Would you "open carry"?

[longtooth]

On occassion I sure would.
I like both options.

[HumbleGuy]

Probably not. At least not much. But I'm a low profile guy.

[KBCraig]

Like the others, to me open carry says "shoot me first,' or "mug me for my gun."

There are many states where open carry is legal, and not uncommon to see, but there is a notable absence of carriers being "shot first" or mugged for their guns.

I would definitely open carry in some situations, including much of my everyday life, but there are other situations where I would conceal.

Kevin

[flintknapper]

IF you could carry openly in Texas, would you? Do you think that's safer than carrying concealed?

I absolutely, unequivocally, without a doubt, most assuredly would carry openly.
There is no proof one way or the other whether it's safer or not.

Dan

Dan The Man I would not always open carry, but I would at times. I open carried a little over 14 years on duty and off duty and had ZERO problems. This has been discussed here many times it is no doubt

+1

I can think of times when it would be convenient to carry openly.

[Xander]

I would not always open carry, but I would at times.

Same here.

[Stringer]

Thanks for the responses. I don't think I would - but I'm not sure. One thing about it - it'd probably cause me to dress a little nicer than I normally do! I'd want BG's to at least wonder if I was a LEO.

[frankie_the_yankee]

There are many states where open carry is legal, and not uncommon to see, but there is a notable absence of carriers being "shot first" or mugged for their guns.

I've visited quite a few states, including AZ, NM, NH, VT, and VA, and I have yet to be anywhere where open carry was "not uncommon to see". I have found open carry to be very rare. This goes double in urban areas.

Which states are you talking about, where open carry is not uncommon?

[Snake Doctor]

I worked full-time in a mom/pop style gun shop/sporting outfitter during my freshman and sophomore year of college ('05-'06). While 9 out of the 12 total employees carried concealed, no one--not even the owner--carried openly. My boss explained to me his rules on CC as I was still there when I first got my CHL, stating that while he liked the idea, he would not allow open carry as it could deter some customers. He liked to say that he'd rather keep that one extra customer (who might leave due to discomfort around OC) than avoid the extra step of concealing.

[yobdab]

I would definately carry open but would have a good retention holster.

[L8RG8R]

I would carry openly.

I've heard the argument over and over again about becoming a target if open carrying but I still question this theory. It would seem to me that if a BG walked in a bank and saw a LEO, they would be deterred from proceeding further (assuming said BG isn't a crackhead). I think carrying open would be similar but not the same.

My CHL instructor emphasized that bad guys dislike two things:
1. Getting caught
2. Getting hurt

I'd say that open carry may indicate to a BG a large possibility that #2 may become a reality should they act like a fool. (again, assuming they are not a crackhead)

[frankie_the_yankee]

I would carry openly.

I've heard the argument over and over again about becoming a target if open carrying but I still question this theory.

How about the argument that the gun could get snatched by someone when you find yourself in close quarters with a lot of other people around?

It (being in close quarters) happens sometimes when you are in public.

Would you be using a rentention type holster as many LEO do?

IMO, carrying concealed preserves the element of surprise, which is a huge tactical advantage. Knowledge is power. If I'm carrying concealed, I have some very valuable knowledge that a potential assailant doesn't have.

[Liberty]

While my initial reaction is to say "No, I won't open carry" However I might prefer at times to carry my full sized Ruger in the Open if I were hiking or something. On a Long drive I might unholster for a while and set the handgun on the passanger seat. instead of the console.

[L8RG8R]

I would carry openly.

I've heard the argument over and over again about becoming a target if open carrying but I still question this theory.

How about the argument that the gun could get snatched by someone when you find yourself in close quarters with a lot of other people around?

It (being in close quarters) happens sometimes when you are in public.

Would you be using a retention type holster as many LEO do?

I think using a retention holster would be a fine idea. Yes, sometimes quarters do get close in public. I guess I envision myself putting my arm down against the weapon in those situations and trying to move to a more open space. I don't care much for shoulder to shoulder standing room only and usually try to avoid those situations anyway. You won't catch me at a mall in the months of November or December.

[chewy555]

I think that I would open carry sometimes, but most of the time would not. As having carried openly as a security officer, just the sight of a gun changes some people. And that is just not something that I would want to deal with daily.

[Keith B]

As someone who came from a state (Missouri) where open carry is not illegal (anomalous), you need to be semi discreet about it. The big advantage is you can strap on your hip if you head to the range without repercussion of it not being concealed. You can leave it openly displayed on the car seat, etc.

However, you really don't want to go on your daily shopping trips to the stores as it can still be considered 'brandishing or displaying in a threatening manner'. It is just not proper etiquette to do the ‘Wally-World Stroll’ with a S&W 500 hanging on your hip. It draws a lot of attention and makes too many non-gunners uneasy. There can also be local ordinances that prohibit it, as well as you being looked down upon by the store folks for running off their customers.

While I am for open carry being legal, you need to use it sparingly and not blatantly wander through the public realm carrying openly.

So to answer the question, I would if I was not exposed to a lot of non-gunners or big crowds.