Yeah, cops and security guards are neon signs. Several years ago, 4 Seattle cops, IIRC, were having meals at a fast food restaurant, when some nut came up and shot all of them. One managed to return fire, but all 4 died.

Edited: It was in a coffee shop near Tacoma, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...09_Lakewood_shooting

I prefer concealed. Several years ago, I was taking a class at TDI in Ohio. It was open carry and I carried into a McDonalds (just about the only restaurant in a dry county), I don't think anyone noticed.

Lots of open carry here. Not the way I choose but also not exactly going to knock anyone for it either.

Also around here you have to be 21 to carry concealed but can own handguns at 18.
So everyone between 18 and 21 has to open carry here.

quote:

Also around here you have to be 21 to carry concealed but can own handguns at 18.
So everyone between 18 and 21 has to open carry here.

That makes no sense. But then, it's the government.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

Also around here you have to be 21 to carry concealed but can own handguns at 18.
So everyone between 18 and 21 has to open carry here.

That makes no sense. But then, it's the government.

Almost as dumb here....you can legally carry (concealed or open) at 18 (state law) but can't buy a handgun through an FFL until you turn 21 (federal law).

I also know a kid who almost got arrested on a traffic stop for carrying on his Indiana permit in AZ at 18. Our states have reciprocity and both also have permitless carry, but apparently that doesn't apply in AZ to someone under 21. Thankfully it was obvious that he was trying to follow the law, and the cop was cool and just told him to unload it and put it in the trunk.

It was mentioned earlier; I carry concealed in town and open carry around the homestead and in the woods.

StarchedCover

If I were to hypothetically open carry, it would be in at least a "Level 1" retention holster, attached to a belt, so somebody can't simply walk up and pull my gun out of the holster.

The old lady is wise and correct. Don't advertise to others. Be the grey man. Blend in with the crowd. If, and when you need to pull that blaster 2000, everyone should be surprised.

quote:

Originally posted by BearBio:

Think bout it this way: If you were the bad guy, what would you do??? Take out the most likely threat or ignore it??

You should ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings!!! Lack of situational awareness gets more people killed than anything else!!

Not sure why you're preaching to me.

I don’t have a problem with open carry. I do know there have been at least attempts to steal the gun.

As usual, it depends on the surroundings.

I carry outside waste band in a Safariland retention holster. I do wear a Polo style shirt untucked to cover the holster. I haven't anyone tell me they saw the gun, nor have I noticed anyone staring at it. If someone is looking carefully and knows what to look for, I'm sure they'll have a pretty good idea I'm carrying. However, it seems to me that most people are oblivious to their surroundings.
I do agree with what the woman said about open carry in the context you described.

Happy to see others open carry.

I like to fly under the radar.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
I agree, context matters. But as a general rule, I agree with the old lady.

Funny lady, but I like her.

quote:

Originally posted by Spudgun:
I was in a fast food chicken place for lunch and I live in an exceptionally low crime area (strong arm robbery and the like essentially zero). A 20 something was open carrying; I looked at him and he said it’s legal. I said I know but you should know if I were the bad guy you would be shot first, in the back and then I would take your gun.
Big facial expression change.

Time for a life lesson..

I could carry a nickel plated government 1911 with pearl grips in an open slide holster on my hip. That's "open carry" that you could spot 2 blocks away.

Or I could carry that same 1911 in my waistband with just the grips sitting on the top edge of my belt. That's "open carry" that you probably won't notice if I'm standing right next to you.

How you present is important.
I can remember back to when I first noticed that I had become invisible.
Old people are generally looked over or looked past. If your situational awareness has been on pause, you may have drawn the attention of a bad actor. Otherwise you will draw only slightly more attention to yourself if you choose setting yourself on fire instead of by carrying a firearm openly.

See, I routinely open carry but I'm not into flashing lights and sirens to get your attention anymore. I'm the guy you never notice. If you were not looking and specifically know what you're looking for, you wouldn't notice. Yes, really.

How you stand and even where you decide to stand. Even cows know to get under a shade tree on a hot afternoon. So, knowing and understanding all of this really makes me scratch my head when I do notice someone open carrying. I don't make it a practice to look for it....so if I do notice, it has to be an "in your face" deal.

Out in the woods I open carry but anywhere else it's concealed We can't open carry here but I don't think I would if I could. I don't like to be surprised but I do like to have a surprise.

quote:

Originally posted by Vaftocr:
She went on to say he would be no good if a mass shooter presented himself as he would be targeted first. She then proceeded to say he must lack confidence.

If we take this to its logical conclusion, shouldn't all police officers and security guards be plain clothes/undercover?

When done correctly, open carry has the benefit of acclimating the general public to an armed society. And as we know an armed society is a polite society.

When done incorrectly, well, plenty of examples have been cited in this thread.

I find open carry less than ideal and have seen more than one event where a subject carrying a weapon openly was targeted and relieved of their weapon by a suspect. The only reason I would ever suggest someone carry openly is that it is legal to do so but illegal to carry concealed in their location OR they are doing something that requires carrying a large firearm in an area where the public expects to see large firearms (bear country).

That's just my opinion though. Anyone else is free to do what they wish.

I only open carry spring through autumn when I go for my evening 4-6 mile walk. Often shirtless because it is so hot and humid here in VA. Actually had a fellow resident say a person snapped a pic of me and posted it on the community Facebook page because I was walking near a school armed. Ridiculous. Why worry about the guy who isn’t hiding anything? Regardless concealed the rest of the time.

I've seen some young guys open carry their glocks. My favorite is old timers open carrying their 1911s. Brings a smile to my lips. It's like seeing someone driving a steel framed muscle car of the 60s.