OH:Successful Open Carry Defense

Gun Watch ^ | 2 August, 2014 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

There do not seem to be many defensive gun uses by people who openly carry guns.   This is understandable, as roughly 95% of defensive gun uses do not involve a shot being fired.   When the aggressor sees that the person defending themselves or stopping a crime is armed, the situation is defused, the criminal leaves the scene, and not much happens.

It a person is openly carrying a firearm, most of those 95% situations will occur without the gun carrier even knowing that they happen.   This is known as tactical deterrence.  The criminal sees the gun, and chooses not to pick that victim.

A recent case in Ohio falls into the 95% category.   No shots were fired.   However, it appears that the aggressor was not deterred by the holstered gun.  The victim had to draw his firearm in order to stop the attack.   It was all caught on a surveillance camera.   From northcoastnow.com:

Jerediah Cruz said he was openly carrying a pistol on his waist when a man he didn’t know entered the store and began cursing him and threatening to assault him, according to a police report. Cruz said he backed away, but the man continued to follow him and wouldn’t leave so he put his hand on the gun, the report said.

Cruz said the man acted as if he was about to pull out a gun so Cruz said he drew his pistol and pointed at the man, who dared him to shoot him in the face. The man then left the shop.

No shots fired, but a large man who threatens you and keeps advancing while you are armed has to be considered a serious threat.


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[marktwain]

I have heard of more that one case like this. It could easily be mistaken identity.

[edpc]

Maybe not. From the Columbus Dispatch, May 2011.....

A disgruntled customer returned to a West Side auto shop this morning and fatally shot the general manager before taking her own life, police say. Columbus police responded to the call at about 9:37 a.m. at Ohio Engine and Transmission Exchange, 3265 McKinley Ave.

Sgt. Steven Little said a customer who had had an ongoing dispute with the business returned this morning and shot an employee inside the building. She then left, crossed the street to a wooded hill and shot herself.

[marktwain]

Yes, it could be something like that, except the store owner said that he did not know the man.

Maybe another employee was involved, who was not there.

[real saxophonist]

I like a lot of what you write, but I just can’t get aboard with Open Carry. I think it screams ‘Shoot Me First’ louder than a photographer’s vest or a fanny pack.

[oldtech]

Can you get onboard with an innocent,but unarmed victim being shot down?

[real saxophonist]

Of course not. See Cooper’s ‘Principles of Personal Defense’. Principle Seven: Surprise.

[Lurker]

That’s your decision. But please don’t take it upon yourself to make that decision for others.

[real saxophonist]

I don’t, by any means, sorry if it sounded that way. I’m just not going to do it.

[Chode]

i'm guessing most people that open carry can not get a CCW permit... it's that or nothing

[trebb]

I like a lot of what you write, but I just can’t get aboard with Open Carry. I think it screams ‘Shoot Me First’ louder than a photographer’s vest or a fanny pack.

That's the nice thing about Constitutional Rights - not everyone has to agree with them for the rest to enjoy them. There are pros and cons and they seem to balance each other out. Some will be deterred by the sight of an openly carried weapon and others will "take the shot". I would hazard that the majority will not hazard the shot. Concealed carry weapons move the original situation to the next level when the owner decides it's time to pull the weapon - some of them will also decide that, having pulled it, they need to shoot it even if it has already defused the situation. No one good answer - I'd like to see a boatload of folks carrying openly - that would be a true deterrence.

[elteemike]

True enough, and open carry has merit...

Unless your adversary is one of the small percentage of bad guys known as the “dedicated opponent” (As opposed to the casual opportunistic variety street thug)...In which case he will zero in on the identifiable threat to his intentions...YOU, the open carrier...And surprise you...

People of sound mind and good conscience may disagree on personal defense strategies, and must choose to do as they see fit and best for their own needs...I can’t tell anyone his personal strategy is wrong...

I prefer to not surrender the element of surprise and the advantage concealment affords me...

The key point is to be armed; always and everywhere it is humanly possible...And never, never, ever give up your guns...

[Lurker]

No worries, FRiend. I wholeheartedly support your right to make your own individual choice in the matter. And thank you for respecting mine.

[real saxophonist]

Of course, man. We’ve both been here a long time.

[scouter]

I like a lot of what you write, but I just can’t get aboard with Open Carry. I think it screams ‘Shoot Me First’ louder than a photographer’s vest or a fanny pack.

But if there are a whole lot of people exercising their 2nd Amendment rights and openly carrying, which one will the criminal shoot first?

[real saxophonist]

Hopefully, the criminal will choose not to shoot. But I don’t want to be one of his targets if he does.

[scouter]

I guess my point is that if a lot of people are carrying openly, this makes all of us safer, both those who are openly carrying and those who aren’t, because the bad guy knows that if he tries anything, there are a whole lot of people who can stop him.

[real saxophonist]

We’re cool.

[Lurker]

Ain’t many of us old timers left anymore.

[real saxophonist]

Weeding out the wannabees and trolls, I guess...

[bravo whiskey]

this is not meant to sound wishy washy. i agree with many arguments on both sides of this and there are situations where one or the other is more appropriate. it would be nice if the criminals thought everybody who could conceal carry did. it is annoying that just by pulling my shirt tail up i could be legal or illegal depending on the state laws. in Colorado the NO GUN signs have no legal standing and, those few times i have to go in that store, i ignore it. i also don;t go out of my way to look for them either. in Louisiana i believe they do have legal standing. so i have to check the laws in 4 states if i drive to visit a friend.