open carry?

[war&peace]

well guys, I live in wyoming, and we are a open carry state. I recently applied for my ccw and was denied due to a breach of peace I got 4 years ago for playing my music too loud in my apartment.lol. so now I just open carry. I am surprised at some of the responses I get, both ways. does anyone else open carry? how many states are open carry? what do you guys think of open carry?

 

[war&peace]

well guys, I live in wyoming, and we are a open carry state. I recently applied for my ccw and was denied due to a breach of peace I got 4 years ago for playing my music too loud in my apartment.lol. so now I just open carry. I am surprised at some of the responses I get, both ways. does anyone else open carry? how many states are open carry? what do you guys think of open carry?

 

[flop-shank]

I think it's the second best option under most circumstances, but much better than nothing. Is there any way you could get an out of state ccw permit with a state that has reciprocity with Wyoming? Welcome to the forum, stick around.

 

[war&peace]

actually all I have to do is get a letter from the sheriff that says it's o.k. My cousin is the local sheriff, so that is not going to be too difficult. however, around here, it takes about six months to get it. I am not going to wait until then. I just started my own business and often have large sums of money on me. also I have medication that I take that has a high street value. I am not going to die for lack of shooting back.lol

 

[Shorty4T]

Hi war&peace,
With a GA GFL you can carry either way. Living near Atlanta this isn't always a good thing even though it is legal to do so. I've seen several threads in another forum debating this issue as well as this forum. It purely is a personal preferrence. On another GA specific site I've seen numerous post where a OC raised suspicion of the public as well as LEOs.

That being said here in Atlanta this is a different issue than it is in Wyoming. Personally I'd rather not advertise that I'm carrying. I CC more than anything, except maybe on the way to the range.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[flop-shank]

I practice multi-gun carry. Do as you wish, but I like having a second gun in my weak hand front pocket for a lightning fast New York reload, an accesible gun when my strong hand is tied up, and the ability to nonchalantly have a gun in hand at any given time I feel that a gun might become necessary. For me a carry permit wouldn't be an option if I could get one.

 

[230therapy]

Oh, you awful criminal! You shouldn't be allowed to carry concealed! Carry at least two guns openly to make up for it.

 

[Evil One]

I open carry 7 days a week pretty much.
I prefer it over CCW.
Some like it, some dont... it works well for me tho.


Jim

 

[slotsavegas]

Texas does not currently have Open Carry. I do have a CHL but am at risk of losing that if I was to have the wind blow open my coat, or my holster hang down even a half inch below the coattail. Anything that allows another to know that I am carrying could cause me a lot of legal problems as well as immediate loss of my license. I would very much like to have Open carry here.

 

[DougE]

Ky is also an open carry state but I don't recommend open carry for several reasons. First of all ........ you lose the element of surprise ...... better if a would be assailant has no idea you are armed until you present it.
Secondly .... if someone decides they want that weapon you happen to be sporting on your side ........ you become a target for a gun grab. Face it ...... you can't see in every direction at once.
And lastly ..... some neurotic idiots will see your way of exercising your 2nd amendment rights as some sort of threat.
So it is my opinion that concealed carry is the best best option. YMMV!

 

[longhornscott]

Anything that allows another to know that I am carrying could cause me a lot of legal problems as well as immediate loss of my license. I would very much like to have Open carry here.

Right on, slotsavegas. I find it quite difficult to always fit CCW into my wardrobe, but if we had open carry here, i wouldn't run into this trouble. I'm sure it's the same for a whole lot of other people. We need to start writing to the senators.

 

[El Biblioitecario]

Originally posted by war&peace:
I recently applied for my ccw and was denied due to a breach of peace I got 4 years ago for playing my music too loud in my apartment...

What a wonderful Christmas present to learn that at least one person has been punished for such behavior.

 

[war&peace]

ah, yes. too soon young, too late old.lol. I have a uncle mikes holster that makes it very difficult to grab. I am very careful, but it is always on my mind. I think wyoming has it right. ither way, just need to be approved for ccw. no screwing around. also, we can carry it anywhere in our veihacle, in any condition(loaded, unloaded, one in the chamber) and it is not considered concealed. is it like that where you live?

 

[Stophel]

I have carried openly on rare occasion...even in front of local lar enfarcement officers.

Wish I had the guts to carry openly more often in more public situations (wish others did too!)

 

[armadillo66]

My Grandpa told me one time that If I ever made the decision to carry a gun, that
A it was my decision alone,
B it was nobody's business but my own
C it is always better to have them not knowing for sure whether you are or not

 

[Agent6-3/8]

Although legal, OC is pretty rare here in WV. I carry concealed when going about my business in town. However, I nearly always OC when in the woods. It just makes more sense to dress for comfort and the conditions of the day instead of having to dress around a gun.

 

[Evil One]

Originally posted by DougE:
Ky is also an open carry state but I don't recommend open carry for several reasons. First of all ........ you lose the element of surprise ...... better if a would be assailant has no idea you are armed until you present it.
Secondly .... if someone decides they want that weapon you happen to be sporting on your side ........ you become a target for a gun grab. Face it ...... you can't see in every direction at once.
And lastly ..... some neurotic idiots will see your way of exercising your 2nd amendment rights as some sort of threat.
So it is my opinion that concealed carry is the best best option. YMMV!

There are also the flip sides to your statements.
What if the dirtbag sees that you are "unarmed" and decided that you are a target?
Suddenly you have a gun in your back because he thought you were just another sheep.
You try to make a move and you have your spine severed.
He checks for your wallet and car keys... and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!... he now has your gun.
Which makes you the same as the gun grab victim you mention.
Most criminals look for the path of least resistance... and the easiest of marks.
Open carry practitioners SCREAM "not an easy target".
In general, the only time a gun grab is going to be attempted is during hand to hand combat.
If it worries you, wear a retention holster.
As to the neurotic idiots, most of them dont even notice my sidearm.
Some notice and keep their distance.
Some notice and go another direction.
90% however never see it.
I wont belittle a person for concealed carry, I do it on occasion.
Just keep a couple of things in mind... criminals dont open carry... they hide their guns till the instant they need them.
It used to be considered rude to cover your weapon, it was a sign of dishonesty.

I am an honest man.
I wont wear sunglasses while talking to someone.
If I am going to be out conducting business I wont cover my weapon.
I am not a criminal... I wont be forced into acting like one.


Jim

 

[Big Foot]

better if a would be assailant has no idea you are armed until you present it.

+1 If the BG spots someone like yourself, he might not feel that it's a deterrent and decide to take you out 1st w/o no warning. I rather be concealed and react to the circumstances than be an "open invite"...

 

[DougE]

Originally posted by Evil One:

Originally posted by DougE:
Ky is also an open carry state but I don't recommend open carry for several reasons. First of all ........ you lose the element of surprise ...... better if a would be assailant has no idea you are armed until you present it.
Secondly .... if someone decides they want that weapon you happen to be sporting on your side ........ you become a target for a gun grab. Face it ...... you can't see in every direction at once.
And lastly ..... some neurotic idiots will see your way of exercising your 2nd amendment rights as some sort of threat.
So it is my opinion that concealed carry is the best best option. YMMV!

There are also the flip sides to your statements.
What if the dirtbag sees that you are "unarmed" and decided that you are a target?
Suddenly you have a gun in your back because he thought you were just another sheep.
You try to make a move and you have your spine severed.
He checks for your wallet and car keys... and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!... he now has your gun.
Which makes you the same as the gun grab victim you mention.
Most criminals look for the path of least resistance... and the easiest of marks.
Open carry practitioners SCREAM "not an easy target".
In general, the only time a gun grab is going to be attempted is during hand to hand combat.
If it worries you, wear a retention holster.
As to the neurotic idiots, most of them dont even notice my sidearm.
Some notice and keep their distance.
Some notice and go another direction.
90% however never see it.
I wont belittle a person for concealed carry, I do it on occasion.
Just keep a couple of things in mind... criminals dont open carry... they hide their guns till the instant they need them.
It used to be considered rude to cover your weapon, it was a sign of dishonesty.

I am an honest man.
I wont wear sunglasses while talking to someone.
If I am going to be out conducting business I wont cover my weapon.
I am not a criminal... I wont be forced into acting like one.


Jim

Your points are well taken ....... open carry might in some cases act to deter an attack but in some situations might also provoke an attack. Both methods have good and bad sides to them but I still prefer concealed carry in most cases even if it's considered to be rude by some standards. That's a personal preference and I have nothing against those who choose to open carry. To each his/her own ........ The most important aspect to carrying ..... no matter the method you choose is to be proficient with your weapon and be comfortable with your method of carry.

 

[Evil One]

When this is brought up... I always ask this...
Find multiple instances of a person who is open carrying being attacked because they are open carrying.
Turn on the news and you find people who were because they were not.


Jim