IMHO the most important statement in your post related to this discussion is "where I live". If I lived in a very rural part of Texas the same would probably be true. But even though OC is legal in your state I bet when you get into more heavily populated areas people's attitude and reaction change drastically. I would even be willing to bet that a large majority of people in those areas don't have a clue that OC is legal.mamabearCali wrote:I think it is great that you have considered all of those points. You are correct. For you....it would be best to CC. But just like I don't think every shirt in the store fits every person the same way. I don't think that because you have decided it is not for you, that it follows it is not for me.bmwrdr wrote:Wow, I spent over a hour to read this thread and realize the different opinions here so I have to add mine.
1. From a logical point I do not think OC makes sense for following reasons.
a. As others already stated it does get the attention of others, positive or negative, either way. That is certainly not what I want!
b. My biggest concern would be a gun grabber. A gun in plain view will surely attract a criminal mind as well as an anti gun person. That is certainly not what I want!
c. Another worry would be mistakenly recognized as a LEO which means in my opinion I could be potentially responsible for confusion about my status.
2. From a social point of a view I'd say everybody should be able to carry either way but has to conform with the current law without an exception.
3. Watching the news, listening and talking to others I surely can say it is a shame how some express their opinion towards a LEO. I actually have no faith in a person publicly yelling at a LEO or any others, using banal and insulting verbiage.
The points above led me to the conclusion it is better to discard OC but gain discipline and skills in CC.
It also would make sense to look at demographics and find out how many would actually carry open if the law would be passed. I do not assume a high number of our population would.
I have never had a problem OCing where I live. I don't do it all the time, but sometimes I do OC. I have never, ever, had a confrontation with a LEO. I have never, ever, gotten mistaken for a LEO (LEO's don't walk around with four kids on their coat tails). A gun in plain view also tells the mugger...don't mess with this girl... pick another easier target. If you are worried about a person grabbing your gun, have retention. If a person attempted to grab my gun he would have to take me with him and he would quickly get a knife in him. Why don't muggers attack LEO's....because they know they are armed...it is a deterrent. Same with a visibly armed citizen. I conform to the law in my state very carefully.
Like I said, a person has to consider what they are comfortable with. It is good to think it through. It is good to decide where you stand on an issue for yourself. However just because you have decided it for yourself does not mean you should decide it for me.
It's not uncommon for us to hear about people in OC states (handgun) being harassed by police. La is an OC state, but OC a handgun in NOLA and assuming you live long enough to make it there, you are going to find yourself behind bars.
To me this all boils down to setting. If OC were legal in Texas and I was running around my small town outside the metroplex I might OC. If I were running around downtown Dallas I most definitely would not.
To wrap this up, I would much rather those leading our cause spend the political capital to get off duty LEO type carry (carry anywhere an off duty LEO can carry) for CHL holders than spend the same political capital on OC.
