open or concealed?

[Ben_hutcherson]

I don't ever weigh in on these threads, but I get very frustrated at the vehement "don't open carry" attitude that many here seem to trot out at even the slightest mention of open carry.

Both open and concealed have their place, and open carry is certainly more common(and less likely to cause alarm) in parts of the country. Folks seem to forget that in many places(like here in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky) open carry was the only legal way to carry a gun up until relatively recently(1996), and is still in some circumstances here in Kentucky the only legal method of carry.

I see folks open carrying with some regularity around central Kentucky-I'd say at least once a week or so. Most just go about their business, leave others alone, and are left alone.

I think that the bottom line is that however you choose to carry, be smart about it, don't be confrontational, and don't draw attention to yourself.

 

[jag312]

I am a proponent of concealed carry for two reasons. If you are in a dangerous confrontation, I want it to come as a complete surprise to the suspect that he just picked on the wrong victim. The lookon his face will be priceless.

The second reason is that where I live, there are violent street criminals who will mug you for your gun if you carry it open. Trust me; they will crack you over the head with a 2X4 before you know what happened. It is common for these street criminals to try to disarm a police officer while trying to avoid arrest. Carrying a nice gun openly is too much temptation for some of these street criminals.

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I live in TX where open carry is only an option on personal/private property. Even if it was an option to carry in the open in public I would not do it as a private citizen. As a gun owner I respect others opinions regardless of how misinformed or stupid they may be. Guns are a hot issue now and everyone has an opinion on them now one way or the other. Open carry is asking for trouble both with the law and lawless. I am not a modern day gun for hire, the best chance I'll have of saving my sorry hide will be if the bad guy doesn't even know I have it until its in my hand. That being said I wish TX did have open carry that way it wouldn't be a legal issue if I accidentally flashed my CC piece.

 

[Houdini1953]

So who do you think will win the World Series????

I can predict this with 100% certainty that the winner will be the team that has the most points at the end of the game whenever and wherever that is!

 

[KKECK5]

OPEN carry in Massachusetts will get you arrested for disorderly and loss of your LTC. Someone will see it and go nuts. It is guaranteed. Even if you are carrying concealed and someone gets a 'peak' at it..Your probably all done. I might get a little more leeway, but i'd rather not test it. If you want to open carry, go to Vermont, were you can open carry all you want. Your still going to generate a lot of looks, but it's legal. Heck, pretty much everything is legal in Vermont.

 

[ladder13]

Thank GOD, some people have the option either way, what a great country.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Discalimer #1 - It is a good thing for OC to be legal, if only for protection against overreaction to accidental exposure , or issues over wether or not you really were sufficiently out in the boonies.

Disclaimer #2 - This really is a multilayered , nuianced subject , and I regularilly tick off people on all sides of this.

Looking strictly at the OP , and exactly what he was and wasn't asking :

He should continue his current CC habits.

There are other reasonings that can lead to different answers , but he didn't go there so far.

 

[Don 73]

Discretion is often the better part of valor.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I don't ever weigh in on these threads, but I get very frustrated at the vehement "don't open carry" attitude that many here seem to trot out at even the slightest mention of open carry.

Both open and concealed have their place, and open carry is certainly more common(and less likely to cause alarm) in parts of the country. Folks seem to forget that in many places(like here in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky) open carry was the only legal way to carry a gun up until relatively recently(1996), and is still in some circumstances here in Kentucky the only legal method of carry.

I see folks open carrying with some regularity around central Kentucky-I'd say at least once a week or so. Most just go about their business, leave others alone, and are left alone.

I think that the bottom line is that however you choose to carry, be smart about it, don't be confrontational, and don't draw attention to yourself.

"and don't draw attention to yourself"

That's an oxymoron if I ever saw one. Like nobody is going to notice the gun on his hip.

 

[FTG-05]

"and don't draw attention to yourself"

That's an oxymoron if I ever saw one. Like nobody is going to notice the gun on his hip.

Actually, a lot of people don't.

For example, a couple weeks ago, I met with a woman and her BIL to look over some property the woman was selling.

I stopped and got out of the truck, met and introduced myself to both of them, we talked about 5 minutes, got into my truck for a 1/2 mile or so, then got out and started walking all over the +17 acre property.

I was with them both for over 20 minutes before either of them noticed my S&W 329PD .44 Magnum holstered directly on my right hip.

Granted, guys seem to notice more and faster than woman; but in general, it's really no big deal. A lot of people assume, for some reason, that I'm a cop (like the two above - they didn't know that OC was legal in AL). Even some cops think I'm a cop! "What agency are you with?" "Are you off duty?" etc. etc.

Try it. It's scary at first, but after a while, it's not an issue.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Actually, a lot of people don't.

For example, a couple weeks ago, I met with a woman and her BIL to look over some property the woman was selling.

I stopped and got out of the truck, met and introduced myself to both of them, we talked about 5 minutes, got into my truck for a 1/2 mile or so, then got out and started walking all over the +17 acre property.

I was with them both for over 20 minutes before either of them noticed my S&W 329PD .44 Magnum holstered directly on my right hip.

Granted, guys seem to notice more and faster than woman; but in general, it's really no big deal. A lot of people assume, for some reason, that I'm a cop (like the two above - they didn't know that OC was legal in AL). Even some cops think I'm a cop! "What agency are you with?" "Are you off duty?" etc. etc.

Try it. It's scary at first, but after a while, it's not an issue.

I have tried it. Not for me. Doesn't make sense. Open carry serves one purpose. To draw attention to one's self. That's all. It's does absolutely nothing for our 2A rights but hurt it.

It's been proven many times that open carry has no distinct advantage over concealed. It's a display. It's not a deterrent. And it's seems to be a young mans game.

Not convinced? Look at what open carry forced Starbucks to do. And then the same open carry activists, yes ACTIVISTS cried foul and vowed never to set foot there again. The open carry movement shot themselves in the foot but in the name of selfishness can't see the truth.

In certain areas it's fine.

I'm done cause it's always the same ole nonsense.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

I agree that open carry just draws more unwanted attention to ones self. If nobody knows you're packin, no confrontation over it. Besides if you were in a place where you needed a hand gun you would have the upper hand in them not knowing you had a weapon. Certain situation calls for certaain carry. Out in the wood, bear country, open carry a big magnum. Most the woods I go to are private property anyway and you wouldnt even need a pemit to carry.

 

[Protected One]

I agree that open carry just draws more unwanted attention to ones self. If nobody knows you're packin, no confrontation over it. Besides if you were in a place where you needed a hand gun you would have the upper hand in them not knowing you had a weapon. Certain situation calls for certaain carry. Out in the wood, bear country, open carry a big magnum. Most the woods I go to are private property anyway and you wouldnt even need a pemit to carry.

Here's the best answer on the subject.
Open Carry is Stupid - Part 3 - Starbucks - YouTube

 

[FTG-05]

Well I see that the OC Fudditis is strong in this thread.

And most of you didn't bother to read the link I posted above (post #15), it pretty much handles all the typical OC Fudd arguments, including but not limited to:

- OCers are attention whores!
- Loss of the element of "surprise"
- Tactically unwise (whatever that means)
- It's "inappropriate"
- (Almost forgot this one): You'll get shot first

And more.

There's really only two reasons to not OC: It's illegal where you live or work (military bases, etc.) or you're just plain uncomfortable with it. Quite frankly, it's pretty scary to start OCing. You think everyone is going to freak out (they don't), the cops are going to be called "everytime" (they aren't), you'll get kicked out of stores and restaurants etc. (I haven't) and you'll end in jail or worse (not really). Does some of this happen, sure. But as often as the OC Fudds would have you believe, no.

If you're scared to OC, just admit it, at least to yourself. There is no need to rationalize the fear with OC Fuddness, it's pretty pointless. Anyone that OCs on a regular basis can see through the typical OC Fudd arguments. It's sort of like watching TV news, you just recognize the BS without even trying, you know it when you see it or hear it.



We won the war against the Fudds.

We'll win the war against the OC Fudds.

 

[arjay]

You forgot little man syndrom.

 

[PWJones0]

Arkansas has only concealed carry. Law makers tried to get open carry but lost, one argument was open carry would protect CCW holders in the event of accidental flashing. It turned out that not a single Concealed Carry holder has ever been prosecuted in this state for accidentally showing. So that argument didn't hold water.

 

[.45goblue]

The only time I open carry is when I'm working. (Security gig)

I've never gotten any strange looks or anything, of course I'm in a security uniform, so maybe people might feel less curious as to why I have a gun.

I wouldn't dare carry open without a level 3 holster, I know my guns hanging out in the open and I'll be damned if someone grabs it.

The only other time I OC is if I'm hunting.

I'm definitely a concealed carry guy, I just don't like the feeling when people know I have a gun.

 

[alwslate]

While I strongly believe it's important to preserve our rights, including
the right to OC, I really don't think OC in public is a good idea. There's
just too many negatives associated with OC and they have all been
discussed at length. The only time I OC is when I'm outdoors on my
own property or hunting. When I'm out in public I just want to look
like another mild mannered old geezer.

 

[Long Barrel]

Open Carry

First, talk to your local PD/Sheriff Department about their policy on OC. Around here, even tho it is legal to OC, most departments' policy is to arrest the OC'r for one of a dozen or so available charges and then sort it out at the station. This takes at least several hours, can cost some fines and legal fees, get your hardware confiscated, etc. Most conclude that it's better to CCW.

 

[tops]

Most of the OC people I see around here have a plastic gun in a plastic or cloth holster. If I wanted to show off I would get a real gun with nice grips and a tooled leather holster. Some people just ain't got no pride. Larry