[bk43]

My mode of carry should make no difference to a supporter of the 2A. Yet for some reason it does.

In this thread alone people who OC have been called a "nutcase", "idiotic" and a "cowboy". And now somehow you have developed psycic powers and presume to know what I think.

And this is on a gunboard, where the 2A should be fairly important. I guess it is, as long as their interpretation of the 2A coincides with yours, at least that is what it looks like.

It appears you are making the assumption, like many open carry proponents do, that being pro 2nd and thinking legal open carry is "idiotic" are not compatible. They certainly are. I support and will defend the right of anyone who is legally openly carrying to do so. In most cases it's stupid and counterproductive to the RKBA cause but that is just my opinion.

I can assure you when the various federal and state legislative bodies next convene we are going to pay for the dumb open carry stunts of the last few weeks with a deluge of restrictive gun proposals. That's the way it has always been and that's the way it always will be. And when the dust settles we'll have lost a little more ground. Yeah, we really showed 'em, didn't we?

Bob

 

[Pasifikawv]

I generally do not open carry and do not think it wise. Open carry may be a deterrent in some select scenarios but can also make you the primary target to the BGs who will want to get the drop on you first.

Open carry does have its place (hiking, camping, hunting, etc.) Some states do not offer ccw but do allow some form of open carry (CA). Others offer ccw but prohibit open carry (TX). If open carry is your only option in your state, I would not fault anyone for carrying openly. However, if you can ccw, that's certainly the route I would go...

 

[willy]

Open carry may be a deterrent in some select scenarios but can also make you the primary target to the BGs who will want to get the drop on you first.

...

When was the last time that a BG got the drop on someone that was carrying their gun in the open?

Fact is =
BGs don't purposely pick out victims that might fight back.
They definitely don't pick victims they think might kill them.
BGs look for the weak or defenseless to victimize.
What better crime deterrent for my 5'2" 105 pound mother than a 642 carried openly?

 

[The Big D]

It appears you are making the assumption, like many open carry proponents do, that being pro 2nd and thinking legal open carry is "idiotic" are not compatible. They certainly are. I support and will defend the right of anyone who is legally openly carrying to do so. In most cases it's stupid and counterproductive to the RKBA cause but that is just my opinion.

I can assure you when the various federal and state legislative bodies next convene we are going to pay for the dumb open carry stunts of the last few weeks with a deluge of restrictive gun proposals. That's the way it has always been and that's the way it always will be. And when the dust settles we'll have lost a little more ground. Yeah, we really showed 'em, didn't we?

Bob

Well said, bk43. For the record, I comment minimally on this very sensitive issue. However, I am 100% AGAINST open carry and think those who endorse it don't see the big picture and said "big picture" will become clearer to them, soon, as the backlash against open carry will surely cause same negative effects.

I must note one thing that I feel is important. My agency mandated that ANYONE in mufti must keep his/her firearm concealed. Even though LEO's are far less constrained than others in carrying weapons (I am not speaking of 2A here) many enlightened organizations believe weapons should best be concealed unless carried by uniformed personnel. My background, of course, shapes my opinion but even w/o it I would believe guns should be concealed...period.

Be safe.

 

[Bob R]

I am curious now. There are quite a few people who say they are 100% against open carry, which is fine, your opinions, your choice.

When this "inevetiable backlash" happens, will those of you who oppose open carry rise to support the rights of those who do open carry, or will you shrug it off and say they had it coming?

What if the NRA champions the cause of OC, which they won't but stranger things have happened, as an extension of the RKBA. Would that sway you one way or the other in support of people who OC?

Remember, it is legal and a right that has been granted by various state laws.

bob

 

[FirebirdV8]

The issue of OC vs CC has only served to divide gun owners and advocates. We need fight for 2A rights whether it be open or concealed. Its ok to have different opinions, but we need to band together on the important issues and not on something as trivial as style of carry.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The issue of OC vs CC has only served to divide gun owners and advocates. We need fight for 2A rights whether it be open or concealed. Its ok to have different opinions, but we need to band together on the important issues and not on something as trivial as style of carry.

Worth repeating.

 

[bk43]

When this "inevetiable backlash" happens, will those of you who oppose open carry rise to support the rights of those who do open carry, or will you shrug it off and say they had it coming?

I can only speak for myself but I will be on the side of the open carry folks. I won't think any better of the choices they made but it was their right was it not?

I view it like the 400 pounder spending hours at McDonalds inhaling hamburgers and fries. Not very smart, killing themselves like that, but they do have that right regardless of my opinion.

Bob

 

[flop-shank]

The issue of OC vs CC has only served to divide gun owners and advocates. We need fight for 2A rights whether it be open or concealed. Its ok to have different opinions, but we need to band together on the important issues and not on something as trivial as style of carry.

I agree, and I like having open carry on the books. If for some reason my gun gets exposed while carrying concealed, I'm still within the law.

 

[safearm]

The concept of OC does not only apply to handguns or EBRs. In many situations, OC applies to hunting and other firearms related sporting events. In Mississippi, it is also allowed to carry a concealed firearm if involved in a firearms related sport, or if traveling to or from an outdoor activity. A hunter or fisherman may carry a concealed handgun legally, without a concealed weapons permit, called a Firearms Permit in Mississippi, as long as they are enroute, or returning from their sport.
I had this situation come up once when an individual stopped at a gas station and was observed with a gun under his coat when he reached for his wallet. The individual had a hunting license with him and his long gun in his truck. As far as I was concerned, he was within the law and I let him go.

 

[Zilmo]

I am not even sure how you managed to make that leap, but you did.
bob

Well Bob,

I guess I made the leap from your statement here:

"At least he is an avowed anti-gunner and not someone who professes to support the 2A, fellow shooters and gun gun owners, but only the parts they like."

Now, I may not be a fan of open carry, for the same reasons as others have said here. But that does not mean that I won't support 2A rights. I disagree with the folks in the news recently for again, the same reasons others have posted. I firmly believe that they hurt our cause.

I am not the enemy, no matter what some may believe.