TexasCHLforum.com

E.Marquez wrote:

Charles L. Cotton wrote: The more important question is why would a responsible gun owner want to risk alienating the general public and causing a backlash against open-carry?
Chas.

The obvious answer is, "a responsible gun" would not

I showed a coworker (a non gun owner) the picture Charles posted of the horizontal shoulder holster setup and asked her if this would make her uncomfortable . She immediately said "Yes, that thing is pointed right at me". I played devils advocate and explained that the trigger was covered. It didn't matter. She stated she would immediately complain to management and let them know that either the guy pointing the gun at people was going to leave or she and her family were going to leave.
I then showed her a picture of an OCer wearing a dark holster and a semiauto pistol. I asked if this would make her nervous. She immediately said no. I asked "Why, he has a gun too". She replied, "He does? Where?"
This is why when OC is done discretely and wisely it isn't a big deal because very few people even notice. Recently I attended a training where a video was shown about people being oblivious to their surroundings. The video contained actual footage of a woman carrying a knife in New Orleans on the sidewalk. She stabs several people at various points while walking. Even with a visible blood soaked knife people don't realize she was a danger because they didn't look at her hands or around her waistline also covered in blood. The exact same thing happened with my coworker. When I showed her the picture of a man wearing a gun in a belt holster she didn't even realize he was armed because that's not where she was looking.
IMHO I think we need to step back and examine why and how we carry. I carry a firearm to protect myself and my family. The vast majority of the time the best way to accomplish that goal will be to carry concealed. There will be times that I might OC for a measure of comfort, but my reason for carrying a firearm hasn't changed. I'm not carrying a firearm in order to make some kind of statement. I'm not carrying a firearm to draw attention to myself and I'm sure not carrying a firearm to scare the sheep.
IMHO an OC shoulder holster rig (wether the intention of the user or not) screams "look at me I'm carrying a gun". I believe this alone will draw complaints by customers in a business. Add a barrel pointing directly at someone and the sheep are going to scream bloody murder.

android wrote:

Charles L. Cotton wrote: I responded to your comment that no one was "swept" with a muzzle if the trigger was covered by the holster. This simply is not the case. When the muzzle points at a person, that person has been swept and that violates one of the cardinal gun safety rules.
Chas.

Well can disagree on this and Kathy disagrees with you too.

http://www.corneredcat.com/article/hols ... our-rules/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We can argue till the cows come home about how safe this type of carry is, but for the vast majority of the public perception is reality. If it makes people on this forum (who have many more years experience handling firearms and teaching firearm safety than Kathy does) uncomfortable how do you think it's going to make the general public feel? That is a rhetorical question because we all already know the answer. The perception of the public is going to be "that gun is pointed right at me" and the people they say that to are going to be the people who are going to feel that they have no other choice than to ban OC from their establishment.
We always talk about how OC isn't a big deal other places and most people don't even notice. I agree with that when we are talking about a subdued OWB holster. Most people's eyes aren't focused on people's hands and waistline thus the firearm goes unnoticed. But a shoulder holster not only draws a lot more attention because it falls in most people's line of sight, it also draws attention to the firearm. Add a barrel pointing at you and you're asking for the sheep to panic which will only result in more limitations on where and how we can carry.
I know there are some that are going to say that if they don't like it they can move. My response to that is you are going to be the one moving - out the door. Unfortunately you are not the only one who will pay the price for your actions.

Cjwglock19 wrote:Hope this isn't in the wrong forum area, but for curiosity sake, how many of you practice shoulder holster carry? I have always considered it but was afraid it would be uncomfortable (I had to wear an immobility harness once for an injury and it was terrible). I carry a Glock 19...any holster recommendations? If somewhat comfortable, this is a type of carry I would like to try.

I've tried it a few times - way too hot for me. Maybe a winter setup, but I've found IWB to be much easier for CC. For OC I prefer something much more subdued.

gljjt wrote:

Taypo wrote:

E.Marquez wrote:

Taypo wrote: Good work making the point for us.

" I'm gonna carry my gun however I like and screw everyone else, who cares about the image of OC folks."

Us??? Perhaps "us" is better left out of your statement as you and I do not hold the same opinion on this topic.

As I read from harrycallahan's post he plans on carrying his gun in a manner allowed by law, in a way that is comfortable and appropriate for him, in a manner not calculated to cause alarm. That you dislike that is fine, that you chastise him for it is no different than MDA members do to anyone with a gun. If that was not how you intended to be understood, outstanding, all I can say is that is how it came across to me

I would hope you would stand behind any citizen who elects to possess, carry, hold, concealed or openly carry a firearm in a manner allowed by law (that would include laws not just reference the carry method but disorderly conduct laws as well) I know I do

The chances of me standing behind someone with an exposed muzzle pointing in my direction are exactly zero. I assure you, you weren't included in my "us" so please, spare your indignation for someone else. Us knows who they are.

You want to OC? Fine, have fun where you can.

You want to flag your muzzle all over creation while you're doing it? That's a problem for a lot of folks, as is the attitude that we're just going to tolerate it.

I predict horizontal shoulder holsters combined with OC and I'll wear my gun any way I darn well please is going to result in MWAG calls.

george wrote:My regular mode of carry is the horizontal shoulder holster, under a dress shirt.

I never felt like I was endangering anyone.

However, I would be uncomfortable staring at the open muzzle in line at the store.

Just the perception, I suppose.

Note to self; don't wear around jmra, he will think badly of me.

Under a shirt, not at all. If you normally wear it under a jacket and happen to have the jacket off while pumping gas, no issue.
Someone who runs out and buys a shoulder holster solely for the purpose of OCing IMHO is looking for attention. This is obviously not what you are doing.

bulinm wrote:

jmra wrote:IMHO anyone OCing in a shoulder holster is nothing more than an attention seeker. Hopefully we won't see much of this type of carry.

I wouldn't carry openly with a horizontal shoulder rig. I don't like to be swept with a gun muzzle, and wouldn't do it
to anyone else.

My S&W 60 rides well in a Galco Lite rig, and is very comfortable and accessible while driving, especially those long Texas
drives. If you see me at a gas pump wearing that rig, I'm not seeking attention, I'm just exercising my rights.

jmra, your beatdown, and name calling, of those who might choose to openly carry a handgun within the law is really
getting a little old.

I have nothing against OC or those who choose to do so. Nor have I called anyone names. I only hope that those who do choose to do so use wisdom. And thanks for the beat down.

IMHO anyone OCing in a shoulder holster is nothing more than an attention seeker. Hopefully we won't see much of this type of carry.