Open carry opinions

[red dragon]

They both have advantages and disadvantages that could be argued forever. The biggest problem with open carry is the people who do it. If you want to OC go for it, but realize your representing the rest of us weather you like it or not. When i see someone dressed appropriately including a good gun belt and retention holster while OCing I think nothing of it, but I can definitely understand how some OCers make people uncomfortable. I conceal carry 99% of the time but I support open carry and do so when i feel it's appropriate.
"Those who sacrifice liberty for safety, deserve neither " Benjamin Franklin

 

[Grayfox]

Back in 2001 a fairly large group of us gathered in Missouri for a shooting event. At the time Missouri had not yet passed concealed carry, but open carry was legal. Being the law abiding citizen that I am, once I crossed the state line I removed my cover garment and carried open while I was there.
Frankly, it made me nervous. Nobody ever said anything, but once in a while I could feel the eyes on me. I didn't like that feeling.
One evening a group of us decided to go to a popular restraunt for dinner. On a dare, I strapped on my big ol' 25-7 right out front in a crossdraw rig. It attracted a fair bit of attention, but again nobody said a word.
At the end of the evening I was at the register paying my bill and there was a Police Officer there picking up a take out order. He looked me up and down, didn't say anything but I did get "The Look". Honestly, I felt like a complete idiot.
If you want to open carry, more power to ya. But I'll never do it again.

 

[Protected One]

But is the .380 good for open carry?

Now, you are REALLY trying to open up a can of worms!!!!

 

[Protected One]

One argument I have never understood, though, is that one should not open carry because other people might be afraid, etc. Couple of faults in that logic. First, the more we OC, the more common place it will become, and the more accepting people will be.

Apparently some in california believed that too, so they went about the business of "making people comfortable with open carry". Oh, the people got comfortable all right - by banning open carry!

 

[Brian41]

It's legal here in Michigan but you don't see it too much around here. The lady at the local gas station tells me she has a few regulars that do. I remember a guy with an nice 1911 in a fancy holster open carrying once and think I was the only one in the store that even noticed.
I open carry out on my property sometimes but never anyplace else. Like many before I'd rather carry concealed and have that element of surprise in my favor plus I wouldn't want negative attention.
I do agree those that do open carry are a representative of us all and hopefully they'd be good representatives. I feel those that parade around with their ARs and AKs just because they can hurt us more than anything.

 

[Arik]

I'm all for carrying how you want but to me OC is a bad idea. Imo people often assume that OC will let the bad guys know you are to be taken seriously. And thay might be the case in some instances but I often find that it just gives them a prize to go after.

 

[JohnSW]

In urban/suburban areas, open carry is for attention seeking wimps. Look at me! I must be a Real Man because I have a gun!

 

[Comrad]

But is the .380 good for open carry?

Is an open carried .380 good for bear?

 

[GerSan69]

But is the .380 good for open carry?

I like to open-carry my .380 empty as bait, and conceal my .45. Sometimes two of them.
Good grief, OP, there are thousands of discussions all over the net about open carry vs. concealed...and they all end up in arguments or closed threads! There is no consensus because it's such a highly-charged topic with some extremely strong opinions. Believe me, do what works for you and don't ask anyone for an opinion or care what anyone thinks. You'll be happier and hundreds, maybe thousands of blood pressures will thank you.

 

[Arik]

Is an open carried .380 good for bear?

Yes. That's what I hunt bears with all the time. I use a 380 Derringer

 

[BAM-BAM]

Great! I'm glad that's settled..... what did we decide?

That .380 is GTG with open carry!

LOL

I got my Pa concealed carry permit in 1978 so I could carry concealed when bumming around "Penn's Woods"!!!!!!!

 

[Frizzman]

I don't think bringing up this subject is a problem. Look at the title and skip it you aren't interested. If it increases one's blood pressure, avoid the subject. Pointing out over and over that this is a well worn topic is boring and repetitive...So far as open carry goes, I like it when others do it because it keeps the attention from me. I carry concealed when hunting and camping too. It seems that most of the people who open carry around here tend to be young guys with cheap, nylon holsters and cheaper guns. That's fine and no matter to me. I don't personally know of an open carrier who has been attacked to be robbed of their gun or killed first because they are carrying. The vast majority of shootings and murders in my region are over disputes in the urban zones and are between gang members and dealers, etc.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I don't think bringing up this subject is a problem. Pointing out over and over that this is a well worn topic is boring and repetitive...

Frizzman..... don't take everyone the wrong way on this one....... it's just this subject was basis of another long multi-day "debate" here not less than 2-3 weeks ago.

GerSan69 summed it up 5 posts up........... having been here for 10 year this topic really has become "boring and repetitive"! LOL

 

[Bat Guano]

Is an open carried .380 good for bear?

Here comes another sleepless night.

 

[indiandave]

Pennsylvania gives you the choice of concealed carry or open carry. I like choices.
BTW I conceal carry most of the time. The only time I open carry is hiking or backpacking.

 

[ocinsomniac]

Some of my friends refer to me as "The OC Man".........doesn't have anything to do with open carry as I CC wherever I go......I guess they're referring to my long-time obsessive/compusive traits paired to a sleep disorder.

 

[keith44spl]

When I open carry....
I don't cause a spectacle or put up with any guff







I guess the 9mm short is alright for something's, my oldest
Grandson really like my ivory stocked Colt Mustang.


.

 

[Ron AZ]

Yes. That's what I hunt bears with all the time. I use a 380 Derringer

Now what gun/caliber is good for bears opens another can of worms. This could be a perpetual thread.

On topic:
I want us to have the right to open carry but use discretion when and where it is not wise to do so.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Is an open carried .380 good for bear?

Yes, but just bearly.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

We all have opinions....

....so I am not going to read every one of them.

I would never oppose an open carry rule, I don't oppose any pro-gun rules/laws, but, personally, in the 21st century, I do not think that open carry is a good idea.

I was just curious about the general feeling about open carry in those states that do not prohibit it.

If it's legal then go ahead, if that's your cup of tea. It would be under very unusual circumstances that I would ever open carry.

In the woods/afield/hunting: Yes.

At someone's barbecue or dinner party, or poker game, where it is not only acceptable but expected: Yes.

Generally in public: No.

And I did like what someone said about showing your opponent your cards in a poker game. Great analogy.

My own feeling is: Why not just carry concealed and be done with it?

I agree.

Can open carry be construed as confrontational or be deemed "brandishment" in some jurisdictions?

Not when it is legal. In a jurisdiction where open carry is permitted the appearance of a handgun on your body can never be brandishment or even confrontational. The law permits it = it is a valid behavior. Naturally, waving it around changes that.

Showing a gun where it is not permitted is brandishment. Being confrontational is not necessarily illegal - it's just bad behavior.

Would an armed potential felon spot the open-carrier and seek to neutralize him/her first? What are some opinions out there?

Personally, that's exactly what I think you're asking for. If you're the target of a felon and he KNOWS you're carrying a gun he is far more likely to be aggressive than if he thinks you'll succumb to his attack without a fight. Most people succumb/surrender to armed felons because they can't fight back. Why let one of those thugs know in advance that you can and will fight back?

Thus, add my opinion to the scores already out there.....

***GRJ***