Defensive Carry banner

Questions for legally open carriers

2K views 24 replies 19 participants last post by  TN_Mike 
#1 ·
I'm realizing more and more about at least a couple of states where open carry is legal all of the time, or in certain instances. The other day when I was in a restaurant, and took up starting the day OWB carry and wore my jacket inside---when I started to warm up a bit--I really wished I could just shed the jacket and return to the buffet with my piece seeing daylight just where it was. In a way now, I'm wishing the option of open carry was an alternative in my state, it's just that I'd like some pros and cons about how you open carriers perceive those situations where you do carry openly. I appreciate it.

1.) Do you get stared at in public for open carrying?

2.) Do you feel folks are whispering to one another after seeing that you are carrying a firearm?

3.) Do you ever think you are being discriminated against in one form or another from say a cashier that is rather short with you instead of being nice and talkative with the previous customer who isn't openly carrying?

4.) Do you feel some businesses will think of posting a no firearms sign after seeing you with weapon in their shop?

5.) Do you think that a child, seeing your openly carried firearm, will have different thoughts about the world after seeing this?

6.) Do you feel in any way that openly carrying a firearm in public would elicit taunting, or smarty comments, or possible trouble-making activities from some of society's undereducated? (work with me on this as I attempt to circumnavigate any reasons for the mods to pull this one)

7.) Do you feel that open carry is better than concealed carry?

8.) Does your state or permit allow both open and concealed carry?
 
See less See more
#2 ·
I'll bite before it gets locked.

1) No.

2) No.

3) No.

4) Maybe.

5) Depends on age and parental explanation, influence, etc.

6) No.

7) In some aspects, yes. I open carry from time to time, and always open carry on my motorcycle.

8) MI allows for open carry with no permit on foot, however in or on a vehicle (on or off road) one needs a CPL to open carry, as in [can be interpreted as "on" as well] it is concealed from outside the vehicle. My advice in MI: get a CPL, have the option of open carry. No matter what, we have possesion being preempted and you have a CPL so no biggie.

I like the option. I wish it was more accepted as a form of carry.
 
#3 ·
I have carried openly [away from the farm] on one occasion and will answer based on that experience.

1. I did not notice people staring. There were instances of a double-take and return to business.

2. No.

3. I think it made little if any difference.

4. No.

5. I hope so. I hope it would generate positive thoughts. I remember seeing someone carry openly when I was about 12 and thought it was neat.

6. I can't answer.

7. No.

8. Tennessee allows permit holders to carry concealed or openly.
 
#4 ·
1.) Maybe a double-take somtimes. Even the sheep arn't "scared" of guns, they watch too much tv.

2.) not at all.

3.) I don't think i've ever been discriminated agiasnt b/c I was carrying.

4.) doubt it

5.) When I was a child and I saw someone open carrying i automaticaly assumed they were a cop.

6.) It certianly presents a greater chance.

7.) No, b/c CC gives you a HUGE tactical advantage, and that is surprise.

8.) Open carry is allowed in my state when you are 18.

I only OC when I go to the range, so if i stop for gas or somthing people notice it. Honestly, the option to OC is nice, but CC is better for the tactical advantage alone. If you want to OC more power to ya, but just know you are giving away an advantage.
 
#5 ·
Used to be very common in Arizona almost everywhere. After the state started it's CCW program, I'm seeing less and less open carry. If anyone's been here for a few years, they don't think anything about it. We're growing so fast though, especially with the damn Californians cashing out and moving here, bringing their liberal viewpoints, that it really does turn heads sometimes.
 
#6 ·
1.) Do you get stared at in public for open carrying?
Occasionally

2.) Do you feel folks are whispering to one another after seeing that you are carrying a firearm?
No

3.) Do you ever think you are being discriminated against in one form or another from say a cashier that is rather short with you instead of being nice and talkative with the previous customer who isn't openly carrying?
No, infact just the opposite. They tend to me much more polite.

4.) Do you feel some businesses will think of posting a no firearms sign after seeing you with weapon in their shop?
No.

5.) Do you think that a child, seeing your openly carried firearm, will have different thoughts about the world after seeing this?
No.

6.) Do you feel in any way that openly carrying a firearm in public would elicit taunting, or smarty comments, or possible trouble-making activities from some of society's undereducated?

I open carry a lot. I have NEVER experianced any negative comments.

7.) Do you feel that open carry is better than concealed carry?
No, just different\

8.) Does your state or permit allow both open and concealed carry?
OC - No Permit Required unless in a car
CC - Permit Required


I am not a bit ashamed of my 2nd amendment rights.
 
#7 ·
I am not a bit ashamed of my 2nd amendment rights.
Nor am I. I'm also unconcerned mainly with what anyone else would think of me if I were able to carry openly, but let's say maybe your boss or one of your fellow associates from work sees you while open carrying in public----and you know your company has somewhat taken an anti-gun approach. How about your child's school teacher seeing you in public carrying openly? I mean are there far reaching implications that one might not see on the surface that may affect your job, family, standard of living etc......?
 
#20 · (Edited)
I reside in DeKalb County, Indiana and work in Fulton County, Ohio. I'm waiting on my Florida Non-Resident Concealed Weapon/Firearm License so I can legally carry a concealed firearm in Ohio. That being said, my employer has decreed my place of employment, including employee parking lots, a Criminal Protection Zone. A goodly number of my fellow employees, management as well as labor, know I already have my Indiana license and a New Hampshire license and have Pennsylvania and Florida licenses on the way. Do I expect negative fallout from my employer if someone in management sees me doing open carry? Possibly. Do I care? Yes. Am I going to be more secretive or just give up my rights to be looked on more favorably by my employer? Yes, when Hillary and Obama join to repeal the National Firearms Act of 1934, the Gun Control Act of 1968 and advocate Vermont-style carry for the 50 states, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Marianas, American Samoa and commercial airline flights.
 
#8 ·
I believe it's not only open carry, but more so HOW you open carry. I've seen some pretty ridiculous looking thigh-holsters, mall-ninjas with plastic everywhere, and even Mexican carry down the back of the pants. With a tasteful and well-designed holster/mag pouch, few people even notice, and those that do usually think you're a cop.
 
#9 ·
"I'll bite before it gets locked."

Just FYI - This will not get locked until the inevitable Open VS Concealed debate starts.
SO.........if you folks want it to stay open then don't start arguing about which is better.
 
#10 ·
I appreciate that QKShooter. Hear that folks? I'd like to keep this open also. Looking forward to more pertinent replies (not naming any names here or elaborations on the original intent of the post). I don't think there should be any contest with respect to OC or CC. We're just looking at the perceived/possible ramifications of asserting our constitutional/or granted civil rights here. I never posted with the intent of seeing arguments for or against the case of open carry. Be it known.
 
#11 ·
1.) Do you get stared at in public for open carrying?

Sometimes but only if near Las Vegas because of Californians and new arrivals from other Socialist States. Mostly double takes though.


2.) Do you feel folks are whispering to one another after seeing that you are carrying a firearm?

No.

3.) Do you ever think you are being discriminated against in one form or another from say a cashier that is rather short with you instead of being nice and talkative with the previous customer who isn't openly carrying?

No.

4.) Do you feel some businesses will think of posting a no firearms sign after seeing you with weapon in their shop?

Perhaps but unlikely.

5.) Do you think that a child, seeing your openly carried firearm, will have different thoughts about the world after seeing this?

Don't know. But it can't compare to TV, Movies, Videos etc.

6.) Do you feel in any way that openly carrying a firearm in public would elicit taunting, or smarty comments, or possible trouble-making activities from some of society's undereducated? (work with me on this as I attempt to circumnavigate any reasons for the mods to pull this one)

I haven't experienced this.

7.) Do you feel that open carry is better than concealed carry?

OC. Might Deter but CC might give you the advantage against BG. I prefer CC

8.) Does your state or permit allow both open and concealed carry?

OC without permit in most but not in all cities.
CC With permit only
 
#12 · (Edited)
From VA

1.) Yes, some people stare at open carrying, here in Virginia -- NOVA, Tidewater, and Richmond areas more so than SWVA

2.) Dito re: whispering.

3.) Yes. One of the reasons the Anti's do not want CC in restaurants w/ on premises is to have the owners post another Unarmed Victim Zone .

4.) Yes, businesses do post Unarmed Victim Zone signs after seeing open carry or having other customers react to it.

5.) Depends on their parents' reaction.

6.) I have heard of (but never seen personally) were it invoked taunting, and trouble-making activities. See #3.

7.) I prefer concealed carry.

8.) Virginia allow anyone who can own a gun to carry openly, with limits on locations. a CHP is required for concealed carry --location vary slightly.
 
#13 ·
I have lived in both PHX and LAS and open carried fairly regulary until I got my permit.

I have been asked while open carrying in Walmart if a little boy could see my gun. I just turned my hip. The mother was not afraid. I have never once been approached regarding "why are you carrying a gun?"

Now that I have my permit, I really did it so that I had the option of wearing a shirt/jacket that would cover the weapon. I find myself going deep concealment (appendix IWB) more often than I thought I would. I have also yet to go thru a summer in the desert with my ccw. I imagine that will make me rethink my open carry decision and may start doing it a little more. But my typical attire is an unbuttoned shirt (Dickies style) over a t-shirt no matter what the season.
 
#14 ·
The only time I OC is in resturants that serve alcohol, at which time I tuck my shirt behind the butt of my gun, thus exposing it. All other times I am concealed.

1. No for the most part, most :sheep: sheeple :sheep: are not observant enough to notice.

2. No

3. No

4. No, if they are going to post they would already be posted.

5. No....I would hope as they get older they learn to view weapons as a tool, not a toy, but that depends on how they are raised.

6. If your referring to the :sheep: sheeple :sheep:, No, you are a plague to them to be avoided, they would rather associate with a leper than a gun owner. If you are refferring to the more unsavory element out there, the ones we carry because of, again I doubt it. Most of them are lazy and cowards, otherwise they would take up another line of work.

7. I think each has its own place. Neither is better or worse than the other under different circumstances.

8. Virginia is OC/CC
 
#16 ·
1.) Do you get stared at in public for open carrying?
i open carried for the first time recently. i took my family out for the day, and decided to try it then. we went to walmart, the old country buffet, the movies, and a bunch of other places. i got some double takes, but nobody gawked in disbelief.

2.) Do you feel folks are whispering to one another after seeing that you are carrying a firearm?
again, i got some looks, and while having dinner, i heard a dominican family whispering "look, that guy's carrying a pistol!" and "can he do that?" the dad just said, "mind your business."

3.) Do you ever think you are being discriminated against in one form or another from say a cashier that is rather short with you instead of being nice and talkative with the previous customer who isn't openly carrying?
i don't think i was.

4.) Do you feel some businesses will think of posting a no firearms sign after seeing you with weapon in their shop?
i doubt it. this is PA, after all.

5.) Do you think that a child, seeing your openly carried firearm, will have different thoughts about the world after seeing this?
i hope so.

6.) Do you feel in any way that openly carrying a firearm in public would elicit taunting, or smarty comments, or possible trouble-making activities from some of society's undereducated? (work with me on this as I attempt to circumnavigate any reasons for the mods to pull this one)
i would hope that most folks are smart enough not to mess with someone who's armed. i also hope someone who is armed is responsible and smart enough not to get baited into a confrontation.

7.) Do you feel that open carry is better than concealed carry?
open carry is easier than concealed carry. concealed carry is better, i think, overall, simply for psychological/social reasons.

8.) Does your state or permit allow both open and concealed carry?
yes. in PA, a LTCF is required for concealed carry. no permit/license is required for open carry, except in philly, where you still need a LTCF.
 
#17 ·
Do I feel? I'd have prefered you asked if I believe or if I think rather than if I feel, but I'll do the questions anyway.

1. Not much. Mostly hardly noticed. Now and then someone does a double-take or takes a second glance to make sure they saw what they thought they saw. I've never had anyone get visibly upset or question me.

2. So what?

3. No. They're usually very polite/friendly.

4. I doubt it. This is Indiana and we've been a SHALL ISSUE state since 1935. Ours is a License To Carry Handgun and how we carry it is up to us.

5. Hopefully, they'll realize good guys carry guns too.

6. I don't much care about the taunting. I grew up in a home full of hate-mongering liberals. I'm used to it. It pretty much rolls off of me like water on a duck's back. If I'm going into a bar that's known for its brawling, trouble-making clientel, I usually conceal to prevent someone from showing his/her buddies how bad-ass brave they are after consuming some liquid courage. Sometimes, discretion is the better part of valor. I don't pack heat to show how bad-ass I am. If I know I'm going into a dangerous situation, I either don't go or I go with some trusted friends who are armed as well. As for the undereducated, I believe it's an opportunity to enlighten them concerning our God-given freedoms that are guaranteed by the Constitution & the Bill of Rights.

7. No. I believe both have their time and place. Here in Indiana, we have the option at our discretion and preference.

8. Yes. Indiana is not a traditional open carry state. A License To Carry Handgun is required whether you conceal or open carry. The license does not require training and if you want, you can get a lifetime license rather than the 4-year license.
 
#18 ·
1.) Do you get stared at in public for open carrying?

2.) Do you feel folks are whispering to one another after seeing that you are carrying a firearm?


3.) Do you ever think you are being discriminated against in one form or another from say a cashier that is rather short with you instead of being nice and talkative with the previous customer who isn't openly carrying?

4.) Do you feel some businesses will think of posting a no firearms sign after seeing you with weapon in their shop?

5.) Do you think that a child, seeing your openly carried firearm, will have different thoughts about the world after seeing this?

6.) Do you feel in any way that openly carrying a firearm in public would elicit taunting, or smarty comments, or possible trouble-making activities from some of society's undereducated? (work with me on this as I attempt to circumnavigate any reasons for the mods to pull this one)

7.) Do you feel that open carry is better than concealed carry?

8.) Does your state or permit allow both open and concealed carry?
1) Occasionally
2) No
3) No, they tend to be more polite, mostly because they may think you're an off-duty officer or such.
4) No
5) I dunno
6) I don't think so.
7) I like both, but occasionally it is too hot to cc. I vastly prefer oc during the summer months.
8) Virginia is a 'shall issue' CHP state, but is an open carry state for those who don't have CHPs.
 
#22 ·
1) Occasionally
2) No
3) No, they tend to be more polite, mostly because they may think you're an off-duty officer or such.
4) No
5) I dunno
6) I don't think so.
7) I like both, but occasionally it is too hot to cc. I vastly prefer oc during the summer months.

8. MS is an open carry state but our A.G. has said that even a holster conceals part of the gun,So you still need a permit! I open carry about 25% of the time. They both have there place!!
 
#19 ·
If you want to research some people's stories on OC there's OCDO. Not a bad resource for most things OC. From what I gather most exeriences of people who do OC is uneventful.
 
#21 ·
The Beginning Of The End

An interesting and valuable lesson of the beginning of a progression toward thread closure.

Are there any questions in the original post where the member is wanting or requesting any answers about Hillary & Obama?

Anything about Giving Up Rights by carrying concealed rather than open?

Do we have an area on the forum called "Open Carry Issues & Discussions?"
No we don't (and for good reason) because DefensiveCarry is a forum centered around Concealed Firearms Carry.

Notice the HEADER at the top of every forum page.
It reads DefensiveCarry.com

Concealed Weapons Carry ~ Firearms ~ Edged Weapons ~ Tactical Equipment ~ Training ~ Law Enforcement & Military.

Please leave "Hillary & Obama" & "Giving Up 2A Rights" out of this thread.
 
#23 ·
Please leave "Hillary & Obama" & "Giving Up 2A Rights" out of this thread.[/QUOTE]

My apologies. Please feel free to delete my post.
 
#24 ·
I have open carried off and on for the past 47 years as allowed by the laws of Arizona. I at this time have a CCW permit and do carry concealed most of the time. I also carry open from time to time.

I have never had a negative experience while open carrying in the city or country side.

I believe those of us living in areas that allow open carry should not forget that rights unused tend to go away.

Stay safe.
 
#25 ·
1.) Do you get stared at in public for open carrying?
Not at all. Here in West Tennessee, open carry is not an uncommon thing to see at all.

2.) Do you feel folks are whispering to one another after seeing that you are carrying a firearm?
Nope. As I said, it is not uncommon at all to see folks open carry here so no one freaks out at all when they see it.

3.) Do you ever think you are being discriminated against in one form or another from say a cashier that is rather short with you instead of being nice and talkative with the previous customer who isn't openly carrying?
I have never felt as if I was being treated any differently because I was open carrying. In fact, I would say that most times the people I encounter do not even notice.

4.) Do you feel some businesses will think of posting a no firearms sign after seeing you with weapon in their shop?
I don't think so.

5.) Do you think that a child, seeing your openly carried firearm, will have different thoughts about the world after seeing this?
I think that over all, no matter if it is a child or an adult seeing me or any of the other people who open carry, it can only help our position in the long run. The more responsible gun owners they see carrying openly, being good citizens in the process, can only improve their opinion of gun owners and carriers as a whole.

6.) Do you feel in any way that openly carrying a firearm in public would elicit taunting, or smarty comments, or possible trouble-making activities from some of society's undereducated? (work with me on this as I attempt to circumnavigate any reasons for the mods to pull this one)
I think that a person of low character who would taunt a person for open carrying would be just as likely to taunt or harass someone for any number of other reasons. One runs the risk of running into those types of people in their daily lives no matter what you are doing.

7.) Do you feel that open carry is better than concealed carry?
No I don't. I think that each have their merits and each has its drawbacks. I practice both concealed and open carry depending on many factors, not the least of which are weather, comfort, area I may be traveling to / through, and the holster that I am using. I open carry only when using a level II security holster (mine is a Blackhawk CQB SERPA holster).

8.) Does your state or permit allow both open and concealed carry?
Yes. The Tennessee permit is NOT a Concealed Carry Permit, it is a Handgun Carry Permit for this very reason. Open carry is 100% legal in the state of Tennessee.

I will say that most people, even here in West Tennessee where OC is not uncommon, live their daily lives in what I call Atomic Condition White. What I mean by that is this: I do not try to disguise my gun when I open carry. In other words, my Glock is a black gun carried in a black Kydex holster (Blackhawk SERPA) and I do not wear black or dark clothe so it doesn't stand out. I wear what I usually wear. Jeans, T-shirt, whatever I would wear even if I didn't have a gun on my hip. I have worn Khaki cargo shorts and a white T-shirt while open carrying. The gun/holster combo does not blend in to this type and color clothing. I have had exactly 2 people show any reaction and both were positive reactions.
One was while standing in line a subway here in Arlington. The man behind me struck up a conversation about my holster. He wanted to know about it and where he could buy one for his Glock 19 (mine is a 23) that he had on his right hip, concealed.

The other was a Shelby County Sheriffs Deputy who asked if I was a fellow LEO as I was walking across the parking lot of the Kroger here in Arlington. When I said no, he said it was good to see so many private citizens exercising their rights. We talked for a few minutes and he told me that he feels better with so many of us out here carrying because he feels it is likely that if he was in need of it, many of us would help him. I told him that I for one would surely stop and help if I saw a LEO in trouble.

Other than those 2 instances, I feel confident that I could walk around with my Mossberg 590 shotgun over my shoulder and just about as many people would notice. Atomic Condition White...living in their own little bubble of awareness, but not aware of what is really going on around them. It is sad.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top