The Dallas thread got me thinking (about a lot of stuff) but something I've given thought to previously... Open carry. If I was a cop, or even law abiding citizen (both of which I may or may not be) I'd like open carry because by and large, the guns you don't see are the ones to worry about. As about as pro 2A as one could be, I think that my "carry permit" is already ensconced in the Constitution. However, I do agree with background checks for concealed carry- but not open carry. Thoughts?
Here in Vermont it is legal to carry and I frequently see people openly carrying. I have no issue with it as long as it, like anything involving a weapon, is done responsibly.
Same as what elkguide said its like that here in Louisiana, I'm good with it as long as people are reasonable. Me and my wife both are waiting on my conseal carry right now.
Most people who would be for or comfortable with open carry are those who are familiar with guns and who know how to and how not to use them. The media and government have done an excellent job of making people afraid of firearms. It's merely a symptom of the sheeple society in which we live. Like yall, I have no problem with open carry. Don't point it at me and we'll get along fine. I'm also fine with concealed carry and I actually prefer it personally. It keeps the element of surprise on my side and doesn't get liberals feeble sensitive irrational feelings hurt.
I've worked in law enforcement as a Corrections Sergeant and Deputy for about 12 years now. I've been through a 6 month police academy and worked on the streets for about 1 year in the 12. I am currently NOT a full time peace officer and would have to possess a concealed carry permit in CA to have a weapon with me. We don't have open carry laws. The reason an average citizen would need to carry a firearm would be to protect themselves, their immediate family near them and get them to a safe place. The average citizen does not need to carry a firearm to get involved in stopping an armed suspect even if the police aren't there yet. The citizen who thinks they are trying to help can seriously confuse things for cops when they arrive on scene and easily mistake the citizen trying to help for the armed suspect taking their attention away from what or where the real problem is. Heaven forbid the cops shoot and kill the citizen trying to help. As I said I've worked in a jail for 11 of my 12 years in this career. I've talked to murders, child molesters, you name it, we've had them in custody. In the 12 years, I've had the legal right to carry a concealed weapon for about 6 of those years. Occasionally I see some of the people keeping me gainfully employed on the street; maybe 10 times in the 12 years I've done this. I usually recognize them first, tell my wife our "code word" and I walk a different direction so they don't see me with my family. I've never had an issue. In those 6 years of concealed carry, I have never been in a situation to even remotely consider drawing my weapon. Not once ever. In fact in the 44 years I've been alive, I've never been in a situation where a firearm was needed for dealing with people. (This doesn't count my year on the streets as a deputy. I drew my weapon almost every night for one reason or another in the course of my duties). I guess after a long story my point, or opinion is this. For the average citizen legally allowed to carry, concealed or open, the need to for them to draw their weapon to protect themselves or family I believe would be VERY LOW. Like 0.000001 percent low. I think the likely hood is higher for the average citizen to do more harm than good by drawing their weapon and getting involved in something even they might not be sure what's going on. I'm NOT anti-gun. I love the ones I have. I'm also not anti-open carry or concealed carry. IMO the likely hood of needing a firearm with you in the course of every day life is so remote people don't actually realize it. I mean think about what I do for a living and in 12 years have never needed a gun in my every day life.
CDC Study: Use of Firearms for Self-Defense is “Studies that directly assessed the effect of actual defensive uses of guns (i.e., incidents in which a gun was ‘used’ by the crime victim in the sense of attacking or threatening an offender) have found consistently lower injury rates among gun-using crime victims compared with victims who used other self-protective strategies,” the CDC study, entitled “Priorities For Research to Reduce the Threat of Firearm-Related Violence,” states. Researchers compiled data from previous studies in order to guide future research on gun violence, noting that “almost all national survey estimates indicate that defensive gun uses by victims are at least as common as offensive uses by criminals, with estimates of annual uses ranging from about 500,000 to more than 3 million per year.” The CDC’s findings - that guns are an effective and often used crime deterrent and that most firearm incidents are not fatal - could affect the future of gun violence research..
Interesting study. Unfortunately the research fails to give statistics on how many of the defensive gun uses were by citizens carrying firearms in public places. I'm only guessing but I would bet the majority of those defensive gun uses were in their own home. I've actually had my firearm in my hand with an intent to use it about 4 or 5 times in my own home when the alarm has gone off for some reason. The study also said this....."Instead, researchers proposed gun safety technologies such as “external locking devices and biometric systems” to reduce firearm-related deaths." Which I think most of us would agree is stupid. And I apologize, I'm not discounting the study or your time reading it or posting it. For me the study doesn't break down the situations in which the gun was used to deter crime enough for me. Their term of "defensive gun uses" is very broad and most likely covers all defensive gun uses in every instance.
I for one don't understand open carry. I live in the People's Socialist Hellhole of Illinois and have a CCW permit. With that being said if I was a cop in an open carry state and people are walking around with AK's or AR's it would put me on edge? I love my 2 AK's and 6 AR's like the next gun loving American but having a gun on my hip or over my shoulder leaves me vulnerable in my opinion. What if you have your trusty Glock on your hip and three dudes walk up and grab you because they know you have a gun? Why put others on edge because you are walking around with a gun? The whole point of carrying to me is having an element of surprise should your life be endangered.
I support the 2A through and through and I have no problem with open carry. With that said, why would anyone want to show that they have a gun? You'll be the first target if someone wants to do harm or commit a crime and you're flashing your gun around. The whole "fun" in concealed carry is that no one knows who has what. That's just my opinion, I have nothing against someone who wants to, I just don't like to advertise. Same with political/hunting stickers on my truck, it's just asking for something to happen.
I open carry whenever I am out doing things on my hunting properties. Even if I have to stop by a store for anything that day, I still open carry. Sometimes I may leave it in the truck but most of the time I don't. I don't want to be in the woods in an awkward position say carrying a tree stand in or be setting up a trailcam and not have it readily and quickly available. Other than those times, I don't open carry. Like Spear said, the beauty of Conceal Carry s no one knows who is carrying, however it is a proven fact that criminals are FAR LESS likely to attack someone they KNOW carries a gun. This is why criminals target places where people are less likely to be armed.
I carry concealed, i would rather not draw attention to the fact that I am armed as it degrades any tactical advantage.
I concede the point of not wanting to advertise or otherwise become the first target due to open carry...if you're the only person open-carrying in a place that is attacked then sure, you are likely to get targeted. But what happens if open carry is re-normalized? When 5 law abiding citizens are walking around Costco open carrying? 15? 30?
I prefer concealed when done right. Walked into Wal Mart today behind a dork with a nine in the small of his back and his tee shirt tucked in behind it.....
I've had the right to carry in my home state for quite some time now. In my years of carrying I've only once thought I was going to have to draw it while out in public....all other times I've had a gun drawn and in the ready position have been at my home or a family member's home. The #1 thing working at a gun store and range has taught me is that far too many people carry with the mindset that the reason they have a firearm is to start or win a fight...not escape danger or get out of a fight. I pray every day I slide my firearm into a pocket holster or my larger ones into an IWB that I never have to draw it until downloading it that night. It is that mindset that is one reason why I rarely open carry (only really at the range/store or on hunting properties do I open carry). Don't get me wrong should I ever have to draw...I will end a fight whether that means I accomplish escaping danger or the threat is eliminated. Another reason I don't open carry is public wariness. Whether we hate it or love it, firearms cause raised stress and social issues out in public. I don't personally desire any confrontations verbally or awkward situations with other civilians in my day to day life. I just personally don't want to have to defend it or explain to someone that is uneasy about it or mad about it...wasted breath in my opinion and I've learned those conversations don't gain nearly as much ground as one that is done when the topic just randomly comes up and at some point I share "I often carry, have you felt unsafe with me ever?" The element of surprise is the greatest "weapon" for any armed citizen if they find themselves in a situation where their life is threatened....a concealed carry style allows this element to remain, when open carry eliminates this position immediately. Obviously I also am out in public often with friends and family (especially wife)...and I want to do all I can to lesson the target on them, by open carrying I'd be placing eyes on us of both the good and the bad people....concealing I now only have to worry about all the ladies looking because I'm so good looking bahaha! Another reason I don't open carry is for officer awareness as well. Heaven forbid I ever am around or involved in a situation where police are called in to ascertain friendlies and foes...my holstered gun that is hidden will lower the chances of me being viewed as a threat and once the situation is under control I can explain to the officers I am carrying if necessary and will allow them to disarm me if they desire.
How can you simply dismiss another mans perspective because you don't happen to agree? especially when a man with experience shares his perspective.
Ty, like you said some people carry for the wrong reason I also feel that many that conceal carry do not grasp the dynamics of actually drawing that weapon in a situation when lives are in danger.
