Unh-unh. If open carry is the only option for law-abiding people, the only one for the perpetrator to fear and avoid is the open carrier -- like, say, a police officer or person with openly visible arms. No change in violent crime there.
But where concealed carry is another, and preferred option, especially in a "shall issue" state, the violent crime rate markedly drops. John R. Lott, Jr.'s statistics say so, I believe so, and act accordingly. Don't be the first to find out if the crowd I'm in is forewarned. You won't know until you show your hand.
Criminals are like electricity. They follow the path of least resistance. If someone had been concealed carrying in that theater, do you think it would have stopped Holmes from doing what he did? It didn’t deter those two thugs who tried to hold up an Internet cafe in Florida.
Shall not be infringed. Concealed, open, short barreled shotgun, or a full auto G18.
It is your RIGHT to do so.