My Grand Social Experiment

BuddhaKat

BuddhaKat

The Big Happy Fat Kat
I have to admit, I have been an ardent advocate against open carry for many years, especially since I have a CC permit. However, since joining this forum I have been giving the subject a lot of thought. So the other day I decided I would put it to the test here in Reno.

I was expecting a lot of negativity from the general public and had given a lot of thought as to how I would deal with the different scenarios. To me, this was a big thing and I wanted to be prepared for anything, even if it was just to answer a question.

Well, all that thought and preparation was for naught. I've been OC'n for two days now and have not received a single negative comment. I went to some very public places too, including spending an hour and a half in one of the local Walmart stores. I'm VERY pleased at all the places that chose to NOT prohibit me and my weapon.

Here's a list of some of the places I visited:
Walmart,
Quizno's
O'Reilly Auto Parts
VP Racing Fuel, Sparks NV
Maverick Gas Station
KFC
Nevada Power Products
Burger King

For the record, the fact that I didn't experience any pushback from any of these establishments does not in any way mean they have a positive OC policy. I'm just saying I didn't have any problems while I was there.

I expected to encounter someone that asks if carrying makes me feel tough, and some people collecting their children to get them away from my proximity. None of that happened. Quite a lot of people looked at the gun kept on their way without changing course. I had a few people ask me questions about the law, but not one single person said even the slightest thing negative about my OC'n.

So for now I'm going to continue to OC. I do have a CCW but so far I haven't found a CC holster that's comfortable and effective for the way I dress.
 
I started OC last week also. I don't understand how people can wear a gun in their waistband all day long! I've tried 3 different guns and several different holsters with no luck so I went to the gun store and bought an OWB holster and I love it. I still cc in those nono places but that's a personal choice. I've only had 1 comment and that was "nice piece" and a few double takes but no wide eyed crazed people. I do live in medford Oregon which is a small farmer/hunter town. I'm actually shocked I don't see more people carrying. I think people are just afraid of the law. Either way grats on your choice to OC, it feels very liberating haha! I'm currently saving for a pocket .380 and I'm about 2 weeks away, when I finally get it ill probably switch back and forth depending on where I'm going that day.
 
I'm also curious as to what you carry? I never thought to OC until I got a .357 snub. Something about a wheel gun that screams carry me like a cowboy ha!
 
Two years in Olympia, WA no negative comments. I carry a full size 17+ 9mm, so it is pretty obvious. I go where ever it's legal/allowed to carry to include my bank. Some people on this forum say I "OC", but won't at the bank. I don't know why (before someone jumps in I know it's "illegal" in some states), at least here in WA it's legal. Some banks might have "no gun" policies, but it's not illegal (in WA) and my Wells Fargo has no issue. Be a proud American and OC!
 
Cotillion said:
I'm also curious as to what you carry? I never thought to OC until I got a .357 snub. Something about a wheel gun that screams carry me like a cowboy ha!
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I'm carrying a Springfield XD 45 plus two spare clips on my belt. I'm using the clip holder that came with the gun but I think I'm going to try and find something better.
 
I have been carrying on a regular basis for over 16 years and the last nearly 4 1/2 of those years, it has been almost entirely OC for me. I still do CC on occasion when I deem such to be in my better interests, but I believe I have very good reasons to OC and since I live in a state where OC'ing is the standard, or default, mode of carry, it works out quite well for me.

I don't carry in either mode for the purpose of making a political statement, to jerk anyone's chain, or to attempt to get a rise out of the police or public. My primary reason for OC'ing is due to the fact that I have osteoarthritis in both knees and while still quite mobile, I can no longer fight or run as I was once capable of doing. My OC'd little friend tells those who may be of a mind to do me harm that perhaps it is in their interests to find someone else to bother.

In the nearly 4 1/2 years I have been OC'ing on a regular basis, I have only had one negative encounter and that was from a customer in a local McDonald's who claimed he was a retired LEO. Judging from his accent, he was not native to Virginia.

It's really a no-brainer down here. The chance of having any problems while OC'ing is pretty close to zero.
 
I've read a lot of stories about people having negative experiences and it makes me wonder, if someone sees you with a gun and it makes them so uncomfortable, then why are they arguing with you?! I will never understand the reasoning behind anti gun. Even my wife gives me crap from time to time and I'm like babe we just watched the same episode of dateline together, why are you not ecstatic that I carry a weapon! She also gives me grief when I carry around the house. We do live in a very peaceful low crime area but there is no such thing as NO crime. I also carry around the house to get used to carrying.
 
Congrats on your successful experiment! OC or CC, kinda like Pepsi or Coke, Ford or GM. No, wait, GM took taxpayer money and is partially owned by "us", or actually our current regime. My next vehicle will be a Ford.

Back to the OP idea, glad you found the experience useful.
 
tuts40 said:
Congrats on your successful experiment! OC or CC, kinda like Pepsi or Coke, Ford or GM. No, wait, GM took taxpayer money and is partially owned by "us", or actually our current regime. My next vehicle will be a Ford.

Back to the OP idea, glad you found the experience useful.
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You hit the nail on the head there. Prior to my experiment I was one of the most ardent opponents of OC. I thought it was unnecessarily provocative and would make people very uncomfortable. No one was more shocked, or should I say pleased, that the general public hardly took note of it and of those that did, I never heard a single negative comment. I was expecting some rather hostile reactions and instead found a public that was quite accepting. Even the hippie lady I delivered a load of firewood to yesterday didn't say a thing.
 
I just don't understand that if you OC'd expecting some negativity, why would you?

I don't have a problem with anyone OC'ing but to do it just to see if you could get a rise? That seems to me like you're looking for trouble or at least a hassle. I don't get.

OC or CC, but just do it, stop trying to make a statement or get a rise out of folks. But only if you want, that is!:-) I'm not saying you can't do what you want, just sayin' I don't get it.

KK
 
That makes no sense. There's a lot of anti gun people and people who don't know the law so obviously he might expect a hassle or two, but telling him not to OC then if he expects that? I think that's the reason right there why nobody OCs. Stop arguing for the sake of arguing, douchers
 
Keykutter said:
I just don't understand that if you OC'd expecting some negativity, why would you?

I don't have a problem with anyone OC'ing but to do it just to see if you could get a rise? That seems to me like you're looking for trouble or at least a hassle. I don't get.

OC or CC, but just do it, stop trying to make a statement or get a rise out of folks. But only if you want, that is!:-) I'm not saying you can't do what you want, just sayin' I don't get it.

KK
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I never carry a loaded handgun around for any reason other than self defense. If you read my posts, you'd see that I clearly stated that I was not a supporter of OC. What I did, I did as an experiment, nothing more. I wanted to see how the public in general would react to the sight of a gun in the possession of someone other than a LEO. Had anyone confronted me, I had already decided to beat a hasty retreat. I was not, nor would I ever go out looking for a fight. How utterly stupid would that be? The reason for the thread was because I was indeed surprised by the reactions, all of which was positive. Instead of feeling nervous, people just kept walking without skipping a beat. Those that did say something to me either asked a simple question or engaged in a conversation supporting the rights of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.

In case you were wondering, my intent was to validate my preconception that OC would make people afraid or at least nervous. I wanted to validate what I had always considered to be a mistake. What I ended up discovering was that I was completely wrong.
 
The vast majority of negative responses I have had while open carrying just about everywhere I go in Washington state has been from some concealed carry only person ardently against open carry. For example, standing in line at Jack in the Box, a guy looks down his nose at my gun and says in a snotty tone, "I carry mine concealed." I replied, "You aren't doing it very well." He said, "What do you mean?" I said, "I know you have a gun."

I run about 95% of the public either doesn't notice or don't care. 4% will be positive towards my gun, with everything from a thumbs up sign to asking about what gun I carry to thanking me for exercising an American right. About 1% is negative, and 3 out of 4 times it's from some self-proclaimed "pro-gun" person, so far always male, who tells me I should cover it up.

That's happened twice now when my daughter has been with me. She is 15. She always says, "Dad, just tell them that you aren't a criminal and that you have no reason to hide your gun!"

I don't care how you carry your gun....it doesn't matter a bit to me. But don't claim to be some "pro-2a" supporter, and then in the same breath tell me I should cover up my gun... I don't shove or rub my gun in anybody's face, I carry mine in a holster on my belt.

I must admit, I admire the OP and give them credit for actually trying something before they continue to be dead set against it.
 
Why would you want to carry oc when you have a ccw. Then you do not have to worry what people are thinking and bringing attention to yourself.
 
jimelrod said:
Why would you want to carry oc when you have a ccw. Then you do not have to worry what people are thinking and bringing attention to yourself.
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Because open carry increases the chances that you will not be attacked to begin with, rather than only being able to defend yourself once the attack begins. In most day-to-day activities, deterrence is a much more effective and better defense than the "element of surprise." Why would a person want to conceal their gun and give up the deterrence affect when they have the choice to legally open carry?
 
jimelrod said:
Why would you want to carry oc when you have a ccw. Then you do not have to worry what people are thinking and bringing attention to yourself.
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Because carrying a gun OC is more comfortable ( to me ) than a gun constantly grinding into me when iwb
 
Open Carry also decreases the chance of some dirtbag trying to hold up a liquor store if he knows someone else has a gun and might use it on him.

Like I said, I was expecting problems, what I got was support. There's little doubt in my mind that I will eventually run across someone that will have something to the contrary to say, but they'll be few and far between. I think the LCDR' numbers are probably accurate, but one thing is for sure, I'm going to keep on OC'n and if I run into someone that doesn't like it, I can always leave.

I have a friend in Canada that mused one day that if he saw someone in a store that was open carrying he would sneak up behind them and grab their gun and take it apart before they could even turn around. I explained to him that the only outcome if he ever tried that kind of a stunt, would be he'd get shot. He didn't think so, but he's a Canuck, what do they know. ;)

One thing for sure, I'm an OC convert.
 
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