[ARCHIVED THREAD] - First Open Carry Sighting (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 1/5/2008 9:44:59 PM EDT
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Saw my first person doing open carry today in a store. Even knowing that it's legal, it was still strange to see in person. I was most surprised by my gut response to it - sort of "huh, why is he doing that..." Anyway, just one of those reality checks on something I've thought/read about but never actually encountered in person. |
Since when???? The law is vague at best and I would be likely to end up in the slammer if I walked into Fred Meyer with a Glock in plain site...granted I understand how one can draw from the law that we can openly carry, but in more populated areas, it may not be worth the hassle. 
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-1 Open carry state means open carry state. When "it's not worth the hassle"... the frog is getting comfortable in the pot. |
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Yeah you have a point. We are considered a “Anomalous Open Carry State” or a states where “open carry is generally lawful, but the state may lack preemption or there may be other significant restrictions.” So what does that mean anyway when you add in preemption? |
There have been WAHTF threads specifically about open carry, a holster bolted to the dash of the car as an example, some have the law printed out in hard copy form and turn the LEO encounter into a educational one for the LEO's. It is not easy, you have to know how to handle a encounter but freedom has never been easy. |
I listen to the scanner a lot at work, and the last time I was at work, I heard a call about a citizen carrying openly at the WinCo in Vancouver Plaza (basically 4th plain and andresen). If I recall correctly, four cars responded, but one of the officers spoke very clearly when he said "there is no law broken for open carry of a holstered firearm" or something to that effect. It still didn't mean the guy didn't get talked to and checked out as he left the store. Why? Because if a citizen bothers to call it in, there might be a problem, it has to be checked out, so is it worth the hassle? I don't know for that guy. I won't carry openly because openly carried guns can get snatched more easily than concealed one that you know is there vs. one you don't know is there), and bad guys are known to practice snatching weapons from cops, even from retention holsters. That is a hassle I am unwilling to deal with. |
WA State does not lack preemption, it is clearly written into the law here. The state has preemption over all firearms laws in WA, period. |
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I brought up the boiling frog analogy because I lived in Arizona for 20 years and you would never hear a conversation like this about open carry. It's hard for Western Washington people to see it... but the thought that "you could get hassled" for open carry, just plain freaks me out. The frog may already be dead.
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That's not exactly a fair comparison, Arizona has specific statutes that address open carry, WA does not and that leaves a window for misinterpretation of actions. |
Agreed that open carry in a big city is not a good idea but if it is less populated like a town it is a whole lot easier since it is possible to get to know the LEO's and for them to know you. |
What are you afraid of? Your Constitutional Rights scare you? [Insert a Strat quote here] |
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No, the people that don't understand or interpret rights or lack thereof for themselves and do not think twice about the larger ramifications of getting the force of the state to "deal with that man and his inherently evil gun" are what I do not want or need to deal with. I do not have the time to give individual lectures to people that will not identify themselves, even if I wanted to. No one is going to come up to the man with the gun and say "is that legal, and can you tell me about our rights, or should I call the police because I should be scared of you?" Come on, man. You know exactly what I mean. Don't pretend that the stupid "public at large" is at all curious or willing to find out the truth before calling the police out of fear. It also helps to keep the police busy, and busy cops are folks with job security, and they pretty much tell the public "don't approach someone you think is dangerous, call us, we're the professionals". It's easier to hide behind an anonymous 911 call than to face what you don't know or want to understand. |
What I truly find Ironic here... I have the same gun, with a set of CT laser grips, Same holster+an ankle holster, and the same stripper clips... I can carry a gun wearing almost anything. |
Same here. I've CCW'ed my SIG P228 with knee length shorts and a T-Shirt by using my Milt Sparks VM2 IWB holster. |
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I carry a full size Kimber in a Bianchi Model 100 IWB holster. I wear blue jeans and "polo-style" shirts pretty much year-round and have no problem hiding the gun. I have been thinking about getting a small S&W revolver just for the hell of it though. I like the looks of the M&P 340 CT, but the price is a bit much. |
This has been informative. I had kinda assumed that we were not an open carry, so I guess I deserve to have the brick thrown at me. However, as pointed out concealed carry may be philosophically smarter. One example would be if would be thief/punk/shooter walks into a store, mall, gas station, ect. and you have your back turned and he sees your weapon, you may be the first to go down before you even know what is happening. But that gets into what if’s. For defense purposes I rather it be concealed. I can still get it out just as fast. And you don’t half to ware thick clothing or coats in summer. I have a bladetech holster that fits nicely inside the wasteland. My shirt covers it perfectly. To each their own. |
What....the...hell.....kind....of holster.....is that....... 
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Carrying in the small of the back with an XD9 sub is easy in shorts and a T-shirt. |
Yes, but buyer beware on that site. MANY (but not all) of those guys do it for the wrong reason. I've read quite a few threads where they are going out TRYING to get a reaction from Joe public. They also brag about flaunting it in front of cops or security at the mall in hopes of "educating" people. As for the topic at hand. I work in DT Seattle just blocks from the Cop Shop. I see many guys not in uniform with their service Glock on their hip in plain sight at several lunch spots and even Whole Foods. No one makes a big deal of it. Most of them have no more than khakis and a polo on with little or no SPD logos. |
Good for you.Bring your best looking gun and holster down to Vancouver. You can educate all you want. Glad you not only have the inclination, but the time. |
That will get you in trouble. There is even case law about this. There was a guy in Seattle a while back that decided to take his dog no a walk with his AK slung over his shoulder. Police arrested him, and the charge stuck. I'm sorry I don't remember the details for easy googling. |
It would make for an interesting news story if all over America, law abiding gun owners showed up at, let's say shopping malls, each carrying a loaded EBR slung over their shoulder. There would definatley be arrests and all sorts of media mayhem, but the point would be made that the guns didn't hurt anyone and educate the ignorant about legal open carry. ...after typing this, I seriously thought about hitting the back button... but I hit the submit button anyway. New Acronym SHHTBB (should have hit the back button) |
It would have to be on public property. Shopping malls are almost always private property, and management can ask you to leave or you will be arrested. Just pick a busy street intersection, put people on each corner, stay on the sidewalk, but do nothing to block pedestrians or cross walks. Hand out some fliers explaining the laws and our rights. Someone will learn something new that day. It would be even better if you went through whatever process there is for a permit to "demonstrate" or whatever they would call it. ETA: Clearly unloaded rifles would go very far to avoid arrest and still make a good point. |
State v. Spencer. |
I googled that and found this,... good info. Washington State Law Enforcement Training Bulletins regarding Open Carry of Fire arms Link |
Thanks. I found this from an appellate court decision:
So, carry the rifle clearly unloaded, and you might be OK, it hasn't been tested in court yet. |
Did I just end up involved in this topic because 1GRs post made me giggle?  
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I thought you were giggling in support (?) 
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Nope, he just made me laugh. Neither he or I can follow these types of threads with much sincere interest.... so I know it was in jest, placed right on the thin line he meant to. Gotcha 
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May want to do it during the day, in a non assaultive manner while staring down every person that walks by |
Some would learn something new and some would decide the gun laws are too loose.  Next time there is a |