Open carry?
 

Anyone in the states that its legal open carry?

http://www.retting.com/a/sw6866u419.jpg

I wish it was legal in CT, I found a Smith & Wesson 686 in .357 magnum at the local gun store and thought it would be perfect for an open carry piece.

Or maybe a Colt Python?
http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/atta...1&d=1289869201

Heck no. It draws attention. Concealed is a lot safer.

I neither carry concealed nor open. I agree with Bot though, concealed is far better. I used to carry a pistol when I lived in South Africa but I've never felt the slightest need to carry one since I arrived in the US.

- Peter.

I open carry once in a while, although only incidentally in public, like after riding or being out in the sticks. I have a Smith 686 that I usually wear when riding, sometimes a 1911. I don't care much for little handguns.

Open carry here doesn't cause so much as a batted eye. The teenager in me loves the intimidating look of a cocked and locked 1911 in a well made piece of leather. Concealed might be safer, unless you wear the typical tails-out square cut shirt. What the gangstas call a "shoot me first shirt":D

If I lived somewhere I felt the need to carry all the time, I believe I'd move.

My wife used to do business with a feed store in a bad part of Denver. He had been robbed a number of times. He now open carried. He said it had stopped his robbery problem.

A 46 oz 6" bbl revolver? Don't think so. Shoulder holster, 4"bbl and low 30s weight. Take off the jacket!

Shoulder holsters are awesome, IMHO the best way to carry a heavy pistol and with a jacket you can even hide a big pistol like a full size 1911 or large revolver.

I prefer cross draw too.

Something that big is going to make a heck of a dent when someone takes it away from you and hits you with it....

I guess my objection to open carry is kind of silly. It goes to male display of aggression to mark territory or attract mates. Think of mountain sheep bashing their heads together or male lions fighting to the death for breeding rights with a pride.

Males that do not display aggressive actions are generally left alone. Males with big weapons, say a white-tailed deer with a big set of antlers, is going to attract the attention of other males and fight.

I think open carry is much the same. I concede I have no data or proof or even much firm logic. But I think the general tendency among males of all mammalian species is aggression toward conspecific males who display aggressive behavior or display of imposing weapons.

I offer this as food for thought. Curious what you folks think.

Aside from the reasons Botnst listed, how about the effect open carry has on people around you? I don't know anyone who would not be creeped out by a guy wearing a gun like that in an open fashion. A few years ago we had some people celebrating Virginia's lenient gun laws by making a big show out of wearing guns in bars. Virginia gun-rights enthusiasts celebrate Va. law on firearms in bars Bunch of self-important jackasses.

Logically if the right to bear arms is a constitutional right there is no justifiable reason to restrict people from open carry. Unfortunately I agree that there are many who choose to carry openly who in my humble and apparently strangely unimportant opinon should not be allowed near a gun even if their lives depended on it.

Never forget an incident a few years ago in a supermarket here where I saw a woman who was in line in front of me excalim like she'd just been bitten by something and move to another line. I wondered what her problem was till I saw a couple of kids at the counter. The ditz was buying something and the moron she was with was carrying a stupidly oversized Glock hanging down low on his left hindquarters staring at all the patrons as if to challenge them with a mixture of immaturity, bravado and general stupidity.

Perfectly understandable how people are freaked out by some who find it necessary to carry openly.

- Peter.

Yup.

I don't like being called a self important jackass. Mods should take note of such.


A lot of people say open carry "makes you a target" and carrying concealed is "safer." This is simply untrue, as the only people who NEED a CONCEALED gun are criminals intent on wrongdoing. Over a century ago any male with a brain in his head usually carried a handgun of some sort, and this was common knowledge. If everyone (or the majority) of society is armed there is LESS threat of crime. After all, if you're a criminal it's much easier to ply your trade when you KNOW everyone around you is armed with only their best judgement and no firearms. If, however, eight out of ten law abiding citizens are openly carrying guns said criminal may decide not to rob, rape, steal etc from said armed society.

Today there are far too many people (sheeple) who really believe their government has their best interests at heart. These people don't know the dangers one faces in the real world when they must provide for themselves and their families. They don't know how to chop down a tree, hunt, or grow their own food, but are excellent at their facetwitterbooks and know all about iTunes.

It is very interesting that the US government forces law abiding citizens with no ill intent on their minds to carry their firearms hidden like a criminal.

I understand there are people who will disagree with me, but my intent is not to start a pissing match. I have simply presented my views for open minded consideration. Much of my morality is "old fashioned" but those views are supported on the unshakeable bedrock of historical fact.

I agree for the most part. While it's common to see open carry in AZ, in my estimation most of the people I see doing it appear to be asshats and bullies. Great likelihood that somewhere on their person or pickup a confederate flag and or a tatoo parlor decal will be found. They're looking for confrontation.