Question of the Day: Would You Open Carry?

The Truth About Guns ^ | 1 June, 2011 | Ryan Finn

[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?

[04-Bravo]

I’m not sure I could get used to open carry, unless it became so commonplace that almost everybody did it. I like the idea of not drawing attention to myself.

If you experiment with different holsters, it’s not too hard to find a rig that is comfortable and relatively easy to conceal. For carrying a larger pistol like a 1911, it’s important to have not just a good holster, but also a good belt, and pants with a sturdy waistband.

I was surprised at how comfortable an inside-the-waistband holster can be, even when carrying a 5” 1911 all day in the summer.

[stuartcr]

You play softball armed?

[wardaddy]

Nope I would only open carry in a war zone...some where like Jackson mississippi or Memphis or Afghanistan

[fireman15]

My AK won’t fit in it’s holster when I am using the drum magazines... so I might consider open carry when it is too warm to wear an over-coat.

[mad_as_he$$]

We disagree. That said, it is a comment on how far the Constitution has been eroded.

[mad_as_he$$]

Common sense about the guy with the gun is what is lacking. The absolute hysteria in many circles because someone has a gun is the lack of “common sense”. As you are aware when many people see a man with a gun the first thing they do is call a man with a gun. How “common sense” is that?

I live in the West and often open carry simply because it is convenient. BTW I have been involved in two shootings - one in Nashville - where I had to go find a gun to take care of business. I swore that would never happen again.

[mad_as_he$$]

The deliberate and institutional suppression of gun rights needs to be confronted and settled. Many cops are completely uneducated in gun rights issues. The only way many of them become educated is through law suits because they trampled the rights of a law abiding citizen.

[stuartcr]

I choose not to open-carry. I can do anything I want with my weapons right now, except take them to work with me.

[mad_as_he$$]

I support your decision.

[spodefly]

Concealed. Too many gung-ho cops looking to flex their muscles, and too many nervous sheep scared of their own shadows. I don’t need the hassles.

[blackie]

I agree...

[wastedyears]

The weapon was discovered during the security 'pat-down' at the entrance, and the coliseum management folks REALLY pushed hard trying to talk me in to taking it back to my car. However, the Hampton Police Major on the scene was having none of it. He made it clear that it was legal for me to carry the weapon in to the venue, and he flatly stated that he was not even going to try to stop me or talk me out of it.

You may want to write him a letter thanking him for that, and also mention the incident so he knows what you're talking about.

[B4Ranch]

>>I have inside-the-waistband holsters, so in the house I’ll use them, but not care about the shirt covering.<<

I’d lay some good odds that if we were allowed to carry like this, half concealed and half open, the majority of people wouldn’t even recognize what they were seeing. Especially if it was in a deep IWB holster where only the grips are visible.

[absolootezer0]

You play softball armed?

it was a pick up game at an event i was attending. so i knew i wouldn't be really pushing it, and i wasn't about to just set my firearm down somewhere. besides, as tight as that belly band holds, i knew that my gun was very secure, and this would be a great test for comfort and to see just how well it'd hold up through activity. if i could make it to first base without it falling off, it should hold up if i had to run and chase my kids, or get to a point of cover in a hurry.
i did take the round out of the chamber tho, just in case.

[TheOldLady]

Hubby bought me such a beautiful CC purse that I carry my gun with me wherever I go.

[wastedyears]

You can’t keep them locked in a vehicle?

[stuartcr]

ok

[WayneS]

...it cuts down on bad calls by the umpires.

;-)

[basil]

It would depend on the circumstances. If I’m out at our property in the courtry, of course I would.

If I’m dressed in nice clothes to attend some event, I don’t think so. A holstered weapon just doesn’t blend with a mature woman’s more dressy clothes.

Ii would have it handy in my purse, though.

[stuartcr]

No, I work on a military base and personal weapons are prohibited.