I wasnt aware that open carry was allowed in as many as 45 States

[the ringo kid]

I read yesterday on some slanted yahoo posted news story which was talking about Texas and open carry. As usual, the antis were out in full force showing their lack of knowledge and vast amounts of stupidity.

That said, I didn't know that all but 5 States allowed open carry. I knew at least 35 or so did. Anyway, Texas is the 45th to have it. The exceptions are (as listed in the article) Calif, illinois, New York, South Carolina and the one that surprised me was that FLORIDA was the other.


Texas has roughly 826,000 (as per article) CCLs here as of 2014, and I highly suspect tens of thousands more now. Texas (as per the article) also has the highest number of Fed Firearms Licensed dealers and gun manufacturers in the country.

This kinda surprises me but, Austin Police will not check people for their licenses to carry due to possible and probable harassment lawsuits.

One thing I forgot to mention some time ago in someone else's thread, is that currently and locally in my area--probably as well in other places, that every local CCL class, are fully booked through Feb and probably into March.

 

[427mach1]

Did they happen to mention that in some states, open carry is only legal for concealed permit holders?

 

[wilkoi]

I read the same article today in the Boston Globe.

 

[the ringo kid]

Did they happen to mention that in some states, open carry is only legal for concealed permit holders?

Nope since the article was about Texas. One has to assume its the same as with some other States. Here its only for those who already have their CCL.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

We just had another citizen confront car thieves in front of his home in the early AM.
This one didn't end well, the homeowner was killed.
The great irony is, he was a gun owner and had a CC Permit!

Albuquerque Journal | Four Hills man killed confronting car thieves

 

[italiansport]

Open carry was legal here in Arizona since Day One. We just got concealed carry about 25 years ago. The thousands of us with concealed carry permits are still waiting for "The blood will be running in the streets" to occur as predicted by the anti's.
Jim

 

[the ringo kid]

We just had another citizen confront car thieves in front of his home in the early AM.
This one didn't end well, the homeowner was killed.
The great irony is, he was a gun owner and had a CC Permit!

Albuquerque Journal | Four Hills man killed confronting car thieves

I hope they find those two murdering thieving scum soon. Sorry for the lossoif this upstanding citizen and his family.

 

[Aticus]

It's interesting that there is such a discussion about open carry. Is it legal to hunt in your state with a long gun or hand gun? Yes? Must the gun be concealed while you are hunting except while actually shooting the game? No? Then open carry is legal in your state. Is it legal to carry a gun openly while not hunting? That's where the rub comes in. On one hand you can open carry on the other you can't. Sounds like the perfect catch 22.

Yes I do know what is meant here about open carry. I just feel like stirring the pot a little.

 

[reddog81]

Open carry is allowed in most states but rarely seen. Once in my 10 years living in central Iowa where open carry is allowed if you have your CCW I have seen exactly 1 person open carrying. In Texas absolutely nothing will change once open carry is allowed.
The one thing nice about open is that you don't have to worry about accidentally exposing your gun should your shirt get caught on something.

 

[lrrifleman]

I live in the SSRNJ, and while you can carry your shotgun openly during hunting season with a valid hunting license, forget attempting that with a handgun.

NJ is a "may issue state", and doesn't grant it's citizens the right to self defense in its constitution. Attempt to open carry or carry concealed, and you are facing felony charges. Unless you are either politically connected or a retired LEO, forget getting a CCW. In fact, being the victim of domestic violence is a nearly automatic disqualifier for a purchase permit!

 

[johnnyflake]

Here in Southern Nevada, it's not unusual to see someone open carrying, even when shopping in a food market. Don't get me wrong, it is very legal, but still very limited. Hell, today, I was at a Best Buy and there were two cowboy types, probably from the rodeo circuit in town, open carrying western style hand guns.

Actually, I see it more now days, than I did a couple of years back. I even open carry, on rare occasions, but I much prefer concealed carry.

 

[alwslate]

I'm pretty sure that IN is an open carry state but I'm not sure if it
requires a CC permit or not. I've never been interested in OCing in
public so I've never bothered to look up the rules. I have never seen
anyone in public doing the things that cause so much controversy in
other states, like grocery shopping with an AR slung over your back.
I've seen a few people OCing handguns in places where they might
have cash on them, like public auctions. No one pays any attention
to them.

 

[Rimmer]

Wisconsin has always been an open carry State. It wasn't till 2012 that it became a conceal carry State.

 

[Gulfecho]

Open carry was legal here in Arizona since Day One. We just got concealed carry about 25 years ago. The thousands of us with concealed carry permits are still waiting for "The blood will be running in the streets" to occur as predicted by the anti's.
Jim

Now in Arizona you don't even need a CCL to carry concealed. The friendliest gun state in the union, Arizona.

 

[Watchdog]

It's interesting that there is such a discussion about open carry.

It is, isn't it? It's become almost as interesting as bear gun threads.

Yes I do know what is meant here about open carry. I just feel like stirring the pot a little.

The open carry pot boiled over a year or two ago, don't know what's left to stir.

 

[blackhorse2010]

Here in Southern Nevada, it's not unusual to see someone open carrying, even when shopping in a food market. Don't get me wrong, it is very legal, but still very limited. Hell, today, I was at a Best Buy and there were two cowboy types, probably from the rodeo circuit in town, open carrying western style hand guns.

Actually, I see it more now days, than I did a couple of years back. I even open carry, on rare occasions, but I much prefer concealed carry.

Living in Las Vegas (moving to Henderson this summer) has its OC challenges if one chooses to do so.
Although by law someone can OC among the throng of tourists on or around The Strip, it's highly recommended to not do so. The potential headaches about the same tourists calling 911 on you isn't worth it.

One of the more troubling sights I saw was at a local Walmart. There was a guy in his mid to late 20's OCing a 1911 in a nylon one-size-fits-all holster. No magazine in and hammer-down.

On the sightly humorous side, if you ever go to Pahrump you'll see a multitude of people exercising their right to OC. Of course, they're all from out of state (more than likely Californians) attending the classes at Front Sight. The only locals that you'll see OCing are the FS instructors on their way to or from teaching.

 

[CowboyKen]

FYI

Open Carry | OpenCarry.org

Ken

 

[Nemo288]

Wisconsin has always been an open carry State. It wasn't till 2012 that it became a conceal carry State.

I have lived in Wisconsin for 50 years.
Have NEVER seen anyone OC (except at ranges).
Then again I live in the communist capitol.
I am sure it happens in rural areas.

In the short period we have had CC roughly 250K permits have been issued.
Wisconsin concealed-carry permit applications slowing but still strong

 

[S&WIowegan]

Iowa is an open carry state and became a "shall issue state" about 5 years ago. I have had my permit since 2001 and was not aware that open carry required the same permit. Virtually no one here open carries. I don't because I don't want to be targeted by some BG or insulted by one of Bloomberg's crazy gun haters.

The 'Blood in the Streets' and 'Dodge City shootouts' is a favorite of the disgraceful Gannett newspaper chain. They went nuts when shall issue was legislated here. No such thing has happened. A local supermarket chain put up No Guns signs at that time and went bankrupt and liquidated. Coincidence????

 

[Rick_A]

Hopefully FL will be joining the list.

I'm not an advocate of OC per say, but believe it's a right that has been disingenuously stripped over time.