Coming out party ?

[Guest Frazsteve]

Ok - maybe I got to much sun today doing yard work but here goes...

I read the other day were some carried in the open just to see what would happen. If I remember right, he had 3 people talk to him about it and 2 of them asked questions and ended up saying they would check into getting carry permit.

What if we picked one day and all open carried?

With conceled carry, no one has an idea how many do carry.

If we all open carried one day, maybe we could make it known how many do carry so the geneal public would know how many of us there are.

I know there are as many minuses as positives, but would like to see some discussion on this.

[56FordGuy]

Uhm...interesting title for the thread.

[TripleDigitRide]

So, are you a top or a bottom? I'm asking for Mike.357. I know, I was shocked to hear the news myself.

Although I'm not much for OCing myself, I actually thought about doing it the other day. For the sake of comfort with the clothing I was wearing at the time.

[pitt2magic]

Well the guy in your example carried in his own place of business which make it a bit easier. Im sure it would turn quite a few heads which isnt always a bad thing.

[Guest bkelm18]

I'm not really into using my firearm as a statement. I carry it for defense, and that's it.

[Guest jackdog]

I'm not really into using my firearm as a statement. I carry it for defense, and that's it.

Plus 10000000000000000000000000000000

[Guest Bronker]

I'm not really into using my firearm as a statement. I carry it for defense, and that's it.

Roger that.

[Sean S.]

I'm not really into using my firearm as a statement. I carry it for defense, and that's it.

I have to agree, the whole point for me is the element of surprise. The general public is better off not knowing who carries.

[Garufa]

I wouldn't mind OC'ing sometime if a few others come along with me. But it ain't gonna be no "coming out party". Unless we also sport fanny-packs to carry all our accoutrements!

[Mike.357]

Yep, I need to know who is pitching and who is catching.

I would prefer to OC, as long as I had my CCW badge on a chain hangin round my neck.

I OC'd today as a matter of fact, I think it impressed those who saw it.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I say we all OC on the same day, but we all wear thigh rigs with dump pouches, and chest rigs or tactical vests. Doesn't matter if you're a CEO, banker, lawyer, BK "the Zooman" elm18, a tactical assault liquor specialist, an IT commando, a tactical tinfoil model, whatever...I just wanna see something crazy in the papers. Lets give them all a true WTF moment. Go buy baby formula and laugh maniacally. Have every conversation in some crazy Vietnam era radio talk, i.e. "Rodger Dodger, I've got you licken chicken." Of course, all this could be due to the Nyquil talking.

[Fallguy]

Frazsteve......as you are fairly new I appolgize for some of the post.

For whatever reason you will find many on TGO very anti-OC even more than the general public is anti-gun.

When any thread is started about OC istead of just answering the question of keeping the thread on topic, it becomes open season to run down OC.

Anyway....you may want to check National Open Carry

and OpenCarry.org - A Right Unexercised is a Right Lost!

[Guest SUNTZU]

I'm not anti OC. I OC a lot of the time. My holster is OWB, and my shirts don't cover it all the way, and most of the time end up behind the pistol. Most people seem to have no idea that I am carrying. Granted, I've never done an official survey, but I've never turned around to find someone cowering in fear behind the Frito Lay display, either. Most people are too self involved to notice something that is right there in front of them. This might have to do with how ugly I am, and people doing there damndest not to eyeball me and lose their lunch, I don't know. But I am definitely not concerned with OC'ing. Also, I don't OC in a way to throw it in people's faces, either. That's my two cents.

[Mike.357]

Yeah, don't mind us. Mostly we are being smart asses to one another. Unfortunately the new guys(OP in this case) have to wade through our hijynx.

For the most part I conceal casually. Meaning my gun is worn in a holster on the outside of my waistband. But it is concealed under a t-shirt or under my button down untucked shirt. I rarely tuck in a shirt, like most fat people.

I truly wish society would not look at someone like me OC'ing as a blight or something to fear. I do not believe in the BS that if you OC you lose the element of suprise, or you become a target for a bad guy. I dunno maybe that can happen but someone needs to show me documentation of it.

I believe most people are anti OC because they do not want to rock the boat or in other words draw attention to themselves.

Each one of is has to find out what works best for our own situations. For me casually concealed works best. But there are situations where I conceal a little deeper than casually, and also times where deep concealment is involved.

Today happened to be OC day here at the casa de Mike.357, and believe me, those in attendance were dang well impressed.

Suntzu said

This might have to do with how ugly I am, and people doing there damndest not to eyeball me and lose their lunch, I don't know.

truer words were never spoken, well the ugly part anyway.

[Garufa]

I'm not anti-OC either. It is perfectly within our rights as granted by the State do so, for now. Life would be a whole lot easier to go that way as opposed to buying bigger pants to hold your IWB, or buying puny guns that will fit into a pocket (of loose pants).

The big deal with OC and why most try to avoid it is public reaction. Of course this all depends on where you are at what time of day and how the planets are in alignment. If someone notices and reports you to management of wherever you are they just might call the law. If so, the law is obliged to respond and not all lawmen are up on the law and some have superiorty complexes. In other words there could be a big hassle, public humilation, etc.

Edited April 26, 2009 by Garufa

[Guest SUNTZU]

truer words were never spoken, well the ugly part anyway.

That's my other backup weapon. :P

[Guest nraforlife]

Think I'll pass. Just not into OC, nothing against it just don't care to. I prefer just to go about my business quietly and to be left the frick alone.

[S&WForty]

National Take Your Side Arm To Work Day.

[Garufa]

National Take Your Side Arm To Work Day.

That would be more like National Unemployment Day for me.

[Mrgreenmachine]

It's my opinion you should always open carry. The more people see them the less likely they are to have these irrational fears of guns. I've open carried exclusively for the last year and have received no comments or questions. Then again I'm a large, hairy, scary dude so most people steer clear of me anyway.

[TGO David]

We have a hard enough time getting firearms owners to do something that would actually benefit them... like calling or emailing their elected representatives to encourage pro-firearm legislation.

[Guest slothful1]

How about an 'empty holster' day like some of those 'concealed carry on campus' groups do... You could still carry concealed separately, and even non-HCP-holders could wear a holster.

[Fallguy]

It's my opinion you should always open carry. The more people see them the less likely they are to have these irrational fears of guns. I've open carried exclusively for the last year and have received no comments or questions. Then again I'm a large, hairy, scary dude so most people steer clear of me anyway.

I tend to agree if the sheep saw more citizens with firearms it would become less "shocking" to them over time. But what do I know?...lol

However I don't think anyone should OC if they are not comfortable with it or if they are not prepared to deal with the attention that can come from it...from sheep and LEOs.

We have a hard enough time getting firearms owners to do something that would actually benefit them... like calling or emailing their elected representatives to encourage pro-firearm legislation.

Oh so true sir....

How about an 'empty holster' day like some of those 'concealed carry on campus' groups do... You could still carry concealed separately, and even non-HCP-holders could wear a holster.

Hmmmm....not an all bad idea....

[Punisher84]

We have a hard enough time getting firearms owners to do something that would actually benefit them... like calling or emailing their elected representatives to encourage pro-firearm legislation.

Man ain't that the truth.

[S&WForty]

It's my opinion you should always open carry. The more people see them the less likely they are to have these irrational fears of guns. I've open carried exclusively for the last year and have received no comments or questions. Then again I'm a large, hairy, scary dude so most people steer clear of me anyway.

I have thought that way in the past, but some recent experiences have changed my mind. A gun-loving, permit-approving friend of mine has in recent weeks seen two different people open-carrying, and both people made him stop and rethink his support for "just anybody getting a carry permit."

One person was a "hot head," and the OC'ed firearm came across as a silent threat, and the other person was simply referred to as a "total thug." If more people like those two examples start OC'ing their guns, imagine the reaction anti-gun or riding-the-fence-on-guns people will have. We can't seem to get laws passed to carry in various places due to the apprehension many people already have, and that is with a high percent of is carrying concealed.

I asked my friend, "How many permit holders have shot someone wrongly? Yeah, just that shooting in Cordova. One out of how many thousands of permit holders in TN??? I guess the two you saw haven't shot anyone."

I had the comeback for my friend, but we're dealing with people's perceptions, not facts or reality. It's just another example in life how a few bad apples can ruin things for the rest of us. If it wasn't for that, I'd still think more OC'ing people would open eyes positively. But that ain't gonna happen.