AZ: Open Carry in Tacna

Gun Watch ^ | 14 December, 2014 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

In Tacna, Arizona, I saw this fellow openly carrying what appears to be a stainless Colt Mustang in .380.  I asked, and he said that he had served in the Marine Corps, as indicated by the tattoo.  He was driving the four-wheeler, which can be licensed for dual use, on and off road, in Arizona, a capability not available in many Eastern states. 

Notice the folding, lockback pocket knife clipped in his front right pocket for ease of access, one handed opening, and safe use while the blade is locked.

It is a snapshot of freedom that has been chipped away in much of America.  Only two generations ago, the idea that carrying a pocket knife would be illegal would have been considered absurd.   Fortunately, Arizona is one of a handful of states that have eliminated most of the niggling little local ordinances that made carrying a pocket knife legally dangerous.  

New York City, on the other hand, is suffering under an extortion racket by their Attorney General to extract money from anyone who dares to carry a pocket knife, and in virtually every state school children are forbidden from carrying pocket knives.

The pistol seems to be retained by on indent in the holster trigger guard, rather like that used in the Fobus holsters.  I have not identified the brand of holster.  Perhaps an alert reader can do so.



©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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[marktwain]

In the zone.

[blackdog]

In my junior high school the principal would stop us in the hall and ask for our pocket knife. If you didn't produce one, you were in trouble. He also held classes each month on axe safety and axe skills. Oh my how times have changed!

[Sherman Logan]

Wore a folding Buck hunter in a sheath on my belt all the way thru junior and high school. Graduated in 74.

Nobody ever even questioned me about it. I also never once thought of it as a weapon, despite getting into several scuffles. It was simply a tool.

[Caipirabob]

Arizona: the state of FREEDOM!

[Big Red Badger]

45 ACP Is where it’s At in AZ,the knife is a Kershaw.

[Fireone]

I also carry a 110 Buck, it’s on my belt as I type. I’ve worn the same one nearly every day since 1965. It is also a requirement that I carry a knife on my job.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I did a “Colt .380 Mustang holster” GIS, and there are more holsters available for it than Carter has Little Liver Pills.

[barefoot_hiker]

I’ve OC’ed in Phoenix, Tucson and Prescott with no issues. I’m not militant about and it will cover up when I feel it better to do so (love having the choice to OC or CC).

I did find it odd that I saw the most “No Firearms” signs in Prescott, which touts itself as a “cowboy” town and the least signs in Sedona, which is supposedly a “hip, new age” city. I think perhaps the business owners in Sedona are smarter.

North of Phoenix (I forget which area) I saw a “Cowboy” bar with a huge “No Weapons” sign out front. The bar had gone out of business. I wonder if the owner made the connection?

[marktwain]

That would be a great picture.