The Open Carry Argument

usacarry.com ^ | Mainsail

[Carriage Hill]

Not so far. What kind of problems? Slow? Dbl-posts?

[cripplecreek]

If you open carry in a liberal place like Ann Arbor police will get dozens of calls and will have to make an appearance but that’s not the same as being hassled.

In my little town no one bats an eye.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

So I do. By an amazing coincidence, the thousands who openly carry in your state make no difference to me, thus it all works out.

My original point was that the author of the piece posted had omitted to mention a factor which bears on my decision to carry concealed versus openly. I am not advocating one method or the other, and I really do not care how, or even whether, anyone else chooses to carry a firearm.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

I think you are right in that. However, I would prefer not to have to deal with the police at all, if possible. I have been stopped by Tucson police while carrying a .22 rifle openly, but never while carrying a revolver concealed. The police were perfectly courteous and professional, by the way, but they did stop me for that reason.

[Carriage Hill]

I used to open carry at my business (private property w/ public accommodation), but in public here in PA, it’s strictly concealed. I don’t like open carry in busy public areas.

[Yosemitest]

I believe that.
However the black trying Zimmerman aren't interested in justice.
They want revenge.
But the hoodlum that attacked Zimmerman should be the one on trial.

[marktwain]

Good essay. The author does leave out a factor favoring concealed carry: the risk an open carrier faces from the police.

You are correct, of course. We faced that 20 years ago in Arizona, and I believe we have reduced it to very small concern at present. When I first started open carrying in Arizona in 1990, it was a serious concern.

As open carry is legal in about 44 states, I believe that we are on a path to reducing that concern in most of them.

[RockyTx]

I don’t want to attract the attention of the police.

CC for me.

[familyop]

Good arguments. That said, many described as experts are lacking for defense. They haven’t beat the reaction time barrier, and it can be done.

[supercat]

1) I am indifferent to deterrence. Deterrence only works with individuals who are mentally sound, not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and whose aggression is based on an unemotional motive. I would never assume such professionalism among armed robbers or other violent criminals.

Deterrence does not always work, but nor does anything else. If certain criminals enter the room, one may be better off carrying openly. If certain other criminals enter, one may be better off carrying concealed. A variety of factors may influence the likelihood of each type of criminal entry at any given place and time, but probably the safest scenario in most cases would be to have some people carrying openly while others are carrying concealed. That would provide protection against both types of criminals.