Why do we as a whole choose to conceal like its a bad thing?

[SubNine]

Okay, I've been reading various posts on this forum and other gun related forums around the net, and the vast majority of people who actively carry for the protection of themselves and their families, prefer concealed carry over any other method of carry. Also the people who choose to open carry often times get bashed for admitting that they've open carried. Now I can see some advantages to concealed carry, and those advantages have been discussed time and time again, so I'm not gonna go over them again, you all know what I'm talking about.

But let me get to my point. Why do we as a whole choose to conceal, is it because we fear the unarmed/uneducated folks would freak out if they knew we were packing heat, and have the police called? It seems to me our society has gotten way too well.... I don't know what word to put in there, but you get what I'm saying. This is not a thread about open carry vs. concealed carry, I'm just wondering why we choose to bother to go out and buy cover garments, various holsters, and small guns that are easily concealed.

It's almost like we're ashamed of being able to defend ourselves, and we care about what others will think, say, and do if they find out someone has a gun in a holster, who happens to be acting no differently from any other person that does not have bad intentions. I also notice that many people who carry worry about their guns being accidentally exposed, and they do everything in their power to keep it covered. I know its the law in a couple states that you must have it covered at all times, or its considered "brandishing." I personally could care less if my gun is exposed by accident, but I also live in a state where just about any method of carry is perfectly legal.

Sorry for the long post, I work night shift, and I haven't been to bed yet. My mind tends to stretch far when I'm tired.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[P95Carry]

Bottom line is - for most of us ..... we have a concealed carry permit. In PA and also in other states, this behoves holders to remain concealed. I do open carry in and around home and a few other places but these are not public places. Sad to say discretion works better these days and overall I do not mind keeping my armed status hidden.

This is not a thread about open carry vs. concealed carry

It probably will be!!! I hope we do not go the usual route tho as it is usually a recipe for bunching of underwear

[Go Glock]

Yes, it is a sad state that we are the ones that have to adjust and conceal but that is what happens when a biased media pounds their opinions for many many years. A good example of this is how the media tells people to react when confronted with a robber: "Just cooperate and give them everything they want." Because of the repetition, people believe this will keep them safe

The real problem is that the majority of people are uneducated about the subject, don’t choose to research and discover the truth for themselves, and believe the first thing they hear…which happens to be the medias loud and vast voice

[OPFOR]

I for one carry concealed not because I think it's a bad thing to carry in general and I want to hide the fact that I do, but because CC offers tactical advantages that open carry does not. (For what it's worth, as a federal LEO I could open carry wherever I felt like it...)

1) Surprise. Gone over enough to warrant no further discussion here, I think.

2) Retention. I carry in an open-topped holster with no retention devices other than the friction/pressure of the design. My greatest retention feature is the fact that no one knows I have a gun. Otherwise, I would be very uncomfortable moving through crowds, et cetera, knowing that I am a quick grab away from being disarmed (and arming a BG).

So - I have no dog in the ideological open/concealed carry fight, but I don't open carry. As always, YMMV.

[Anubis]

Why do we as a whole choose to conceal, is it because we fear the unarmed/uneducated folks would freak out if they knew we were packing heat, and have the police called?

I can't answer for everyone, just for myself. It's the path of least resistance. There are endless debates about the tactics of concealed versus open carry. If a good fraction of of the population carried openly, I would join in. Concealed avoids potential hassles with LEOs, and with relatives I have who are anti-2A.

I fully understand zealots who promote open carry as a political exercise, even sympathize with them, but I am not motivated to save the world, just my microscopic part of it.

[Go Glock]

It probably will be!!! I hope we do not go the usual route tho as it is usually a recipe for bunching of underwear

[SubNine]

I get what you guys are saying, but it just makes me well... I dunno how to say it, but its almost like we're scared of the media, and we hide our guns to blend in with the rest of society. How are we supposed to educate the public if we continue to hide among the defenseless? I notice some people on here wouldn't tell a single person that they're packing heat, like they're ashamed of being able to protect themselves. Sure you may or may not get some negative responses, but we all know various responses to negative feedback for carrying loaded guns like "for the same reason we carry spare tires in our trunks." Or even the fire extinguisher analogy. I think the more we let the public know that there is in fact good in this world, even with guns around, the less they'll freak out when they see someone dressed in civilian clothes, and who may accidentally expose his/her gun. Perhaps this is an OC vs CC thread, my mind isn't all here right now.

[Cupcake]

Yeah, you give up a bit of tactical advantage. It depends on where I'm at whether that matters ot me or not. Some don't tell a soul, I've no problem with most of my aquaintances knowing. My brother doesn't know. I don't believe he'd ever hurt me or my family, but I don't want his dope addict self to try to steal my guns for sale or use. Other than family, I don't associate with shady characters.

[MattInFla]

I live in Florida, where open carry in public = getting arrested.

Simple decision, really.

[ExSoldier]

I think you might be missing an extremely important point: Even if I could I would not open carry under any circumstances except one:

For me no open carry is for tactical reasons. I don't want a bad guy to target me for my weapon. Once he knows I'm armed, he can if he chooses go for the ambush where he would have the clear advantage, especially in a crowd.

The single exception for me is when I'm in the woods. On those rare occasions when I range afield, hunting or just plain enjoying the woods, I'll open carry for comfort. Because when I'm in the woods, I get to choose who I desire to "meet" or not. I don't seek out human contacts in the woods unless I know them and we are keeping a prearranged meeting. Even then, there will be certain security precautions taken by both parties. That's just a holdover habit from the army.

[Thumper]

Interesting question…

I do think it's an over-generalization to say "we conceal like it's a bad thing".

If everyone on the planet open carried I would still probably conceal my weapon. I don’t like to advertise everything about myself to strangers or even to some friends. I do like the element of surprise! Sometimes I conceal my eyes by wearing dark glasses too.

I guess I just like my privacy.

[Go Glock]

I get what you guys are saying, but it just makes me well... I dunno how to say it, but its almost like we're scared of the media, and we hide our guns to blend in with the rest of society. How are we supposed to educate the public if we continue to hide among the defenseless? I notice some people on here wouldn't tell a single person that they're packing heat, like they're ashamed of being able to protect themselves. Sure you may or may not get some negative responses, but we all know various responses to negative feedback for carrying loaded guns like "for the same reason we carry spare tires in our trunks." Or even the fire extinguisher analogy. I think the more we let the public know that there is in fact good in this world, even with guns around, the less they'll freak out when they see someone dressed in civilian clothes, and who may accidentally expose his/her gun. Perhaps this is an OC vs CC thread, my mind isn't all here right now.

I think people don’t want to be the experiment; they don’t want to sacrifice what they have built to make a bold statement. Though, I believe most if not all permit holders would gladly follow a leader brave enough to voice a movement.

Modern society is ravished with liability…we have scheming lawyers and lazy people, who can’t earn an honest dollar, to thank for that one. Oh and don’t leave out politicians, who do a whole lot of talking with virtually no logical actions.
(for now)

[luvmy40]

In a nut shell:
Open carry can be restricted by local munies in Ohio. Concealed carry cannot.
Concealed carry gives a tactical advantage.
Concealed carry doesn't scare the sheeple

Walk softly and carry a big stick.

There are 3 kinds of people. Sheep, wolves and sheepdogs

If the wolves can't tell the sheep from the sheepdogs then I may not have to bite to protect the sheep.

[rwojcik]

Because ccw is a personal choice and lifestyle, we don't like to wear it out on a sleeve.

[KellyCooper]

For me, the issue kind of boils down to trust. I trust myself, I trust my abilities and I trust my judgements. There are a few friends that I trust with my life and would gladly give mine to protect them. For these people I am not ashamed in the least in letting them know I am carrying. However there are many people out "there" that I don't trust. Acquaintances, part-time friends, co workers, etc. These are people who I feel, if they knew that I was carrying would be emboldened thinking "I have their back" and end up escalating a potentially serious situation into a lethal one. In essence, I do not trust them. It's not as if I am ashamed to be carrying. I carry in order to protect myself from danger.....not so that danger can be invited.