older gunner

I'll stay with concealed. I don't want others to know I'm armed. I just don't see any advantage to do so.

Al Lowe

I'm not in that area very much. Although, the OCDO group for MI did have a "picnic" in Warren.

I really recommend OCDO to anyone remotely interested in the subject of Open carry.

And your LE acquaintances better be careful who they take in. More and more OCers are pursuing legal remedies to these illegal arrests. Open carry is NOT, by its self, sufficient to sustain a charge of disturbing the peace. Nor is it brandishing. ( I think I posted a link to the AG's opinion saying so, in a previous message.) And the Michigan State Police also know that OC is legal.

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Al Lowe
Big Gay Al's Big Gay (Gun) Blog
Coordinator, Michigan Pink Pistols
Shooters' Alliance for Firearm Rights
Michigan Gun Owners

Dgydad

Hi, folks! I've been watching this thread since my first post, and I'd like to add an observation regarding statements from public officials. If/when they say open carry is legal, then tell you why you shouldn't: tune out at that point. The bureaucrat has gone beyond answering your question ("is OC legal?"). He/she is attempting to color the answer with an opinion; even in 2A friendly places like VA, those opinions are often negative. Just because the state code explicitly allows you to do something does not mean all the cogs & wheels in the State mechanism will truly accept it! And I believe, based on my own experience, that the worst of them see your decision to OC as a dangerous statement, ie, willing & able to both think for and defend yourself. I support OC in part because it's the most direct & effective means I have to show the general public that armed citizens are not all criminals. That is the diametric opposite of the Brady crowd - according to them, if you want to have a gun, you are either a criminal or destined to become one.
If it's legal & you want to, just do it!

Bark'n

Always concealed! I'm not worried about the open gun making me a target... I carry concealed because I want the tactical advantage that concealed carry offers!

Being a law abiding citizen who obeys the rules, I am already fighting from behind the curve because I have to "react" to some BG's act of aggression.

I'll take having the tactical advantage of not advertising that I am armed.

I don't buy into the fact that having an openly visible weapon prevents you from being attacked. That a bad guy will see your gun and choose a different victim. Sure that may apply to some attacks... If they happen to see your gun beforehand. But a lot of attacks and robberies come from a position of "ambush" on the bad guys part where they wouldn't necessarily see that open carried weapon when they make their move on a victim. So I think that mentality only offers a "false sense" of security. I certainly haven't seen enough evidence to convince me otherwise.

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-Bark'n
Semper Fi

"The gun is the great equalizer... For it is the gun, that allows the meek to repel the monsters; Whom are bigger, stronger and without conscience, will prey on those of us who without one, would surely perish."

Al Lowe

Personally, I prefer the "tactical advantage" of the faster draw afforded me by Open carry.

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Al Lowe
Big Gay Al's Big Gay (Gun) Blog
Coordinator, Michigan Pink Pistols
Shooters' Alliance for Firearm Rights
Michigan Gun Owners

wjh2657

Tennessee has both OC and CC. When I am around the house and just walking in the neighborhood I do open carry a lot. I carry a J Frame (S&W 317 2" .22) in an Uncle Mike belt slide (Nylon). If I carry the Bearcat, I carry it in a real neat western type basket weave leather field holster high on the hip.

The .22s are field guns and everybody pretty much accepts them as just that and doesn't get upset at the sight of them on my belt. Besides they are both little guns and are not intimidating. Only problem is with the Bearcat, as all the women want to handle my "cute little cowboy gun!

I really believe that is why TN went with both styles of carry, to cover EDCs (SD) and Field Guns(Utility).

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" A man has got to know his limitations!"
Inspector Harry Callihan, SFPD

PaulG

This is good. A friendly discussion about open and concealed carry. Kudos to the participants.

I like seeing the VCDL guys open carry because it starts a lot of neutral people thinking. That's the only real advantage I see with open carry: Political activism.

That being said, I mostly carry concealed unless in a VA restaurant that serves alcohol or with several others who are carrying (the safety in numbers thing).

I like the tactical advantage of concealed. I don't like people staring at me because of the gun and I don't want anyone thinking that I will be their protector if the SHTF. I may be but I may not.

I like to keep my options open.

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fortiter in re, suaviter in modo (resolutely in action, gently in manner).

SelfDefense

I see the political activism as a huge negative. Yes, it does start a lot of people with no firearms experience thinking. It can reaffirm their belief that gun toters want to reinvent the wild west. That they are more interested in a political message than the defensive mindset we encourage for responsible gun carriers.

It reminds me of some anti-war friends I have. They are comfortable with their views but find fringe groups like Code Pink to be offensive and hurt their cause. Similarly, open carry demonstrations, confrontations with law enforcement and the constant drumbeat of 'educating the public and LEOs' draws nothing but negative publicity.

This type of activity does nothing to further our cause or promote Second Amendment rights.

limatunes

Generally, my rule is concealed, but I have opened carried and probably will again many times (especially since in VA you have to open carry in restaurants that serve alcohol or not carry at all).

I find open carry to be easier (especially while pregnant) but I don't like the attention it brings at certain times.

Most of the time it's hardly noticed, but when it is noticed and someone points it out it can be a little irritating.

While open carrying to a dinner with my family at a restaurant that served alcohol, we were leaving and one of the managers (or assistant managers) said (a little too loudly), "IS THAT A GUN?!?!"

Everyone turned and looked at me and I just smiled and said, "Yes."

It was my mother who went on and on about how I shoot and this and that.

It made me uncomfortable to have so much attention on me.

It certainly wasn't a "negative" experience, but I still would have been less embarrassed without it.

We've been asked to leave other restaurants and while that doesn't necessarily make me cry into my pillow and we just get up and go it's still something I would rather avoid.

Now, at ranges, gun shows or other locations where open carry is readily accepted, then sure... why not!

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Limatunes' Range Diaries

Hotbrass

concealed

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Keep your powder dry