Posted on 06/02/2011 6:40:19 AM PDT by marktwain
If I’m carrying a gun, no one else needs to know about it. Living in an open carry state—within a proverbial stone’s throw of DC—has reinforced this belief. There are just too many stories of OC’ers being harassed. I don’t have time to be held up by local law enforcement called in by a gun-shy ignoramus. Spending the weekend in TN changed my perspective . . .
With all the moving between venues, changing clothing and gear was impractical. As TN’s an Open Carry (OC) state, most of us carried openly while moving through hotels, gas stations and restaurants on our way to and from events. No one called the cops and no one even gave us a second look. To be honest, it was refreshing to see people treat openly carried firearms as if they were “no big thang.” Which got me thinking . . .
How many of us would actually choose to open carry if your state allowed it, and in what situation would you most likely choose to do so? I know a lot of people view OC as the equivalent of a wearing a T-shirt that says “Shoot Me First,” but wouldn’t that cease to be an issue if OC reached critical mass?
How about a derringer on a necklace or tennis bracelet? ;)
Ahhhh....I see...your position is that OC is for pussies and Real (like you) carry concealed!
Once upon a time, only weasels and cowards hid their arms.
My how times have changed!
I would carry concealed most of the time, but there are circumstances where I could imagine carrying openly. When I walk my dogs on dirt roads around my house I would probably OC. If I’m downtown in a restaurant I would use CCW.
Here’s how I look at it. It serves a purpose, but comes with drawbacks you may not always be willing to deal with on a given day. Nevertheless, it’s good to do when you can as a way to combat the nanny-state’s drumbeat of demonization.
Friend;
You walked away with THAT after reading my comment? wow!!!!
Best;
My BIL has a holstered 380 that looks no different than his wallet when he carries.
Well, if you want to BE the law, and the legislature doesn't play along and pass the laws you want, what are you supposed to do? Fake it till ya make it.
It comes from a critical mass (in some areas) of cops being power-tripping thugs, along with being insecure little wieners who are feel threatened by anyone not being utterly subservient to them.
IOW, in some areas a critical mass of cops are insane. Mentally deficient. Emotionally disturbed.
More than anything else, police forces need to police their own: remove the hoplophobes from their ranks.
They have forgotten that they are public SERVANTS.
Maybe "political statement" isn't exactly right, but the left has made guns abnormal, scary, only for cops and crooks in minds of many. Correcting that is IMO a legitimate reason for OC. I don't even particularly have a problem with a true "political statement", though I'm not as strongly in favor of that as I am of educating the disinterested unplugged middle.
What if somebody beans the batter? Or tries to steal second base? Then what are ya gonna do?
I had some training from a Miami Dade swat trainer a few years back. One part stuck out for being civilian: if you’re not in it, be a good witness, behind the canned soup.
There were several lessons in that one statement. Pick yer battles, keep a low profile, and choose hard cover if possible.
I only carry open when I’m camping. Why in the world, in an urban environ, would you want to announce that you are to be taken out first, and the way to take you out is by ambush or from behind?
I can put two to the center in a second from concealed. IMHO, not wise to wear department insignia off duty, not wise to advertise your armament, not wise to jump into a situation of dynamics you’re unaware of...
IDPA and a nutritious breakfast... things you teach your kids.
Used to be taught as officer survival.
Look meek an weak per se...nothing to ID you as a cop. Never let your kids ride in the cruiser etc...
Outstanding post GR ....all good info.
I won’t carry open as a civilian. But if a citizen of this country wants to they should be allowed to make that decision based on the 2nd themselves.
Open carry...? Like Weiner?
Yes, Mr. Sheepdog, I did.
OC is for those who really don’t know what they are doing tactically and CC is for the ‘real’ sheepdog protector of society.
I got it.
Couldn't agree more, Squantos.
Open carry's not my way, and I don't recommend it to anyone I care about. It just doesn't make good tactical sense when things go south. I can protect mine better if I'm just another blur in the corner, as opposed to a statement/target... not that I disagree with the statement.
When I was younger, I carried open, and no one paid much attention. That's a Utah/Texas thing. These days, the world is different. The part of the public that isn't arms savvy is put off by your weapon if carried open. The part of the public that would do harm has focused on you as a threat and target. These days, if one has a family to protect and/or provide for, why would one want to diminish tactical advantage in any way? We were younger in a different world.
These days, my Equinox is my constant silent companion.
These days, I'm not armed because I'm paranoid; I'm not paranoid because I'm armed.
All true..... Grateful for the opinion that holds true here as well....
Stay Safe !
Good point
Are you sure about that? I live in Pa. too and I wouldn't dare take a handgun into Maryland unless it were unloaded and locked in a secure container. This bit about carrying a handgun not secured in such a manner, I would think, would have the Maryland police on your case in a heartbeat. May be wrong, but that's how I have always handled it.
The recent example that comes to mind is the West Point graduate who got shot & killed by cops at a Costco Store.
Something to think about.
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