I am beginning to get a kick outta wearing my weapon. I wear it on my hip out in the open everywhere I go ... in stores, gas stations, swap meets, anywhere that it is allowed. What the kick is is that I am getting a lot more respect. People had been really rude up till now, butting in line, pushing past me, not saying excuse me when they pass in front of me, not saying thanks when I hold the door open for them, things like this. Well, now I get all of that, and more. A few weeks ago a young man passed along side of me and said excuse me, which was a surprise, and then the other day while shopping I had my head stuck in a shelf trying to reach the last box of cheese its and someone passed BEHIND me and said excuse me. People get all friendly too, and smile, and even wave at me when I'm walking along the roadside, which never happened before. And for some reason it even seems to turn guys on. Recently I've had guys 30 plus years younger than me making passes at me.

With the difference it got me ta thinkin. If everyone that could pass the test wore a gun then perhaps the world would be more civil, and courteous. And I don't mean concealed weapons. I'm talking about out in the open. This would also be safer too cuz when it's in the open others can see if someone is reaching for their weapon and can react right away by drawing their own or by taking cover. When concealed, you don't know if someone is reaching for a weapon or a cigarette and by the time you figure it out, it's too late. Anyway, just sharing some thoughts.

 

This is strictly my opinion but I think the greatest responsibility a gun owner has is to make sure that firearm does not end up in somebody else'e hands. I believe open carry while it can be a deterrent can also advertise a gun for the taking. That said, I support both open and concealed carry laws. Just my 2 cents.

 

Everybody (those that have their marbles and are responsible) should be armed all the time. Even in bed. The crime rate would drop down quick or the criminals would get weeded out. Same result either way.

 

My ideas differ a bit with your statements here. There's something to be said for the element of surprise. That goes for the bad guys too. Just because you open carry doesn't mean the bad guy will too. In fact, I'd bet all bad guys would be carrying concealed. They're not going to advertise a weapon, some may even be carrying illegally so they have to carry concealed.
As far as having enough time to draw your weapon, it all boils down to training. A person who carries concealed needs to train 'carrying concealed'. This means countless range sessions drawing from a concealed state and hitting your target.

Open carry may dissuade some bad guys from trying anything BUT, it can also provoke or make you the first target from a REAL bad guy and you possibly wouldn't see it coming.

I take the 'Grayman' stance on my dress, daily backpack, and self defense weapons. Blend in and don't get noticed. I want the element of surprise on my side.

In the movie Collateral, Tom Cruise draws from a concealed state extremely fast and hits his mark. Yes I know it's just a movie but the exercise/form is real. It's a great example of proper training. Just my thoughts .

 

i have also been a firm believer that all sane non criminal types should be armed if they want to for a long long time. knowing that the person you are about to try to rob may very well be armed and blow you away for pulling a knife or a gun on them is a very good deterrent, and would stop a lot of crime.

remember, most thieves are cowards. level the playing field by taking the fear out of the victim puts the fear of an armed victim in the thief.

 

If a person can pass the requirements to own a firearm, and they can pass the required test to carry a firearm; they should be carrying that firearm at all allowable times.

That being said, a firearm owner should ask him or herself one very important question before taking the steps to carry their weapon: CAN I LIVE WITH TAKING A LIFE? A firearm should not be carried with a thought in mind that "the sight of it will deter a criminal", or "I can just shoot them in the leg and get away". Once you have made that determination, study and know ALL of the laws regarding the proper and legal use of your firearm in ALL areas you intend to travel (i.e. other states as well). Take as many self defense and firearm defense classes as you possibly can, and practice.....OFTEN!

That's my .02 worth.

 

If I see someone carrying open, I think to myself..........This is a weapons friendly area, people are at ease with them, if that one is in the open, how many more are around me concealed?........Thugs may not consider such things too deeply, but a weapon on the hip sends a strong message, "Not a victim or a easy mark".

Everyone who can legally carry, should............criminals would have think twice.

 

I'm all for concealed being allowed. Not to say open shouldn't, it absolutely should be. Hypothetically, though, if concealed is allowed, it doesn't even make a difference if people actullay do it. Just the knowledge that anyone could be carrying would be a huge deterrent to crime- just because you don't see a gun doesn't mean there isn't one. Everyone would be treated with a little more respect, packing or not.

Of course, this argument would be irrelevant if the relatively simple and straightforward law "shall not be infringed" were followed. Even if guns didn't exist, thugs would just use 2x4's. As long as guns are out there, I think it's fair to say that since 99% are not criminals, giving guns to 100% would move the balance of power toward the law-abiding.

 

In the summer its nice to be able to open carry. Concealed can get really uncomfortable. In the winter its easy to conceal wearing more clothes and all. Either way I don't care if someone sees my gun Ive even had a few ask about it and I explain how to get your license to carry in Indiana and the different regulations if they seem genuinely interested.

 

Just a thought from my dark side, but if I were criminally inclined, someone with an open carry weapon would be the person I would shoot in the head to get things started.......

Just a thought you see, nothing personal. Y'all keep feeling all warm and fuzzy showing off your gun....

 

If you would shoot someone openly carrying a gun, you seem more like the type to use a knife.

In open carry states, would you say that people are less brazen while driving? That's a major, everyday, and yes, LETHAL problem that I think could be improved if everyone could see a bolt hadle hanging from the roofs of our trucks (In NJ having a gun in a truck during everyday driving is technically "carrying").

 

I understand what everyone said and agree with a lot of it. But I do have to comment on a few things.

@Mike 19fifty4 ... my gun is not easy to take, in fact, when I ran across a Deputy that didn't know me and he asked if he could see my gun, after I said ok and he tried to get it out of the holster ... he couldn't. I had to do it for him. It was another Deputy that turned me onto this holster that I got from the sales catalog that they buy their equipment from. If someone as knowledgeable as he was had trouble getting it out, I doubt a criminal would succeed before I could poke his eyes out.

@Mike locknload223... as far as your statement which read: "There's something to be said for the element of surprise. That goes for the bad guys too. Just because you open carry doesn't mean the bad guy will too. In fact, I'd bet all bad guys would be carrying concealed. They're not going to advertise a weapon, some may even be carrying illegally so they have to carry concealed." I agree, Mike, but it is the element of surprise that I am trying to avoid. It is the element of surprise from a criminal that gets people killed. And this is why I was saying that everyone should open carry, this way, the ones that don't have one on their hip are the ones to be suspicious of.

@Tom. Ditto.

@Bob ...I agree. And I do take mine to bed with me.

@Oldjunk... Ditto.

@Ryan. With what I have experienced, yes, I could take a life and live with it, and at first I didn't think that the sight of it would deter a criminal, although by the the way people have reacted to it I'm beginning to think that that thought is wrong. If everyone is more respectful to me when I wear it, I'd think that everyone would be more respectful to everyone who is wearing one and it would be a more pleasant place to live.

@732t37 ... as far as your statement which read: "Just the knowledge that anyone could be carrying would be a huge deterrent to crime- just because you don't see a gun doesn't mean there isn't one. Everyone would be treated with a little more respect, packing or not." All I can say is HAAAAAAAAA. As I pointed out to Ryan ... Before I open carried ... people were extremely rude. One time these asses practically knocked down my brain injured brother and I in Wal Mart as they rushed by us. And it was very obvious he is brain injured too. They don't do this when they see a weapon. When it is concealed, they treat you as though you don't have one. I've seen the difference.

@85e150six4mtod: as far as your statement: "if I were criminally inclined, someone with an open carry weapon would be the person I would shoot in the head to get things started......." Yes, I could imagine that if I was the only one in the room wearing a gun in the open that I'd be the first one to be shot. That's why I am saying that EVERYONE should wear one in the open and then who would the criminal pick on, and would she/he even attempt a bad deed?

@ Alex.... There have been several who have asked about mine as well, and I too clue them in about the rules, etc. I even have people just point at it and say "I like that" with a big smile. There was only one time that was iffy and it was when I went up to pay for my item at my local Dollar Store. Thinking he was being cute the cashier raised his hands and said "Don't shoot." I sternly told him not to do that because people, and the camera's, would think that I was robbing him. He apologized and then asked why I wore it and I told him "Because I can."

Another thing is that I'd like to see all states have the same rules. I live in NM and cross over into TX all the time. The rules are totally different. You can't even open carry in TX. There was even a time I couldn't even have it in my vehicle unless I was actually traveling across TX. Then too, it had to be unloaded and hidden, preferably in ones trunk. This loses the whole purpose of carrying a weapon.

Well, that was fun. I hope I responded to everyone.

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I don't see a difference. We have terrible road rage around here, and people have even gotten shot for it, but I doubt that it would be this bad if everyone was wearing a weapon. As it is, no one knows who is and isn't wearing one, open or concealed. Even mine can't be seen while I'm driving, so I'm just treated as if I don't have one.

Oh wait ... I misunderstood your post. I guess I was really agreeing with you. Must be late. Sorry.

 

I keep my gun hidden. My next gun will be a Ruger 380 for a pocket gun. Its small & packs 7 rounds. I don't carry my bigger guns at some times. Once I get the Ruger I will have it on my person anywhere it is legal to carry.

 

In my 'old age', I'm starting to forget who said what, but, I do recall reading and hearing this -

"An armed society is a polite society."

ABSOLUTELY correct!!!!!!!

Michelle, congratulations on your ability to wear/carry openly!!!

Unfortunately, here in Maryland, we don't have that right.
We do, however, have concealed carry, AFTER you jump through hoops and PROVE "Apprehended Danger".

I was fortunate enough to obtain a concealed carry permit several years ago, then gave it up when I stopped working a training job.
I've recently re-acquired it, and hold a couple of out-of-state carry permits.

I didn't read what make/model holster you are using, but, the Blackhawk Serpa is a very good holster, but, there have been some 'issues' with the release 'button' IF something gets behind it, and prevents drawing the firearm.
For concealed carry, I like the Don Hume "JIT Slide" and the #715 IWB holster.
(My G26 and/or G27 virtually disappear in one of these.)