Myself I use the right of my ccw permit most of the time, but when I open carry I dont carry in a situation where the mojority of others will feel uncomfortable, I dont need local law enforcment telling me I am terrorizing in public when people call.

 

The premise of your question is wrong. It's loaded and you know it. Majority? The vast majority of people don't even notice I OC. Have you tried it before? Or is your entire stance based on assumption and misconception. I carry for me and mine. Isn't that why most people carry. I OC in part to make a statement that I am a gun owner, rather normal guy, and to let people see that cops and criminals are not the only folks who can carry a gun.

If you CC and the majority of people were scared of it would you quit?

I have my CCP and I do use it. If I want more discretion in my form of carry I CC. But that is my choice, and mine alone. OK, or the wife's.

To answer your loaded question. If the guy presents a positive idea of what gun owners are then yes I think it furthers the cause. If they get folks thinking, "That guy did not commit a crime and seemed pretty normal to me." Yes they furthered the cause. In order for change to happen most folks need to get pushed out of their comfort zone. Most of us don't like that, regardless of the cause.

Why did this OC issue blow up all of a sudden. Because some guy had a rather uneventful OC experience to a very public event. And now we are talking about OC. Seems to work fine to me.

 

A black/white question that doesn't have a black/white answer.

Ride into a large company (or community) picnic on a Harley, with shaggy beard and haircut, biker's clothes, weaing club colors, and generally acting like a show-off, and you'll stimulate a high level of discomfort if you're carrying openly.

It may not be so bad if you and your family go to that same picnic, are dressed like everyone else, but you carry openly. And, if you let some folks know, ahead of time, that this was going to happen, the potential alarm level might even be lower. Idea: why not organize some OPEN CARRY PICNICS just for that purpose?!

I continue to think that except for those trying to make a point, carrying concealed gives YOU what you want, without risking negative response. (There's a possible exception -- see the next paragraph.) I know others disagree, but I'm not sure we have the same goals.

A practical question for someone who knows: what differences are there between where you can carry openly and where you can carry concealed?

 

I think the idea of an event where everyone open carries is a great idea. Invite the public armed or not. Maybe a car show or fund raiser. This would help the majority of people present feel more comfortable, less frightened and further the cause of open carry.

 

OC dinners happen in Raleigh/Cary area. If interested check the NC section of opencarry.org. Did anyone OC to the event from here in Rutherfordton?

As far as carry goes, I can OC in a bank but not CC. I can OC while drinking but not CC. That's pretty much the difference in where you can do it. FWIW, I don't do eaither, but thats a personal decision. On the other end you can CC on the sidewalk in Cary, but not OC.

 

I open carry quite often. I very rarely get any raised eyebrows. Most people who say something to me indicate they assume I'm a cop (even though I weigh more than the average officer).

I've never gone anywhere where I knew the majority of people would be bothered by open carry, whether I was carrying or not. To know that, I'd have to be a mind-reader.

 

"If you open carry into a situation where you know that the majority of the people there will feel uncomfortable or be frightened by the sight of this gun, do you honestly feel you are furthering the cause for open carry?"

I honestly don't care about furthering causes when I carry. I care about safeguarding my life. Let's put it this way, I'm not gonna leave it home just because someone might not like it.

 

When you say you're not gonna leave it home just because someone might not like it, I can sympathize. But, the choice isn't OC or leaving it home. the choice is OC, CC, or leaving it home.

I can see where, if you feel you must carry in a bank, for example, moving the holster to a visible position, or tucking in a shirt would make a concealed carry, open carry. (This is easier with a Paddle or Belt holster than with an IWB style, though.)

 

OC dinners happen in Raleigh/Cary area. If interested check the NC section of opencarry.org. Did anyone OC to the event from here in Rutherfordton?

As far as carry goes, I can OC in a bank but not CC. I can OC while drinking but not CC. That's pretty much the difference in where you can do it. FWIW, I don't do eaither, but thats a personal decision. On the other end you can CC on the sidewalk in Cary, but not OC.

Yes, we had aleast two open carrying at the Meet & Greet. We had a total of 20 people attend. and I enjoyed meeting everyone.

 

I'm confused by the "open carry cause" mentioned in the original post. I carry a gun, openly or covertly, to shoot bad guys that try to hurt me or someone I care about. I don't concern myself with anything else.

 

Actually I think that he brings up an interesting subject in the realm of open carry discussion.

I personally do not feel comfortable open carrying in some situations. Part of it is the stigma of having been taught most of my life that only cops and criminals carry. Part of it is because I usually am out and about with my 3 young children. Chasing two toddlers while carrying is not an easy task.

I havent actually tried open carrying into most of the stores I visit yet, though I have carried in Wal-Mart. Further I havent worked up the nerve to carry to one of my kids sporting events. For some people, where to carry is a personal choice and not all places may be appropiate in that person's eyes.

It isnt a matter of whether or not you frighten someone, frankly things like that rarely happen.

 

If there is a situation where I know the majority would feel uncomfortable, I would not go.
Not the kind of folks I would want to be around.

If it is a normal day to day outing where I might run into someone who might feel uncomfortable, well, that is their problem, not mine.

I OC and/or CC, my only cause is my self protection.

 

If you open carry into a situation where you know that the majority of the people there will feel uncomfortable or be frightened by the sight of this gun
m49

You have obviously put a lot of thought into this. These situations you allude too, can you give me some examples? I'm not sure how one predetermines the disposition others have for or against firearms before ever meeting them.

 

I love a good thought provoking question! Kudos to the OP.

As to an example someone asked for, how about a kids birthday party at Chuck E Cheeses? That would rank high on the likelihood that the majority of attendees would be uncomfortable with a visible firearm. Not a guarantee that would be the case but likely.

My feelings are that every right comes with responsibilities and there are more rights than just the 2A.

 

"But, the choice isn't OC or leaving it home. the choice is OC, CC, or leaving it home.

I can see where, if you feel you must carry in a bank, for example, moving the holster to a visible position, or tucking in a shirt would make a concealed carry, open carry. (This is easier with a Paddle or Belt holster than with an IWB style, though.)"

Given the choice of OC or CC, I'd pick OC, for two reasons. First, it's much easier. Second, I believe the deterrent of a visible weapon is better than the surprise after the mess has started.

In SC, it's against the law to carry any weapon into a "financial institution", so the point is moot for me. OC is not legal in SC, either.

 

I love a good thought provoking question! Kudos to the OP.

As to an example someone asked for, how about a kids birthday party at Chuck E Cheeses? That would rank high on the likelihood that the majority of attendees would be uncomfortable with a visible firearm. Not a guarantee that would be the case but likely.

My feelings are that every right comes with responsibilities and there are more rights than just the 2A.

My local Chuck E Cheese serves alcohol. Can't carry there anyway.

 

My local Chuck E Cheese serves alcohol. Can't carry there anyway.

If your local Chuck E. Cheese doesn't have a metal detector staffed by sworn law enforcement officers then there's a good chance that people carry guns in there anyways.

 

If your local Chuck E. Cheese doesn't have a metal detector staffed by sworn law enforcement officers then there's a good chance that people carry guns in there anyways.

Not the point. The reference was to the question as to an example where people may be adverse to open carry. Not disputing the fact there may be concealed legally or otherwise there.

 

You have obviously put a lot of thought into this. These situations you allude too, can you give me some examples? I'm not sure how one predetermines the disposition others have for or against firearms before ever meeting them.

A kid's soccer game.

m49

 

A kid's soccer game.

m49

Lol, or any other place bubbleheaded bleach blonde minivan driving soccer moms congregate.

 

Barnes and noble, AC Moore, Petsmart, Target. Carried there, no problems. Full of moms, kids, and arguably more than their fair share of left leaning folks. Nobody said a word. Funny that OC tends to go over differently in person than it does in these internet discussion.

My wife is a minivan driving gymnast mom. Who loves guns. Shoots guns. Eats venison. Wish I could get her to carry though.

 

It is never inappropriate to carry a gun whether concealed or plainly visible.

 

A kid's soccer game.

m49

the vast majority of those happen in city parks (most cities ban guns in their parks) or at schools (banned by state law) or at the YMCA (guns prohibited by company policy)... so your example isnt really valid...

that said, in an open field, far away from cars or any other way to get help, why would you want to be defenseless?

 

If I felt the need to carry in a specific instance, but didn't have a CCW, then I would OC anywhere I legally could. I would not give a flip what other people thought of me carrying, if I felt there was a reason for me to carry there. Because I don't want to draw attention to myself, I CC.