Is open carry smart, depending on location?

I

IISevv

New member
Hi everyone, hoping to get some knowledgeable advice. I live in Scottsdale, Arizona, and am considering open carry, as I am not yet old enough to conceal carry. Just to get this out of the way, I'll be 18 within the next few months, and plan on taking extensive firearms training and safety courses. I don't want a firearm in order to project myself or appear "tough" or show off. Merely because it is my right, it would make it easier to protect my girlfriend when I am out with her, and because I believe in responsible gun ownership. For those living out of state, Arizona allows 18-21 to open carry without a permit and 21+ to conceal carry.

My question is, for those living in the Phoenix area, will open carry be received well, or am I likely to be harassed by those who don't share our view of guns? I'm well aware that carrying concealed is usually the preferred choice, but that option isn't available to me. Also, I know image plays a large part in how you're perceived; I always have a clean cut appearance and take pride in making a good impression, so looking intimidating or "sketchy" won't be an issue. Thank you to anyone who can provide some insight and help me reach a decision.
 
IMHO, it's probably not the best way to go, in public. But I open carry at the property.

In town, I'd rather a lot of people I don't know weren't aware I carry.
 
Is open carry smart, depending on location?

Well, no DEPENDING ON LOCATION it's not smart.

Open carry in downtown Denver is not smart. NYC? not a good plan. Scottsdale, no one's really going to care
 
I live in Mesa. If you are in South Scottsdale, keep your head on a swivel; be situationally very aware to keep from being jumped by someone who targets you just to get your sidearm. In the rest of the area, unless you're carrying an unusually large piece or are very ostentatious most people won't notice or care. A few people (including police officers) might be concerned simply because of the combination of your age and the carry. In some of the shopping centers (malls) you will be asked to disarm, out of consideration for other customers and you then must comply. Better is to not go open carry in those places, because if they have too many requests to disarm they may decide to post the area and prohibit even concealed carry for everyone.
Bottom line: AZ is a very gun-friendly state. Be discreet, polite, and as you said, maintain a clean-cut appearance and you will have very little trouble - except in those few "progressive" democrat areas, which unfortunately include some areas of Scottsdale and the area around the University in Tempe. When dealing with police officers, they have a legal right to take possession until they break contact with you. Be very respectful and compliant and you will have no trouble. The following link may be helpful: AZ CCW Permit » Blog Archive » Handgun Carry in Arizona between the age of 18 and 21 years of age.
 
I live in Mesa. If you are in South Scottsdale, keep your head on a swivel; be situationally very aware to keep from being jumped by someone who targets you just to get your sidearm. In the rest of the area, unless you're carrying an unusually large piece or are very ostentatious most people won't notice or care. A few people (including police officers) might be concerned simply because of the combination of your age and the carry. In some of the shopping centers (malls) you will be asked to disarm, out of consideration for other customers and you then must comply. Better is to not go open carry in those places, because if they have too many requests to disarm they may decide to post the area and prohibit even concealed carry for everyone.
Bottom line: AZ is a very gun-friendly state. Be discreet, polite, and as you said, maintain a clean-cut appearance and you will have very little trouble - except in those few "progressive" democrat areas, which unfortunately include some areas of Scottsdale and the area around the University in Tempe. When dealing with police officers, they have a legal right to take possession until they break contact with you. Be very respectful and compliant and you will have no trouble. The following link may be helpful: AZ CCW Permit » Blog Archive » Handgun Carry in Arizona between the age of 18 and 21 years of age.
 
Probably not a good idea. Especially not for a teen.

Wait until you are 21 then go concealed.
 
HKS said:
Have you seen what a big dude can do to a small teen?

The gun would belong to the big dude.
Click to expand...

That would be the reason the small teen would be carrying the firearm... to shoot the big dude with when attacked. The same reason women carry firearms. The same reason elderly people carry firearms. The same reason I carry a firearm.

And just how do you know how big or small the OP is, BTW?
 
NavyLCDR said:
That would be the reason the small teen would be carrying the firearm... to shoot the big dude with when attacked. The same reason women carry firearms. The same reason elderly people carry firearms. The same reason I carry a firearm.

And just how do you know how big or small the OP is, BTW?
Click to expand...

I am not fond of the notion of teens carrying guns either, whether openly or concealed.

Their brains are not fully developed until about age 25.

Looks like maybe yours isn't either Sailor. Just saying.

Semper Fi.
 
HKS said:
I am not fond of the notion of teens carrying guns either, whether openly or concealed.

Their brains are not fully developed until about age 25.

Looks like maybe yours isn't either Sailor. Just saying.

Semper Fi.
Click to expand...

And there it is, stooping to the personal attack when you can't come up with a reasonable answer. PRICELESS! Just sayin'.
 
NavyLCDR said:
And there it is, stooping to the personal attack when you can't come up with a reasonable answer. PRICELESS! Just sayin'.
Click to expand...

No actually my ad hom was focused on the salient issue of the argumentative opponent who had not taken all things into consideration.

If you made it to O-5 you cannot be stupid but if you think a teen should be carrying a handgun you cannot be smart either.

There you go -- two ad hom's in one day.
 
HKS said:
No actually my ad hom was focused on the salient issue of the argumentative opponent who had not taken all things into consideration.

If you made it to O-5 you cannot be stupid but if you think a teen should be carrying a handgun you cannot be smart either.

There you go -- two ad hom's in one day.
Click to expand...

ROFLMAO! Might want to google LCDR there "Semper Fi".
 
HKS said:
No actually my ad hom was focused on the salient issue of the argumentative opponent who had not taken all things into consideration.

If you made it to O-5 you cannot be stupid but if you think a teen should be carrying a handgun you cannot be smart either.

There you go -- two ad hom's in one day.
Click to expand...
What about teens in uniform?
 
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