Having said that, I want to conceal carry. I think the best thing would be to have both methods of carrying legal.
We had an “open carry lunch” about a year ago around here. We met on a weekend for lunch at a large restaraunt, and told the management and local PD what we were doing so we wouldn’t have to deal with some idiot nervous rookie cop bumbling in on us.
The whole thing was a blast.
One of the guys picked up the waitress for a shooting date.
Here’s an idea for you....
Just start open carrying a model replica... complete with the florescent orange tipped barrel which designates it as a non-operational weapon which is discretely holstered so that u cannot tell that it’s fake unless u take it out.
It has the same effect on would be muggers, puts your point across to the public, and is perfectly legal without any special permits.
Should be interesting to hear about responses from public, including those in law enforcement.
If a cop asks... just tell him... its a fake.
Using cross-sectional time-series data for U.S. counties
from 1977 to 1992, we find that allowing citizens to carry
concealed weapons deters violent crimes and it appears to
produce no increase in accidental deaths.
If those states which did not have right-to-carry concealed
gun provisions had adopted them in 1992, approximately
1,570 murders; 4,177 rapes; and over 60,000 aggravated
assaults would have been avoided yearly.
- Crime, Deterrence, and Right-to-Carry Concealed Handguns
John R. Lott, Jr., School of Law Univ. of Chicago
As a long time CC person, in a state NH which does not deny Open Carry by law and a former cop my thoughts are this.
1. OC you lose the element of surprise.
2. OC are you ready to fight someone or a group for possession of your gun?
3. OC be-careful of your OC and CC laws. In NH to carry in a vehicle you need to have a CCW Lic., even if you are carrying in the open.
Know the laws of your state.
Get ready for the cop who does not know the laws.
Get ready for being arrested for Disturbing The Peace,or some other such law, because some commie feels threatened.
Our 2A group in Ga (Georgia Carry.Org) sponsors just such events, We even have a highway marker. But it is up to the individual to get out there and be a spokesman everyday for "Open Carry"... as did Mr. Gonzales, who by the way is a member of Georgia Carry.
Do this monthly in different cities or locations in Milwaukee. Do not expect an immediate change in attitude. Do not advise local police ahead as there is no obligation to do so unless it is for the trash cleanup effort.
Consider attire. Get your people to dress as they would for church, or like a businessman (avoid concealing suit jackets, though. No gun activism T-shirts. Khakis not blue jeans. Be sure to include women. And bring along kids to help with the work, though not carrying. Try for some ethnic diversity, too.
It’s all about IMAGE, so that should be your number one focus. Consider media coverage picking out the fattest, ugliest, scariest, or most embarrassing participant, and start by fixing that issue.
1. Contact the VCDL here in Virginia, they are a pro-gun group that might be able to help you out with some ideas.
2. Perhaps after whatever event you organize, have everyone meet up at a restaurant with their families (being sure to obey any open-carry laws regarding establishments that serve alcohol) and have an Open Carry lunch/dinner. It would be wise to contact the manager of the restaurant first, though.
3. Expect to have the cops called on you for the first few times. Print out copies of the law in your state regarding open carry and have them on hand for when the police show up. If you want to play it safe, contact local law enforcement just to let them know what is going on. I’m sure they would appreciate the heads up given that they WILL be called to respond.
Dave might have some ideas for you.