I support open carry, although I’m not comfortable seeing it. Too many crazies out there - not the open carriers, though.
I still think concealed carry is better. I suppose that open carry is a deterrent (although I’ve never seen any studies on that), but I don’t want people to know my business.
> I support open carry, although I’m not comfortable seeing it. <
Agreed. I’ve always thought the states have it backwards. Concealed carry should not require a permit. Open carry should.
It’s sort of like porno (or erotica, if you wish). You have a right to possess it, and carry it around with you. But you should’t have the right to exhibit it openly in public.
The idea that open carriers “would be shot first” sounds plausible, but it does not happen much in reality.
You also have concealed carriers attacked and their guns taken, because the attacker thought they were unarmed.
You have a plenty of bad guys deterred by open carry, so they do not initiate an attack.
Both methods have their pluses and minuses. I support both methods. At times, I have employed both at once.
Open carry is much better for making political statements; concealed carry is nice if you are shy about making political statements or simply want to be inconspicuous.
It is surprising the large number of people who do not even notice a full size holstered pistol in the open.
I agree, I like concealed better. But here in central Virginia open carry is pretty common. I really don’t receive any unusual looks when I open carry at the mall. Chances are, you’ll see others too.
Open carry is a deterrent to a bad guy looking for an easy mark. But it may draw unwanted attention from a nutcase Muslim looking to murder his way into heaven.