Open Carry Opinions

[operator]

I agree with whiptrackercracker I live in a state where we can open carry to, but I dont wont those phone calls to the cops, and the fact that I am outed for carrying. I also dont want the hassle of being bugged by a LEO unless I have to, because knowing my luck he will run me in for something stupid.

[Ford Truck]

Our Indiana License To Carry Handgun is just that, a license to carry handgun. How we carry it is up to us. I've done a lot of open carry in Angola, Auburn and Ft. Wayne and have yet to be hassled. We can go into restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages, bars, saloons, strip joints and church while carrying and it's all legal. I'm not a drunk or "party animal", but I do open carry into a bar now and then and have a drink. Most people don't notice. Once in a while, I get a double-take, but nobody has called the police on me as yet and nobody has ran screaming from me and nobody has even asked me about my revolver. I'm sure I'll have an encounter of some sort sooner or later. If I'm in a hurry and don't have time to invest in an encounter, I'll conceal. The shirt tail comes out and I look like any other slob just stumbling along minding his own business.

[MrShotShot]

I'm typically in a suit most of the time so I figure the average joe would think I was an LOE anyway. That said, I'd prefer the concealed carry simply because of the surprise elements mentioned above.

[squisher]

Honestly, I don't want to "surprise" a BG AFTER he's picked me for a target, I want him to not bother me. The visible deterrent effect of a weapon (for me anyway) outweighs any tactical surprise advantage.

And the "first target" or "gun grab" is so rare among non-LEOs that I've never heard of it, so that is really a non-issue. Not saying that it can't, or hasn't happened, I've just not heard of it. Proper situational awareness should prevent any gun grab. The way mine sits, even with 0 retention, if I am at all concerned I can let my arm hang down and press against it (hand is at thigh level, gun is at hip, slightly below elbow).

The same awareness may not be able to prevent all types of persistent "gonna get HIM FIRST" but should help with most. The same body language that protects you when you CC should also be a big tip-off to critters to pass you by when you're OC'ing.

There is an occasional "reaction" when I'm OC, but the VAST majority is neutral, and I honestly don't really care what somebody else thinks :)
There is also the benefit of "normalizing" weapons in society at large. If they constantly see peacefully carried weapons, it could help weapons becoming something of a "meh" item instead of an "OMG!'" item.

As an aside: I carry either way depending on weather. Warm weather=OC, cold weather=long shirts and coats=mild CC. My carry rig is a PT92 in a Yaqui Slide (Want a fobus, but they don't have a holster for a 92 w/ accessory rail).

[tattedupboy]

Originally Posted by squisher

Honestly, I don't want to "surprise" a BG AFTER he's picked me for a target, I want him to not bother me. The visible deterrent effect of a weapon (for me anyway) outweighs any tactical surprise advantage.

And the "first target" or "gun grab" is so rare among non-LEOs that I've never heard of it, so that is really a non-issue. Not saying that it can't, or hasn't happened, I've just not heard of it. Proper situational awareness should prevent any gun grab. The way mine sits, even with 0 retention, if I am at all concerned I can let my arm hang down and press against it (hand is at thigh level, gun is at hip, slightly below elbow).

The same awareness may not be able to prevent all types of persistent "gonna get HIM FIRST" but should help with most. The same body language that protects you when you CC should also be a big tip-off to critters to pass you by when you're OC'ing.

There is an occasional "reaction" when I'm OC, but the VAST majority is neutral, and I honestly don't really care what somebody else thinks :)
There is also the benefit of "normalizing" weapons in society at large. If they constantly see peacefully carried weapons, it could help weapons becoming something of a "meh" item instead of an "OMG!'" item.

As an aside: I carry either way depending on weather. Warm weather=OC, cold weather=long shirts and coats=mild CC. My carry rig is a PT92 in a Yaqui Slide (Want a fobus, but they don't have a holster for a 92 w/ accessory rail).

You make good points in defense of open carry. However, as far as gun grabs are concerned, if it is truly the non-issue you say it is, then why do open carriers carry their guns only in holsters with an active retention device? To protect against those gun grabs that you say are a non-issue, that's why.

[Glockster20]

Originally Posted by daddyo

I live in Alabama. As Bud45 stated, open carry is technically allowed, but I would rather not have to explain that to the police. So I carry concealed, but don't worry too much about printing or flashing. I agree with others that the general public needs to see that carrying a gun does not instantly make you a crazed lunatic. Several times I've been out shopping with my 6 year old daughter. We're just your typical daddy and daughter no big deal. I can see all the moms looking at us like "Aww...that's so sweet". Then I reach up for something on the high shelf or a gust of wind blows my jacket open and you can see it in their face...a look of shock and fear, followed by puzzlement followed by (most important) deeper thought. They go home thinking "well, he seemed normal, but he was carrying a gun. If he was carrying a gun he has to be evil, but he seemed perfectly normal...does not compute...illogical...must reboot."

On the back of the CC permit in AL. are six rules. First rule on the list;

"This pistol permit does not permit you to carry a gun openly".

I sometimes get to carry openly, but it is when I am in an official capacity with the Sheriff's reserves. Otherwise I conceal the fact that I am armed.

[AllAmerican]

Originally Posted by tattedupboy

You make good points in defense of open carry. However, as far as gun grabs are concerned, if it is truly the non-issue you say it is, then why do open carriers carry their guns only in holsters with an active retention device? To protect against those gun grabs that you say are a non-issue, that's why.

Um no...There are a ton of folks doing the open carry thing with no active retention device.

Gun grabs are a non issue. Post me up something where its happened please.

Not even trying to argue. The point is that it doesnt matter how you carry, just carry.

Personally Id like to see everyone OC so as to make it commonplace again. It would take plenty of steam away from the anti argument IMO.

We dont have OC here in SC but were working on it. CC is fine by me as well. I OC on my property all the time.

[tattedupboy]

Originally Posted by AllAmerican

Um no...There are a ton of folks doing the open carry thing with no active retention device.

Gun grabs are a non issue. Post me up something where its happened please.

Not even trying to argue. The point is that it doesnt matter how you carry, just carry.

Personally Id like to see everyone OC so as to make it commonplace again. It would take plenty of steam away from the anti argument IMO.

We dont have OC here in SC but were working on it. CC is fine by me as well. I OC on my property all the time.

Um yes. Anyone who does carry openly without an active retention device is just asking to have their gun snatched, in my opinion. If you're going to spend several hundred dollars on a firearm, why wouldn't anyone spend just as much to protect their investment? Dumb, dumb, dumb!

[DocBoCook]

Open carry is an ambassador and a deterrent, unfortunately for many that isn't an option. But it should be

[S&WM&P40]

Originally Posted by squisher

Honestly, I don't want to "surprise" a BG AFTER he's picked me for a target, I want him to not bother me. The visible deterrent effect of a weapon (for me anyway) outweighs any tactical surprise advantage.

And the "first target" or "gun grab" is so rare among non-LEOs that I've never heard of it, so that is really a non-issue. Not saying that it can't, or hasn't happened, I've just not heard of it. Proper situational awareness should prevent any gun grab. The way mine sits, even with 0 retention, if I am at all concerned I can let my arm hang down and press against it (hand is at thigh level, gun is at hip, slightly below elbow).

The same awareness may not be able to prevent all types of persistent "gonna get HIM FIRST" but should help with most. The same body language that protects you when you CC should also be a big tip-off to critters to pass you by when you're OC'ing.

There is an occasional "reaction" when I'm OC, but the VAST majority is neutral, and

There is also the benefit of "normalizing" weapons in society at large. If they constantly see peacefully carried weapons, it could help weapons becoming something of a "meh" item instead of an "OMG!'" item.

As an aside: I carry either way depending on weather. Warm weather=OC, cold weather=long shirts and coats=mild CC. My carry rig is a PT92 in a Yaqui Slide (Want a fobus, but they don't have a holster for a 92 w/ accessory rail).

Thank you someone who calls it as it. Why should we care what other people think? We know it's legal and in the right. We are not mad men/women waving the gun around saying "Look at me i have a gun" We are not trying to play the role of LEO. IT IS OUR RIGHT to do so. We do not use our rights we lose them and that's that. So they call the cops let them that's their right as well and it's the LEO job to respond to a call ( Man/women with a gun). As i keep saying know the laws carry a copy with you show the LEO you are in the right. If you end up with a prick cop he will try and run you in on something else. Or try and bring up old dead City code. Why should i lose my right just because it makes you feel unsafe? I Carry OWB with a button up shirt hanging over it.