Open or concealed carry?

American Thinker ^ | 11 May, 2024 | Mike McDaniel

[MtnClimber]

Generally, it’s best to go about one’s business as unobtrusively as possible, relying on situational awareness and solid knowledge of use of force law to avoid ever having to draw or fire one’s handgun.

Among the perennial controversies in the firearm world is whether concealed or open carry is best. Circa 2024, open carry is widely allowed:

State laws regarding open carry fall into several categories: permissive, permissive with restrictions, licensed open carry states, and those in which open carry is prohibited. Permissive states allow non-prohibited citizens to open carry without requiring a permit or license. Most states fall into this category. There are also slight variations in regulations for handguns versus long guns.

Thirty-six states are permissive and allow the open carrying of a handgun without a permit or license. Seven of these states have some restrictions on the open carrying of handguns. North Dakota, for example, allows for open carry of a firearm without a permit, provided the gun is unloaded. The state requires an individual to obtain a license to open carry a loaded weapon.

Nine states require a permit to open carry a handgun, while four states, California, Florida, Illinois, and New York, prohibit it entirely. Open carry is also not permitted in the District of Columbia.

Forty-four states allow open carry of long guns—rifles and shotguns—without a license.

The primary advantage of concealed carry is criminals can’t know who is carrying and have to assume everyone is and act accordingly. This applies largely to red states. Of course, situational awareness plays a role. Anyone appearing to be an easy, unaware target is more likely, armed or unarmed, to be attacked. Obviously, the greater the number of honest people carrying concealed, the greater the potential deterrence.

[gundog]

I should probably add a language warning. Brandon gets a bit excited, at times.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Open or concealed? CONCEALED! I remember when open carry was passed. Some started doing it just flaunt and to show they could. As a result, several got robbed of their pistols by other thugs.

[combat_boots]

Someone pointed out a man with a gun on his hip in a restaurant. I hadn’t noticed.

It’s the attitude that makes the man.

[Noumenon]

Concealed. I like surprises.

[Gaffer]

I carry a Beretta Tomcat 3032. It fits great in my jeans pocket and isn’t noticeable. If I was going down to Atlanta I’d swap that out for a Glock or my commander sized SR1911. And mags.

[Noumenon]

Nobody around here (north Idaho) cares.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

Open carriers tend to carry in more secure holsters than concealed carriers

 

That hasn't been my experience, though this no doubt falls under the YMMV caveat, depending where you are at. I've seen some awful holsters and manner of carry along with an alarming lack of situational awareness - as if the presence of a firearm creates some kind of force field of protection around them that needs no attentiveness. I've addressed that in some past postings, where open carry was approaching the level of negligence. Amazon/Ebay specials, nylon Uncle Mike's and so forth. The worst one I've seen so far was a Colt Officer/Commander in a fancy tooled leather holster with a retain strap worn by a tall Ichabod Crane-looking goober. It was slid all the way around to his back, the holster had a big belt loop which didn't allow for a controlled fit, letting it violently flop around in an alarming manner with every step he took. I was fully expecting that pistol to pop out onto the ground any second. Not noticing open carry in public as much these days, there's been a marked decline going on, at least in my locale. I hope all the casual fadsters have developed a keener sense of responsibility towards carry, particularly under the circumstances of these contemporary times.

 

 

[MtnClimber]

From my observation, this is complete supposition on the part of the author.

Re: Open carry (OC) and retention, I had the same thought. I live in FL now and OC is not legal. But, If I were to open carry I would use my OTW retention holster due to risk of someone snatching from behind or grabbing during a scuffle. I have never concealed carried without a holster to cover the trigger. Carrying without a holster seems to just be asking for an accidental discharge.

[marktwain]

Not noticing open carry in public as much these days, there's been a marked decline going on, at least in my locale.

One of the prime advantages of open carry is for political purposes. Open carry shows people the right to keep and bear arms is real, and government power is limited by the Constitution.

As 29 states now have Constitutional Carry, the political pressure for open carry has diminished.

[Mr Rogers]

“As such, you will be the first target, and he will be sure to approach you with great caution and stealth.”

Think it is more likely the bad guy will wait for another day.

I don’t open carry but don’t go to extreme lengths to conceal, either. Mostly go with “discrete carry”. Arizona has pretty good gun laws and it wouldn’t be a big deal if someone DID realize I had a gun. I just don’t care to flaunt it.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

In Texas after open carry became legal, everybody and their dog was running around open carrying, some with the most ridiculous get-ups I've ever seen. Think the new has worn off now and people are settling in with more thought as to what they are doing how they are doing it. There was a mass of dumb and dangerous stuff going on for a while, but not as much any more, at least around me.

 

 

[Mr Rogers]

“I have never concealed carried without a holster to cover the trigger.”

I like trigger holsters. Complete coverage of the trigger and not much else. Similar to this: https://www.gungoddess.com/products/trigger-guard-cover

[marktwain]

Texas passed Constitutional Carry a few years after they passed (permitted) open carry.

Now, both concealed and open carry are legal without a permit. However, there are specific exemptions and such other particulars.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Much better to conceal carry. If one carrys openly, one will eventually be the primary target prior to the bloodshed that will follow.

[MtnClimber]

Much better to conceal carry.

Totally agree.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

CC has enormous tactical advantages. For a typical person it is much superior to open carry. Open carry only has a “passive deterrence” to evil-doers. The trouble is that far too often, and in either case, bad guys are incredibly stupid.

There is a bank branch in my area, and it was being robbed on average twice a month for a while. Eventually, the Sheriff posted an armed, uniformed deputy to sit on a high chair in the lobby, in clear view of the customers.

Dumbasses still walked right past him to hold up the tellers. Later they put up bullet resistant laminate panels to protect the tellers. They still get the occasional robber.

[Paal Gulli]

Open carry would dramatically increase the odds that some random evil-doer might single me out as the guy he needs to address first since me being obviously armed identifies me as someone who potentially could intervene to interrupt his mischief.

Remaining the "Grey Man," OTOH, will tend to preserve my options, particularly as regards freedom of maneuver. If I don't pose any obvious threat, he's more likely to ignore me while I make my escape. Or slip behind him so I can back-shoot him, as the case may be.

But if your intent is to make a political statement, open carry of a firearm can put an exclamation point on your message.

[Fai Mao]

I only have the big revolver.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Respectfully and NOT directed towards you, but I have reached the point of completely, totally and absolutely not caring whether someone agrees with me or not. So few will listen to logic/reasoning anymore it's almost pleasureable to see them get in trouble or die.

I only give valid information to someone now who is actively listening. I have NEVER seen nor read in our history of this country having a populace as malinformed, ignorant or deliberately stupid as we have now. Something very bad is going to happen soon which will affect all of us.

[MtnClimber]

The communists have won when everything society believes is wrong.