Author Topic: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry  (Read 3916 times)

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Offline Spirithawk

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Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« on: July 23, 2012, 03:13:22 AM »
Any carry is better than no carry but just my opinion folks;

First off, with open carry say you are in a buiseness and robbers come in. Who do you think they'd shoot first? I'm betting it's the person who is obviously armed!

Here's another problem with open carry....EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU HAVE A GUN! Why is that an issue? Lets say you have a serious disagreement with someone, or even a minor one, and they hold a grudge. They obviously know your armed so they call the cops and say you threatened them with your firearm. You didn't.... but now you find yourself trying to prove it which could involve having to get an attorney, jail time, and your loss of your right to carry! It has happened to folks!

 Yet another problem with open carry....Criminals know you are armed! While that might deter some the more determined will make it a point to ambush you and the first thing they'll take is your weapon!

 With Conceal carry nobody needs to know you're armed untill, and if, such time you should need to use your firearm!
 The best deterent is not letting the world know you're armed. It's being aware of what's going on around you at all times and not deliberately putting yourself in harms way to begin with. But should you need to use your firearm the element of surprise is wayyyy better that telegraphing your intentions way ahead of time!

Offline keith44

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2012, 05:35:12 AM »
no arguments here Spirithawk, my home state just recently (last 10 years or so) went from open carry only to being a shall issue concealed state

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Offline streak

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2012, 05:59:41 AM »
I agree with you Spirithawk!
I do not agree with all of the legal loops and acrobats that we have to go through to get a ccw! Once you are issued one , you are now essentially a registered gun owner. That can create alot of problems down the road with this ever changing political scene!
I have always looked at the Constitution as the final statement on this matter, and we as a whole have let our constitutional rights be taken away from us.
 
 
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2012, 07:03:15 AM »
Spirithawk , good post . Some confuse the rights granted in the Consitution with common sense. Wearing your hawgleg into places where parents are with children might cause concern for some. Same in places of worship etc. I note these in todays terms. If our world changes to look more like the landscape of say Israel where open carry is not only accepted but nessary then our mode of carry may change . Hey maybe its changing now !
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline spruce

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2012, 11:26:31 AM »
Total agreement here.

Offline williamlayton

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2012, 12:31:58 PM »
Open carry prevents some of the errors of concealded carry such as printing.
Some states--according to my readings--will not allow concealed carry--which is a mistake--IMO.
I would carry concealed even with open carry laws---but i would not have to worry as much about dress.  NO! I didn't say any thing about my dress--you silly boy. :)
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Offline mechanic

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2012, 12:38:23 PM »
I always carry concealed, I believe the element of surprise may be to my advantage.
 
William, I don't have a dress, but it would be easier to conceal with.....maybe I should get a kilt! ;D
 
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Offline jimster

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2012, 01:46:05 PM »
Concealed carry for me, what they don't know won't hurt me one bit.  I like the option of open carry, have done that in some very out of the way places, very small out of the way towns, but it's rare that open carry works out for me.  The option was nice for those very few times.

Offline Brett

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2012, 02:43:38 PM »
I have the option here but go concealed 99% of the time when in public.   On my own property or when roaming the woods I sometimes open carry. 
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2012, 11:47:38 PM »
In Va. there are places for both open and conc. carry. Depending on population . You can also lose your weapon if it prints in the wrong location. So in reality its better to carry conc. than open if you are in and out of both areas like in the Richmond area. Also in Va. if you have a conc carry permit it makes you immune to local laws that prohibit carry.As an example Chesapeke Va. has a law that states you can't have a loaded gun in your vehicle but your permit to carry from any other county makes that law null.
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline Mike in Virginia

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2012, 01:31:01 AM »
Spirithawk, a good post.  You are more than correct.  Because Shootall lives in VA as I do, he knows the problems of open carry.  You walk along the highway with a handgun showing, someone is going to call the police, the police will respond, and you will be checked out.  Even though you may not be in violation, depending on where you are, you will be an attention grabber and you will be considered a little or a lot off balance mentally, both by cops and citizens.  It makes no sense to me for someone to show their weapons. 
Before I retired, some of the troopers that got promoted to agent in plain clothes, still chose to wear their gun and badge in plain view.  You see that a lot in the south where the climate makes a jacket uncomfortable, but even in the dead of winter, some guys wanted to show their stuff to the public.  What's up with that?  Of course you see it all day long at the office, but on the street or in a restaurant or during an interview, or while checking records at a court house, it serves no purpose that I could ever unerstand.  It makes me think that the officer should have stayed in uniform. 
The two circumstances that open carry is non-offensive is a uniformed officer, or a person in the woods or on a trail where there are few if any humans to see him.  Even in the heat of a Georgia summer, it's easy and appropriate to conceal your weapon.       

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2012, 03:01:49 AM »
Good post , why make yourself a target to bad guys or concerned citizens. In areas where it is legal one is still judged by the other citizens who can make things difficult if they choose to.
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline mechanic

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2012, 09:33:29 AM »
So, Virginia has different laws, county by county?  That certainly makes it difficult.  I thought the latest rulings were that municipalities could not restrict weapons, only the state could?
 
Ben
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Offline Spirithawk

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2012, 09:56:12 AM »
Thanks guys. Every now and then I get something right......despite what my wife says. ;)  ;D

Offline Wyo. Coyote Hunter

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2012, 10:47:43 AM »
 ;) For my part I feel you are on the right track by carrying concealed...I do if I am in another town, or state..here in my home town, I walk each morning, and make sure the weapon is concealed, but when I head to the hills or range, I often carry open...especially since it has been so warm...one of things about a small town is everyone knows everyone elses business...It is no secert I love firearms, so I wouldn/t be hiding any facts here..but out of my area, concealed is the way to go...

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #15 on: July 25, 2012, 12:32:32 AM »
So, Virginia has different laws, county by county?  That certainly makes it difficult.  I thought the latest rulings were that municipalities could not restrict weapons, only the state could?
 
Ben
If you have a carry lic. you are under state law and local laws are superceeded. If you do not have a lic to tote you are under the laws of the location you happen to be in. If its hunting season then more local laws come into effect even though you may not be hunting .
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline Mike in Virginia

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #16 on: July 25, 2012, 09:45:22 AM »
Not long ago, I saw a fellow in Wal-Mart in a wheel chair.  That was in Roanoke County, VA.  A younger man, maybe early 30's.  His legs were bent and shriveled.  But the unfortunate guy was still very much a part of society.  He had an N frame Smith strapped across his chest, and speedloaders visible.  I think maybe that's the only time I've seen open carry that I approved of.  He was likely making up for his physical limitation by making the statement, "I'm still here, I'm as good as you, I have life and freedom, and I intend to preserve it."  Maybe not, but that was what it said to me. 

Offline deer140

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #17 on: July 26, 2012, 01:46:43 AM »
I think erery one should be able to carry if they can own a firearm this happened years ago.I was sitting in a cafe 2:30 in morning guy walks in looks a round a cop sitting at bar guy walks oner to him stops about 5 ft away pulls gun shots him in back I shot the guy 3 times in back got up and as I was leaving everyone said thanks. Thiss is what happens with open carry.

Offline dougk

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #18 on: July 26, 2012, 01:58:22 AM »
Thanks guys. Every now and then I get something right......despite what my wife says. ;) ;D

I am going to quote you on that one...  It is a great line....

One thing I do when asked about concealed carry is to simply respond "Carrying a gun is against the law." 


Offline deer140

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #19 on: July 26, 2012, 02:09:53 AM »
I need to add this to my reply before someone starts.The chief came to see me afterask for my ccw dont have one he said to come to his office I did he handed me a little brown wallet said have a good day I open the wallet had a bagge an Id, one dollar an note nice to have you on the force.

Offline keith44

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #20 on: July 26, 2012, 04:12:47 AM »
honorary and reserve police badges are more common than most are aware of, nice shootin' by the way.
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Offline Lonegun1894

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #21 on: August 27, 2012, 06:25:47 AM »
Deer,
Thank you for taking care of that problem, whenever and wherever that was.

Offline sixgun_symphony

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #22 on: September 22, 2012, 10:42:02 PM »
 I OC'd my Colt Sheriff's Model revolver in a Tom Threeperson's holster in town yesterday. No problem, but Wenatchee is a small town here in Washington and people are used to it. The great outdoors is not very far.
 
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Offline FPH

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #23 on: September 22, 2012, 11:02:20 PM »
We have OC in my state. However, but it freaks people out. I almost always carry concealed.

Offline joe 1951

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #24 on: September 23, 2012, 05:05:28 AM »
I always carry concealed non of anyones bisines unless i need it.

Offline FPH

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #25 on: September 23, 2012, 05:12:33 AM »
People who know  I have A CCL sometimes will ask "are you carrying today"?  I just say "good question".

Offline keith44

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #26 on: September 23, 2012, 06:27:01 AM »
People who know  I have A CCL sometimes will ask "are you carrying today"?  I just say "good question".


I like that answer!! 
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Offline Empty Quiver

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #27 on: September 23, 2012, 09:31:08 AM »
Mn. has a Carry Permit with no compulsion to conceal. It is nice to know that printing is not a crime, and a slip of the cover garment won't mean a loss of permit.
 
Having said all that I rarely open carry. Closest I come is an outside the waistband holster, and a T-shirt over it, not carring if someone sees my gat.
 
By and large I don't want the attention. Shoot me first fears don't weigh on my mind, I tend to believe as many no goodniks would be persuaded to wait till I finish my business and leave before they punch in and get to work.
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Offline keith44

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #28 on: September 23, 2012, 11:50:51 AM »
I open carry when on the farm, or hunting with a handgun.  The rest of the time I keep it tucked away.
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Offline Brett

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Re: Conceal Vrs. Open Carry
« Reply #29 on: September 24, 2012, 07:09:09 AM »
People who know  I have A CCL sometimes will ask "are you carrying today"?  I just say "good question".


I like that answer!!

I usually answer: "I might be... you never know."
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