[SauronOfMordor]

For me, the primary benefit of open carry being allowed in my state is that I can carry concealed and not get into problems if my gun is accidentally exposed.

[marktwain]

There are benefits and advantages to both methods.

[Phlyer]

For me, the primary benefit of open carry being allowed in my state is that I can carry concealed and not get into problems if my gun is accidentally exposed.

Exactly! There is another similar advantage. I live in Texas and sometimes it gets hot enough that I slip off my jacket or covering shirt and my pistol shows. I never do that in 'open' areas (meaning, with a lot of general public), but if I'm working on our RV in the storage lot, or taking things in and out of my car at home, then I'm not paranoid about hiding my pistol, nor taking it off and storing it somewhere for that short time.

But open carry is like wearing gaudy, apparently expensive watches or jewelry. It gives someone an incentive to try to rob you, and I don't think anyone is invulnerable to an ambush-attack planned in advance to steal the weapon. On the other hand, if you *might* have a weapon, then the bad guys *might* choose an easier target. To that end, even if I'm not carrying because I'm going somewhere I can't, I often wear a jacket just so they don't know.