Have you seen it? Open carry

[smithman 10]

Open carry

As far as open carry goes, I see it off and on here in Central Virginia. Rarely and the only thing I do is note the person and keep an eye on them until I form a judgment as to whether I should be concerned.

So far I have never ended up being concerned about an open carry person I've encountered. I haven't spoken to them nor have I left the premises because of them.

It is just not a problem for me.

 

[Smoke]

I see it at least once a week. I don't acknowledge it.

 

[Buzzzer]

Like some have already said here, more rural, more open carry. However, if some visit the more populated areas that come from rural areas they don't open carry. Sure don't need the local PD from the metro areas getting a workout chasing panicked phone calls...

 

[cmj8591]

I understand. You have no data, documentation or facts to support your opinion. Which is fine except we try to win folks opposed to gun ownership and/or carrying of guns through logical arguments supported by facts.

For someone that posts “I don’t care if someone open carries or not” you sure are concerned about it.

Why don't you post some data on how open carry stops crime? If you actually look at what I have posted, my part in this conversation is about the tactical advantages vs. disadvantages of open carry. Not whether it should be legal. They are mutually exclusive arguments. Am I wrong about the whole "making yourself a target" argument?

 

[Muss Muggins]

I didn't say that but one of the reasons they were shot because they were dressed in a unique uniform designed to draw attention to them and set them apart. I don't care if someone open carries or not and the legalities of it are neither here nor there as far as I'm concerned but it draws attention to you when you are standing in the middle of the supermarket wearing a gun on your belt or with a rifle at slung arms. So it stands to reason that if a bad guy shows up, you are going to be the center of his attention. Think about it. You walk into a liquor store and a robber is holding a gun on the clerk and customers. Who are you going to shoot first?

I’ma go ahead and shoot the robber first, because I want the clerk around to sell me beer, and the customers aren’t bothering me . . .

 

[rosewood]

Also, had A family show up at church one Sunday and the dad was open carrying. The next week he was concealed carrying. Not sure if anyone said anything to him or not.

We would have, we require concealed at church.

 

[haywood]

As far as I know, Ohio’s been open carry for a long time. Over many years, I’ve seen maybe two people open carry. I for one will never open carry. I’m not going to be that old guy that a bunch of Younghans took my gun away. Always carry never tell.

 

[randyp]

Open carry became legal Jan 01, 2016 in Texas. I have seen two people open carry since then, one in Walmart and one at Home Depot. My 1911 .45 is always concealed.

 

[Inusuit]

Fairly rare here. One man was regularly coming to Starbucks with an AR slung on his back. Guy came into the museum where I volunteer with a nice 1911 in a carved OWB holster. No guns allowed in state buildings. I was polite and so was he.

I carry concealed expect when I'm on my own property.

 

[RobertJ.]

Around here, occasionally.

It's usually a young man with black plastic in an Uncle Mike's.

It's so tempting to open a debate, but I just leave it alone.

 

[JJEH]

It's so tempting to open a debate, but I just leave it alone.

Why? What would it do? Nothing.

I've seen people carry in a way I'd never ever dreamt of, but you know what? It's their right. It's also their responsibility if something goes wrong. Now, if it's about to fall out of their sweatpants pockets, yes, I'll say something. I mean, we had a guy at police academy, who had his gun fell out at the shooting range while sitting down on a break, from a level 3 holster. The "trained professionals" are not always doing it better

I'm not worried about these open carry people, I'm worried about that gangster that carries concealed, shoving whole (illegal) rifles down that pants leg and God knows where else!

 

[rosewood]

Open carry has been legal in Georgia for decades with a Weapons Permit. We were never CCW that I know of. Open or concealed was fine with permit. We are now Constitutional Carry and same rules apply.

Over the last maybe 5-10 years, I have seen a serious increase in open carry. Generally, you see folks carrying cheap guns in cheap nylon holsters. Not too often you see nice expensive guns in nice leather holsters. Seems those folks see the value in concealing. The cheap gun folks don't seem to see the value. Not sure if any conclusions can be drawn from that or not. I said "general" those observations do not always apply.

And if I see someone with their gun exposed and it looks like they intended to conceal, I may whisper to them their gun is showing and they usually say thanks and cover it.

Rosewood

 

[haywood]

It just occurred to me I used to open carry quite frequently. I believe it was back in the 50’s. I had a Mattel Fanner 50 in a leather holster belt. I think that was even before Mattel came out with the handguns that shot little plastic gray bullets and the shell with a spring in it.

 

[ladder13]

Let’s see, cheap guns in cheap holsters mostly seen at Walmart. I detect a pattern there. Maybe they just can’t afford a Wilson with a $300 holster.

 

[ussmanlovede36]

Once in a great while. This is a right to carry state so who knows who is carrying concealed.

 

[WardenRoss]

I’ma go ahead and shoot the robber first, because I want the clerk around to sell me beer, and the customers aren’t bothering me . . .

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PZonyefBW4[/ame]

Sorry, couldn't resist!

,

 

[RobertJ.]

Why? What would it do? Nothing.

I think "start a debate" was the wrong way to put it. I would simply give a scenario, and then ask one question.

Would it do nothing? Perhaps, but I'll bet it would give them something to think about.

So, I'll post my scenario, and then ask my question right here, and invite all who open carry to respond. LEO's excluded, of course.

Scenario: You're walking down the street, and from nowhere appear two thugs. One points a gun at you and tells you they're going to take your pistol.

Question: What's your next move?

Anyone?

 

[tmd17]

....Now, if it's about to fall out of their sweatpants pockets, yes, I'll say something....

I may be tempted to quietly follow them around and pray for gravity to do it's deal, my collection always has room for one more!

 

[kraynky]

I see it occasionally around here, and actually caught myself doing it twice. Both times I was in a Home Depot with my yard gun on my hip when it dawned on me I had forgotten I was wearing it.

It was a PMR 30 in a paddle holster, with a shotshell chambered and another in line for a manual cycle (in case a creepy crawly appears while moving brush piles and such).

Both times I felt very conscientious about having an exposed firearm on my hip in public. I am however, always armed when I'm out in public, and most of the time at home. I feel that open carry in the general public is is usually an unwise decision, unless one is a peace officer.

But I will never approach or embarrass anyone choosing to do it. Freedom to choose is what we all want, right?

 

[stanmerrell]

Every day here in AZ, that's why I live here.