[Leaning Right]

> 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.

[JimRed]

Concealed carry should not require a permit. Open carry should.

ANY permit, registration or other such requirement is a clear infringement upon our God given rights as recognized in the second amendment. If you should not be armed, you should not be running around loose.

[Edward.Fish]

Agreed. I’ve always thought the states have it backwards. Concealed carry should not require a permit. Open carry should.

I can tell you're not from the southwest!

The reason that open-carry and concealed-carry are treated the way they are is a cultural artifact, built up as follows:

1. At the outset, during westward frontier expansion, everyone needed a weapon for protection: for everything from Indian raiding parties to wild animals.
2. As things became more civilized (ie "wild west" era) that weapon attachment remained, and everyone who carried pretty much carried openly for matters of inconvenience; but because the carrying of a weapon became less needful it became less common.
3. Then, at that point, was when concealed weapons were used essentially exclusively by outlaws; example:
   1. Go into a bank w/ concealed weapon.
   2. Reveal weapon to suddenly dominate the situation; demand money.
   3. Leave bank and hop into your getaway wagon.

That's why concealing your weapon was/is considered a sign of ill intent -- for the law abiding man has no motive to hide his weapon.

[AlaskaErik]

I’ve always thought the states have it backwards. Concealed carry should not require a permit. Open carry should.

The Second Amendment isn't about how a firearm is carried. No permit should be required for open or concealed carry. That's the way it is in Alaska, and rightfully so.