[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Open Carry vs. Concealed Carry (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 10/5/2008 6:22:54 PM EDT
| What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method? If both were legal in your state which would you choose. What is the reasoning behind concealed carry? |
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Get both. Hopefully open carry will be a reality in Texas next year. Concealed is generally seen as better option because no one knows you are armed which gives you the upper hand when a criminal doesn't know that you're the first guy to shoot. And it keeps the sheep feeling safe. Open carry can be a better deterrent though when bad guys see people everywhere with guns on them. And sometimes you just would like to stick it on your hip and go. I've got my cowboy 6-shooter rig picked out for open carry. I'm gonna be that guy. |
No one would see it, if they cant see it then they cant get all freaked out by it and try to call the police because they think im breaking a law. |
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If you keep your dick in your pants, everyone will *know* that you have a dick, but nobody will mind. If you walk around with your dick hanging out of your pants, everyone will *see* your dick, and some people will like it while other people will be bothered by it. Doesn't make me no never mind, but if you walk around with your dick hanging out, some other folks with guns might show up to talk to you about it. Shane |
This. Even if you're not breaking any laws, you're just going around asking for trouble with ignoramuses. Even LEO's are less-than-informed often times. I support one's right to open carry, but I personally think it's a ridiculous idea if your state would allow you to legally carry concealed instead. Just too many stupid people to make trouble for you, and imo, it puts a big target on your back in the event that something is about to go down. |
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I've carried for 30 years, in that time I've probably open carried for a total of a couple of years with the rest being concealed. Given the option I'd much rather my gun be concealed, but I'd rather carry openly than not at all. Plus for carrying concealed - You don't attract attention and you can safely ignore "No Guns" signs that don't carry the weight of law. Plus for carrying openly - It's more comfortable and you can carry a full size gun easier. Negative for carrying concealed - Slower draw Negative for carrying openly - It's inviting the Man into your life. |
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Advantage of open carry is that you don't have to go through the hassel of trying to conceal which can be a pain the butt when you like your .45's. Concealed, although a pain in the butt is better for 2 reasons. If you carry in the open you are telling people, "I've got something worth taking" and instead of confronting you they will just walk up behind you and cap you before you even have a chance to pull your weapon out. The other advantage is that the bad guy doesn't know who is armed and who isn't which benefits everyone. Now if everyone would carry... ...we'd all be Republicans! 
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I do both. I also saw my first other OC'er here in Cheyenne the other day at a gas station filling up. Didn't talk to him, and I'm not sure he was even from Wyoming (No front license plate), but it looked like he was carrying a little mouse gun (Small caliber) auto in a cheap uncle mikes holster. I carry a 1911 .45 so you really can't miss it if I am open carrying. |
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i open carry in SD regularly and have only had a LEO stop me once. he asked to see my ID to make sure i was old enough. i gave it to him and he said OK have a nice day. People here dont really seem to care. There are a couple other guys that OC but seemingly just once in a while. i OC probably three or four times a week. I CCW the rest of the time cause its easier to slip a pistol in a pocket sometimes than it is to strap on a holster. SW |
I thought WI was an open carry state.  opencarry.org/wi.html |
Dont sweat open carry in CO. I open carry in Arvada and when i travel for work, mainly I 70 corridor. No one seems to care and no one has approached me. I like to think I have that face that isnt inviting for a conversation. |
If it's legal where you are, who cares what anyone thinks. Just don't dress like a gang member and no one will blink. |
It technically is, but trying it will almost guarantee you a disorderly conduct ticket. |
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Both are legal in Virginia, though one needs a permit to legally conceal. I conceal carry more often than I open carry, but sometimes have to open carry to comply with Virginia law. I've never had any issues while open carrying. IMO most of the Chicken Littles who claim bad stuff is guaranteed if you open carry are folks who have never done it themselves, and are thus speaking from a position of no personal experience. I support your right to keep and bear (concealed or open) arms. |
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Both are legal here and I do both. I am right by the MA border and there are MAssholes everywhere getting their tax-free shopping, but I've never had a problem when I open carry (most people are too focused on themselves to notice someone open carry a gun). I don't go out of my way to open carry but if I need to leave the house for a quick errand I don't bother getting changed to conceal effectively instead of open carrying. |
Advantage of open carry? You look hardcore. You anger people who hate open carry. You become the scorn of the tactically correct. You get to show off your gat. Makes for better Walmart greeter stories. No issues with printing. Disadvantage? Everyone can see you can only afford a Hi-point. Advantage of concealed carry? When someone asks if you have a gun in your pants or you're just happy to see them, you can answer seriously. When you adjust yourself, you can excuse it as getting a better slide-rack grip. Disadvantages? No one can see your Hi-point. |
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I live in VA, directly across the river from D.C. and I open carry a whole lot. I only get a second look every now and then. The police also know the laws and are well versed in leaving us alone. As a matter of fact they have training to interogate the person calling in the complaint to verify if indeed there is something illegal being done. If not, the caller is told that open carry is legal and they should call back is something else happens. I open carry in front of police at least one a week and have not even gotten a second look. In addition, the false premise that a thief will "shoot you 1st" still remains unproven. In addition to not being proven, it goes against all known rationale since criminals always look for easy prey. They arentl looking for a running gun battle with a KNOWN threat. |
Open Carry Advantages
Disadvantages -
Concealed Carry Advantages -
Disadvantages -
Generally requires a permit to do legally Which should you choose? For most individuals concealed carry is the preferred option for a plethora of reasons, including the lower profile and the lack of situational awareness that most individuals (even those who routinely carry guns) display on a daily basis. Openly carrying a firearm requires you to be hyper-aware of your surroundings and that's not something most people are mentally prepared to pull off. Carrying a gun is frowned on socially and generally individuals who carry one every day (assuming here someone who isn't an armed professional like a police officer) would prefer not to be seen as a lunatic by the majority of polite society. |
I am waiting for the day and cant wait to exercise the right. |
I think the better question is, "What is the rationale behind open carry?" I conceal carry daily and cannot think of a reason why I would want to open carry. Especially in a world where people make things up in their head about how you have agrieved them, why give them DETAILS about what protects you??? Open carry truly is for cowboys, unless you cannot CC legally. |
www.nypost.com/seven/02062007/news/regionalnews/cop_bash_thug_nabbed_regionalnews_jamie_schram__larry_celona_and_dan_mangan.htm?page=0
You're assuming that having a gun on your hip disqualifies you as easy prey. That's not the case. There's a difference between being armed and merely having a gun. |
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Here in WV both OC and CC are legal. I OC'd until I got my CC and now do both. I only carry my XD40 so it is hard to conceal, as I am only 5'4 -5'6 @140lbs. The down side of OP here is that when the sun goes down, the man iron is suppose to be put away. Go figure, when 80 percent of encounters happen in low light or darkness. The only time I do not carry is when I am mowing and cannot cover the open end of the barrel to keep the cut grass out. As concealed, the XD prints easily for me, and I have had a few second looks, but no one has said anything yet, except a friend at a gas pump when I lifted a gas can into the trunk and there it was. Damn, you carry a gun he said, and being a prison guard, immediately said, I am like you, I need to get my CCW. To that I replied, yes you do and the sooner the better. There may have been one other conversation sparked last week at the bank (which I told them I carry and would not do business with them if they were not carry friendly). A guy drove p in a Geo Metro and was shouting at me, 50PMG-can you believe it!!!! As I walked over to him, he said, "There is going to be an armed revolt, its coming. I worked on Capital Hill for 15 years, and it is inevitable." So I am not sure if that was sparked by the print of the XD, or he was just venting as is many others just waking up. StagPower |
I've had a CCW in 3 states, I don't understand open carry. I think it's retarded. Of the few folks I've met open carrying I would say I am less than impressed with their overall mental state of mind, but that's just my experience.  ETA - the only time it's acceptable in my opinion is if your state doesn't allow CCW. |
You sure you are not really from New York or California? Both open carry and concealed carry should be permitted. Except for maybe you judging by your comments. If you "don't understand" open carry perhaps you should not be handling a firearm at all. Furthermore, I smell a troll. |
Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean they are a troll. Some of you need to understand that not everyone in the world agrees with you, and that doesn't make them 'bad" somehow. |
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I open carry because carrying concealed is a pain in the ass. Comments about people only do it to attract attention or say "Look at me, I have a gun" are BS. I've never had an issue with anyone about me open carrying, be it in the library, Walmart, a restaurant, whatever. Open carry is legal here, so I take full advantage of it. |
No, because when someone says a comment like "I don't understand open carry. I think it's retarded." makes them a troll in my book, especially if they are from Texas where people like myself are working hard to get OC on the books. The fact that ganks says he is from Texas means he is Against my efforts to give us a freedom many other States already have and that does irritate me. Right now we are fighting against the opinions of liberals who have moved to Texas from other states like California and New Jersey in droves, and they are changing the political landscape, and with it the gun rights climate. I do not expect you to understand this as it is not your battle, but don't patronize me. I know everyone does not agree with me, but when some people do or say things that may ultimately affect my individual gun rights, you better damn well believe I will speak out against them.  Texas used to be a good state for gun owners, it is rapidly going the other way with restrictions on CCW and people who think OC is "too scary". And when someone with a post count of 57 registered for a few months mkes a statement like "I don't understand open carry. I think it's retarded" yes it smells like a troll to me. |
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I might as well say this again. Every time one of thses threads comes up it's the same old argmument. It might be beter to carry concealed in many situations. HOWEVER, because people are afraid to OC, the cops and regular people are not used to seeing it. This creates an environment where someone might catch a glance at your CCW while you stretch for a can of jelly on the top shelf at the supermarket and the freak out and call the cops on you. The more people OC, the more people understand, and the less chances you have of people freaking out on you when your CCW accidentaly gets exposed. As for the disadvantages of OC, if theis were true, why do armed security guards wear OC? Because the weapon is a deterrant. |
you missed the most important two points: 1) excepting AK and VT, you must first ASK FOR and get PERMISSION from the government prior to concealing your firearm. 2) open carry is a RIGHT that needs no permission. for the sake of the OP's question, i open carry about 50% of the time right now. i usually open carry more, but it is starting to get cold out here (more layers), and i have an IWB holster that i really like. i know i've said this a million times, but there is nothing more damaging to the second amendment then hiding it away like it is something to be ashamed of. you can spend all the time you like talking about "i don't want to scare the sheeple", or "i don't want to invite the MAN into my life", but YOU are responsible for perpetuating that. gay folks in this nation make up only 2-5% of the population, and yet they are now allowed to live their lives as they please, and in many ways have *extra* freedoms that many of us will never be afforded. they've done so by "coming out of the closet" and being open about who they are. now that they've put themselves out for so long, people have become almost entirely desensitized to the idea. |