[TXnMA]

Open carry may not be “inviting trouble”, but you can’t rationally deny that concealed carry has both tactical and social advantages...

[cripplecreek]

Tactical advantages maybe but social advantages is only because America is full of fearful bunnies. Even into the 80s I could walk the aisles of the local grocery store with a shotgun over my shoulder and no body batted an eye.

[marktwain]

Open Carry Concealed Carry

Advantages

Tactical Faster Draw, tactical deterrence Greater surprise

Strategic Armed Citizens a visible presence Uncertainty about who might be carrying

Social Normalize Rights and Defense Does not draw attention to yourself

Disadvantages

Tactical Less surprise Slower Draw, less tactical deterrence

Strategic Carriers are identifiable Armed citizens not identified

Social Can draw unwanted attention Does less to normalize rights and defense

[marktwain]

That last table did not work well. This should be clearer:

Open Carry Advantages

Tactical - Faster Draw, tactical deterrence, larger handguns easier to carry

Strategic - Armed Citizens a visible presence

Social - Normalize Rights and Defense

Disadvantages

Tactical - Less surprise

Strategic - Carriers are identifiable

Social - Can draw unwanted attention

Concealed Carry Advantages

Tactical - Surprise

Strategic - Uncertainty about who is armed creates deterrence

Social - Does not draw unwanted attention

Disadvantages

Tactical - Loss of tactical deterrence, slower draw, larger handguns more difficult

Strategic - Presence of armed citizens is uncertain

Social - Less normalization of rights and defense