What are they thinking?

[Houdini1953]

I live in Tennessee and in Tennessee the law is for either open or concealed carry. When going through the mandated carry classes you are advised to carry concealed which I usually do except at the range.

Today while at the convenience market in walks a guy maybe 10 years younger with a snubbie and cell phone attached to his shorts with his teenage son tagging along.

I had my 40 caliber S&W M&P fullsize in a Minotaur IWB with a long sleeve untucked shirt riding at 3:30 and just thought to myself this guy just got his permit and even though it is legal to open carry in Tennessee in my mind it is not a good idea at all.

I had to say under my breath "hey guy you do not need to advertise that you are carrying" but I also thought OK let it be maybe he will grow up and learn that you do not need anyone to know about whether you are armed or not!

When I walk into a public place other than the gun range you would not know that I am armed and I like it that way, hopefully he will not get in a situation where he is hassled because there was a call to the local police about a man with a gun or a bad guy making him the first target.

 

[shouldazagged]

Low profile for me; but this one has been discussed a lot here, and always gets off into questions of interpreting the Second Amendment and whether open carry will educate (desensitize) the anti-gunners or those on the fence.

For me, I don't like the idea of carrying openly. I'm armed all the time outside my apartment, but the gun is always concealed.

But that is just my opinion. Others can do as they please. I don't like attention at my age, and do like the advantage of surprise.

 

[snubbyfan]

I don't need the extra attention, I always carry concealed.

 

[Clovishound]

I cannot carry open in my state. I don't want to open carry, but would like the freedom to do so. Sort of like the helmet laws. I think it is incredibly stupid to ride a motorcycle without a helmet. I also think the government doesn't have the right to tell an adult they have to.

 

[Murdock]

I find that I carry concealed almost always, to include the woods and hunting. The only exceptions are during some portions of instructing training on the range (I do most of my range training from concealed) so students can see what my hand is doing, and when berry picking in the woods in hot weather.

 

[RevTracy]

For me, if a person OC's they are giving up a key advantage...the element of surprise. In addition, at least for me, I wouldn't want the extra attention. I always carry concealed.

 

[Bkreutz]

I like being in an OC state. I don't OC but I like not having to worry about a gust of wind or a printing on my shirt making me a criminal. I used to OC when I hunted, but I don't hunt anymore. The other time it comes into play is if I'm working in my shop and the big doors are open I don't have to worry about someone walking by and seeing me armed. I sometimes do get bothered by some of the OC advocates who go around looking like Marshal Dillon with their sidearm strapped to their thigh. I think it generates negativity (I feel the same about political/personal message bumper stickers)

 

[Lobster Picnic]

Open carriers are always welcome in my world. To some open carry seems like Hollywood bravado, but I don't pretend to know the minds and motivations of those who make that choice. It's not legal in my state, though I would welcome the option - not to be a cowboy, but it might be nice to carry a larger, heavier gun occasionally without worry about concealment issues.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

A lot of times on Sundays I'll have has a IWB on for at church. In the afternoon I won't have sports coat on, but the top of the pistol is visible. A stranger came to the door the other day, and as we were talking he ask if that was a 45? I said yes and went on with our conversation. If you don't make a big deal out of things, others tend to follow your lead. If you act like people are out to get you then people act like you are! When I plan on working in the back of the property, I usually have an open carry set up on, because of wild dogs and a few ferrille neighbors but still don't make a big deal about it. Dad has sold his farm and retired to the suburbs now, but CC is kind of pointless where the houses are 3/4 to 2 miles apart. Sitting on a tractor, an ATV or even a P/U truck you need quick access to your "tools". I see people at the local store by that farm with a 22 on their hip very often, getting a pop or even a stronger 6 pack. (Drunk farmers in a pick up are a lot more dangerous then a workman with open carry!) Ivan

 

[Gyrene6891]

I also carry daily, mostly concealed but i do OC when going to and from the range. If I happen to stop off at the LGS on my way home from the range i will continue to OC but then I know I am among friends and am not the only one...

 

[gdnagle]

I live in Tennessee and in Tennessee the law is for either open or concealed carry. When going through the mandated carry classes you are advised to carry concealed which I usually do except at the range.

Today while at the convenience market in walks a guy maybe 10 years younger with a snubbie and cell phone attached to his shorts with his teenage son tagging along.

I had my 40 caliber S&W M&P fullsize in a Minotaur IWB with a long sleeve untucked shirt riding at 3:30 and just thought to myself this guy just got his permit and even though it is legal to open carry in Tennessee in my mind it is not a good idea at all.

I had to say under my breath "hey guy you do not need to advertise that you are carrying" but I also thought OK let it be maybe he will grow up and learn that you do not need anyone to know about whether you are armed or not!

When I walk into a public place other than the gun range you would not know that I am armed and I like it that way, hopefully he will not get in a situation where he is hassled because there was a call to the local police about a man with a gun or a bad guy making him the first target.

Does Tennessee require a CCW to open Carry? OC in my state can be done without a CCW. Just carry, cover you need a CCW maybe the guy didn't have a CCW. Only works for me if I would forget my wallet or my wife she has a CCW also or if wind exposes my firearm.

 

[Hodgin]

Does Tennessee require a CCW to open Carry? OC in my state can be done without a CCW. Just carry, cover you need a CCW maybe the guy didn't have a CCW. Only works for me if I would forget my wallet or my wife she has a CCW also or if wind exposes my firearm.

Yes, TN requires a carry permit to either conceal or open carry. Although a TN permit allows for both, conceal carry
is much more common. The OP lives in a suburb north of Nashville. I live in a suburb south of Nashville and I'd say
in a similar community. I don't get out a whole lot but I've never seen anyone open carrying other than at LGS, ranges,
and gun shows. My wife gets out a lot more often and has never seen anyone open carrying. It's just not common here
and I'm sure it would raise a few eyebrows. My guess is that it's more common in the more rural areas.

 

[Poodle Soup]

I dont like open carry, and think its really stupid in quite a few places/situations BUT there are some days I really do not care. And when walking from my car to the house I have a gun tucked in my waistband with my shirt tucked in, usually Im carrying something keeping it from view but after a days work Im past the point of caring about that sort of thing... who knows this guy might have been the same way : p

 

[Houdini1953]

Am I carrying? Yes, maybe no!



Of course I am with an M&P45 fullsize!

 

[Seneca]

Until the sight of me with a shootin' iron hanging from my belt starts drawing the attention of voluptuous blonde, brunette, & redhead nymphos, I'm keeping the thing concealed; just my preference and no judgement on anyone else's decision to let it all hang out. I, like others have mentioned, don't want the attention and do not want to upset and frighten my fellow citizens who just aren't as attuned to such things as most of the good people on this forum.
I also am not of the ilk of those who, armed with an open carry weapon and a video camera, want to make it a point to indignantly educate every LEO they encounter about their rights to pack heat in the open without an ounce of cooperation or consideration for a guy who's just trying to do his job and keep the peace. You tube is full of these dudes and I don't want to be associated, even remotely, with them.

 

[Arik]

This is almost a weekly topic.

I CC but occasionally run into people who OC and to be honest I care about as much as what kind of coffee he's buying. Whatever floats his boat

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[bluegrassarms]

Until the sight of me with a shootin' iron hanging from my belt starts drawing the attention of voluptuous blonde, brunette, & redhead nymphos, I

Gotta admit, that would be a whale of a reason to OC.

 

[DigiRebel]

open carry will educate (desensitize) the anti-gunners or those on the fence.

Educate and desensitize in this situation really aren't interchangeable though.

Educate, teach people about guns leading to less fear of guns in general is a good thing. Seeing a stranger carrying one on his belt doesn't do this. In a society were offending someone else's sensibilities is almost as big a crime as actually hurting someone you aren't likely to educate at all wearing an OC firearm.

Desensitize (aka Normalize) is a possibility though. 100 years ago, if an airplane flew overhead people would drop what they were doing to stare in wonder. (Dec 17th this year is the 110th Anniversary of the first successful manned flight at Kitty Hawk, NC!) Today, you hear a jet engine above you, do you turn to look? Heck, do you even hear the Engine consciously or has it just faded into background noise? 30 years ago, someone carrying a cellphone around would have drawn looks at the new technological marvels we were rolling out. Today nearly EVERYONE has a phone attached to their waist, and no one notices or cares. (This was STAR TREK LEVEL Technology in the 80's and early 90's!)

Normalizing guns means that its something people see often enough that it neither warrants nor deserves comment.

We want that normalcy to return. Even for you Concealed Carriers out there, the stories of a shirt slipping or being turned at a bad angle leading to someone seeing THEN FREAKING THE HELL OUT about the gun aren't hard or uncommon to find in various communities.

I personally prefer CC, but I can see the need/desire for OC as well. Unless I become God and know EVERYTHING I can be content with the idea that at least SOME of the things I KNOW are incorrect. At the end of the day its about personal choice.

(And honestly, isn't it better know that if the SHTF there is at least one other armed person there to help out?)

 

[shield4me]

For me, if a person OC's they are giving up a key advantage...the element of surprise. In addition, at least for me, I wouldn't want the extra attention. I always carry concealed.

As has been noted...this issue of CCW vs OC is really a non-issue..or should be. I carry concealed as well as OC much of the time. I guess I'm lucky...but I've had zero issues...none...zilch..nada when I've OC'd. I agree...it's ALL about choices and rights. Period. Why in the world someone who chooses to carry concealed gets their undies in a wad over someone choosing to exercise their right to OC is beyond me. As for the age old myth that OC'ing gives away any tactical advantage is just that...a myth. There is no empirical evidence to support such a claim. Both methods of carry have their pro's and con's depending a variety of factors...so a person shouldn't be in the habit of passing judgement on another. I have noticed though..there always seems to be significant more animosity directed toward OC'ers
from the CCW fans than vice versa. At the end of the day....we need to be supportive of each other regardless. Just my two cents. So there ya go.

just another thought about this..."Educate, teach people about guns leading to less fear of guns in general is a good thing. Seeing a stranger carrying one on his belt doesn't do this".

I would have to politely disagree with this sentiment as well. This has not been my experience over many years. Again...I've been lucky....perhaps it's my age, how I dress...the fact that I'm congenial when OC'ing ie; just acting normally..but I've had nothing but positive comments and questions. So no...there are many opportunities to educate the general public when OC'ing....and most of it will be very positive.