coltrane59

I'm still new to CC. I ocassionally check threads in the OC board, because I find the idea intriguing. I'm not sure that I'll ever do it, but thought I'd throw out a few questions for the OC'ers.

1) If you have kids, did you (or do you) OC while they were young? How did you explain it to them?

2) It seems OC'ers get hassled somewhat frequently. Understandably so, since the average person probably has no clue it's even legal to OC (assuming you are in an OC state), much less that it's legal to CC. How often are you hassled? By regular citizens? By police?

3) What is your primary motivation for OC? Has OC'ing helped accomplish this objective?


I think this post is starting to sound like an essay test, so I'm sorry for that :) Just interested to know...I don't personally know any OC'ers.

wolfshead

I am new at CC as well. I went shopping for shoes and the sales girl noticed my key chain with the Police Magnum pepper spray in a leather holder. She asked me where I got that and mentioned how she was harassed by guys when she left for home. I simply took the spray and gifted it to her. She hesitated and asked what I would have to protect myself if I gave her the spray and I said "Don't worry, I am carrying"...of course I didn't show her the piece, but I did advise her to get training and a CPL. She thanked me a lot and could not beleive I gave her the spray.

I haven't OC'ed yet, but I do plan to get an OWB holster. Probably this one which is still categorized as a concealed carry holster. Galco Holsters Concealed Carry Paddle Holster

I would wear a jacket or sports coat over it. Banana Republic makes fitted jackets if you are slim like me.

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SubNine

I have open carried on several occasions in the past with only a couple negative reactions, both being managers of businesses. The first one took place at a local car repair shop (needless to say they no longer get my business), and the 2nd time took place at Wal-Mart's sporting goods department. That was resolved with the store manager and I received a sincere apology from him. I usually OC when weather permits and depending on where I'm going. I have yet to be hassled by local law enforcement and have walked right passed a few of them while OCing. Depending on where you live, open carry may or may not be a good idea.

I open carry on occasion for two reasons,

Comfort

Opportunity to educate those who are unaware that its not only LEOs and thugs who carry guns.

Also in my experience, most people fail to notice that I have a pistol in a holster on my belt. Sometimes people look down at it and continue on their way without any change of expression or comments.

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mcp1810

I live in a state that currently prohibits OC but have carried openly in the past and still will on occasion when I travel.
I have two kids, but do not OC around them. In fact, I don't believe they know I CC either.
I have never been hassled by anyone while OC. But then again I am six foot four and about three hundred pounds and have been told I "look like a cop". Come to think of it, I can't recall the last time I have been hassled under any circumstances.....
In fact the first time I OC was way back in the early 1990s in Virginia. I was going on my honeymoon and taking a lot of expensive camera gear with me. I asked VSP about non resident permits. At that time they did not offer them and they told me just to make sure my weapon was not concealed and there should be no problem.
In that situation my objective was to be armed. I was able to achieve that. More recently when I OC it is a comfort thing. And yes, I generally find OC a bit more comfortable and convenient than CC.

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MinistrMalic

I usually CC, but occasionally OC just for fun. :)

I have 4 kids and they all know that I am always armed. My three year old daughter commented a couple of times that I had my gun to protect her from BGs while we were at home. I have never had to deal with a child talking about it in town. We make firearms a regular part of life, so they are about as exciting to my kids as a broom. :)

Never been hassled for carrying. Been asked a few times, but never hassled.

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PaulG

1) I wouldn't worry about OC in front of kids. I would just be honest with them: You take your obligation to protect your family seriously.

2) I conceal most of the time but have open carried on numerous occassions (you have to in VA at a restaurant that serves alcohol). I have NEVER been hassled by anyone.

I even got into a discussion with a Fairfax County LEO who wondered why I carried a 1911 instead of a Sig (before my conversion to the dark side, i.e.Glock).

3) My primary motivation is to comply with the law (alcohol served = open carry). But the result is that I have had many people question me about it. Most of them were pleasantly surprised by the legality of open carry.

If concealed carry was allowed in the alcohol serving places, I would most likely conceal 99.99999% of the time. But then I would lose the opportunity to educate people about good guys with guns.

I guess there is a price for everything.

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Chroode

OC and never get hasseled.

I hear that Washington State where you are can be a problem.

cdjspider

True from my experiences so far. Although I haven't been Oc'ing for to long I've yet to have anything other than a couple curious people asking about it being legal.

There has only been one down side that I've found for me OC'ing. Every now and then I bash my elbow on the top of my gun.....never feels good. Other than that I find it more comfortable than CC'ing.

doobie

No kids.

I was getting hassled pretty often in Concord, NH so far this last weekend I didn't get hassled at all. Nothing 'horrible' but nothing I should need to be subject to. Them pretty much asking for my name/my business. Me pretty much saying, "Am I free to go?"

People in cars have driven by and yelled, "Why are you carrying a gun?" but of course they drive by too fast to respond. I've had lots of people give me thumbs up. I had one guy at a grocery store if it made me nervous to OC, because he was always nervous when he CC'd.

My goal is to get people used to seeing people with guns and not hearing about a mass shooting. I've walked through major festivals with a few thousand people around it OCing without anyone saying a word; police included.

And since I got them, I tend to wear a t-shirt saying, "I'm lawfully carrying my pistol(s). Please don't call the police on me."

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United93

That t-shirt thing is funny! However, if I OCed, I would not wear something like that. I don't want to give the impression that I am begging people to leave me alone. That would be like having a bumper sticker that says 'I am legally driving, so don't call the police please'.