Open carry 101

The Examiner.com ^ | September 10, 2009 | Mike Stollenwerk

[majstoll]

Many people around the world are interested in learning more about the growing open carry movement in the United States, particularly when and where they can open carry too!

. . .

Key points everyone should know about open carry, i.e., the practice of carrying holstered unconcealed functional handguns (functionality includes being loaded):

42 states permit open carry in public 26 states require no license to open carry Only 7 states ban open carry in public California allows open carry in many or most parts of rural areas, but figuring out precisely where it is banned (i.e., that guns must be unloaded) is so difficult that as a practical matter, open carry is not a realistic option.

[majstoll]

This news column follows breaking news of federal judge's decision to holdpolice liable for detaining open carriers, see http://www.examiner.com/x-2782-DC-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m9d9-Federal-judge-rules-police-cannot-detain-people-for-openly-carrying-guns

[Blue Jays]

banglist added

[KingLudd]

I don’t carry openly because I feel that it takes away the element of surprise.

[WayneS]

I was once thanked by a Town of Culpeper, Virginia, police officer for open-carrying in a public park. The part-time park attendant had accosted me for "violating the Town's ban on guns in the park" and had called the police station. A patrol officer responded. He politely but firmly informed the attendant that I have an absolute right to openly carry my sidearm in the park, and that several years before, State law had wholly and completely preempted any and all Town ordinances regarding firearms. Then, just before departing the scene he said to me: "Sir, I just wanted to thank you for wearing that gun in this park".

I was pleasantly surprised, but the best was yet to come. When my 7 year old son chimed in and asked him why he had thanked me for wearing a gun, the officer replied (paraphrasing from memory here): "Because there are very few people these days who are willing to take responsibility for their own safety. Too many people expect the police to take care of them, but there aren't anywhere near enough police officers to protect everybody all the time. I just appreciate the fact that your Daddy is willing to do what he needs to do to protect you and himself".

Now THAT guy "gets it". I hope he makes it to chief of police some day.

The incident also offered an excellent opportunity for my son and me to have a very nice conversation on our way home about personal responsibility and freedom. A "teachable moment" to borrow a lib-tard cliche.

[stuartcr]

I agree. To me, it’s the same as carrying a big sign saying...’look at me, I’ve got a gun’. It attracks too much attention for my taste, besides, my wife and friends wouldn’t walk anywhere near me in public if I carried in the open.

[WayneS]

I have a concealed carry permit in Virginia, but I often open-carry, especially in hot weather. It is quite difficult to conceal a .357 magnum revolver while wearing shorts, tee-shirt and deck shoes with no socks.

"Pardon me, is that a .357 magnum in your pants or are you just glad to see me?"

;^)

[WayneS]

You might be surprised at how FEW people actually notice an open-carried self-defense handgun. I've had people say, after FINALLY noticing the gun (or having its presence pointed out by someone else), "I thought that was a cell phone case" or "It looked like a Blackberry 'holster' to me".

Now, if you're wearing a old-west "gunfighter rig" with a .45 Colt Ruger old-style Vaquero in the holster, THAT might attract some attention...

[Lurker]

That’s an outstanding result. Cops who engage in that sort of behavior need to be slapped down hard.

[I Buried My Guns]

That is a super cool story; it gives me a bit of hope that there is sanity left in our nation.

[stuartcr]

No, I don’t think so. There has been a lot of publicity locally about open-carry at events in dowtown Norfolk and local restaurants. Even if it wasn’t noticed, I would feel self-conscious about it. It’s just not for me.

[WayneS]

That’s cool. To each his own.

[HiramQuick]

I CCW a Sig P250 while wearing shorts and a tank top and nobody has a clue. I CAN carry a 1911 Colt, but since gaining weight (my problem) I dislike the way the cocked hammer digs into the flesh of a slight non perfect 6 pack. Yeah, I carry conditon 1 ALWAYS ,,.locked and Cocked.

The secret to carrying was a simple solution. I tried everything .. some hid well, but made drawing next to impossible. (I would be dead by the time I got it out .. the gun folks ... the gun)

Some let me draw, but either showed or was totaly uncomfortable. Shoulder carry does not work for me except winter when I live in suit and tie. But even then you must keep your jacket on ... and the whole idea of CCW is strategic to begin with. I don’t want anyone know that I am CCW. only my immediate family. ()

Th solution is found in Largo Fl. A comapny called Smartcarry. I wear it under shorts all day long, nobody has a clue, plus .. I can draw locked and cocked in under a second. It also carries a second magazine ... I can’t use that feature, it is more comfortable without the extra mag. If I need that ... well damn .. it is my time to go anyway .....

[seowulf]

If you are going to open carry I would suggest you have a CPL (or your state’s equivalent) anyway.

If your coat happens to fall over your open carry gun, it becomes concealed.

Also, being in one of those states that doesn’t allow a loaded gun in a car without a CPL, you need it. A CPL is not hard to get around here anyway.

[WayneS]

Do you live in the Norfolk area?

Are you a VCDL member?

[stuartcr]

I had a CC permit when I lived in FL, but since I’ve moved to VA, I am not allowed a weapon where I work, so I decided not to get one. Just one less data base to be a member of.

[OldCorps]

bump for some good information

[WayneS]

Thanks.

Is that www.smartcarry.com?

[stuartcr]

Yes, not a VCDL member, just NRA and VSSA.

[WayneS]

I highly recommend Virginia Citizens Defenase League (VCDL). They are VERY hard-working and quite effective.

[stuartcr]

I’ve read about them, and they were mentioned in the local paper. I’ll look into it more, thanks.