The Open Carry Argument

[rhino]

I would just like to report that, after reading this thread, I have been happily OCing everywhere I possibly can for the past 2 months, and I've had exactly 1 person I don't know mention it, and that was just to ask if it was a Glock (which kind of betrayed her ignorance because if she'd ever seen a glock, she'd have known it was not). I often OC at Menards when I take my 2 year old with me to buy manly outdoor stuff, and the checkout girls still smile and chat and with us and don't seem to mind one bit that there's a gun on my hip.

 

[wtburnette]

I would just like to report that, after reading this thread, I have been happily OCing everywhere I possibly can for the past 2 months, and I've had exactly 1 person I don't know mention it, and that was just to ask if it was a Glock (which kind of betrayed her ignorance because if she'd ever seen a glock, she'd have known it was not). I often OC at Menards when I take my 2 year old with me to buy manly outdoor stuff, and the checkout girls still smile and chat and with us and don't seem to mind one bit that there's a gun on my hip.

Exactly as it should be

 

[actaeon277]

Well, the checkout girls probably don't notice it.

 

[engi-ninja]

Well, the checkout girls probably don't notice it.

Maybe, but when you're wrangling a toddler and pushing a cart full of building materials, it's not like people are only going to see you from one direction. I'm pretty sure at least once or twice they've seen it, but it didn't seem to make any difference.

 

[actaeon277]

Maybe, but when you're wrangling a toddler and pushing a cart full of building materials, it's not like people are only going to see you from one direction. I'm pretty sure at least once or twice they've seen it, but it didn't seem to make any difference.

A book store owner that I've known most of my life, was SURPRISED when I pointed out I was Open Carrying.
The discussion was, that he WOULD NOTICE someone concealing a gun.
So, I said... Oh Really?
So how long have I been carrying in your store?
He said "What?"
I pointed to my hip, I had a Smith & Wesson model 19 (.357) revolver Openly Carried.
His jaw dropped.
Never new I had been carrying.
I had to explain I had been open carrying for years, and I had concealed carried for decades.
He had no idea.

People tend not to notice.
Some do.
But most don't.

I've found the most that notice... children.
Maybe because they're at that height.
Maybe because they are more observant.

 

[engi-ninja]

Haha, well...ok fine, maybe no-one noticed :-P Regardless, it's been a completely hassle free experience, and it's so much more comfortable than concealing.

 

[JettaKnight]

Haha, well...ok fine, maybe no-one noticed :-P Regardless, it's been a completely hassle free experience, and it's so much more comfortable than concealing.

IKR? no more leather and plastic rubbing against my tender skin... it's as enjoyable as being sans pants.

 

[actaeon277]

Haha, well...ok fine, maybe no-one noticed :-P Regardless, it's been a completely hassle free experience, and it's so much more comfortable than concealing.

Yes.
And I finally figured why should I spend so much time and effort covering up, AS IF I'M DOING SOMETHING WRONG.

 

[engi-ninja]

Exactly; I'm tired of inconveniencing myself to appease the irrational fears of ignorant people.

 

[actaeon277]

From earlier in the thread..
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...1996-open-carry-argument-354.html#post7516080


You shouldn't carry your gun because you scare me.
No I don't.
What?
I said, I don't scare you.
How do you know how I feel?
If a bear walked in here, I'd be scared. We all would. But we wouldn't walk up to the bear and tell it we're scared.

 

[Bobby]

Yes.
And I finally figured why should I spend so much time and effort covering up, AS IF I'M DOING SOMETHING WRONG.

Plus, openly carrying decreases the odds of you having to use the firearm in the first place. These two thoughts are a couple of the reasons that pushed me over the edge in regards to open carry.

 

[Ziggidy]

and the checkout girls still smile and chat and with us and don't seem to mind one bit that there's a gun on my hip.

They probably thought you were just happy to see them.......

 

[breakingcontact]

Plus, openly carrying decreases the odds of you having to use the firearm in the first place. These two thoughts are a couple of the reasons that pushed me over the edge in regards to open carry.

The "tactical advantage" crowd denies this.

Open carry absolutely gives you some options which concealed carry doesn't.

 

[Dead Duck]

The "tactical advantage" crowd denies this.

Open carry absolutely gives you some options which concealed carry doesn't.

.....like occasionally free coffee and donuts.

 

[breakingcontact]

.....like occasionally free coffee and donuts.

and can drive in the left lane real fast

 

[2A_Tom]

Funny, I've never gotten free coffee and donuts at Starbucks.

 

[slowG]

Pros and cons.. like anything

open carry is better in almost every way...being targeted because your open carrying is extremely far fetched.. sadly these days its not socially acceptable to some...

This causes some people to be self conscience when carrying.

If you dont mind the potential attention/looks (both positive and negative) open carry all you want.

if you want to be descrete .. conceal at the expense of sacrificing how many ever precious seconds during an emergency situation.

i personally conceal because its more comfortable for me.

 

[2A_Tom]

I am a 2A educator so OC is the only way for me.

The problem is all of the police in my area turn and run when they see me. The places I go to no one cares.

A few years ago I got to meet all kinds of interesting people. I haven't had an interaction with anyone in I don't know how long.

I feel like David Hogg must.

 

[snowwalker]

The "tactical advantage" crowd denies this.

Open carry absolutely gives you some options which concealed carry doesn't.

The reverse is also true.

 

[KLB]

The reverse is also true.

Please elaborate.

Other than being able to go into an establishment that doesn't want guns anyway.