paramedic70002

I would modify that to possibly losing the element of surprise. Most people operate in the white and never see the OCed gun. Criminals may or may not be different. I'd wager for every observant criminal there's another one too doped up or stupid to balance it out.

So, there's nothing absolute. OCing could be a death warrant, or it could be a guardian angel. Most likely it won't matter.

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TN_Mike

That is a tough question and one only YOU can answer. It really doesn't matter what I think or even what you Dad thinks. All that matters is how comfortable you are with the concept and if you think you can be situationally aware enough to prevent some type of gun grab.

I have open carried for years now and I have never had a problem but, others have had negative experiences.

Really, this is an individual decision that only you can make.

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PaulG

Yeah, really. There is so much support data for both sides of the caliber wars, that its just a matter of figuring out what you believe and picking your data.

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

LongRider

Thank you for presenting your opinion as an opinion and not as if anything like that has ever really happened in the real world. We are entitled to our beliefs and feelings. While feelings are not facts they often have a role in how I conduct myself.

There is a great deal of empirical information available for OC even if there is no statistical data base. For instance
As far as the you will be targeted myth. With no known verifiable incidences of it ever happening would be a pretty indicator that it does happen.
Based upon the my experiences and those of others It is a given that if you OC you will be subject to the publics scrutiny / questions.
Just as it is a given that you will also be subject to varying degrees of police interaction, depending on your location.

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Abort the Obamanation not the Constitution

Those who would, deny, require permit, license, certification, or authorization for me to bear arms are as dangerous & evil as those who would molest, abuse, assault, rape or murder my family

jumpwing

I suspect you meant "...indicator that it does NOT happen."

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Metro 40

I think that you never hear about an OC'er being disarmed or targeted mainly because OC is relatively rare amongst those who do carry a weapon for personal protection. In my state, I live in a large metro area, and have only seen OC twice in the 15 years that I've lived here. OC may be more common in the rural areas, but then again, the violent crime rate in general is several times lower in the country than it is in the city. Thus, an OC'er is less likely to encounter a violent crime in the areas where OC is more common.

Still......it is silly to say that it "can't" happen, or to call it a "myth." Such a mindset breeds complacency, which could be your undoing when that "impossible" event suddenly occurs.

Are you armed and ready - in the gunshop? | Shooting Industry | Find Articles at BNET

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mtnclimber

I think it is a personal decision. Check local laws including if police may charge for disturbing the peace even if OC is legal. For "ME" I would not hesitate if hunting. But, I prefer not to cause possible problems in urban settings so I always conceal there.

chiefjason

Metro, neat article. BUT..... you knew it was coming. Most OC'ers do use some form of retention holster. And they highly recommend them. So if that was not said in this thread----get a good retention holster! There are some that don't. That does seem a bit tempting to me. Though, I'm not sure a crook knows retention from non-retention for a holster.

And I can up the ante, guess pun intended, on the gun snatch. The guy was not very smart about it. Oc'ed at a party and had a drunk guy take his gun and point it at him. Not sure he was the sharpest knife in the drawer though.

OC gun grab, the unpossible is possible! - True Tales of Self Defense - Open Carry Brigade - OpenCarry.org - Discussion Forum

Is it possible? Anything's possible. Does it happen regularly. No. Do I worry about it. Just enough to pay attention to who is around me and where they are. Body posture can do a lot to protect your firearm as well. Don't keep your strong side facing folks you don't know!

LongRider

No actually I meant incidence
But thanks, maybe I could have phrased it better


I was trying to present verifiable fact, not assumptions, theory or opinions

Where you live and your personal experience is not all inclusive of the United States. Not so long ago nearly everyone open carried. In many parts of the country OC is still a common everyday sight as common as a suit and tie are in other parts of the country

Please do not put words in peoples mouths. No one in this or any other thread on this forum that I am aware of has ever said it can not happen. I in fact have said that it can happen. But based upon real life, real world, on the planet earth, you are more likely to be hit by satellite debris falling out of the sky.

When people present unsubstantiated claims as fact, when those claims have no basis in fact or reality. Claims, that they can not offer any proof of ever happening any where. Than that is a myth, an urban legend. Or a lie... I'll go with myth, or misconception, an urban legend. It is in fact an extension of the LIE created by the Anti Self Defense League of Volunteer Victims. The Brady Bunch's LIE that you are more likely to be shot with your own gun than to use it in self defense.

IMO it is inappropriate to use myths misinformation and especially Brady Bunch propaganda to deter someone from exercising a legal socially responsible Constitutionally protected God given right.

Again it is a Myth or a Lie that you will be targeted for a crime or will have your gun taken away just because you open carry.
Can it happen of course it can, and Obama could become a great president, an advocate of the second amendment

__________________
Abort the Obamanation not the Constitution

Those who would, deny, require permit, license, certification, or authorization for me to bear arms are as dangerous & evil as those who would molest, abuse, assault, rape or murder my family

PaulG

I was talking about criminal assault not public scrutiny. I happen to think that public scrutiny is a good thing.

My experience has shown me that you can educate people through public scrutiny.

I too factor in my belief's when deciding on a course of action.

For example, the empirical evidence of me never having been assaulted in my 58 years on this planet could lead me to never carry since, based on this evidence, the chances of being assaulted are extremely slim.

However, my belief that such an assault is in fact very possible, leads me to arm myself.

Just as my belief that being targeted by a bad guy because you open carry is a possibility leads me to open carry only when I have others around me who are also carrying openly.

I fully support people who open carry for the purpose of educating people or just because they want to.

I usually conceal because over the last several years I have decided to go more low key. I like the grey man approach.

Each to his own as long as he evaluates the risks and rewards of his actions.

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