Tankfixr
Ultimate Member
OC gathers too much unwanted attention. Bad guys want them. Might as well display an overstuffed wallet on you hip.
I'm sure August has an opinion on this one. Where's your rosco?!
I don't understand the idea of open carry if you're not military or some type of law enforcement. In the military, presenting a weapon is a statement of "do not approach further" or a demonstration of potential force. In my day to day life, I really don't feel the need for that. My weapon is there if, and only if, a situation of equal or greater firepower presents itself, or if life/limb is at stake. Visibly displaying a firearm is a statement that I really don't feel the need to make.
Threeband said:I want the option, although I think I would rarely exercise it.
I definately want to be able to carry OWB with just a light jacket, and be able to take the jacket off when I get in my car. Or re-tuck in my shirt, while wearing my Kholster tuckable IWB. Or reach for the yogurt on the top shelf, way in back at the grocery store. I don't want to get proned out in the public library, when I bend to check a book on a low shelf, and the butt of my M&Pc prints, causing a soccer mom to call in a frantic MWAG.
Open Carriers in Pennsylvania have forced the retraining of LEOs and 911 dispatchers in how to handle those Man With A Gun (MWAG) calls. In the past, you could expect to get proned out, handcuffed, and spend an hour in the back of a police car for an accidental exposure. That's much less likely to happen in PA and Virginia nowadays, but I believe in Texas you can still be arrested for printing (hope I'm wrong).
Try sitting in a parking lot or 7 Eleven in front of an ATM with a considerable amount of cash still in it, (won't say how much, but you can Google it), that you're about to swing the door open on.
I would rather someone in the vicinity running the "what if..." scenarios through their head, see the 1911 on my hip and say "Screw that!".
I don't think of it as making a statement. I think of it being almost 90 degrees here and I want to be comfortable.
Additionally, your first sentence makes it seem as if you are for a "restricted" Second Amendment.
And your statement suggests you've never been military. You KNOW what displaying a weapon means in the military. I think that using that kind of suggestion in Target or Wal Mart is idiotic. I actually find it offensive when I'm standing next to people open carrying when my kids are around. My kids can field strip a 1911 in a few minutes and they're taught that the presence of a weapon is for a reason and ONLY for a reason and when those reasons aren't present the firearm stays away. Sorry that I'm not insecure enough to need to walk around with something extra visible.
And your statement suggests you've never been military. You KNOW what displaying a weapon means in the military. I think that using that kind of suggestion in Target or Wal Mart is idiotic. I actually find it offensive when I'm standing next to people open carrying when my kids are around. My kids can field strip a 1911 in a few minutes and they're taught that the presence of a weapon is for a reason and ONLY for a reason and when those reasons aren't present the firearm stays away. Sorry that I'm not insecure enough to need to walk around with something extra visible.
You are being unnecessarily antagonistic. You do not know me, nor do you know my background. Please get to know me before calling me idiotic. I am not attacking you, and I would appreciate if you not attack me.
I am not insecure in any way. Please do not assume that I am. Thank you.
Wasn't calling you idiotic - I was calling the need to open carry in a grocery store idiotic. Concealed carry is for a purpose, open carry is trying to make a point. I don't believe that we need to make that point. My opinion.
Wasn't calling you idiotic - I was calling the need to open carry in a grocery store idiotic. Concealed carry is for a purpose, open carry is trying to make a point. I don't believe that we need to make that point in a civilized society. My opinion.
And let me follow up - I have opened carried in many situations. I open carry when I'm far away from any back up. When I'm in a city however, I respect the rights of others. Many in towns/cities don't like guns. I'm not going to push my beliefs on them if I can simply keep it under cover and out of sight. It's simple and polite.
I live in a place where OC is commonplace. Perhaps that alters my perception as well.
Concealed carry is for a purpose, open carry is trying to make a point.
People's brains need to be retrained. The presence of a firearm does not mean violence or threat. The presence of a firearm can create a peaceful and safe environment. I'm not trying to make a statement. I just want to have the means to defend myself and my family.