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Posted on 01/03/2018 12:53:04 PM PST by PROCON
There’s a lot of debate that takes place around the idea of open carry. Many argue that open carry is tactically stupid as it makes it clear to any potential bad guy who to take out first during a robbery. Others counter with arguments about how open carry initiates conversations about the Second Amendment and our right to keep and bear arms.
Both are good points, but for one open carrier in Fayetteville, NC, open carry isn’t such a grand thing these days.
An incident involving a stolen gun caused a commotion at Walmart on Skibo Road on Thursday afternoon.
About 3 p.m., Fayetteville police spokeswoman Asia Cannon said, inaccurate information based on radio scanner traffic began circulating about a shooting at the Walmart. Officers arrived and discovered that a man had grabbed a gun off another man who was open-carrying the weapon. The man who grabbed the gun then ran off.
Someone then yelled out about a gun in the store, which then caused some kind of commotion, though no one was injured.
Of course, this illustrates one of the main problems with open carry. Besides freaking out the uninitiated citizen, it also makes yourself a target for crap like this.
To be sure, there are things you can do to mitigate this kind of thing. First, look at your holster and see how easily it is to draw from someone else’s hip. I’ve found that some holsters are very easy to draw from when they’re no your hip, but not so much when they’re on someone else’s.
Also, look at learning some weapon retention techniques. These are, in my opinion, a good idea for anyone who is carrying a firearm, whether open or concealed. The last thing you want is for your decision to rely solely on stealth to come back and bite you in the rear should someone figure out you’re packing.
That said, stealth–in other words, carrying concealed–is the best way in which to carry as a general rule. If you want to make a statement, that’s fine, but don’t expect anyone to listen to you when they’re concerned about the heater on your hip. Some will, but a lot more won’t.
But if you’re serious about protecting yourself and others with a firearm, carry it concealed. Doing so means that not only will you minimize your chances of being murder target number one in the event of a robbery, but you’ll also help make sure that you actually have your gun at that key moment, rather than having lost it to some schmuck in a local Walmart who snatched it and ran off.
Folks, if we want to be considered responsible gun owners, we need to act like it. That means not advertising what we have so would-be thieves like this can grab a hold of our weapons and run for the hills. The last thing any of us want is to help arm criminals, but just what do you think happened with this weapon?
Learn from this, just as I am, and let’s make this the last such incident.
I don't open carry either, but the key to keeping your open carry firearm safe in most cases is having situational awareness at all times.
This Ping List is for all things pertaining to the 2nd Amendment.
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Do stoopid things, win stupid prizes.
Situational awareness, and/or a retention holster...
I don’t open carry unless I’m in the woods and I have no issue with open carry, but secure the damned thing!
A personal bearing that says "Make my day" couldn't hurt...
Both.
Concealed carry gives one the option of engaging, and when. Open carry removes the option and may provoke engagement at an inopportune moment.
If you are going to open carry, use a retention holster. And learn how to use it properly so you don’t shoot yourself in the foot.
My take has been that if you are going to carry then one of the most power weapons at your disposal is the element of surprise. I’m not going to give up that.
I am as pro 2nd as anyone but I think open carry is a bit goofy. It freaks people out and yeah it would be the first thing an evil doer would go for. Have it with you sure but having it hang out there like a pair of sunglasses in a pocket just seems a little off IMHO.
I worked in an amusement park and open-carried two pistols. Real pistols but fake ammo. Kids(sometimes adults) would try to yank them out all the time.
I saw a guy open carrying and told him to take the weapon to the car. When he complained, I reminded him how many times people tried to yank my gun out of the holster.
Put me in the author’s corner; open carry is tactically stupid.
[Put me in the author’s corner; open carry is tactically stupid.]
Yes, was never mad for it. Advertising your defensive hardware and capability all the time is never a good idea.
Concealment leaves you many more options to fit the situation.
“Many argue that open carry is tactically stupid as it makes it clear to any potential bad guy who to take out first during a robbery.”
Concealed is usually best. But this “take out the open carry guy first” is overrated. It’s by far more common that they see the open carry and then go look for an easier target. And when that happens, it’s impossible to document that it ever happened.
The evidence for it is that robberies initiated AFTER someone SAW the open carry are extremely rare.
Robbers are lazy. When they are surprised to see an armed person, they aren’t typically thinking of how to neutralize him and then go ahead and conduct the robbery.
They shrug and rob the business next door.
Some of the “tactical” thinking reminds me of old geezers who can tell you all about burglars “casing” the house. They truly believe the burglars spend several days or weeks studying a house before they break in. In reality, their “casing” is ringing the doorbell. If you answer, they’ll have a reason to be standing there. If not, they break in.
Robbers are just as lazy. They are -not- looking for a fight, they are looking to scare you and make you give them the money.
Open carry is fine as long as you understand the possibilities. That’s why we CC.
Not too many of us have that perfect Dirty Harry scowl..
If I go to town for gas or parts or something, it's still right there (I don't change rigs)... but I use a retention holster (Recover Tactical) and would NEVER use something like my competition rig for public carry.
I think anyone who open carries should use holsters that meet the same standards that police have for weapon retention, and should be trained (at least be familiar/train with family) in fighting off someone trying to take your weapon - I would not want my sidearm used against me (or anyone else).
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