Open Carry

[Kapture1]

This concept seems a bit strange to me, I guess because I don't remember seeing anyone carrying non-concealed.

My state allows a registered handgun owner that does not hold a concealed carry license to carry non-concealed in public (with restrictions and at the private property owners discretion).

I will be applying for a concealed carry license in a month or so. My question is wait for the CCW or open carry for the time being.

Thanks.

 

[sipowicz]

This topic comes up quite often and gets heated on both side..."no way, they will shoot you first in a hold-up" to "oh yes, it's a deterrent, no one will mess with you." I guess you have to weigh those and ask yourself another question: would you really be comfortable openly carrying a weapon? If so, then go for it...personally, I would be too self conscious.

 

[moxie]

I'd wait for the CCW permit/license. Although I think that it should be up to the individual whether to carry open or concealed, carrying open identifies you to a potential Ft. Hood or Killeen Luby's bad guy as someone who needs to be taken out first, IMHO. Open carry also really makes a lot of people very uncomfortable. (I know, I know, they need to get over it, but they won't.) Why do that? You can take care of business discreetly without bothering anyone. Yes, CC is more difficult than open carry but in the real world it seems, again in my opinion, the best solution.

 

[Shorty4T]

Another vote for wait, I for one get rather tired of this argument. It really doesn't do either side either good. Most of the times this argument starts on another board I frequent the thread most often gets locked.

I can't recall ever seeing the debate on this forum, I would think if things get out of line Lee will lock this one too.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[27145]

And there I was, the only cavalry man left, low on ammo and the Indians circling the wagon train.............

 

[mkk41]

Main problem is that most civilians and cops don't know it is legal. So you go somewhere , concerned citizen calls cops about a "MAN WITH GUN!". Cops show up , might not know OC is legal. Take you down town , confiscate your gun , put you thru the ringer , cost ya time off from work , cost ya money to get a lawyer to straighten things out , get court order to get gun back. Might not be right , but it does happen. And even with a 'permit' , private property owners and privately owned establishments have the right to bar persons openly carrying weapons. Most OCer's , or as I call 'em 'open carry clowns' , do it just to shock and rile people. Like those kids who just got a drivers license and ride around with the boom-boom stereo blaring at 5000 watts.

Believe me , I've been carrying concealed over 28yrs with a LTCF , and still have problems with cops who don't know the laws.

Here's some OC incidents from Mighigan on YouTube. You decide if it's worth the hassle.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=michigan+open+carry&aq=0

There's plenty of websites and forums dealing with OC.

 

[Knightrider03m]

Oh good god just wait for your CPL. Open carry without a CPL is much harder IMO

 

[Kapture1]

I agree with your points. Seems it brings on attention I am not looking for.

Sorry if this topic has been beaten to death, but being a first time pistol owner, I learned about the right to open carry w/o CCW on Sunday.

 

[27145]

I agree with your points. Seems it brings on attention I am not looking for.

Sorry if this topic has been beaten to death, but being a first time pistol owner, I learned about the right to open carry w/o CCW on Sunday.

No need to be sorry. It just so happens that the topic of open carry goes over like a fart in church.

Enjoy the forum and ask away.

 

[ladder13]

Oh no, not again

 

[cshoff]

This concept seems a bit strange to me, I guess because I don't remember seeing anyone carrying non-concealed.

My state allows a registered handgun owner that does not hold a concealed carry license to carry non-concealed in public (with restrictions and at the private property owners discretion).

I will be applying for a concealed carry license in a month or so. My question is wait for the CCW or open carry for the time being.

Thanks.

Here is a recent thread that covered this topic: http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/196419-opinions.html

You'll likely find that opinions vary greatly depending on the region/locale that the person giving the opinion is from. Talk to someone who live is AZ, for example, and you'll likely get a much different opinion than someone who lives in Chicago.

 

[USAF385]

I've done it a few times (sort of) and can't see it ever becoming my preferred way of carry. By "sort of" I mean I've done it a few times at a gas station and once at a local convenient store... and at the gas station I never went further than my truck. It was one of those deals where I was in the woods or working in the fields (I always carry my 681 when I'm out and about on my land) and headed into town for supplies, gas, etc.

At the gas station, I took notice of people's reactions.. every time at least one person gave me a double take. Some people will be totally oblivious, others will notice. Depending on what those who notice know about the law, you may or may not have any issues. I never did.

They know me at the convenient, so they couldn't have cared less that I had a gun. In fact, the girl behind the counter asked me some questions about it.

I gotta say, Sip summed it up nicely.

 

[Detroitbiker]

This concept seems a bit strange to me, I guess because I don't remember seeing anyone carrying non-concealed.

My state allows a registered handgun owner that does not hold a concealed carry license to carry non-concealed in public (with restrictions and at the private property owners discretion).

I will be applying for a concealed carry license in a month or so. My question is wait for the CCW or open carry for the time being.

Thanks.

There are a few local gun forums where you can get more info on Open Carrying in Michigan. I would suggest you read up on the different do's and don'ts on Open carrying before venturing out and trying it. There are certain places that are off limits to opencarry in Michigan without a CPL. there are Open carry picnics and get togethers where you can meet up with other Open carriers and learn about it also. Here are a couple of sites to try Michigan Open Carry, Inc. | Nothing to hide!
Michigan Gun Owners
OpenCarry.org - A Right Unexercised is a Right Lost! ... go to Michigan section on this site

 

[Kanewpadle]

Just my opinion, but open carry seems to be a statement for those that do so. A statement for our right to do so. Nothing more.

Carrying a gun for self defense should be a life changing decision. Concealed carry requires more dedication to the art of concealed carry.

I have asked many here in Washington that carry openly. We discussed it and even argued it. The reasons were all the same. "Because I can". "It's my right." "I'm too lazy to carry concealed and dress around the gun".

Then there were the tactical arguements. "I can draw faster". "It's a deterrent".

Sorry, I don't buy it. I can't begrudge them to do so because it's their right to do so. But it doesn't accomplish anything either except make the carrier feel better about himself.

Open carry is a mere statement that shoves it down the anti gunners throats. A statement that say's "don't like it? TOUGH!"

Many of those I talked to like living on the edge. They like being rousted by law enforcement and the shocked or disgusted looks they get from others.

That kind of life isn't for me. I would rather be the quiet mind my own business type of person.

If I need to make a statement while carrying a gun, I'll do so on my terms when and if the time comes. Concealed carrying allows me to do so on my terms.

Again, for those that I may have offended, it's just my opinion which shouldn't matter much to you if you disagree.

 

[Detroitbiker]

To the OP, In Michigan you can Open Carry with a CPL in most
places that are Pistol Free Zones,and off limits to concealed carry.

Here are links to an MOC wallet card its a front and back PDF file.
it shows Open Carry off limit places with and without CPL in Michigan.

http://web.me.com/joshtish/Offlimits_Front.pdf


http://web.me.com/joshtish/Offlimits_Back.pdf

 

[oldman45]

Again I will say that Open Carry is the main stay of the 2nd Amendment.

If the law allows it, then what is wrong with doing it.

I do understand from my travels and the words of others that Open Carry works better in certain areas. Locally nobody pays open carry any attention unless you walk around with a western style rig strapped to your leg and even that is legal. If I were to try Open Carry in some northern states where legal, it would still attract attention.

Yet does not open carry show non-gun people that those with guns are not bad people? Does it not give pro gun people the opportunity to meet and greet?

 

[mkk41]

Again I will say that Open Carry is the main stay of the 2nd Amendment.



Yet does not open carry show non-gun people that those with guns are not bad people? Does it not give pro gun people the opportunity to meet and greet?

Like the old saying goes , "ya never get a second chance to make a first impression".

We've had enough go arounds about judging people on tattoos , piercings , hair length and style , the way they dress , etc , that we judge people on how they look.

Tell me you'd view a person with long hair & beard , in old blue jeans , cut-off Harley T-shirt , with a CZ-82 or Makarov tucked in his belt 'Mexican' style , the same as someone 'clean cut' in a suit or dress slacks , with a shiny S&W snubbie in Galco holster.

Dress 'nice' , with a gun and people think yer a cop.

Dress 'disreputably' with a gun and you're labeled a criminal.

Fashion police chime in now.

 

[russp1]

My personal opinion (and that's all it is) is wait for the concealed license. Open carry may be a constitutional right (that many states have stepped on) but the potential problems don't seem worth it. I do wish Texas would pass open carry though just to eliminate the risk of "brandishing" a weapon while concealed carrying and the gun peeks out for a moment.

 

[mkk41]

I recall seeing police car dash-cam video from Michigan where a man was pulled over while carrying openly riding a motorcycle. The cop had pulled him over before and really proceded to be a total jerk. He even called the prosecutors office and after being told the man was within his rights , said "well just find someone , anyone , who will SAY it IS illegal!"

There's been events in Philadelphia where OC advocates , looking to stir trouble , have gone downtown , had their guns confiscated and even been arrested (on false pretense) , just to make their lives miserable. Don't know if there's registration of firearms in Michigan , but if any other guns show up under your ownership , the police/sheriffs could come a-knocking and confiscate ALL your firearms.

And it's a long , expensive process to prove them wrong and get your property back.

 

[photoman]

My personal opinion (and that's all it is) is wait for the concealed license. Open carry may be a constitutional right (that many states have stepped on) but the potential problems don't seem worth it. I do wish Texas would pass open carry though just to eliminate the risk of "brandishing" a weapon while concealed carrying and the gun peeks out for a moment.

In Texas, if the wind blows your shirt up and your gun "peeks out for a moment," you have not broken the law (there is no "brandishing" law in Texas). Intentional failure to conceal IS against the law in Texas.