A question for those who open carry

[atsah]

I see people open carrying all the time, grocery stores etc, I hold a CCW but only open carry walking the dog due to the high population of moose in my area, they hate dogs and will go out of there way to kill them because they think we are a pack of coyotes. Open carry is more comfortable for me walking the dog. I do not open carry otherwise.

 

[jjkrueger]

I recently decided to give open carry a try, mostly because I really like my full size P320, and haven't gotten around to picking up a smaller kit yet. While certainly not impossible to conceal, it's definitely not designed as a concealment weapon. I'll probably go back to concealing after I pick up a carry or compact grip for it.

I could carry a smaller pistol, but this one's my current preference. I can open carry legally, so I do. It's also just easier as I don't have to worry about putting on different clothes to conceal anything when I leave my property.

If I have to make a trek to St. Louis, or anywhere that I can drive for work, I'll take something a bit smaller and more concealable, however. It just depends on what the day calls for.

Most days, I'm not going to stray too far.

Sounds like MO is similar to NV, where signs are to be posted when guns aren't welcome in an establishment, but don't carry the force of law, unless you choose to not comply when someone asks you to leave.

I tend to avoid those kinds of places out of convenience. But when you can't avoid it, you can't avoid it. I have a vault in the truck to provide that little extra bit of security when I'm not carrying. Then I just look silly with an empty holster.

I definitely don't carry open or concealed if the place is prohibited by law, either federal or state.

 

[Raspy]

Then I just look silly with an empty holster.

That is funny....... Wander into a store or federal building with an open holster.

What kind of responses do you get in stores with an open holster?

 

[rekees4300]

I carry concealed. Open carry has never appealed to me for various reasons.

Same here, concealed only. Not my style to attract attention and/or cause fear. Main reason I carry is for protection from coyotes (4-legged & 2-legged) while walking dogs on rural roads. It's the 2-legged meth-heads species that are the most dangerous.

 

[Bird]

I open carried for many years . . . . but only when I was wearing a police uniform.:laughing: In the early days, we were required to go armed at all times away from home. But even as police officers we were required to have the weapon concealed when not in uniform. Maybe I'm just too old fashioned, but I can't imagine myself open carrying in civilian clothes.

 

[jjkrueger]

That is funny....... Wander into a store or federal building with an open holster.

What kind of responses do you get in stores with an open holster?

Funny you ask - I don't think anyone's ever noticed, or ever said anything. Every morning when I drop the boy off at preschool, I walk in with an empty holster, and it's never been mentioned.

 

[Deere Dude]

At Walmart in our small town I noticed a tall stud looking guy carrying two revolvers on the hips with handles facing forward. To cool for me so I went the other way.

 

[FTG-05]

I've been open carrying since Feb/March 2011. A S&W 329PD, Scandium framed .44 Magnum. If I go outside, I'm armed with it.

There's really only two places I need to worry about: USPS and my county courthouse. Since I don't go to the county courthouse, no biggie. Since we order everything (as much as possible from UPS/Fed Ex), another no biggie.

Businesses that post "No Guns" signs don't get my business; no problem. On the upside, I live in SC TN so I get to deal with real Americans on both sides of the AL/TN border. In other words, no big deal around here.

In +6 years of OC, I've gotten two negative comments. One from an old lady at the local grocery store: "Why are you packing?". My Answer: "Why not?" Got no answer, couldn't care less.


As I said on another forum, there are three possible outcomes while Open Carrying:

- The scumbag criminals see it and they either A) Behave or B) Leave the premises. I'm good with either one.

- The Chicken Littles and other assorted Professional Victims (aka gun banner *******) see me carrying and they either: A) Have to choke down their revulsion or B) Leave the premises. I'm good with either one.

- People simply don't see it or they see it and ZFG.

So you see: Win/Win/Win either way.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have NO problem with open carry, although I "generally" don't do it...

The way I see it, the more open carry people see, the more they will get use to it.

We go to a fairly big Chinese buffet in the city, There's guys that come in open carry, no one seems a bit bothered by them that I can see.

SR

 

[Glocker]

I open carry in warm weather for comfort and easy access when riding Atv's cutting and splitting wood. I also carry openly in and around my town to the gas station hardware and gun stores. It's legal and my right to do so.It has nothing to do with being bad ***. Those that don't want to that's fine but lay off the holier than thou routine.