Open Carry for 1st time...not the best experience...

[Guest President Fernatt]

Let me start out by saying that I am fairly new to handgun carry life. I turned 21 and got my license last year. Only within the last 8-9 months have I been carrying fairly regularly. I'm 22 now and I have always conceal carried simply because I feel that is the best way. We can argue open/concealed all day but I believe concealed is the least controversial avenue for someone as young as myself. We all know some folks get antsy around guns because of their ignorance...add the fact that the gun is strapped to the side of someone who isn't yet old enough to rent a car and it only makes things worse.

Now, to the open carry. I was going to Cades Cove to take some photos and just enjoy a day in the park; it was warm so I didn't want to overdress with a jacket or button-up over shirt and I didn't carry it in a maxpedition man purse because I would already have my hands full with the camera stuff. SO...I open carried. I dress neat, I'm clean cut, and the gun was a sub-compact so I didn't look like a John Wayne wanna-be strolling around the prairie among the wildlife.

Before I went to the park I had to fuel up. I pulled my lil Scion Xb into the station and went inside to pay cash. The clerk noticed the gun but didn't seem surprised...all was well. I was encouraged that open-carry would be just the same as concealed, until I got to Cades Cove.

I guess I should have expected some strange looks considering most the folks there are tourists from states like Ohio, Delaware, New Jersey, etc. But what I didn't expect was the "Honey, grab the kids let's go" look . I parked the car and started walking my way up to the first cabin to take some pics and once I made my way up there, I noticed 2 young couples with a child. The mother looked at me and immediately grabbed her kid. She then walked over to her husband and the other young couple for a huddle. I said a friendly "Hey how are ya'll?" but I was completely ignored. They stayed in their lil safety huddle as I took pics of the cabin then as I began to walk back to my car I tried again to break the ice lol. I said, "Sure is nice bein' able to wear short-sleeves in January huh?" AND...shocker, I again was ignored. They just creepily eyed me like I was gonna eat their baby or somethin'.

I thought, "eh, oh well...maybe those folks were just jerks" so I continued to go about my way. I came to Primitive Baptist church to take more pics only to get another stare from and older Asian guy and his wife in their matching lil jumpsuits . He asked, "Is der someting' I should know?"...I said, "What?"...He replied, "Is der someting' I should know bout? Any reason you hab a gun?" I returned with "Is there any reason you don't?" Now, I know that was a smart-A remark but I was annoyed by the previous experience. I went back to the car, threw on a light "TheNorthFace" jacket which was weather appropriate but still made me too warm. Then, I spent the rest of the day in bliss because the gun was now covered...except for the awkward times when the previous folks and I met up at random stops along the loop.

So, what of this experience? It showed me the exact reasons I have chosen to only conceal carry. I have learned that from now on I am going to conceal carry every time, if I know I'll be in an area heavily populated by ignorant tourists, and living in Sevier County makes that pretty much everywhere. Wrong take-away or warranted lesson? You tell me.

[R_Bert]

Just imagine the headaches the pard dispatcher had....

[Fallguy]

I think some of your experience had to do with your location. As you mentioned, no real biggie at the gas station.

If you want to OC in other places I wouldn't let this discourage you. But if you choose to CC all the time now, that is fine too.

[Guest NYCrulesU]

Location, location, location. Surrounded by ignorant tourists says it all.

[jtmaze]

I agree. I carry OWB all the time. Concealment depends on entirely what I am wearing. I think the park was the problem. You were dealing with people who would think feeding a bear was exciting.

JTM🔫

Sent from my iPhone

[jtmaze]

You should have quietly explained to the man that asked if there was something he should know that he was not the top of the food chain and you wanted to ensure that you were. Lol. Just to watch his eyes get big.

JTM🔫

Sent from my iPhone

[Ebow1]

One thing I heard about open carry while I was living in Louisiana was simply not to do anything with the firearm while OCing, no touching it or fiddling with it or whatnot, and most people just assume you are an off duty cop and leave you alone. I'm not saying you did any of those things, just sayin. It sounds like the asian couple may have been from another country, not just another state, and may have been even more surprised by the presence of an individual with a firearm.

[Guest Kamikaze]

I find that open carry makes my Walmart runs much more enjoyable. You know when those fat people take up the whole isle and won't move? They usually do when you have a .45 on your hip.

I wouldn't let the sheep bother you. Just smile and go on your way.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I would have explained that it was perfectly legal to carry rather than give him a short smart comment.

Being rational and respectful goes a long way for both sides. Your smart comment prevented what could have been a positive exchange between two sides of thought. Most people don't realize it is perfectly legal to do what you did. A few minutes explaining that is was legal might have been a better way to approach it.

Now they are going to think that every person who carries a gun must be a smart ass.

Dolomite

[Ebow1]

To be fair Dolomite, one look at the discussions on this website would also give people the impression that every person who carries a gun must be a smartass. Besides, it's better to be a smartass than a dumbass.

[Will H]

Exactly as Dolomite says. We are in a minority here, and it would not hurt to explain to sheeple that as Americans living in Tennessee they can choose to simply not be defenseless. I think we should focus our efforts on recruiting other law abiding Americans to our cause.

[jtmaze]

What he said. I was being a smarta$$. And by the way I am one of those fat people. So easy on us fat folks. Lol

JTM🔫

Sent from my iPhone

[NRA]

I know to each his own but............... why ever OC? and I do not know of any off duty LEO that ever open carry.

[Raoul]

There are days I OC. Range days for sure, and on those days I go appraise foreclosures. So far I have never had any issue. Occasionally someone will ask if I'm an LEO. I quietly explain that I'm not. So far it's not been a big deal. But location can be a problem and I think that's what you discovered.

[Sidinman]

I OC & CC just depends. I was at Gander Mtn. last winter, was CCing this particular day, was looking at some ammo on the bottom shelf and aparently my outer shirt slipped over my weapon. There is a lady with a little boy standing close to me, and I hear the little fellow say look mom, and she grab him and went hurriedly the other way. In the past two years that I have had my permit that is the only time that I have anybody say or do anything of that nature.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I was trying to say that ANY insolent remark is counterproductive to the conversation, be it guns, cars or a cake recipe.

Dolomite

[Guest ArmaDeFuego]

I OC & CC. I mostly CC if I am going to be around a lot of people in a closed in space, like a Wal-Mart or something like that. If I'm outdoors I may or may not OC, it just depends on my mood. I know I have the RIGHT to OC but if I feel like it will make a lot of people uncomfortable I just dont do it.

Thats just me tho. Obviously everyone is free to do as they wish. If you wanna CC, then CC. If you wanna OC, then OC. Just like which caliber gun you choose to carry, its a personal decision.

[Guest kirkosaurus]

I know to each his own but............... why ever OC? and I do not know of any off duty LEO that ever open carry.

Seriously? Have you not seen any OC discussions on this board before? The question should be why not OC.

The three biggest reasons I OC are comfort, easier access to my firearm and it is a deterrent against crime. I don't look like a sheep. If I can deter crime before it happens and not have to try and dig my firearm out of my underwear and shoot a bad guy that's a plus.

Off duty LEO don't OC because they aren't allowed to. Ever notice that they OC while on duty though? Maybe there's a reason for that...

[JayC]

Umm, maybe you care too much about what other people think?

Let me start out by saying that I am fairly new to handgun carry life. I turned 21 and got my license last year. Only within the last 8-9 months have I been carrying fairly regularly. I'm 22 now and I have always conceal carried simply because I feel that is the best way. We can argue open/concealed all day but I believe concealed is the least controversial avenue for someone as young as myself. We all know some folks get antsy around guns because of their ignorance...add the fact that the gun is strapped to the side of someone who isn't yet old enough to rent a car and it only makes things worse.

Now, to the open carry. I was going to Cades Cove to take some photos and just enjoy a day in the park; it was warm so I didn't want to overdress with a jacket or button-up over shirt and I didn't carry it in a maxpedition man purse because I would already have my hands full with the camera stuff. SO...I open carried. I dress neat, I'm clean cut, and the gun was a sub-compact so I didn't look like a John Wayne wanna-be strolling around the prairie among the wildlife.

Before I went to the park I had to fuel up. I pulled my lil Scion Xb into the station and went inside to pay cash. The clerk noticed the gun but didn't seem surprised...all was well. I was encouraged that open-carry would be just the same as concealed, until I got to Cades Cove.

I guess I should have expected some strange looks considering most the folks there are tourists from states like Ohio, Delaware, New Jersey, etc. But what I didn't expect was the "Honey, grab the kids let's go" look . I parked the car and started walking my way up to the first cabin to take some pics and once I made my way up there, I noticed 2 young couples with a child. The mother looked at me and immediately grabbed her kid. She then walked over to her husband and the other young couple for a huddle. I said a friendly "Hey how are ya'll?" but I was completely ignored. They stayed in their lil safety huddle as I took pics of the cabin then as I began to walk back to my car I tried again to break the ice lol. I said, "Sure is nice bein' able to wear short-sleeves in January huh?" AND...shocker, I again was ignored. They just creepily eyed me like I was gonna eat their baby or somethin'.

I thought, "eh, oh well...maybe those folks were just jerks" so I continued to go about my way. I came to Primitive Baptist church to take more pics only to get another stare from and older Asian guy and his wife in their matching lil jumpsuits . He asked, "Is der someting' I should know?"...I said, "What?"...He replied, "Is der someting' I should know bout? Any reason you hab a gun?" I returned with "Is there any reason you don't?" Now, I know that was a smart-A remark but I was annoyed by the previous experience. I went back to the car, threw on a light "TheNorthFace" jacket which was weather appropriate but still made me too warm. Then, I spent the rest of the day in bliss because the gun was now covered...except for the awkward times when the previous folks and I met up at random stops along the loop.

So, what of this experience? It showed me the exact reasons I have chosen to only conceal carry. I have learned that from now on I am going to conceal carry every time, if I know I'll be in an area heavily populated by ignorant tourists, and living in Sevier County makes that pretty much everywhere. Wrong take-away or warranted lesson? You tell me.

[Oh Shoot]

The few times I've really open carried (nothing at all covering the gun) it was pretty obvious that folks took note (and certainly was not an illusion on my part due to self-consciousness or whatever).

I have zero interest in being singled out for notice in public, so I just don't do it.

- OS

[Guest kirkosaurus]

Another thing I'll add is the freedom I have when I OC. When I CC (yes, I do actually CC sometimes) I'm always pulling down my shirt and purposely trying not to print. I tend to lean over when I sit and I'll admit I'm a slouch. Fighting to hide my firearm is tiresome. When I OC I don't have to worry about that. So much more comfortable.

[Guest pfries]

To share I was out and about this evening with my children running errands, I was carrying my XD in an OWB holster but was wearing a light jacket. When we got to where I have my taxes done the office was overly warm and I removed my jacket. I dress business casual, khakis, and polo today, the only person that said anything was my preparer, I have been using the same one for six years now. Her comment was “I did not know you carried, I do to we should go to the range sometime.” I extended the invite for her to come over and shoot with the whole family. Next stop as it was getting late was Burger King to feed the kids and I failed to put my jacket back on. While in line an older man and his grandson were behind us and I heard the grandson say, “He has a gun to papaw” to which the older man responded “yes he does but I have to keep mine concealed because I am not an officer.”

I took the bait and replied that I was not an officer and here in TN we have a permit to carry, it is legal to carry open or concealed and so the conversation started. By the end of the conversation he was wondering how long it was going to take this time when he renewed his as it was due in about four months and I was able to tell him the timeline that we have been seeing as of late. He was pleased with the news and at finding that he could do it up to six months in advance.

My experiences with OC have usually been positive though I still tend to CC, as it is my preference.

Do not let it bother you keep your composure and always be respectful. I do advise making sure you are informed and be willing to answer questions if you have the time, this seems to be the norm for most encounters in my personal experience.

[Guest President Fernatt]

Ok, lesson learned. Just for the record though...I'm always a smart-a...not just when I'm annoyed by ignorance lol.

I definitely should have explained it and been more kind. Although, I'm always composed and I did say "Is there any reason you don't" with a smile on my face. Does that help or no? (rhetorical)

Seriously though, I would say most of you are correct and OC would probably not be an issue if I wasn't around tourists. I will definitely continue to carry concealed out of personal preference as I have done for the past 8 months; however, if the situation arises where OC is more practical I will give it another try.

Cades Cove was beautiful btw! I had the pleasure of seeing a few button bucks, couple doe, and an 8 pointer. I also got some pics of a pileated woodpecker. Wow, I'm a dork!

Anyways, thanks for sharing some of your thoughts and experiences. More are welcome!

[Guest President Fernatt]

You should have quietly explained to the man that asked if there was something he should know that he was not the top of the food chain and you wanted to ensure that you were. Lol. Just to watch his eyes get big.

JTM

Sent from my iPhone

Pretty funny! I definitely thought about that in a round-a-bout way. I was thinking, "Sir, when a bear, mountain lion, or crazy fox comes chargin' outta the woods and decides to run off with a bite size chunk of your face...let me know if you want a gun" lol I didn't think that response would help their perception of me though.

[swim615]

Another thing I'll add is the freedom I have when I OC. When I CC (yes, I do actually CC sometimes) I'm always pulling down my shirt and purposely trying not to print. I tend to lean over when I sit and I'll admit I'm a slouch. Fighting to hide my firearm is tiresome. When I OC I don't have to worry about that. So much more comfortable.

No need to explain or defend OC when it is perfectly within you right.