SigTalk is a forum community dedicated to SIG Sauer enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about Sig Sauer pistols and rifles, optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
On November 1, 2012, Oklahoma became an Open Carry state, by a bill signed off by the Governor.
The forum I'd like to kick off is: What are the Pros and Cons of having Open Carry?
I'll start off by giving my $2: I already had a concealed carry permit when this bill went into effect. I will continue to carry concealed and will not open carry. I've spoken with several Tulsa PD officers to ask their opinion. You can imagine the responses I received. I won't open carry because you've just placed a big target on your back. 1) I'd rather not have the eyes of any LEA on me. I prefer to go on about my business blending in with the rest of the crowd. 2) If you were your gun on your hip, you have targeted yourself for the guy wanting to steal your gun, and perhaps even use it on you. Not good. 3) If I was a criminal planning on robbing a grocery store, for example, the first thing I'm going to look for is any armed threats that may try to thwart my criminal enterprise. This would include any LEO, security officer, or any openly armed customer. I would target them first.
I really can't see any reason for open carry, but I can see many reasons to carry concealed. I know some will say that the more the merrier, but wouldn't it be more of a deterrent if the criminal looked around and thought, "What if everyone in here has a gun!?!?". Naahh, I'll just be the Ninja!
I mostly agree with you. Open carry isn't legal in Texas, but I don't think I'd open carry if I could. Open carry is a double-edged sword. On the one hand it has the advantage of serving as a deterrent to crime and let everyone know that you're not someone to be messed with. But on the other hand, as you said, anyone who's obviously carrying a gun immediately becomes a target including police, security, or any other legal gun toters. Also, as anyone who's been in the military will attest to, some of your biggest weapons are stealth, camouflage, and surprise. Openly carrying a firearm in a public place removes all three of those valuable weapons from your arsenal. I personally don't think the advantages of open carry outweigh the risks, so I'd just as soon keep my guns out of sight.
About the only thing I like about open carry laws is it decriminalizes accidentally exposing a concealed weapon in public, the laws on which vary greatly from place to place.
I can. I have. I don't. 100% for the right to do so, but I carry for self defense, not to shock a bystander into a debate or make a point. I will agree that I really don't care if I print or if I accidentally show the gun in public because of open carry.
For me the fact that now in OK if you accidently expose your weapon it is no longer a violation. IMHO the open carry folks will be the first smoked and that leaves me as the wisely concelaed carrier the ability to respond. Surprise is one of your biggest weapons. Concealed gives me the option that I may or may not respond with a a weapon and just be a good witness.
I completely agree with the opinions of open carry so far. I think it is pretty pointless to open carry on your trip to walmart. Here in Oregon open carry is legal so the only time I open carry is when I am out in the woods hunting or camping. Less people to worry about and it is more comfortable when you are hiking or what not. Just my .02 cents.
That makes sense to me. If you live in a rural area where hunting and other outdoor activities take place, seeing a gun is much less likely to freak you out than if you live in a city where people don't even see the occasional pickup truck gun rack.
I'm just trying to understand the positives, because like so many of you have stated, stealth is one of our biggest weapons and I just dont understand why anyone would want to show the best card you're holding.
I have my CWP in Florida and its good for 34 states. If I was to open carry, you can bet I have something bigger concealed. In Florida it is legal to open carry while hunting or fishing and that is the only place I feel its necessary to do so, mostly for comfort. I like to wear my tactical chest rig out in the swamp, keeps everything dryer!
In Virginia you can open carry and conceal (with a permit). I have in the past open carried, I choose not to now. In my opinion, like others have said, open carrying makes you a target. There was a CWP holder that was open carrying here in Richmond a few years back and an armed gunman tried to rob him at gunpoint for his wallet and firearm (Shocking). The victim of the crime caught a few rounds killing him instantly. I carry everywhere but it is my decision to conceal.
" 48yr old Blaine Tyler was open carrying a handgun when he was attacked by two 16yr olds who removed his firearm and shot him with it. The firearm was used in another robbery/fatality a few hours later." -Richmond times dispatch.
Link was closed out because it was old, otherwise I would link.
I live in VA as well. Winchester is very friendly and you can do business around with ease. The only time I open carry is when I go to the range and shoot my SP2022 (which is my CCW of choice) To help keep my DeSantis Holster clean, I use the BlackHawk. Therefore, is not easy (for me) to conceal. But once the gun is clean, goes back to leather holster and away from the sun.
In my opinion, open carry is like having a label in your forehead "shoot me first"
I live in VA, where, as mentioned above, it is legal to open carry.
Here is another reason not to: The other day I saw a guy at the meat section at Walmart with a large handgun holstered openly on his hip. He was clearly not LEO, and he made everyone around him nervous and uncomfortable.
Better to pack your heat discreetly, for everyone's sake.
I carry concealed and agree with open carry making you a target! Reminds me of the service when guys wanted to be radiomen....that's the guy they shoot first!!
Michigan allows open carry without a permit for anyone that is legally allowed to possess a gun. Very, very seldom do I ever see anyone actually open carrying.
Here in oregon we can open carry but, that puts a target on your back, I have a ccl and carry on occasion if there is a viable threat or when travelling, a weapon is a last resort advertising it doesn't do any good ,maybe in the old west where everyone was packing then it would work,but the element of surprise is your best defense now
Kansas is an open carry state but I have a concealed carry license and will continue to carry concealed. That is not only part of the deterrent for defense but causes less anxiety to others around me. I have no reason to broadcast that I am carrying a weapon.
I agree with what has been posted here. I will open carry while hiking or camping, but that's it. As mentioned by other posters, this type of open carry is not something as likely to cause any public concern. However, here are my feelings when I see someone open carrying which is legal in my home state of Utah.
1) People around an open carrier tend to seem a little nervous. I think most around are trying to figure out the intent of the open carrier.
2) This may be only my opinion, but most open carriers I observe seem to be guys with a macho complex. They strut around like they are some big shot as if they are in the Wild West or something. I usually just shake my head in private disgust when I see this. Gives gun owners a bad rap in my opinion.
For me I believe discreet is the way to go in public.
I have seen people in Kentucky open carry and it is a big target on their back. I figure they open carry due to them not having a concealed carry permit. In Kentucky you can open carry without a permit from what I understand. I have a permit so I keep mine concealed, I like the element of surprise.
I live in Texas and there is no open carry allowed which actually kinda surprises me seeing as it is Texas! But I carry just about everywhere I go except to work because I would have to lock it in my trck and there's been quite a few break-ins and stolen vehicles from my plant(gotta love the security!). So I don't bring it to work so I won't have a weapon floating around out there to cause some problems. I'd actually like to see open carry allowed in Texas just to have the option and like other posters have said not to worry if my shirt rides up and exposes the barrel and hear a bunch of BS for it!
Most people wouldn't notice if you were printing or if your shirt rode up a bit because if you look around you, most folks aren't paying attention anyway.
I would like to be able to open carry when I'm hunting. In a state where it's legal to hunt big game with a revolver (Texas), it's stupid that I can't carry it in the open while stalking.
As far as keeping the element of surprise or making yourself a target with open carry: it's no different than someone wearing a uniform or a duty rig.
Hardly anyone Opened carried in Cali. Prob because One is only allowed to throw the gun at an assailant. (Can't have em' loaded) So as of the first of the year the so-called powers that be, have outlawed Open Carry. Not that I would. I guess it depends on the situation. Woods/Hunting-Yes. Natural disaster-Yes. Shopping-No. However in today's times. It looks like One should carry a gun 24/7. However if you cannot get a CCW like in Cali, then Open Carry is the next best thing I guess. Unloaded with a clip in your pocket...
Seriously, the guy who just shot up a school may have been stopped if the Principal and or other teachers had quick hand safes in their desk drawers. In Palm Springs 20 miles from my house there has been shooting every other day. Some are home invasions others are at stop lights. Then there is the Mall in Oregon.
I know I am preaching to the choir when it comes to carrying a gun. However I hope they are still available in 10 more years.
I am surprised at how many don't support open carry here. Definitely a different angle than on other forums I have participated in for years. I open carry in summertime whenever convenient, simply for comfort. Nary had an issue. "A right not exercised..."
I, too, am surprised, and agree regarding the other forums. However, I agree with the prevailing sentiment here.
NorthernVandal, I see you are in Idaho. Are there any places that qualify as "cities" in that state? The only reservation I have about open carry is in large metropolitan areas where there can be crowds of literally 100s of people within 50 feet of you and most not comfortable with the gun culture unlike in the wide open western states.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
SIG Talk
2.6M posts
100.1K members
Since 2010
A forum community dedicated to SIG Sauer Pistols and SIG Sauer Rifles owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!