Open Carry at the 2015 Gun Rights Policy Conference

Gun Watch ^ | 28 September, 2016 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

I arrived at the 2015 Gun Rights Policy Conference on Friday afternoon, 25 September, at about 1600 (4 p.m.).  I was openly carrying my old Glock 17, as I usually do.  It was an unseasonably warm late September day, with the temperature at 103.   There had been some Internet rumors about the Sheraton Crescent banning open carry; I had not seen anything in my contract with them or any sign on the door.  When I was there a few years ago at the Arizona Citizen Defense League annual meeting, the room had been full of open carriers.

I had an evening meeting with Alan Korwin and assorted notables at the "inner circle" of the JPFO.  Over the course of the evening, I noticed two or three other people openly carrying, and a couple of people complimented me on my willingness to do so.

It is Arizona, open carry is not uncommon, and there were no signs to tell anyone otherwise.  The hotel staff was courteous and helpful.  Numerous staff passed near me.  I can say that I do not recall so much as a curious glance or inquiry from the staff about my open carry.

The next morning was the main event, and with people lining up at the registration table, there were open carriers everywhere.

It was simply Arizonan's living their daily life, a spontaneous act of normalcy.

An SAF staffer told me that some emails had been sent asking people not to open carry, so as not to offend the hotel; but I never read one, an neither, apparently did many other people.

Here was a fellow with a 1911 type.

This attendee favored a bit smaller pistol.

The extended beavertail safety on this rig makes it distinctive.

Blue Jeans and a 1911 were a popular combination.

This attractive couple carried a fancy 1911.  She said it was her pistol, but he was carrying it.  He wanted to carry something a bit fancier than his everyday carry.   It was obvious from talking to them, that they both carried on a regular basis.

A good time was had by all.

A source told me that the normalization reminded him of what he had seen with the gay pride movement in the 70's and 80's.  At some point, open carry ceases to be controversial, and exercise of the Second Amendment returns to its proper place in American society.

©2015 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.     Link to Gun Watch

[marktwain]

Open carry at the Gun Rights Policy Conference was an act of spontaneous normalcy.

[T-Bird45]

Good on everybody, especially since it was in AZ, the first place I ever observed OC by citizens way back in the late-80s.

[Raymann]

Not against open carriers but I only do it in the woods. I like a fairly light retention and I’m worried someone can grab my piece if they’re standing behind me, like at a grocery store.

[smokingfrog]

O.C. will soon be legal in TX. It will be interesting to see how many people will take advantage of it.

[jda]

I am a gun owner, have a CHL, totally support the 2nd Amendment, and support open carry. But, just because it is legal to open carry doesn’t make it mandatory, and, to me, certainly doesn’t make it wise to do so.

If I’m anywhere, even in a gun store, and I see someone carrying openly, it makes me nervous because I don’t always know if they’re friend or foe.

So, why would I use MY right to open carry to make someone else uncomfortable?

I’ll just continue to carry concealed and no one will ever know, unless a foe threatens me or someone nearby.

[dvan]

Very well spoken. I agree 100%. OC may be legal but it tends to be ‘too in your face’. CC expands your options when only you know that you are carrying.

[marktwain]

Some people are not comfortable open carrying. That is their choice.

The optimum in public safety is likely a mix of open and concealed carry, so that people with evil intent do not know who may be carrying, but are often reminded that many people do carry.

[T-Bird45]

Obviously no experience with 107 degrees in the shade.

[bravo whiskey]

every gun store i have been in in Colorado does not allow open carry. you can conceal carry or you can have your weapon cased.