ScubaSigGuy wrote:I just don't understand the fascination with open carry. I am not against it per se, but I can't see how we really gain anything, or how it helps us in the fight to preserve our gun related rights.
We all know that Joe Q. Public has a very short memory. This short memory helps us with concealed carry. As far as most of the non-carrying public is concerned, it's out of site, out of mind. In our current politically correct obsessed society open carry would risk turning a great number of people against us. We certainly aren't going to gain any more supporters of gun rights due to the ability to open carry, so why take that risk? Why rub thier nose in it, and awaken the sleeping unsympathetic masses?
It's not a tactical advantage against the bad guys to have your weapon in plain site. In fact, in some cases the worst type of criminals may take it as a challenge and a way to get their hands on additional weapons. Just because you have a pistol on your hip doesn't mean you are going to strike fear into BG's and will be immune to their evil doings. It doesn't works for LEO's, why would it work for the average untrained individual? I tend to think that open carry would decrease your odds of prevailing in a multiple BG situation. It would certainly move you to the top of their target list. I for one have no interest in being the person they concentrate their efforts on.
The advantage we have is concealed carry. BG's don't know you are carrying, and the element of surprise is your greatest edge, if you practice and train. I just can’t see what we gain except for a right that in most cases is better left unexercised.
I might be missing something, but it's just my .02.
