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Open carry went into effect last Nov. here in Oklahoma and so far I have yet to see a single person carry openly. However, as I feared, there are a LOT more no weapons signs than there was during conceal carry only.
The only real reason I was happy for the change, is before accidental exposure or "printing" used to be a felony for CCW users.
I also think open carry makes you more of a target, and is more in the face of those around you and generally brings something out of people around you (good or bad).
quote:Originally posted by ruger41
We went out to breakfast this morning and went to Old Country Buffet. I was conceal carrying as always. To my suprise a man was open carrying a full size auto. This place had over 60 people inside. Not a peep or learing stare from any of them. I don't believe he was policeman either as he had no badge visible. Kinda nice to know that establishment had no problem with it either. He was up at the buffet line a few times so no way could others not have not noticed..but there were no screams of "GUN" or cops called. No if he were trying that in Seattle instead of Yakima he might have had a problem.
Shhh...don't tell the anti-open carriers...they'll never believe this happens all the time.
My view on this is very simple.
If it is legal in your State,use it or loose it
Is it dangerous to carry/open carry,DAMN Right it's dangerous.
The idea is to show,yes advertise,you are not a bad guy. Show the public,legal gun owner are on their side.
But if your going to be a jelly bean and not exercise your right to carry, you will loose that right.
Then you will be on some forum crying, they took my sling shot at Walmart.
While I live in a state which doesn't require concealed carry, the culture in MN is such that most of the time open carry in town would be seen as a negative. This is a very liberal enclave and the reality is there are more stupid and uninformed people than there are folks who understand freedom.
Bottom line is that I do not wish to give the idiots any "ammo" in their march to disarm America. If I open carry and upset 100 people and only get a few to warm up to the idea of open carry then I view that as a net loss. That is why I don't open carry in town just to "make a point".
I do open carry at times when it does make sense to people and I judge the net effect will garner more support than negative reaction. When I am the person representing our right to bear arms then I always want to be percieved as stable, thoughtfull, responsible, and in control.
Comments
The only real reason I was happy for the change, is before accidental exposure or "printing" used to be a felony for CCW users.
I also think open carry makes you more of a target, and is more in the face of those around you and generally brings something out of people around you (good or bad).
We went out to breakfast this morning and went to Old Country Buffet. I was conceal carrying as always. To my suprise a man was open carrying a full size auto. This place had over 60 people inside. Not a peep or learing stare from any of them. I don't believe he was policeman either as he had no badge visible. Kinda nice to know that establishment had no problem with it either. He was up at the buffet line a few times so no way could others not have not noticed..but there were no screams of "GUN" or cops called. No if he were trying that in Seattle instead of Yakima he might have had a problem.
Shhh...don't tell the anti-open carriers...they'll never believe this happens all the time.
If it is legal in your State,use it or loose it
Is it dangerous to carry/open carry,DAMN Right it's dangerous.
The idea is to show,yes advertise,you are not a bad guy. Show the public,legal gun owner are on their side.
But if your going to be a jelly bean and not exercise your right to carry, you will loose that right.
Then you will be on some forum crying, they took my sling shot at Walmart.
Bottom line is that I do not wish to give the idiots any "ammo" in their march to disarm America. If I open carry and upset 100 people and only get a few to warm up to the idea of open carry then I view that as a net loss. That is why I don't open carry in town just to "make a point".
I do open carry at times when it does make sense to people and I judge the net effect will garner more support than negative reaction. When I am the person representing our right to bear arms then I always want to be percieved as stable, thoughtfull, responsible, and in control.
Open carry is about deterring crime. Carrying concealed is not a deterrent.
Idiots who freak out over an openly carried firearm simply need to see more, and become acclimated.
Never seen a uniformed officer concealed carry.....