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We have had some rip roaring OC discussions over the years. I have my own opinions on the subject but I would like to take a different tack.

We know that we really need to use future OC as a means to teach fellow Texicans that we are not monsters and that our firearms are only tools. I think that in the more rural areas this will not be difficult. The attitude towards firearms and firearms related stuff here in La Grange are different from Kemah or League City but not as much as some think.

Once passed I do plan on OCing occasionally. I already do on our 5 acres when working outside. The neighbors are aware of my stance on freedom and liberty. No one has said anything. They just wave.

I think there are ways we can put our best foot forward and further our cause. Let's talk about it.

First and foremost when I OC I plan on presenting myself in a neat and positive manner. I am a jeans and button shirt guy but will default to tee shirts in the heat. I very seldom venture to town in an unkept manner, usually to an auto parts store or the like. If I am with Mrs Anygunanywhere I want to appear decent. She makes me look good anyway.

Speaking of Mrs Anygunanywhere I think the absolute best move for OC is for the ladies to do so. There is no better example of freedom loving people exercising their right to self defense than carrying a firearm.

We have to change the public image of OC from the dolts with their black rifles to the true law abiding citizens that are the norm in our world.

What else do we need to do?

Use a very strong retention holster. Leather thumb snap at a minimum. Police type Level II Or III preferred.

If anyone doesn't believe this is necessary, I'd be happy to show you (using inert blue training guns) how quickly I can disarm you if you have no retention or even week retention (like a Level 1 Serpa).

Like trigger locks and other things, I don't believe this should be required by law. But good, conscientious open carriers should follow this advice religiously.

Good thread idea, btw.

A-R wrote:Use a very strong retention holster. Leather thumb snap at a minimum. Police type Level II Or III preferred.

If you don't believe this is necessary, I'd be happy to show you (using inert blue training guns) how quickly I can disarm you if you have no retention or even week retention (like a Level 1 Serpa).

Like trigger locks and other things, I don't believe this should be required by law. But good, conscientious open carriers should follow this advice religiously.

I have to say I don't agree. There is a reason duty weapons are carried in retention holsters but those reasons don't always cross over to every open carry situation. The other thing that springs to mind is we are not cops. We don't need to come in close proximity to others. I'm not wrestling with suspects trying to cuff people. Retention holster were developed to address a real problem that was seen with police. So far there has been zero evidence t hat there is any issues with OC and weapon retention that needs to be addressed.

EEllis wrote:

A-R wrote:Use a very strong retention holster. Leather thumb snap at a minimum. Police type Level II Or III preferred.

If you don't believe this is necessary, I'd be happy to show you (using inert blue training guns) how quickly I can disarm you if you have no retention or even week retention (like a Level 1 Serpa).

Like trigger locks and other things, I don't believe this should be required by law. But good, conscientious open carriers should follow this advice religiously.

I have to say I don't agree. There is a reason duty weapons are carried in retention holsters but those reasons don't always cross over to every open carry situation. The other thing that springs to mind is we are not cops. We don't need to come in close proximity to others. I'm not wrestling with suspects trying to cuff people. Retention holster were developed to address a real problem that was seen with police. So far there has been zero evidence t hat there is any issues with OC and weapon retention that needs to be addressed.

Good points, but my fear is OCers are also not as situationally aware as on duty LEOs. My concern is the ease with which a strong side open carry pistol can be removed from a non-retention holster from a rear attack position.

The retention issue is a good one and thanks for the suggestion.

I was looking more for how do we present OC in a positive manner? How do we teach the uninformed?

We focus a lot on deescalation here on the forum. I am certain that future Texas OCers will be faced with scenarios where such steps will be required. Not every OC excursion will be a positive one especially in the urban environs where the not-so-gun-friendly live.

One thing I would add:

If anyone asks you "why do you need to carry that?' I'd answer them "because it is YOUR civil right to carry a firearm as well as my civil right, as identified by the law" Perhaps let people know it is their civil right, not just argue the law or try to defend against the "why do you need that?' lie.

A-R wrote:

EEllis wrote:

A-R wrote:Use a very strong retention holster. Leather thumb snap at a minimum. Police type Level II Or III preferred.

If you don't believe this is necessary, I'd be happy to show you (using inert blue training guns) how quickly I can disarm you if you have no retention or even week retention (like a Level 1 Serpa).

Like trigger locks and other things, I don't believe this should be required by law. But good, conscientious open carriers should follow this advice religiously.

I have to say I don't agree. There is a reason duty weapons are carried in retention holsters but those reasons don't always cross over to every open carry situation. The other thing that springs to mind is we are not cops. We don't need to come in close proximity to others. I'm not wrestling with suspects trying to cuff people. Retention holster were developed to address a real problem that was seen with police. So far there has been zero evidence t hat there is any issues with OC and weapon retention that needs to be addressed.

Good points, but my fear is OCers are also not as situationally aware as on duty LEOs. My concern is the ease with which a strong side open carry pistol can be removed from a non-retention holster from a rear attack position.

Both have made good points and there is no simple answer to this question.

For myself if I were to open carry, in rural areas I wouldn't worry about it as long as the holster retained the gun during vigorous activity. In urban areas, I would use at least Level 2 retention, but I see much greater advantages to carrying concealed in such locations.

YMMV

anygunanywhere wrote:We have to change the public image of OC from the dolts with their black rifles to the true law abiding citizens that are the norm in our world.

What else do we need to do?

The first step is make it legal, like many other states. That would take the wind out of the sails of a lot of the mall ninjas. When the predominant open carriers seen are average people who happen to have a holstered handgun, and hunters with long guns during hunting season, the public image will change. However, as long as discreet open carry is prohibited by law in Texas, the attention-seekers will be the public face of gun owners in Texas.

The best way to OC is to dress professionally, carry a well maintained firearm in a well maintained and decent looking holster while acting in a professional manner.

G.A. Heath wrote:The best way to OC is to dress professionally, carry a well maintained firearm in a well maintained and decent looking holster while acting in a professional manner.

How about just not screw around and otherwise just treat it as no big deal. I'm not going to wear a single thing different or act special. I also won't preach or act like I'm carrying for an reason other than because I want to. It would be like those occupy nutters saying they were living in a tent for me. Nope I'm doing it for me because it make sense for me when and where I do it and I think that is the best way of promoting OC.

I open carried for years and never had a problem with either citizens or police. Not in Texas, obviously.

Both I and my friends who open carried found that 9 out of 10 conversations were sparked by someone who was curious to see this, and ended up being very positive. When I told someone it was legal and their right as a law-abiding citizen, I saw the light bulb turn on in many faces.

Practically speaking, open carrying let me serve as an ambassador for the gun culture to the public at large.

I also believe that we need to remember that protecting our gun rights still boils down to keeping a majority in the electorate, and that our daily activities can have the impact of being ambassadors for the gun culture.

I also had a couple of incidents in a Kroger or Giant Eagle grocery store where a concerned woman went to the policeman stationed at the front of the store:

"There is a man back there carrying a gun."
"Where is his gun?"
"He has it in a holster."
"What is he doing?"
"He is walking around shopping."
"M'am, openly carrying firearms is perfectly legal in this state and he isn't doing anything wrong."

Of course, it didn't hurt that I was in my 50's. A neatly dressed businessman with short hair. White.

Shouldn't matter if someone was of color, young, and tatted out, but impressions do affect people's perceptions.

I'll also note that 99% of people never even noticed I had a gun on my hip.

If and when it becomes legal, I'll definitely open carry again. Another way I like to carry is with a IWB with the shirt "bloused" a bit over the grip. It is basically hidden to casual observation but much, much easier to access that a tuckable IWB with the shirt tucked in.

anygunanywhere wrote:The retention issue is a good one and thanks for the suggestion.

I was looking more for how do we present OC in a positive manner? How do we teach the uninformed?

We focus a lot on deescalation here on the forum. I am certain that future Texas OCers will be faced with scenarios where such steps will be required. Not every OC excursion will be a positive one especially in the urban environs where the not-so-gun-friendly live.

You won't educate people. Unless you're in a rural environs, you're going to make yourself and the cause look stupid, like Fatman and Snowboots.
The concept of "educating" others is...misplaced.

Cedar Park Dad wrote:

anygunanywhere wrote:The retention issue is a good one and thanks for the suggestion.

I was looking more for how do we present OC in a positive manner? How do we teach the uninformed?

We focus a lot on deescalation here on the forum. I am certain that future Texas OCers will be faced with scenarios where such steps will be required. Not every OC excursion will be a positive one especially in the urban environs where the not-so-gun-friendly live.

You won't. Unless you're in a rural environs, you're going to make yourself and the cause look stupid, like Fatman and Snowboots.
The concept of "educating" others is...misplaced.

Excuse me? Could you rephrase your comment so it is more clear? Not following how trying to educate will make me (us) look stupid.

anygunanywhere wrote:

Cedar Park Dad wrote:

anygunanywhere wrote:The retention issue is a good one and thanks for the suggestion.

I was looking more for how do we present OC in a positive manner? How do we teach the uninformed?

We focus a lot on deescalation here on the forum. I am certain that future Texas OCers will be faced with scenarios where such steps will be required. Not every OC excursion will be a positive one especially in the urban environs where the not-so-gun-friendly live.

You won't. Unless you're in a rural environs, you're going to make yourself and the cause look stupid, like Fatman and Snowboots.
The concept of "educating" others is...misplaced.

Excuse me? Could you rephrase your comment so it is more clear? Not following how trying to educate will make me (us) look stupid.

Because you're not educating anyone. In their view, you're just showing off, like Fatman and Snowboots.
If you're a rural environment its fine, because, like long guns, its tradition and there's an actual reason.
In Starbucks it just looks like 1) you're a cop; or 2) you're overcompensating for not being said cop.

Cedar Park Dad wrote:

anygunanywhere wrote:

Cedar Park Dad wrote:

anygunanywhere wrote:The retention issue is a good one and thanks for the suggestion.

I was looking more for how do we present OC in a positive manner? How do we teach the uninformed?

We focus a lot on deescalation here on the forum. I am certain that future Texas OCers will be faced with scenarios where such steps will be required. Not every OC excursion will be a positive one especially in the urban environs where the not-so-gun-friendly live.

You won't. Unless you're in a rural environs, you're going to make yourself and the cause look stupid, like Fatman and Snowboots.
The concept of "educating" others is...misplaced.

Excuse me? Could you rephrase your comment so it is more clear? Not following how trying to educate will make me (us) look stupid.

Because you're not educating anyone. In their view, you're just showing off, like Fatman and Snowboots.
If you're a rural environment its fine, because, like long guns, its tradition and there's an actual reason.
In Starbucks it just looks like 1) you're a cop; or 2) you're overcompensating for not being said cop.

We will not win over everyone and I do not expect to. If we can win someone over that is great. If not, they were lost anyway.

I don't place much in what others think of me anyway. You shouldn't either. Thanks for your comments.