I came across the open carry website recently and read some of the posts in the NC forum. I'm kinda wondering what the mentality is behind it.

I'm torn as to why people do it. On one hand I believe in the 2nd amendment and agree that people should have the right to carry a firearm if they so wish. I also believe that just because people have a right to do something does not mean it's always a good idea.

Seems like people would get a little nervous/freaked out seeing some ordinary person walking around with a gun on their hip. I guess if you're dressed like a plain clothes cop they might not, but the average person would probably get some strange looks and from what I've been reading they get hassled by the cops quite a bit because nervous people call to report a "man with a gun".

Why bother? If you really want/need to have one for personal protection, just get a concealed carry license and remove the freaked out citizens from the equation.

I dunno. Just seems like these people are more about getting attention than exercising some right they believe to be in jeopardy.

10/29/2009 9:46:01 AM

I think a lot of people just do it because they're all "MAH RIGHTS!!! "

This isn't the wild fucking west. There's no need to walk through the saloon with a six shooter on your holster.

Quote :

"Seems like people would get a little nervous/freaked out seeing some ordinary person walking around with a gun on their hip. I guess if you're dressed like a plain clothes cop they might not, but the average person would probably get some strange looks and from what I've been reading they get hassled by the cops quite a bit because nervous people call to report a "man with a gun"."

This is true and it happens all the time.

10/29/2009 9:58:30 AM

i've never open carried, but i've been with someone who was. you wouldn't confuse them for an off duty cop but i guess they werent dressed like a slob. most people didn't have a reaction at all, i figured it was because he wasn't walking around all sketchy. i think most people just assumed that he was supposed to have a gun.

10/29/2009 11:45:22 AM

In NC, OC is a legal act, that has supreme court cases to back it up.
If you go back in history, OC was the preffered and common method of carry, and only criminals hid their guns. There was a swing in society, as to not scare the sheeple, and CC fell into favor.

If you are just reading the internet, http://www.opencarry.org or http://www.carolinashootersforum.com , and read the stories you will see a trend. Mostly negative perceptions of OC, and some LEO encounters. There in lies the problem. People don't post when nothing happens.
I have been OCing for over two years, and have been stopped once, and that was very recently. I have been in lines with LEO, and have consensual conversations on numerous occassions.

Speaking from my own experience, and that of people I know, OCing doesn't cause problems in a persons every day life. There are a few strange looks, a few people keep more distance, and some come up and ask you about the firearm. Another thing that happens is that you get asked for change much less often. This is an oportunity for us that OC to inform the curious public about the legality of OC, and show that LAC can and do carry firearms in public, even if they aren't in view.

Now as to why bother: why not? Some people have reasons as to why they don't have or want a CHP. One is that they don't feel the need to pay for permission to exercise a constitutional right. Some people don't want their name and fingerprints on file and popping up with CHP if they get pulled over. Another reason is that you can't get a CHP if you are between 18 and 20 years old, even though firearm possession is perfectly legal. These people sometimes OC untill they are allowed to get their CHP.

Sadly, a lot of the gun community refuses to support OCers for baseless reasons that sound like everything the anti-gun people say. There are no documented cases of an open carryer being targetted and attacked for thier gun. There are no documented cases of an OCer being shot first in some sort of robbery. People fail to recognize the pros to OC. You have a faster draw. There is no clothing or bag or belt to get in the way. OC is a deterant. Unfortunately there is no way to document the number of crimes that didn't happen. OC is an educator.

OC isn't for everyone. OC should only be done when appropriate. When it is appropriate depends on each person, their setting, and their beliefs. I OC 90%+ of the time that I carry. I have never been asked to leave any location. I have had countless positive conversations with people. I have never had a negative conversation with a person. I have only been stoppe once, and that stop was illegal.

Read This:
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10508911#post10508911

and look at this:
http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=843733

[Edited on October 29, 2009 at 12:23 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on October 29, 2009 at 12:30 PM. Reason : .]

10/29/2009 12:22:39 PM

Something tells me that open carry experiences and public sentiment would be vastly different if the right were being exercised by poorer nonwhite people.

10/29/2009 12:29:45 PM

A person by the internet handle Danbus has been stopped 4 times for OC in Virginia. He now wears a hat that says "Black Man With a Gun". He has recieved settlements from VA for his unlawfull arrests and detainments. This happens all over the country.

Personal experience says to the contrary as well. Legal acts can't be illegal because you are in a lower SES or 'not white'.

[Edited on October 29, 2009 at 12:33 PM. Reason : .]

10/29/2009 12:32:27 PM

Quote :

"OC is a deterant."

yep...were I a robber, I'd think twice about not only robbing someone who is carrying openly, but also I'd think twice about committing a crime in the vicinity of that person

but of course you're always going to have some people who freak the fuck out based on their own ignorance and/or naivety and/or fear of firearms

Quote :

"This isn't the wild fucking west"

Its also not magical happy land where criminals don't exist and bad things don't happen

10/29/2009 12:33:43 PM

I should mention that when I saw a guy carrying a weapon openly he was Black.

10/29/2009 12:38:07 PM

Quote :

"Legal acts can't be illegal because you are in a lower SES or 'not white'."

I completely agree. Or, rather, that they shouldn't be either illegal or less legal. That being said, regardless of legality, a black 18 year old walking down New Bern with a gun out is almost certainly more likely to have a shitty day involving a police interaction than if he were 40 and white.

10/29/2009 12:38:36 PM

Quote :

"Its also not magical happy land where criminals don't exist and bad things don't happen"

It is in Cary.

http://carync.areaconnect.com/crime/compare.htm?c1=Cary&s1=NC&c2=Detroit&s2=MI

10/29/2009 12:42:38 PM

^I still see plenty of crime.

See, ''gun out'' is misleading. A gun secured in a holster on a persons belt or some other proper holster being open carried is not cause to stop someone. If ther person is dressed like a thug/gang banger, then it is different. It is still legal, but leads more to RAS for a stop. IF that 40 year old W/M looked like a thug/gang banger, I bet he would be stopped just as quickly.

Also, location is important. If you are OCing in a bad area or area known for crime you are pushing the limits. That is why OC should be done where appropriate.

[Edited on October 29, 2009 at 12:44 PM. Reason : .]

10/29/2009 12:42:59 PM

But it shouldn't be different

10/29/2009 12:43:50 PM

well an 18yo would have a long gun, what are the rules for carrying a long gun?

10/29/2009 12:44:07 PM

18yo can have a pistol. No problems with that, though again, more RAS possibility for a stop.

10/29/2009 12:45:06 PM

But there shouldn't be

10/29/2009 12:45:32 PM

they can receive a pistol as a gift?

10/29/2009 12:45:47 PM

Quote :

"Also, location is important. If you are OCing in a bad area or area known for crime you are pushing the limits. That is why OC should be done where appropriate."

lol, aren't the bad areas where you are most likely to need it?

10/29/2009 12:47:57 PM

My favorite part of the second amendment is the clause that says "where appropriate, lolz".

10/29/2009 12:49:46 PM

Quote :

"they can receive a pistol as a gift?"

Some sheriffs will issue purchase permits to those 18-20 with a meeting. You can then buy from private party, but not a FFL.
Also, NC is not a registration state: You can possess a weapon that does not belong to you. Parents can purchase and own a firearm that their 18-20 child carries.

Quote :

"lol, aren't the bad areas where you are most likely to need it?"

Don't go into bad areas unless you absolutely have too. That is they way that you keep from having to use your firearm. Then, OC could, possibly be a bad idea. Drawing attention to yourself in bad areas is a bad idea.

Quote :

"My favorite part of the second amendment is the clause that says "where appropriate, lolz"."

It doesn't, as I'm sure you are aware. This is where commen sense comes into play. If you want to OC everywhere, go ahead. Sometimes it may not be wise. On your same retarded line of thinking, where does it say ban certain weapons and restrict carry at all?

10/29/2009 12:56:29 PM

Quote :

"It is in Cary."

k

10/29/2009 1:01:09 PM

As a person who thinks concealed carry is perfectly fine, open carrying seems like a terrible idea.

You'd have to be constantly paranoid about people behind you and in your peripheral vision. Then again, paranoia is probably a natural state for most OC'ers, given your reasons against concealed carry.

10/29/2009 1:14:33 PM

Whenever I see someone with an OC my first thought is always off-duty cop. My family has quite a few cops in it, and hanging out with them means OC. One in particular will OC while getting drunk at a bar and then drive home. When they get pulled over, out comes the badge.

That said, they have been doing that for half a century now and never had an accident while drunk, gun or driving wise, so the family has stopped making a big deal out of it.

[Edited on October 29, 2009 at 1:15 PM. Reason : .,.]

10/29/2009 1:14:48 PM

I used to open carry when I was working alone refurbishing derelict houses. I ran into squatters on several occasions.

As I understand it you can open carry in a car, as long as it's on the dashboard in plain view. I've always hidden mine(unloaded and in the trunk, cough) though to avoid getting capped by an overzealous johhny law.

All the old convenience store owners used to have a .38 on their hip.

10/29/2009 1:35:36 PM

Quote :

"You'd have to be constantly paranoid about people behind you and in your peripheral vision. Then again, paranoia is probably a natural state for most OC'ers, given your reasons against concealed carry."

Well, that only shows that you have never used nor seen a proper retention holster.

10/29/2009 1:44:02 PM

Quote :

"As a person who thinks concealed carry is perfectly fine, open carrying seems like a terrible idea. You'd have to be constantly paranoid about people behind you and in your peripheral vision. Then again, paranoia is probably a natural state for most OC'ers, given your reasons against concealed carry. "

Yeah, comfort, speed of draw, and education of others are all really paranoid ideas aren't they.
A proper retention holster solves a lot of problems, and is what OC should be done in. No reason be be paranoid about other people being around me, as there are zero documented cases of gun grab, and I know and practice weapon retention. That isn't paranoid, it is prepared.
If you are happy with CC, then good for you. Others like OC, and what gives you (CCers) the right to deny them that form of legal and 'unregulated' carry?

LoneSnark: I don't even know what to say to that. Some people could pass as LEO, and some don't. A lot of Police Departments do not allow OC by off duty officers. NO ONE is allowed to drink and carry, drink and drive, or do any other stupid illegal shit.

Quote :

"As I understand it you can open carry in a car, as long as it's on the dashboard in plain view."

Yes, OC in a car is legal. The firearm should be in plain view, which is the passenger seat, center console, or dash (vehicle dependant). Some say that OWB on your hip in a car is still legal, as you are not intentionally concealing, and liken it to sitting in a booth at a restaurant. There is not case law or precedent either way on this one.

[Edited on October 29, 2009 at 1:48 PM. Reason : .]

10/29/2009 1:47:35 PM

Quote :

"Why bother? If you really want/need to have one for personal protection, just get a concealed carry license and remove the freaked out citizens from the equation. "

The reasons I've mostly heard are:

1) It's a faster draw. When you need a gun, every second counts and it is undeniably faster to get to an unconcealed weapon. Yes with training you can get your concealed draw to be as fast, but those people are few and far between and Murphy doesn't take holidays.

2) Less hassle. Aside from the usual permitting process one needs to get a CCW, many states have very weird laws regarding concealed carry that make it more of a hassle to carry that way. For example, in some states, concealed means just that and you can get in trouble if your concealed weapon prints on your clothing. Also in some state (I believe this includes NC) it is illegal to carry concealed in some places (such as a bank), but if you carry openly, it's legal.

Quote :

"You'd have to be constantly paranoid about people behind you and in your peripheral vision. Then again, paranoia is probably a natural state for most OC'ers, given your reasons against concealed carry."

Not paranoid, but aware, which is a good thing to be anyway. In fact, look at any public safety posting / PSA etc about protecting yourself from an attack and #1 is always be aware of your surroundings.

10/29/2009 1:56:15 PM

Quote :

"Also in some state (I believe this includes NC) it is illegal to carry concealed in some places (such as a bank), but if you carry openly, it's legal."

IIRC, non-LEOs are never allowed to carry, either concealed or openly, in any government (regulated) buildings...this includes post offices, banks, etc

10/29/2009 2:05:05 PM

Yeah banks are out. Oddly enough, credit unions are ok, unless they've posted the no weapons allowed sign.

10/29/2009 2:23:47 PM

Banks are perfectly legal to OC in. A majority do post no carry signs though. NC law only specifies CC is illegal in banks. They are a private business, and are not government buildings in any way shape or form.

10/29/2009 2:38:20 PM

Quote :

"They are a private business, and are not government buildings in any way shape or form."

Bernanke says otherwise.

10/29/2009 2:47:01 PM

this is a topic better left in the lounge.

Quote :

"they're all "MAH RIGHTS!!!"

and?

Quote :

"There's no need "

rights don't require necessity and your judgment of necessity isn't necessarily accurate.

Quote :

"One in particular will OC while getting drunk at a bar and then drive home. When they get pulled over, out comes the badge. "

I thought we could always trust the cops

10/29/2009 4:23:25 PM

yeah, that last thing you pointed out strikes me as a little off too...


I want the right to carry in a place that serves alcohol, but I am totally for the law that says you can't have a gun on you if you have any mind altering substance in your body (alcohol included)

10/29/2009 5:27:54 PM

Why bother?
MAH RIGHTS!

A right unexercised, is a right lost. And with the partial loss of a right will be a slippery slope leading to a loss of the entire right.

We have rights. If you want to exercise them, then do so, but do so without blaming others for exercising their rights.

I mean, protesting for the release of murderers and rapists isn't "the smartest thing" but you don't bitch about them.

10/29/2009 7:40:32 PM

Quote :

"A right unexercised, is a right lost."

not at all.

10/29/2009 11:36:18 PM

but totally.

10/29/2009 11:58:26 PM