Open carried yesterday with observations

[CaptRon956]

As a LEO, I find it humerous that a lot of open carry folks seem to really be disappointed when I don't confront them about it. It's like they expect me to come hassle them and it's a let down when I don't.

I'm fine with it...


OC just passed in Texas and takes effect Jan 1st 2016. Do I plan on Oc'ing? Probably not. Partially because I invested like, 100 bucks or so in IWB holsters & a few belts...But more importantly, I dont wish to draw any potential unwanted attention to myself. But in all honestly, when it does take effect, I'll most likely wear a OWB holster but still cover it loosely under a short sleeve buttoned shirt. A little bit more comfortable, but still somewhat concealed.

 

[Dezfan]

So according to the geniuses here, only slim, clean cut, well dressed individuals should be allowed to exercise their Constitutional right to bear arms?

Do you feel we should apply the same requirements to those exercising their First Amendment rights?

 

[snubbyfan]

Open carry is legal here. On the east-side of the Cascades, it is no big deal. My concern is, although I detect many people conceal carrying, the ones I see open carrying are hardly good, upstanding examples. Most are dirty, fat, scraggly beards and resemble pot farmers or meth producers (we have more than a few in the area), wearing camo and combat boots. Even seen a couple of wanna-be gang bangers carrying.

A couple of weeks ago, I saw one in Sportsmen's Warehouse. Fat, long hair, tats, camo. Generally scruffy looking. Carrying some inexpensive, high capacity auto-shucker. First thing I noticed was that the magazine was missing. I figured he wanted to be the first one shot if the SHTF. (My wife had her Glock 26 and I had my 27).

Just saying, if you are going to open carry, think of the image you portray!

Kinda hung up on this one.
What does a good, upstanding example look like?
I was once racially profiled and arrested as a drug trafficker. Of course they found no drugs on me, in me or in my car.
I have long hair, dark skin, tattoos and earrings. In the summer I almost always wear a tank top and black low top boots that help me walk. I can't afford expensive stuff.
I guess I should never open carry, I don't think I qualify.

 

[Protected One]

Kinda hung up on this one.
What does a good, upstanding example look like?
I was once racially profiled and arrested as a drug trafficker. Of course they found no drugs on me, in me or in my car.
I have long hair, dark skin, tattoos and earrings. In the summer I almost always wear a tank top and black low top boots that help me walk. I can't afford expensive stuff.
I guess I should never open carry, I don't think I qualify.

Which side you on Snubby? You "liked" and commented "Well said" about one post above, and then seem to come out on the other side in this one!

 

[snubbyfan]

Which side you on Snubby? You "liked" and commented "Well said" about one post above, and then seem to come out on the other side in this one!

I'm on the side that doesn't instantly make an assumption based solely on appearance alone.
Reread the thread, I haven't "liked" nor have I posted "Well Said".

 

[keith44spl]

I've open carried for a long time....

In sixty years only one person asked, "Are you a deputy?"

My reply, "Oh no, worse than that!" and went on about my business.


.

 

[ladder13]

I was once racially profiled and arrested as a drug trafficker

Only once?

 

[Maddog 521]

I have noticed that when I open carry, kids pick up on it quicker than most adults. The adults that do catch it usually carry themselves.

Kids notice because your pistol is "eye level" to them. Most adults don't look down.

 

[joeintexas]

Kinda hung up on this one.
What does a good, upstanding example look like?
I was once racially profiled and arrested as a drug trafficker. Of course they found no drugs on me, in me or in my car.
I have long hair, dark skin, tattoos and earrings. In the summer I almost always wear a tank top and black low top boots that help me walk. I can't afford expensive stuff.
I guess I should never open carry, I don't think I qualify.

Plus the missus makes a mean lasagna!! It's clear snub, you gotta keep your snubby concealed!

 

[ColbyBruce]

"In the summer I almost always wear a tank top and black low top boots that help me walk. I can't afford expensive stuff. I guess I should never open carry, I don't think I qualify."

May I suggest you add some pants or shorts to your summer attire?

The last person I saw dressed only in a tank top and boots was also being arrested...for solicitation, LOL!!

 

[Cpo1944]

Some of you guys are getting hung up on the tacky appearance thing and loosing sight of the real message, its true that a nice neat appearance conveys a totally different message from a menacing look. Sure some very nice /good people wear camo, tats, and body piercings, but they do make us look twice to make sure they are ok, because no-one can help their first impression, and certain looks will always elicit suspicion. I know, I know, don't profile, but it can't be helped! If one looks like a thug he should expect to judged as such until he proves otherwise.
I don't want to cause a dispute or hurt anyones feelings here, its just my opinion. I don't OC simply because I don't want to draw un-wanted attention to myself.

 

[klondike]

The chief of police of the town where my restaurant was , came in during lunch looking like he had just returned from a cowboy shoot. The tourists could not help but notice but since he looked like a character out of Rawhide, no one seemed to take alarm.

 

[Roadtrash]

If I've been out in the desert messing around I open carry but if I stop at a store on the way home for something I usually leave it in the truck/jeep just so I don't panic some poor little girl behind the cash register. If I'm CC no problem.

 

[Fishslayer]

I have noticed that when I open carry, kids pick up on it quicker than most adults. The adults that do catch it usually carry themselves.

Somebody said that kids will spot concealed carry, too, because they tend to stare where adults usually tend to look away from people.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

Here in TX., we start open carry, in Jan. Lots of discussion with the CCW's. A few say they will, a few state they will just because they can, at least for a few days, the majority say no.

I can't tell you which category I will fall in. Just can't decide.

What do you say, Ringo?

 

[BearBio]

Appearances count, regardless of how anti-social you want to be.

I am overweight, no tats (for health reasons and I just think they are ridiculous), no hair and a beard. But I am well groomed and wear Wranglers and polo shirts, mostly. Camos are for hunting or working in the yard. Almost all open carry individuals I see here swagger and bristle.

As a biologist, I carry a substantial pocket knife; I don't need a Bowie knife on my hip. I carry a Glock 27 IWB or in my pocket. Wife carries her Glock 26 in her purse. We try to be as innocuous as possible.

Again, why try to intimidate people? The Joseph Stalin School of Management? How to Win Friends and Scare People by Dale Carnegie?

 

[Brian41]

Open carry is legal here in Michigan too. I don't open carry except for my own property at times. I do like the fact if my concealed carry gun is spotted it's no big deal.
You don't see too much open carry here but when I have I've done like others here and watched for reactions from people. I've never noticed anyone that appeared as if they noticed. For the most part those I've seen open carry were dressed well. One owned a gun shop and another was a detective on his way to work according to the clerk at the store that I know. Now she does know he opens carries and is in there often but she also carries a concealed handgun.

City of Flint near here had a law not allowing open carry. It got challenged and state law prevailed and they were required to drop it. I was glad to see that and understand many started open carry then just because they could.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Appearances count, regardless of how anti-social you want to be.

I am overweight, no tats (for health reasons and I just think they are ridiculous), no hair and a beard. But I am well groomed and wear Wranglers and polo shirts, mostly. Camos are for hunting or working in the yard. Almost all open carry individuals I see here swagger and bristle.

As a biologist, I carry a substantial pocket knife; I don't need a Bowie knife on my hip. I carry a Glock 27 IWB or in my pocket. Wife carries her Glock 26 in her purse. We try to be as innocuous as possible.

Again, why try to intimidate people? The Joseph Stalin School of Management? How to Win Friends and Scare People by Dale Carnegie?

We can agree to disagree here. I like it when I am walking alone in a big city and people cross the street to avoid me. Several well documented prison inmate studies reflect that criminals choose victims based on their appearance and mannerisms, going for innocuous over intimidating. You roll your way, I'll roll mine.

 

[ohioseabee]

I, for one, don't understand the fascination of "open carry", but then again I don't care about "printing" when I carry concealed either.

 

[Old TexMex]

"Why try to intimidate!?"

This question often arises in the pro/anti open carry debate.

Intimidation is in the eye of the beholder.
Why are you intimidated by an open carrying individual while I am not?

Most robberies are committed by concealed carrying individuals.(surprise is to the bandits advantage).
Very few drug dealers expose their firearms on the way to a meet.

This business of equating those who open carry with the sociopaths who prey on law abiding citizens should stop, because the "only concealed carry" advocates run quite a risk of being hoisted on their own petard.

How will you feel when the dirty end of the ugly stick (unfounded prejudice) gets wiped on your nice new polo shirt?