Well, "Open Carry" is an appropriate topic for my first post here...
Here in Virginia anyone who is not disqualified from possessing a firearm, can open carry without a concealed handgun license where allowed by law.
With a CHL, your method of carry is optional, except, if you have a CHL and want to dine in a restaurant that serves alcohol and carry your firearm, you
must open carry
.
I have a CHL and do open carry "when and where appropriate," which I believe is a key point in the open carry debate. I don't OC in public places between dusk and dawn. There are three convenience stores, one near my home, one near my office, and one near my range where I open carry and a couple of chinese takeout restaurants. On a regular basis, that's about it. Did carry into CompUSA last week...
What reactions have I encountered? Only one negative interaction came a couple years ago from a member of the security group that patrols our office complex. He asked if I am one of those 2nd Amendment nuts. I politely said, "I'm not nuts, unless you ask my grandchildren."
I asked him why he carried a weapon, for protection? He said, "Of course."
"So do I." was my response and I shook his hand and went about my business.
All other contacts, mostly questions about why I carry have been neutral or positive.
One father brought his 9-year old son up, asked if I wsa a policeman. I said no, just a normal person like himself. He turned to his son and said, "See _______ , good guys do carry guns." The three of us talked for about 10 minutes about the whys of self defense.
Two people I talked to went ahead and obtained their CHLs.
Most of the time, people don't notice the pistol in its IWB holster. They do notice more often when I carry OWB.
And, last, open carry is absolutely not for everyone for lots of reasons.
It is a matter of choice.
rp
