The Open Carry Argument

[KLB]

That had to be one strange conversation.

It was. I refrained from making a smart alec comment back.

 

[MikeDVB]

That really isn't odd. It seems to be the norm. People are oblivious.

I have open carried for more than a decade and I can count the number of times someone has said anything to me on one hand. Most people are indeed oblivious.

I suspect there are people that noticed but said nothing.

 

[KLB]

I have open carried for more than a decade and I can count the number of times someone has said anything to me on one hand. Most people are indeed oblivious.

I suspect there are people that noticed but said nothing.

Those are the worst!

 

[2A_Tom]

It sounded like the lady behind me at Lowe's said you're packin'. So I turned around and said excuse me. She said you're carrying a gun.

I said, well you are too, to which she replied no I'm not and I said well you should be.

 

[chipbennett]

IMHO I just do not agree with open carry. Just because you can does not mean you should!
Besides, why invite trouble and antagonize the anti-gun people and let them scream more often trying to crush the 2A?
My 2 cents and then some. Peace.

Don't want to open carry? Great! Don't open carry.

Just don't expect anyone else to conform to your personal preference.

Also: [citation needed] that open carry antagonizes the anti-gun people. Literally tens of millions of people carry daily, a non-trivial percentage of whom do so openly. YouTube stunts are not indicative of the entire population of those who carry - and especially of those who carry openly.

 

[chipbennett]

Oddly enough for the brief time my son was home he open carried, and no one said a word to him. I actually doubt anyone even noticed.

Stop confusing this thread with reality!

 

[wcd]

Stop confusing this thread with reality!

Sorry. What is funny is that when my son is clean shaven he does not even look like he is 18.
But given his height and hair cut and the way he presents himself it’s not likely anyone would say a word to him.

 

[chipbennett]

Sorry. What is funny is that when my son is clean shaven he does not even look like he is 18.
But given his height and hair cut and the way he presents himself it’s not likely anyone would say a word to him.

That's assuming that they first even notice that he's carrying a firearm, which the vast majority of people don't.

 

[wcd]

That's assuming that they first even notice that he's carrying a firearm, which the vast majority of people don't.

Unfortunately we have a lot of Karen’s in some areas around her. But for the most part I think you are correct, for the most part people are so engaged in their phones they would not even know they are getting rained on.

 

[Hawkeye]

Unfortunately we have a lot of Karen’s in some areas around her. But for the most part I think you are correct, for the most part people are so engaged in their phones they would not even know they are getting rained on.

Wrong. their phones would tell then its raining.

 

[KLB]

Wrong. their phones would tell then its raining.

Maybe. Weather apps and weathermen in general suck! I wonder sometimes if they are even able to look out the window and tell us what it is like outside.

 

[Hawkeye]

Maybe. Weather apps and weathermen in general suck! I wonder sometimes if they are even able to look out the window and tell us what it is like outside.

Actually, the apps I use are pretty good, especially at identifying weather at my location.

 

[shane947]

I know we've been around this block a few times here but I ran across a link to this post and thought that it was one of the best written pieces I had read on the subject.

The author expounds on many of the points that have been debated in several different threads here and across many other forums for years.

Since this post captures so much and adds a bit that I don't recall even seeing here before, I will give it its own thread instead of burying it on page 10 of one of the existing threads.

Long but very interesting read IMO.

(source link) The Open Carry Argument





ETA: If you didn't already, go back and click the BLUE link. It is well worth the additional reading.

The only time i open carry is when in uniform. Outside of that I only conceal carry.

 

[MCgrease08]

It's been a while since I last open carried. I think I just may do so today on my afternoon trip to the supermarket.

Y'all have inspired me.

 

[gorge]

The only time i open carry is when in uniform. Outside of that I only conceal carry.

Well, you've certainly changed my mind.

 

[thatpat451]

Enjoyed that insight thanks for that link

 

[eldirector]

The only time i open carry is when in uniform. Outside of that I only conceal carry.

What kind of uniform? Law Enforcement? Military? McDonalds?

The first two are kinda expected. The last would be impressive.

I OC when in uniform as well. My uniform happens to be khakis/jeans and a polo/Oxford. Generic "I drive a desk" attire.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Personally, there are times I do both OC or CC, depending on situation, but I found this interesting. Last few years though, I have gone to OC more often, both for comfort & speed, as well as like discussed in the video, just to get the public to see that a man walking around armed is not a bad thing.

 

[76Too]

We’ve met in person a couple of times.

YOU can do whatever the hell you want and NOBODY will say a word, I can promise you that

 

[daddyusmaximus]

We’ve met in person a couple of times.

YOU can do whatever the hell you want and NOBODY will say a word, I can promise you that

LOL. OK, I do realize that being bearded guy, 6'1", 270, and having a 90# German Shepherd follow you around everywhere does tend to keep some people at a distance... AND maybe I still have a bit of that leftover Drill Sgt / combat vet "IDGAF" aura around me... but I smile at people, and say "howdy".

Besides, I'd kinda like it to be how they said in the video... Just people getting used to the idea that some dude walking around with a handgun on his hip doesn't automatically mean he's a violent criminal boogyman out to steal your kids.