I was in Richmond Indiana yesterday at Best Buy. I was concealing but as me and my family were in line at the cell phones, I noticed a young man open carrying. I said nothing to him although I wanted to thank him. Then I wanted to lift my shirt up and open carry also but I didn't. Instead I just watched peoples reaction as he walked around. What was wonderfully awesome to me was that everyone I saw showed little to no reaction. It would be great if all days were as such, and people would just go about there day like it is just another day. I gotta say, that I felt a little safer knowing another gun was there besides mine in case the need arose. Cudos to him and his family and all that were in Best Buy yesterday.
rdf37
Someone else said it for me:
My thoughts on open carry...
Several years ago, when I was still a Police Officer, I stopped by the local Harley shop to grab a part I needed. At that time, I was working an assignment that required that I had long hair and a goatee. I did not look like the Police....in any way, shape, or form. A local Deputy I knew described me as Charles Manson-esque in appearance. I looked dirty.
As I approached the parts counter, there was a man ahead of me. He was talking to the chick behind the counter in a rather loud voice. He was wearing jeans, and a polo shirt, with his SIG pistol in an open top holster. It was fairly cold that day (Mid 40s), so the dress was definitely not appropriate for the weather. Based on how he was talking, the volume, and his mannerisms, it was quite apparent to me that he was trying to impress the chick behind the counter. I stood behind him in line, waiting my turn. After a little while, it was quite apparent that he was so situationally unaware that he hadn't even noticed me (And, at that time....people definitely noticed me...). Being the ******* that I am, I decided to try a little expirement. Because his gun was uncovered, and that side turned towards me, I began to step closer to him. I got within 18 inches of him, and stood there....for almost two minutes. When the saleswoman made eye contact with me, he realized someone was right next to him, reacted in a startled fashion, and finally put some space between the two of us. I looked at him and asked "You finally done, John Wayne? I've got legitimate business, and my time is valuable to me." The saleswoman stiffled a giggle, he turned red, and left.
Had I been what I appeared to be, instead of the Police, I could have easily grabbed his gun, and killed him with it. An "open carrier" was killed in exactly the same way in a gas station in Richmond, VA a little over a year ago. The same 17 year old thug that killed him went on to kill someone else with his gun.
Proponents of open carry frequently put forth one of several reasons that they engage in that practice. One, it is their right. . Two, they believe that they are educating the public.Three, they believe that they function as a crime deterrent Let's look at each one of those reasons.
"It's my right". In the states where open carry is legally allowed....YES, it is a gun owner's right. Quite a few of those states also have provisions for a charge of "Disturbing the Peace" or "Disorderly Conduct" that an Officer can potentially charge a person with, if they create a disturbance. Do I agree with that charge? Not necessarily. That doesn't mean, however, that every Officer feels that way. Getting locked up is always a pain in the ***, as is court, obtaining counsel, and attempting to get the charge expunged (IF the Judge disagrees with the Officer.).
Does anyone remember the open carry movement in California? I do. People were open carrying in California, because a quirk in the law allowed unloaded guns to be carried openly. They freaked out the public, and now open carry is no longer legal.
While it may be your right, depending on the situation, it may not be smart. In rural areas, a gun is a normal thing. People really don't get bothered by seeing one. Get closer to a city, and that changes. Is that the gun owner's fault? No. It is what it is, however. This brings us to number two on the list.....
"I am educating people about guns." No, you are not. You are shoving it in people's faces, in the hopes that they will, through frequent exposure, become desensitized. Education only works upon the willing, not the frightened. By scaring the sheeple, you are turning people away from the Second Amendment. If you want to educate.....teach a class of willing participants.
I will draw a parallel. In numerous states, gay marriage is legal. Some people are very opposed to that, and will never change their minds. Some people are very pro gay marriage, and will never change their minds. Quite a few people, however....don't feel strongly enough to totally have made up their mind. Now, what if gay marriage advocates went to the local mall, sat down, and the men started making out.....to "educate" people? Let's be honest...it would alienate a whole lot of people, and damage their cause. Flaunting your gun in front of people that don't really have strong feelings about it WILL alienate quite a few of them. The anti gun crazies can then say "Look at those idiots. See, we were right. People shouldn't carry guns." Congratulations.....your "education" has had the exact opposite effect.
Lastly.....the "crime deterrent" effect. As a Police Officer, my mere presence did often have a deterrent effect. Open carry can have that effect as well.....IF you are not dealing with a determined, hardened criminal. My department had a well deserved reputation of being very rough. We policed a very violent ghetto. People knew that we weren't to be played with, and that when we went hands on, we went hard. That reputation helped diffuse many situations. There were many times, however, when a hardened criminal would inform us that he didn't care about our guns, or our reputation, and that he intended to harm us. (They always did so in a far more foul manner.) Now, if someone like that isn't deterred by a bunch of badass cops with a reputation for beating down criminals, why would he be scared of somebody in a polo shirt and an Uncle Mike's nylon holster?
Now, let's talk tactics. If you have ever watched a uniformed officer at a convenience store, you will notice several things (if that officer is tactically aware.). First, he will keep space between him and everybody else. No one gets close. Second, he will rest his strong arm over the top of his pistol. Third, he will scan everyone that comes in, and will be aware of where they go. Lastly, he will not turn his back to anyone. Why does he do ALL of those things? Because he doesn't want his gun snatched.
I call open carry "Tactical Moron Carry". Not a single well known firearms trainer advocates open carry, nor do they personally engage in the practice. There is a reason for that. Open carry, particularly in more crowded areas, makes one much more vulnerable. There have been several cases, recently, of open carriers being robbed, or having someone try to grab their gun. As I stated before, an open carrier was killed with his own gun, less than an hour from me. If no one sees your gun, you avoid all of the negative attention, and extra risk.
Most "open carriers" have no weapons retention training, do not carry a dedicated weapon to defend against gun grabs, do not carry in appropriate gear; lack the situational awareness, physical prowess and strength necessary to keep their gun out of the hands of a determined adversary. Every year, numerous LEOs are killed with their own sidearm, despite having been trained on how to keep their weapon, and most agencies now requiring duty holsters that are built to thwart gun grabs. A gun is not a magic talisman, and it is not a guarantee that criminals will leave you alone. Quite frankly, both Law Enforcement and criminals view open carriers in about the same way....as some sort of goofy "wannabe" badass.
Because of my background, I still choose to carry a weapon. In addition to my primary pistol, I also carry a second handgun, in case the first malfunctions, or is somehow taken from me. I also carry a weapon specifically to deal with potential gun grabs. I carry a Karambit style knife, (NO, I do not consider a folding knife clipped into you pocket good enough to defend yourself with.) on the opposite side of my primary weapon. I have specifically sought out, and received training from my local knife fighting expert (A man who trains federal agents in it's use.) I spend time training with it, to keep my skills current. I have many years of martial arts training, and workout almost daily. I am well equipped and trained, and am in the physical shape to fight for my gun, should I be the victim of a gun grab attempt. All of that being said....I would far prefer never to have it be an issue.
Yes, I know that Police Officers open carry. It is a required part of their uniform. How many of those Officers open carry off duty? I don't know any. We usually conceal our guns. We want the element of surprise, and we don't like to advertise. We have gotten the "John Wayne" wannabe badass **** out of our system. We don't like extra stupidity.....we see enough at work.
Personally......I want to be that last, nasty surprise.....Not the first one targeted. So, by and large.....I conceal. It makes more sense for me.
To put the above comments in perspective....I am a gun guy. I shoot twice per week (I have a range at my house). I fully support the Second Amendment, and an American's right to bear arms. I had a concealed carry permit before I became a cop, and still have one. I know that this little piece will piss people off...and I really don't care. Lastly, this was written for the people that open carry when they go about their daily business....NOT the morons that do so to provoke a response from the public, or the Police. Those people are ridiculous assclowns that make us all look bad
. I conceal 95% of the time. However when I am in a suit and am getting in and out of vehicle my suit jacket will come off and occasionally I will walk into store or down sidewalk while open carrying. Praise God I have that right. I am not a cammy wearing gun toteing bandit who just wants to look tough
. However when I am in a pair of dress clothes with a tie and my boots on, it actually looks professional. Most people think I am armed security or something and pay me no mind. Another time may be when I am at a friends or reletives house. It may be while taking a sum of money to the night drop. (easier to pull gun than it is to reach into pants under shirt and aim) . I know...practice makes perfect, but I just aint perfect yet. But whatever the reason is, I am very responsible and in tune to others around me while carrying open or concealed and to me, being attentive to surroundings and knowing how to react is way more important to me than whether I choose to carry open or concealed....They both have their place and they both can be done improperly or properly!!!
