OC vs CC

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lestuder3

lestuder3

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I live in Michigan where open carry is legal. I am considering just going open carry rather than spending a minimum of $205.00 to get a CPL and then another $105.00 in 5 years to renew. One of my thoughts is that in many situations I would rather that others know that I am carrying rather than having my handgun concealed. I live in a small town and I know many of the local law enforcement officers, so I am not concerned about a situation arising with them. Comments and opinions on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
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Some here will say OC will 'Paint a target on your back' and 'the bad guys will shoot you 1st'.
If they do, I hope they include some proof.

As far as I'm concerned, OC vs CC is personal choice. If you do choose to OC, it couldn't hurt to 'up your game' as far as situational awareness goes.
There IS one relatively recent article about a WalMart customer, who was openly carrying, having someone try to steal his pistol. His situational awareness prevailed. :)
 
Respectfully, I feel you're of the wrong mindset if you think you want others to know you're carrying.

Is it a cool factor, on an intimidation factor? If you think it will serve as a deterrent, it's not the best reason in my opinion.

I agree with USAF385, spend the cash and carry concealed.
 
RobzGuns said:
Some here will say OC will 'Paint a target on your back' and 'the bad guys will shoot you 1st'.
If they do, I hope they include some proof.

As far as I'm concerned, OC vs CC is personal choice. If you do choose to OC, it couldn't hurt to 'up your game' as far as situational awareness goes.
There IS one relatively recent article about a WalMart customer, who was openly carrying, having someone try to steal his pistol. His situational awareness prevailed. :)
Click to expand...

Wow. One . . .
 
ladder13 said:
lestuder3, OC vs CC is a bone of contention around here, I see you're a new member.
Good people here, we just disagree about certain issues :)

Welcome!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome. Not trying to stir up a hornets nest by the way. Just wanted honest opinions from both camps. I was expecting to see some heated comments. Perhaps I should have mentioned that I live in a community where there is a gun related crime once every fifteen or twenty years. I can't even remember when or what the last one was. Before someone asks why I want to carry, mostly because I can. As well as for personal protection, it is my constitutional right and I don't see any good reason not to. Honestly the only reason I can see carrying concealed in my situation, at least at this point, is that I would be able to carry legally in my vehicle.

Thanks for the responses.
 
oh, don't go away, stay awhile, alot more responses to come from all different angles.

you're entitled to defend yourself in any legal manner that suits you, imo.
 
There has been much debate on the subject, true......

Welcome to the campfire.

My short reaction is this:

Respectfully, I feel you're of the wrong mindset if you think you want others to know you're carrying.
Click to expand...

But you have explained yourself in re the small community in which you live and, in that context, it hardly seems like the major issue we have often addressed here. I understand your legal concepts and "because I can" mindset. I don't agree with open carry on all sorts of levels but I get the rights argument and the because argument.

My sole point of contention with your plan is that unless you restrict yourself to your small community your mindset doesn't work well in the big city. Yes, yes, people will jump on me for that and we all know the weird, often amusing stories of people calling 911 in Oklahoma because "a man has a gun" and then the operator has to calm them down because it's legal, etc.

Despite the correctly argued "right to do so" and "because I can" legal theories, the open carrying of a handgun in larger communities, where gun crime occurs every day, not once in every two decades, MIGHT paint a target on your back in some quarters, DOES create a certain atmosphere of tension amongst the unaware or uneducated, and eliminates the element of surprise in case you find yourself in a sticky situation. In the "big city" you simply do NOT want others to know you're carrying.

YMMV - and others will flame for my comments. But I have never altered my stance on being against open carry. I would never oppose a pro-gun law so passing the law is fine with me, or having the law already in place as you do, is all well and good. The law prmitting open carry doesn't bother me - it's DOING it that I criticize. Again, YMMV - and welcome aboard.
 
Here it is legal to open carry and you do see it occasionally and more often during hunting season. Not a big deal when you do see it. Don't need any kind of permit unless concealed upon your person. But, unless I am carrying a bigger revolver during hunting season I carry concealed. Why? Mostly I figure it is polite. Polite? Yes, being polite is letting those around you feel as comfortable as possible even if they disagree with your views. A gun in open view makes some people feel uncomfortable and it is kind of like an elephant in the room. Hard to ignore, even if it isn't doing anything. No need to point out the gun, that the world might be dangerous, etc. Just go on about your business. I do feel $205 is a bit steep, but over 5 years that's only $41 a year and over 10 years its averages out to $31. About the same as a soda every couple weeks. Spend the money and let others feel more comfortable around you.
 
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I also reside in Michigan in a suburb of Detroit & I would not even consider OC. $105 every 5 years is cheap imo.
 
I can't support my view with any stats but after 30 years as a street cop I would not OC. It surrenders the advantage of surprise and I do believe that you would be at a disadvantage in a life threatening situation. Just an opinion, no more value than anyone else's opinion.
 
"Because I can" is not a reason. At best, it is a [perfectly proper] retort to a challenge to your right to carry, but it is not a reason. I can carry a can of shaving cream, open or concealed, but I don't. Don't have a reason.

You have a reason for carrying. If you don't already know what it is, you could probably figure it out if you set your mind to it. Then you would be in a better position to figure out whether CC is better than OC, or whether you should even bother carrying at all.
 
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