dave_in_delaware

What do you mean if it was legal? It's legal in Delaware, and many of us in this State do it daily....

I realize that this is a concealed carry forum, but the question here is how would I carry....

I open carry wherever I go. Why? Because I don't have a CCDW License, so I can't conceal my firearm.

I don't believe someone who OC's would be a first target. I believe OC is a deterrent to crime. I mean, if you're a criminal, would you want to even possibly engage an armed person, or would you go elsewhere for easier prey?

Plus, and more importantly for me, is this: I was involved in a robbery attempt back in November (vs 2 armed robbers). Everything happened fast, and it was point-blank in your face. Had I been concealing my weapon under my jacket and shirt, I would be dead now. I would not have had the time to dig out my gun and use it. And all that movement of trying to get to it would have given me away. BUT, because I was OC, I was able to "quietly" draw my gun and use it to defend myself. It's because I was OC that night that I'm alive. And I truly believe that if I was CC (or not carrying at all), I wouldn't be here.

So, there is something tactical about OC: speed.

Just my 2¢

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Dave

FreeDelivery

Heh...I was talking to a local LEO pal and he was telling me that the department gets calls from citizens who are upset with local PD open-carrying with badge. By "PD open-carrying," I mean that they're in dress shirt/slacks with Glock and badge on the belt. Typically it's the Lieutenants or Chief, so if people don't see the badge the cops look like "some guy with a gun."

Also, as far as I have been told (though I have heard differing opinions on the matter all the way up to LEOs), open carry is ::not illegal:: (don't see jack in the state code about it), but I have yet to see any Washingtonians carry that way.

FreeDelivery

I should add that although open carry may not be illegal, brandishing is defined as "causing fear" (to summarize) in the eyes of the victim. Thus, anybody carrying openly is subject to crime charges based on simple misunderstanding on a sheep's part.

Guardian

Myself and the wife have decided to go for our CCPs finally. To answer the question, the only time I would open carry if I was out hiking in the lands or in the mountains where no one is around and have done so many times.

Down or in where people are, it's definitely CC just as my personal choice.

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Guardian

JD

I would say your assumptions are partially incorrect.
A few notes on "Brandishing"

Also, here's Title 9 RCW Crimes and punishments for WA State, find me the section that covers brandishing....



But that's all topic for another thread.


As a reminder, the header of this sub-forum reads: And the topic of this thread is:

If open carry was legal, how would you carry?

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ccw9mm

That Johnny's scared isn't sufficient to claim I've committed a crime of any sort.

Many states have a brandishing law. Many don't. Generally, bare fear by someone unprepared to handle social interactions isn't sufficient to claim a crime on the part of someone simply going about his/her daily life.

Oregon, for example, doesn't have a brandishing law. It does have one regarding intimidation, another few for assault, etc.

In most states' laws that I've seen, brandishing requires intentional intimidation to exist. That someone gets skittish or fearful, or even drops down dead of surprise isn't the issue; your intention to have caused that is. Most places make that distinction, because in reality the person who is simply going about normal life and NOT intending to harm anyone is NOT committing a crime.

Witness the parent in Pennsylvania, awhile back, who openly carries around town, including to her children's soccer games. Some whimpering nellies laid claim of crimes, based on the mere fact they experienced fear and upset ... all of which was malarkey. The parent committed no crime, intentionally intimidated nobody, intentionally created no fear, and simply was going about her business and her life (which included protecting her children in a legal manner).

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Guardian

I guess I should have been more specific with this answer, no open carry for me in public places or where the public is in numbers, my answer above is hiking/back packing in the mountains (no numerous public around).

I'm not against open carry folks, to each their own, it's just not my usual thing in very public places. Just wanted to clear that up.

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mrghost

I would NOT open carry. It makes no sense to give up your tactical advantage unless you want to play cowboy.

rokclmb

I'd still keep it concealed but I'd switch from a IWB to OWB holster.

SIGP250

Around here, I doubt that many would question it. How would one besides maybe a cop know you are not an undercover policeman provided that you are discreet and do not brandish the firearm?