Open Carry Opinions

Cooter · #1 03-11-2008, 12:07 AM

I live in Oregon, an open carry state. In my small town, I don't see many people carrying firearms. There is one older gentleman that I see occasionaly with a large revolver in a leather holster. And the guy who owns the only gun shop in town carries a Sig on his side. Sometimes I carry my gun out in the open. I get some bad looks sometimes, but mostly people see it and just smile. I figure maybe if people see more regular folks carrying, they might...feel better about it I guess? I'm not sure how to put it, but I have this urge to openly flont my right to carry. It's not an arogance or prideful thing, I just feel like people don't address the issue with enough concern, and they should have it on thier minds more.
I think we all should be, not just firearms owners, but AMBASSADORS of firearms. Proudly carrying our weapons, and boldly stating 'we will not be told we cannot defend ourselves.' Not just hiding them away, and hoping for the best. How are we to make other people share our beliefs? Do you think I am wrong in thinking this way?

whiptrackercracker · #2 03-11-2008, 12:30 AM

I think that if you can, one should always try to be an ambassador for firearms and firearms safety. Of course as usual I have a few caviots to this. I don't open carry much in the city just because I have a disability and unfortunately people dont handle a guy who walks like a drunk carrying a firearm very well. You will find all sorts of reactions to open carry from smiles to gasps to sometimes calls to the police. I have seen friends and been lectured myself by LEO who have tried to find something to arrest me for. I'm certainly not saying all LEO will do this, its only a very very small crowd. I've been told everything in the book here in Utah. Its illegal, you can't carry loaded it must not have a magazine in it. Only us police can carry guns, etc, etc, etc. Know the law forwards and backwards and it won't be a problem. I'm just prepping you because society is not all but warmed up to the idea yet. I tend not to carry yet because I am financially unprepared to fight any stupid legal costs or other hassles that I may occur. Several cases have happened here in Utah where the individual was either heavily harrased or arrested and taken to court by an officer. Each time the law prevailed and appologies were said or sent. Slowly as more people OC the local and state government are starting to adjust. My second caviot is gun retention. Make sure you have a good holster and possibly even some low budget training or ability to make sure your gun stays with you. If you are willing and prepared for hassle and you can hold onto your gun. I say great, go forth and OC. Always follow the law of course and be a civil person. I've had people ask strange questions about my OC position and it gave me a chance to educate them and ease them a bit about people wearing guns. While always not the case, BG tend to carry their guns in a holster as it adds to evidence if they ditch the gun. Unfortunately some people see a person wearing a gun who is obviously not a cop and they call 911. Hello...911 there is a guy with a gun at seven-11. Of course, the police have to respond and they dont know its just some poor bloke shopping. Maybe if we can all slowly expose society to good people with guns, then they will start to get the picture. Good luck in your open carry experiences, happy to hear how its gone thus far...

toreskha · #3 03-11-2008, 12:36 AM

You're right from a social standpoint as far as increasing acceptance of guns and decreasing the associated fear issues. However, from a tactical point of view, concealed is better - except as a possible deterrent against opportunists, who can be discouraged anyway through vigilance and body language.

It's far better if a potential assailant does not have any indication that you are armed. They're less likely to pick up a weapon for themselves, are more likely to be overconfident and make mistakes, and will probably be terrified when they suddenly see a gun. Look at how nations camouflage their nuclear weapons; you never see bombers or submarines with "THIS ONE HERE HAS NUKES!!!" painted in block red letters on the top. Generally, they are even loathe to say what troops are where, although the media often takes care of that part.

Being someone who likes to have conditions in my favor, I'd prefer to keep the element of surprise for myself whenever possible. If you're riding around a ranch or out hiking, it might be different - carrying openly is far more comfortable, and probably more advantageous for use against animals, which more likely to be a threat in the woods than people.

HK4U · #4 03-11-2008, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toreskha

You're right from a social standpoint as far as increasing acceptance of guns and decreasing the associated fear issues. However, from a tactical point of view, concealed is better - except as a possible deterrent against opportunists, who can be discouraged anyway through vigilance and body language.

It's far better if a potential assailant does not have any indication that you are armed. They're less likely to pick up a weapon for themselves, are more likely to be overconfident and make mistakes, and will probably be terrified when they suddenly see a gun. Look at how nations camouflage their nuclear weapons; you never see bombers or submarines with "THIS ONE HERE HAS NUKES!!!" painted in block red letters on the top. Generally, they are even loathe to say what troops are where, although the media often takes care of that part.

Being someone who likes to have conditions in my favor, I'd prefer to keep the element of surprise for myself whenever possible. If you're riding around a ranch or out hiking, it might be different - carrying openly is far more comfortable, and probably more advantageous for use against animals, which more likely to be a threat in the woods than people.

I agree. If I am at the mall or anywhere for that matter and an active shooter has decided that today is the day he will kill as may innocent people as he can I would rather not be his first target. If I am carrying my weapon open and spotted his natural choice for his first victom is the person he knows to be armed.

Scarecrow · #5 03-11-2008, 03:33 AM

maybe in smaller towns open carrying would not be thought of as a threat. but of course in bigger cities you always have idiots that see a gun and think the worst without even knowing... maybe because small town people are around guns more.. learn about them at an early age... seems like that to me anyway.

bud45 · #6 03-11-2008, 03:12 PM

There are no laws against, or regulating, open carry, but I do have a letter from our former Attorney General stating that is not illegal to carry open.

I, like another poster, tend to carry concealed in public, for the same reasons of surprise, etc., but carry open around home, while walking/hiking or when hunting. Never had any problems with any of it, but have had folks interested in "what it is, what ammo", etc.

Just got to use some common sense and watch people's attitudes....and know the laws!

MufDady · #7 03-11-2008, 05:47 PM

Well here in SC, there us a no open carry law, but its easy enough to get your CWP, so I carry conceled every day.............

DarrellM5 · #8 03-12-2008, 01:37 PM

I prefer to carry concealed if at all possible. I resort to open carry when traveling through states that don't recognize my permits (Oregon, Colorado and a few others). I try to avoid states completely that won't allow me to do either (California for one). Most of the time I'm on my BMW motorcycle when I visit these states. I wonder if people would react differently if I were on my Harley. :Nigga[1]:

ronwill · #9 03-12-2008, 01:48 PM

While I used to open carry occasionally when I was younger, I now prefer concealed carry. There are several reasons for this and the first being the attitudes of others. Some will look at you as a trouble maker or "Wyatt Earp" wannabe. My main reason, however, is the element of surprise. A BG that is on drugs, in bad shape and knows you have a gun may shoot first and simply take what they want. You will get many opinions on this subject and it will boil down to what you feel comfortable doing.

daddyo · #10 03-13-2008, 08:07 AM

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."