imported post
milkmanjoe wrote:
Since my little world, and I mean that sincerely, only has Concealed Carry, I would like to better understand if members here prefer Open Carry, or is Open Carry a legal avenue to have local goverments lean to Concealed Carry for them in the future. I have read that Open Carry is sometimes pursued because that is what the particular state government law allows, but members want to conceal. The question is both for me to understand you OCers better, and I wonder if, what if, these people carrying at political events were carrying concealed would it be so controversial since nobody would know. Please fill me and other CCers here in so we can be well informed.
I Open Carry outside of work hours. On weekends I treat OC as an opportunity to educate as many people as possible so I OC either a full size H&K USP or a Colt 1911 in 10mm in a retention holster. I CC and OC out of personal responsibility. When I OC I take on the role of ambassador because my every move can be scrutized and gun-owners, in general, held to account. When I OC I always carry a digital voice recorder so all conversations will be recorded accurately to ensure I can't be accused of something I didn't say or do if something goes sideways.
OC assures I will always be polite, friendly and considerate. I hold more doors open for others when I OC. I rarely speed anyway, but nonetheless I am a more polite driver when I carry. Unless I am pressed for time I will speak with anyone who has questions about or questions the legality or sensibility of personal protection with a firearm. I carry informational cards (courtesy of Ed on this board) covering the legality of OC in Virginia and hand them out freely to anyone with questions. When I have them available I also wear and hand out fluorescent orange buttons with Guns Save Lives on them.
I see scowls, nervous stares, flickering glances, astonished wide eyes and rolling "he's one of those" eyes. I've been asked if I feel threatened in a particular place, "Goodness, no." I've been asked to move in a restaurant so my firearm wasn't the very first thing people saw when they walked in the door which I was happy to accomodate. OC is the only legal way to carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol in VA. I've been informed that carrying a gun will not lower the prices (Best Buy) "I certainly hope not." I asked hotest female police officer I have ever seen about her full length arm tattoos while OC'ing.
I OC at political fundraisers and while volunteering on political campaigns.
People who don't have exposure to citizens carrying firearms often believe that only police and criminals have guns. (Why wouldn't they? It's precisely what the media and TV say.) CC does not improve that situation due to the out-of-sight out-of-mind factor. OC can and does. Sometimes others are nervous or uncomfortable. Sometimes they want to tell you about it or even berate you for carrying (or for their discomfort). I'm happy to engage anyone who is genuinely interested or concerned to the extent they are willing to bring their brain to the conversation and not just their reflexive or emotional reactions. There are things I will happily say to deflect a wild-eyed spit-talker that I wouldn't dream of saying to someone who genuinely wants to know why I carry even if they obviously disapprove.
Anyway...that's my $0.02