dsfloyd

so what about when OC is the only option. In San Diego it is almost impossible to get a CC permit and up until recently OC was legal (yay CA for making that illegal now). I understand some of the arguments why CC is better, but not always an option (and yes as far as I know none of have you have said OC should be illegal, just throwing out another scenario)

Hornet

100% agree.

IowaBibleMan

Thanks. I had not thought of that. I guess a stolen Ruger is better than a stolen iPad.

I don't open carry as a rule, for a number of reasons. One is, I like knowing my business and keeping others from knowing my business. Another is, in the town I live in, a lot of people are from the left and right coasts of America. I suspect many would call 911 the moment they saw a firearm. Who needs the hassle?

When I am in a dangerous situation, my hand goes in my pants pocket and rests on my pistol grip. I don't think I'm badly situated vis-a-vis those with an OC holster.

BTW in Iowa we have a permit to carry weapons. It is not restricted to open carry. It is a permit to carry -- open or closed, as one chooses. It also is not restricted to handguns, but includes long guns and shotguns. But I don't envision walking down the street in Des Moines with a shotgun in my arms.

BillStaf

I would love to open carry. I'm licensed, and open carry is legal here in Oregon for CHL holders.

The problem is other people and the cops. I just don't need all of the negative attention. Especially from the cops. Even if I'm 100% in the right, getting stopped and hassled by the fuzz just isn't going to work for me. Also, getting kicked out of a store, a restaurant or a bar just because I'm armed doesn't work for me either.

I think I'll stick to carrying concealed.

Good luck to all of you open carry guys. If it ever gets to the point that open carry doesn't hand me so many potential problems, I'll be glad to join you.

LongColt

I chose to CC because I believe it makes the people you are around, nervous. I dont want to be the attension getter in a crowd, with the worried looks and some people moving away from you. It just draws unwanted and un needed attension. My 2-cents.

Toddles

Like GPman said I am also older in my middle 60's and not as strong and quick as I used to be. I live in Texas which doesn't have OC but I wish it did. I would never OC myself but at least I would never have to worry about printing or inadvertently exposing my CC. I believe the 2nd Amendment gives us the right to OC PERIOD. I also believe if more citizens exercised their 2nd Amendment rights there would be less of this flash mob violence and less violence overall. IMHO.

MinnesnowtaWild

I choose not to open carry in public, it just asks for trouble unfortunately.

I do open carry when I am fishing down on the river bottoms. Rarely are there people down there, and the ones down there I usually know. However, sometimes there are some shady people down there and I open carry to try and deter people from messing with me. I choose to not end up dead in the river.

Bonebuster

I live in N.E. lower Michigan. Open carry is S L O W L Y becoming more common in my area.

It DOES get more attention.

I remember grocery shopping back around Christmas time, and coming across and elderly fella with a spectacular Kimber comfortably on his side. I told him he had very good taste in firearms.

Perhaps it DOES indeed make you more of a target, but it also is the beginning of a positive trend.

Afflicted

I cc my firearm in public, it is just more cufortable to me. I see nothing wrong with open carry. In my eyes BG's don't OC, so why would you be worried about the guy with a holstered gun on his hip? I think if you are dressed with say a nice tucked in Polo style shirt most people would think you are a cop and not pay any attention to you.

white1

Ill OC in rural areas. When I was younger I tended to dress a little nicer as in kahki's and a tucked in polo shirt and seemed to often be viewed as a young Leo. As I've gotten a little older (and fatter) I'm more of a jeans and tee shirt kind of man.
I don't have a CHL, and choose to not open carry most of the time. One side of me wants to if for nothing more than its my right, the other side of me doesn't want to deal with the hassle of being harrassed playing 20 questions because some ignorant jackass calls the cops because some crazy man is walking around with a gun.
I remember the days when it was no big deal. I can remember pointing out to my mom "mommy look at that mans gun" and getting a reply, "yes I see that". Now days it seems "hey mommy look at that mans gun" results in a quick cell phone call to 911 about some crazy man in Walmart waving a gun around.

I wish more people were comfortable with open carry, and see advantages of both. I just don't like wasting my time being hassled by "the man"

Chief1297

I open carry everywhere I go and have for years. Never had a negative experience. I do have my CHP just in case it gets covered up for any reason. You really dont have the right to not be offended in this country. If it is legal, it is legal...

BuckJM53

Since we have covered this tired old subject time and again here at RF.Net, and since the OP's only contribution to date was the initial post, I can only assume that he has no further interest. Accordingly, this thread has received a "Mercy Locking"