Posted on 09/10/2009 12:16:23 PM PDT by majstoll
Many people around the world are interested in learning more about the growing open carry movement in the United States, particularly when and where they can open carry too!
. . .
Key points everyone should know about open carry, i.e., the practice of carrying holstered unconcealed functional handguns (functionality includes being loaded):
42 states permit open carry in public 26 states require no license to open carry Only 7 states ban open carry in public California allows open carry in many or most parts of rural areas, but figuring out precisely where it is banned (i.e., that guns must be unloaded) is so difficult that as a practical matter, open carry is not a realistic option.
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
banglist added
I don’t carry openly because I feel that it takes away the element of surprise.
I was pleasantly surprised, but the best was yet to come. When my 7 year old son chimed in and asked him why he had thanked me for wearing a gun, the officer replied (paraphrasing from memory here): "Because there are very few people these days who are willing to take responsibility for their own safety. Too many people expect the police to take care of them, but there aren't anywhere near enough police officers to protect everybody all the time. I just appreciate the fact that your Daddy is willing to do what he needs to do to protect you and himself".
Now THAT guy "gets it". I hope he makes it to chief of police some day.
The incident also offered an excellent opportunity for my son and me to have a very nice conversation on our way home about personal responsibility and freedom. A "teachable moment" to borrow a lib-tard cliche.
I agree. To me, it’s the same as carrying a big sign saying...’look at me, I’ve got a gun’. It attracks too much attention for my taste, besides, my wife and friends wouldn’t walk anywhere near me in public if I carried in the open.
"Pardon me, is that a .357 magnum in your pants or are you just glad to see me?"
;^)
Now, if you're wearing a old-west "gunfighter rig" with a .45 Colt Ruger old-style Vaquero in the holster, THAT might attract some attention...
That’s an outstanding result. Cops who engage in that sort of behavior need to be slapped down hard.
That is a super cool story; it gives me a bit of hope that there is sanity left in our nation.
No, I don’t think so. There has been a lot of publicity locally about open-carry at events in dowtown Norfolk and local restaurants. Even if it wasn’t noticed, I would feel self-conscious about it. It’s just not for me.
That’s cool. To each his own.
I CCW a Sig P250 while wearing shorts and a tank top and nobody has a clue. I CAN carry a 1911 Colt, but since gaining weight (my problem) I dislike the way the cocked hammer digs into the flesh of a slight non perfect 6 pack. Yeah, I carry conditon 1 ALWAYS ,,.locked and Cocked.
The secret to carrying was a simple solution. I tried everything .. some hid well, but made drawing next to impossible. (I would be dead by the time I got it out .. the gun folks ... the gun)
Some let me draw, but either showed or was totaly uncomfortable. Shoulder carry does not work for me except winter when I live in suit and tie. But even then you must keep your jacket on ... and the whole idea of CCW is strategic to begin with. I don’t want anyone know that I am CCW. only my immediate family. ()
Th solution is found in Largo Fl. A comapny called Smartcarry. I wear it under shorts all day long, nobody has a clue, plus .. I can draw locked and cocked in under a second. It also carries a second magazine ... I can’t use that feature, it is more comfortable without the extra mag. If I need that ... well damn .. it is my time to go anyway .....
If you are going to open carry I would suggest you have a CPL (or your state’s equivalent) anyway.
If your coat happens to fall over your open carry gun, it becomes concealed.
Also, being in one of those states that doesn’t allow a loaded gun in a car without a CPL, you need it. A CPL is not hard to get around here anyway.
Do you live in the Norfolk area?
Are you a VCDL member?
I had a CC permit when I lived in FL, but since I’ve moved to VA, I am not allowed a weapon where I work, so I decided not to get one. Just one less data base to be a member of.
bump for some good information
Thanks.
Is that www.smartcarry.com?
Yes, not a VCDL member, just NRA and VSSA.
I highly recommend Virginia Citizens Defenase League (VCDL). They are VERY hard-working and quite effective.
I’ve read about them, and they were mentioned in the local paper. I’ll look into it more, thanks.
I’m not aware of an open carry *movement* in Minnesota. MN law requires a permit and some “training” (in gun law, not much on gun skills), but it doesn’t even mention concealment. Because hardly any of us do carry openly though, most citizens don’t know the laws, and flutter up like grouse if they discover that someone among them is armed. An open carry movement could do a lot of good.
“An armed society is a polite society.”
yupper .. that is it.
It is so comfortable you will not even realize you are carrying. I found a trick to it though, put it on tight and then let it hang as low as possible. You will know the spot after you wear it for awhile .. not getting personal ... lol, but the perfect placement is that the barrel rides into the valley between male plumbing and inner thigh. When I sit, the barrel slides comforatably into that open area. If ya ketch ma drift vern...
The only thing I would ask them to change is to incorporate an inner flap at the butt of the gun. In summer time, I sweat and often the hammer, or if hammerless, that part of the gun is subject to corrosion. I clean and oil every day, so it is not a big deal, but could be solved with just a 1/2” more of water resistant material.
I have three .. One for my 1911, and two for my Sig which is now my carry gun of choice. I use two because one is always thoroughly air dryin the day the other is in use.
Guess I am a swet hog ... but outdoor heat inthe 90’s with humidtiy, every fat boy is going to sweat.
By the way .. ohio is open carry as well. But i guarantee you if you walk down even a rural town, you will be yanked to the station by the local constabulary ... they are really ignorant .. you will be released as soon as you advise them and they look it up ...
I don’t need the hassle.
Plus it still comes down to the strategic carry .. the less and fewer people know that I carry, the better I like it.
The folks at MNGunTalk.com have picnics every now and then were open carry is encouraged. So far, haven’t heard of any trouble yet with either the fluttery public or the local constabulary.
bttt
Thanks for the additional info.
I have similar perspiration issues which is why I’ve always been concerned about inside the pants holsters in hot weather. This holster looks like it might be the answer for me, as long as they make them for “wheel guns” as well as my 1911.
One question: Did you find it necessary to go up a size or two in your pants size to accomodate the holster and weapon?
I am a woman in Virginia who has a concealed permit. However I don’t open carry. It’s a bit different when men open carry. My husband will do so and he is so clean cut I think people assume he is a policeman. I know I would shock the daylights out of anyone walking with my young daughter and all the “shadoodle” I would get with all the people calling the police on me. I will strap it on at home when I open the door to people. Keep in mind I don’t open my door just to anyone!!! I’d like to hear from other women the experience they have had with open carry. You can send me a private note. Thank you.
Additional note: My husband was thanked once for bringing his in at a pizza place here in town. Direct words came from the owner.
I’ve gone up a size or two .. not becaue of the holster, but because of burgeoning bulk, lol
Unless you wear pants very tight, no you will be fine. I’ve always hated tight fitting pants. I tend to buy pants/dress slacks that fit loose for comfort sake. Belt for casual and suspenders for dress. I hae no problem with the smartcarry. the best thing about it is not only the comfort, but the ease and quickness of draw. I practice out at the range periodically as if I had to draw unexpectedly. The weapon comes out clean and easy in a fluid motion.
Down side, I have to unbuckle/unbutton/unzip to reholster. I can do it without taking aforementioned actions, but I have to work and forec it to get perfect alignment. How can I put this delicately .. safety is of biggest concern getting it back in .. locked and cocked I don’t want to take any chances of accidental discharge ... especailly ...lmao ... in that particular part of the anatomy .. if ya nose wotz I meanz.
Somtime being safe is worth the extra 20 seconds.
And let me say this .. I carry condition 1, live ..”locked and cocked” and I feelt totally secure with that with this holster. I’ve had it two years, wer it 365 days a year .. and it is just now starting to show a bit of wear .. a good 3 - 4 years left in it if I was a guessing man.
True. You don't want to end locked and half-cocked, after all.
Sorry... couldn't resist.
...end UP locked and... etc.
Sorry
You “CRACK” me up. lmao
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