justherenow

I dont change the way I dress. Either jean shorts or jeans, t-shirt or sweat shirt, sometimes a sweater or polo style. I dont dress up, I work in a warehouse, and the nicest pair of pants I have, if they even fit anymore is a pair of khakis. So far, as far as I can tell, in my last 2 weeks of open carrying (combined with cc), I have had nobody notice, or if they did, they did not give a second look, and I live in an area where nobody really OC's so it not the norm.

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Ohio CHL since 1/29/2009

Those who trade liberty for security have neither. ~John Adams

64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.

Biomortis

While the Georgia firearms license covers both open and CCW, open carry in this area is pretty rare. I've noticed only 3 at my store and don't think I have seen any out and about.

The first was by a gentleman dressed sharply with the suit pants and nice tie and had a spiffy black dress leather OWB holster and I had assumed he was an investigator/detective. After some casual chat I learned he was a lawyer and just liked to carry since he could. Still, his outward appearance just automatically made me assume that he was a high level cop. Outcome: normal transaction like any customer

The second was all jeans and camo and I got the "been hunting" vibe from him although I have no clue if he actually had been or not. Outcome: normal transaction like any customer

The third was straight out thug with his gun tucked into the front of his extremely low waistband, football jersey and bandana and opened the door rather quickly and forcfully. He only came in for a second but when he saw that we had no electronics, he turned around and left. (that happens alot since people mistakenly think we carry CD's and DJ gear) Still, my first thought was, "I was about to be robbed" Outcome: talked a hell of a lot back and forth with people in the store about it and then I changed my shorts

All 3 of these events were before I started carrying CCW but I have really been thinking back on these events and wondered how my reactions to the "thug" person coming in like he did would differ now. Assuming he was legit, it was entirely inappropriate behavior IMO when you are openly carrying a firearm.

Thoughts?

theotherlis

I also interact with customers at my business and have made the same kind of observations, Biomortis. Over years I have learned to make a "two-step first impression"

We'll stick with your examples, because I think they're very good and fairly universal. I've certainly met an example of each of them at some point..

If the lawyer had walked in, based on appearance I wouldn't have given him a second thought. Radar so far says "normal". But if he appeared nervous, rude, in a little bit too much of a rush, or too forceful.. I'd definitely have been nervous.

Likewise, if the thug-type had walked in, based on initial appearance, my reaction would be "nervous..." Not necessarily expecting to get robbed, but kind of on edge to see what he's going to do next. And unfortunately for him, he's going to get more of my attention off the bat than the lawyer would have, based on appearanced alone.

But if the thug had instead opened the door politely and calmly, rather than quickly and forcefully, and with a little chit chat showed himself to be polite and well-spoken, my radar would sink back towards "normal encounter".

It probably helps in my car that I've meet people who fit both of those types. Well polished and looks good, but ends up being a thug in good shoes... and off-the-streets gang-y type who ends up being an extremely intelligent, polite person.

Looks can be deceiving. And nobody should ever get a free ride just because they look nice... but they usually do. (at least until they give the people around them a reason to stop)

EvilMonk

Exactly!

I generally dress in "disguise" while I CC. I come off as a sort of liberal/outdoors-man most times. This tends to make most people pass me up on the "Does he carry?" question...

When I OC however, I try to present a finished image of intelligence and class. I still have a relaxed clothing style, but with some professional qualities (tucked shirt, belt up OVER my hindquarters, so on...).

Ultimately, what I'm discovering is that if it looks like it belongs there, you are going to encounter much less grief. A casual attitude (in regards to their perception, not to your level of awareness) will put many at ease. I've seen wide eyes go back to normal quickly when I simply continue ordering my food, pumping my gas, or even give a simple smile and nod in a polite fashion.

Clothing is important for the first glimpse yes, but your attitude, body language, and demeanor will carry a "bad hair experience", a post work sweat bath, or the ever-popular "Laundry Day" OC.

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DaveH

Dress and appearance is a multi dimension continuum w/ many regional, life-style, cultural, and ethnic overtones/variables.

CC, OC, and no carry are three separate states, which can be adjunct to (i,e,. something added to another thing but not an essential part of it) any point in that continuum.

I don't vary my dress/appearance enough to cover much of the variation in that continuum. However, as retsupt99 said "Only you USING common sense could dictate what the situation calls for..."

In my case, I always dress respectfully & get a beard trim/hair cut before lobbying the legislators, counter protesting an Anti event, public speaking, etc. Ditto taking my wife to some of her organizational affairs, to a "better" restaurant, etc. And in those situations I may CC or OC, as I think appropriate. OTOH, if nothing is on the calender, which "requires" more than jeans (or maybe slacks), I can go weeks w/o a beard trim/hair cut, dressing up, etc.

The decision to OC vs. CC has more to do with how ish I expect the crowd to be, what kind of point I want to make (including how confrontational I want to be), how much attention I want to call to myself, etc. Friends of NRA nice attire & OC; OTOH one of my wife affairs at same location nice attire & CC. On campus to support a SCCC sponsored rally OC; protesting a "Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention" sponsored anti-gun event at the same location nice attire & CC.

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Shanester66

I have oced in all types of clothing. I have tatoos and typically where Harley t's and my gun belts all have Harley buckles. To my knowledge no ones ever really blinks. Sometimes people ask who Im working with! lol (LEA)

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TN_Mike

I wear the same thing if I am OC, CC or not armed (which is very, very rare). Jeans or cargo shorts and a T-shirt mostly.

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alexcantslee

As much as it pains me to say, IF Texas ever allows Open Carry (and I hope they do personally) I will probably just keep carrying concealed. I drive a hearse, have a mohawk and wear a kilt so I garner plenty of attention anywhere I go. I think an open carried firearm is going to raise a few too many eyebrows.

I dont agree with people treating people based on how they look but its a fact of life and a choice I made and I live with.

Alex!

EvilMonk

Dude, that's awesome!

Someday (I've promised my wife this...) I will never shave or cut my hair again.

Jealous...

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Convenire Volui Spectatus

Rugergirl

As those who carry we generally tend to be more observant of others. And many of us tend to profile other people based on both appearance and actions. LEO's do, why shouldn't we?
OC or CC, your appearance does make a difference in how other people percieve you, as it should. A clean, presentable appearance goes a long way, even if you are dressed casually.
Here in the Detroit Metro area, it's more and more common to see the "Street Urchin" type, even those who have a job and a home, for some reason seem to dress like the homeless. What ever happened to the days of taking a shower, wearing clean clothes and remembering to comb your hair in the morning???
I lead a casual lifestyle, work from home and dress in casual but clean presentable clothing. I don't stand out either as being under or over dressed. I'm not a slave to fashion, nor am I a bum. I wear what suits my shape, my lifestyle and where I am going. I try to look like I fit in with others, and dress for the occasion, to blend in and not raise suspicion in others. As a member of the female persuasion I have an advantage, I just don't look like "the type" to carry a firearm, and I do use that to my advantage.

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Disclaimer: The posts made by this member are only the members opinion, not a reflection on anyone else, nor the group, and should not be cause for anyone to get their undergarments wedged in an uncomfortable position.