sipowicz
Member
Only if you dress like this.
Open Carry...
- Thread starter BadKarmaZeroSix
- Start date
Stu1205
Member
In Florida we do not have open carry, and if we did I still wouldn't.
As others said, it draws attention to you and make you a target, and possibly a threat to bad guys.
A LEO in Tennessee was telling me a story last month about a guy who was carrying openly.
He went into a convenience store to purchase a few items.
While he was in the back, two thugs came in and proceded to hold up the clerk at gun point.
While this was going down, the guy in the back, oblivious to what was going on, headed up front to pay for his purchase.
When he emerged from the aisle, one of the bad guys saw him with a gun, and shot him. They then fled without harming the clerk.
The poor guy died in the store.
Concealed carry gives me a tactical advantage, I don't appear to be a threat to anybody, and I don't draw attention.
JMHO.
Stu
As others said, it draws attention to you and make you a target, and possibly a threat to bad guys.
A LEO in Tennessee was telling me a story last month about a guy who was carrying openly.
He went into a convenience store to purchase a few items.
While he was in the back, two thugs came in and proceded to hold up the clerk at gun point.
While this was going down, the guy in the back, oblivious to what was going on, headed up front to pay for his purchase.
When he emerged from the aisle, one of the bad guys saw him with a gun, and shot him. They then fled without harming the clerk.
The poor guy died in the store.
Concealed carry gives me a tactical advantage, I don't appear to be a threat to anybody, and I don't draw attention.
JMHO.
Stu
Roan Ranger
Member
Timely Thread
This is a timely thread. I was perusing another BB (one that I will no longer post on) and there is an Open Carry thread there. Seems a group of members who carry (the state is a "Right to Carry" state both open and concealed (with a permit) ) are organizing an Open Carry night in a large local town. The plan is to open carry your firearm and walk around the town as a group with guns exerting their 2nd Amendment rights. Sorry, but in my opinion this is only going to hurt our fight for our rights as gun owners. I have visions of a bunch of gun toting characters swaggering around with guns on their hips defying anyone to challenge them. Not a good way to represent those of us who carry for protection. IMHO this is going to backfire unless they are looking for a confrontation in which case no good will come of it. And then, maybe I'm just in a minority. Just posting this here for discussion as ya'll seem to be a different breed of gun owners that I respect.
This is a timely thread. I was perusing another BB (one that I will no longer post on) and there is an Open Carry thread there. Seems a group of members who carry (the state is a "Right to Carry" state both open and concealed (with a permit) ) are organizing an Open Carry night in a large local town. The plan is to open carry your firearm and walk around the town as a group with guns exerting their 2nd Amendment rights. Sorry, but in my opinion this is only going to hurt our fight for our rights as gun owners. I have visions of a bunch of gun toting characters swaggering around with guns on their hips defying anyone to challenge them. Not a good way to represent those of us who carry for protection. IMHO this is going to backfire unless they are looking for a confrontation in which case no good will come of it. And then, maybe I'm just in a minority. Just posting this here for discussion as ya'll seem to be a different breed of gun owners that I respect.
OP
BadKarmaZeroSix
US Veteran
wow, thanks for all the insight...for clarification, in the state of MO, you can open carry, or with a permit, concealed...i have had the CCW for over 2 years now, but here's the catch -- if you conceal, it must be TOTALLY concealed, if you OC, it must be visible and noticeable publicly from 2 separate vantage points...so i can't carry concealed, and then if my shirt untucks and shows the weapon, claim OC laws...i dress casual, but am still in the clean-shaven, high/tight mode from Marines, and the few occasions that i have chosen to OC, the comments i've overheard are that they suspect i'm off-duty cop (um, most off duty cops conceal i think, but idk)...i DON'T do this everyday, and the idea for a group gun-a-thon sounds dumb as hell, i was just curious how many of you HAD done it, and if you felt it LIMITED your vulnerability or ADDED to it...from the input i've read in all of your great responses, i see a trend towards concealment over OC...my only "devil's advocate" argument over that would be my response time concealed vs. OC...open, i can put 2 shots on target in less than 3 seconds, very surely (helps a bit with the weapon i'm using)...concealed, i have at least double that...
MrJeep
Member
Moonman
Member
BadKarmaZeroSix,
How about a piece of advice?
Change your signature.
If you were ever involved in a shooting, that signature would
make it much easier for a Prosecutor to TAKE YOUR FIREARMS,
LIBERTY, AND FINANCIAL HEALTH.
Rambo's and Ninga's exist in the movies, and for true believers,
they live in the GRAY BAR HOTEL, or they Don't Live at all Anymore.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Moonman
How about a piece of advice?
Change your signature.
If you were ever involved in a shooting, that signature would
make it much easier for a Prosecutor to TAKE YOUR FIREARMS,
LIBERTY, AND FINANCIAL HEALTH.
Rambo's and Ninga's exist in the movies, and for true believers,
they live in the GRAY BAR HOTEL, or they Don't Live at all Anymore.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Moonman
tacman605
Member
Open carry will always be a hot topic with most having pretty clear lines drawn on whichever side they support.
I am all for "Responsible Open Carry". As has been stated if you decide to OC your situational awareness, training, skillset and mindset had better be better than everyone around you.
As far as the tactical advantage a lot depends on the person. No offense to anyone but the average joe does not pay attention to their surroundings and would/could be simply an armed victim. I have seen many videos and pics of people carrying a long barreled magnum in an uncle mikes holster with there pants about to fall down that have no clue as to the world around them.
It is feasible that the sight of a person wearing a firearm could deter the run of the mill thug interested in committing a crime however it could also draw the attention of that one guy that we all have to be prepared for who does not really care that you are armed he simply wants the shiny thing on your belt and will do whatever it takes to get it.
I am all for supporting the 2A but there is a time and place for everything. Right now it is probably be best to simply hunker down and wait all this out instead of poking the other folks with a stick however if that is the only option in order to carry then by all means do it if you feel the need.
The act of OC'ing with a rifle, shotgun or in general to garner attention from LE or just to show you can to me is not responsible open carry. Yep in many places it is entirely legal but not the smartest thing to do but many folks live to get their face on youtube.
Moonman in regards to the issue of screen names causing problems with a prosecutor I guess it could happen but if you get someone digging into that much you are probably screwed anyway.
I am all for "Responsible Open Carry". As has been stated if you decide to OC your situational awareness, training, skillset and mindset had better be better than everyone around you.
As far as the tactical advantage a lot depends on the person. No offense to anyone but the average joe does not pay attention to their surroundings and would/could be simply an armed victim. I have seen many videos and pics of people carrying a long barreled magnum in an uncle mikes holster with there pants about to fall down that have no clue as to the world around them.
It is feasible that the sight of a person wearing a firearm could deter the run of the mill thug interested in committing a crime however it could also draw the attention of that one guy that we all have to be prepared for who does not really care that you are armed he simply wants the shiny thing on your belt and will do whatever it takes to get it.
I am all for supporting the 2A but there is a time and place for everything. Right now it is probably be best to simply hunker down and wait all this out instead of poking the other folks with a stick however if that is the only option in order to carry then by all means do it if you feel the need.
The act of OC'ing with a rifle, shotgun or in general to garner attention from LE or just to show you can to me is not responsible open carry. Yep in many places it is entirely legal but not the smartest thing to do but many folks live to get their face on youtube.
Moonman in regards to the issue of screen names causing problems with a prosecutor I guess it could happen but if you get someone digging into that much you are probably screwed anyway.
In my state you can open carry w/o permit or carry concealed with one. I've never open carried but carry concealed whenever I legally can.
Open carry can open up a whole other host of issues. I firmly believe that if you carry a firearm for self defense, then you need to train with it so you can use it effectively and safely. In addition to firearms training, you need to choose your holsters wisely if you open carry. You also should get some weapon retention training also. If you open carry, everyone knows you have it and there might be someone who might try to take it from you.
Open carry can open up a whole other host of issues. I firmly believe that if you carry a firearm for self defense, then you need to train with it so you can use it effectively and safely. In addition to firearms training, you need to choose your holsters wisely if you open carry. You also should get some weapon retention training also. If you open carry, everyone knows you have it and there might be someone who might try to take it from you.
richeyo2
Member
I have no problem w/OC where legal. With that said I wouldn't choose to do it even if it was leagal in MS. for alot of the reasons others have said.
My feeling/thinking is if something goes down like in a bank or where ever, that BG sees you're OC then your his first target. Just my opinion.
My feeling/thinking is if something goes down like in a bank or where ever, that BG sees you're OC then your his first target. Just my opinion.
giddydog
Member
I read the same blog where the "open carry" march is being planned. There's a guy on there who likes to walk through his town with a semi-auto rifle just because he can. Brilliant.
I think in most states, open carry still means licensed carry. I heard that around 40 states now have open carry, is that right?
sharpshooterassassin
Member
Here in Alaska, we can Open Carry or carry concealed without having a CCW Permit. Although it is nice to have.
keith44spl
Member
South and west of the 'Red' mostly LEOs are the ones doing the OCing...
Hope that changes soon for all the law-bidding folks of Texas that like fancy leather...
When I travel north and east of the Red River, I see folks open carrying from time to time.
Haven't heard of any gun grabbin going on, nor riots started cause some one saw a holstered sidearm.
A feller can always fall back on the old advise of....When in Rome.......
* This new idee of wearing your gun outside yur pant for all the world to see, to educate other folks....
Or this element of surprise, to get the drop on the BG....Is all a load of horse hockey, if ya ask me.
One is a lot more likely to be on the receiving end of the surprize!
.
Hope that changes soon for all the law-bidding folks of Texas that like fancy leather...
When I travel north and east of the Red River, I see folks open carrying from time to time.
Haven't heard of any gun grabbin going on, nor riots started cause some one saw a holstered sidearm.
A feller can always fall back on the old advise of....When in Rome.......
* This new idee of wearing your gun outside yur pant for all the world to see, to educate other folks....
Or this element of surprise, to get the drop on the BG....Is all a load of horse hockey, if ya ask me.
One is a lot more likely to be on the receiving end of the surprize!
.
Last edited:
jlrhiner
US Veteran
I have a conceal carry permit, and carry everyday. When I go to the farm, I open carry. Usually because I switch to a Ruger Blackhawk in .44 spec. The thought of carrying it openly in town never occurred to me. I carry strictly for self defense purposes. I no longer teach. (either ethics or Constitutionaly protected Rights)
Missouri's open carry laws are very old. (read 1850+) somewhere along the lines it was believed that in order to do so, you had to have a valid Missouri hunting license. I don't know if that was true or not. But the boundaries are the whole state. With the exception that municipalities may ban it by ordinance. So as long as you are outside city limits, whatever city,your cool.
Paradeing around openly with firearms does nothing to educate, and at the least, will cause nothing but fear among those who get their info from the main stream media. There are better ways to make your point.
And I believe Missouri has corrected their "accidental exposure" rules.
Missouri's open carry laws are very old. (read 1850+) somewhere along the lines it was believed that in order to do so, you had to have a valid Missouri hunting license. I don't know if that was true or not. But the boundaries are the whole state. With the exception that municipalities may ban it by ordinance. So as long as you are outside city limits, whatever city,your cool.
Paradeing around openly with firearms does nothing to educate, and at the least, will cause nothing but fear among those who get their info from the main stream media. There are better ways to make your point.
And I believe Missouri has corrected their "accidental exposure" rules.
Sage
US Veteran
Open carry is not my preference. I don't want anyone to know what I know.
giants
Member
I oc just about every day for the last few years.No problems from anyone yet.I do oc because I can and it is very comfortable doing so.I practice a lot at the range and am very aware of my surroundings all the time..Please show some facts about being the first to be taken out and having your gun grabbed.
Stophel
Member
The Right to Bear Arms means the Right to BEAR ARMS.
UNFORTUNATELY, the State I'm in now does not recognize that Right, and I'm not real crazy about that. Where I'm from (Kentucky) you can, and some do, carry a pistol on your hip into the State Capitol building without even a second glance. Even if few actually do it regularly, it is common knowledge back home that it is your right to do so, and no one thinks anything about seeing someone carrying a gun where you can see it. I really miss roaming around the woods, shootin' stumps with a .22 pistol, or trekking with a flintlock rifle...
UNFORTUNATELY, the State I'm in now does not recognize that Right, and I'm not real crazy about that. Where I'm from (Kentucky) you can, and some do, carry a pistol on your hip into the State Capitol building without even a second glance. Even if few actually do it regularly, it is common knowledge back home that it is your right to do so, and no one thinks anything about seeing someone carrying a gun where you can see it. I really miss roaming around the woods, shootin' stumps with a .22 pistol, or trekking with a flintlock rifle...
Similar threads
- Locked
