My personal reaction to seeing my first non-LEO open carry.

[fstroupe]

I don't get out that much, mostly a few local stores that I frequent, the occasional trip to the "big lights", Memphis in one direction and Tupelo MS in the other. I don't recall ever seeing anyone open carrying in the past 15 years or so since Mississippi passed their CC permit that wasn't obviously an off-duty LEO. Prior to that, you seldom ever even saw off-duty LEOs open carrying, and if you did, the people in the business were usually freaking out until he identified himself. (Saw that happen more than once)

Anyway, I was in Memphis, which is a pretty rough city, after dark, which I NEVER do anymore, at a Kroger which was in a neighborhood that probably was pretty quiet. While I was in line to check out, a guy walked past me with a wide open carried Glock. He was around late 30s, probably just out picking up some groceries. He really didn't look gansta or biker type, but definitely not dressed to go out on the town. I suppose that he could have been undercover, but he just didn't carry himself like a cop.

I had never really thought about seeing someone open carrying in this type situation. My immediate reaction was....I felt much safer knowing if some crackhead or nutcase ran in and started shooting up the place, there was someone there that would undoubtedly punch some holes in him.

At that very moment I made my final decision that I would be carrying something concealed by the end of the year, something that my wife and I had been discussing occasionally (her idea more than mine).

 

[Bikenut]

Good for you!

Why is it 15 characters are needed to post?

 

[majmike74]

Wise decision, fstroupe! Hopefully, you'll be able to meet your goal way before the end of the year! I completely understand the "budget thing" but when you're ready to buy, make sure a) the weapon fits your hand, b) there is a good CC holster for it, and c) PRACTICE - PRACTICE - PRACTICE!

 

[Tucker's Mom]

You mean you don't have a gun with you ... yet??? Oh nevermind, I like how you think anyway...:smile:

 

[Skot Kimray]

Fstroupe- Your wife's idea more than yours? Sounds like a keeper! Congrats!

Good for you!

Why is it 15 characters are needed to post?

I don't know about here, but other forums have a character minimum to ensure that people are adding to the discussion and not just saying things like "yup" or "bump" or anything like that.

 

[muccione]

Open carry NOW!!!! also get a good gun. Not some cheap-ass thing that jams. A defensive weapon should be ultra reliable. Glocks and Springfield XDs. IMHO.

 

[Bikenut]

Fstroupe- Your wife's idea more than yours? Sounds like a keeper! Congrats!



I don't know about here, but other forums have a character minimum to ensure that people are adding to the discussion and not just saying things like "yup" or "bump" or anything like that.

Ok... that makes sense. (filling in so there are 15 characters)

 

[DCkilla]

Open carry NOW!!!! also get a good gun. Not some cheap-ass thing that jams. A defensive weapon should be ultra reliable. Glocks and Springfield XDs. IMHO.

Have you ever lived in Mississippi or know its laws? You can't carry unless you have a Firearms Permit. So, he can't just start carrying either OC or CC without a permit. He can on the other hand have it in his car and on his property without issue.

 

[fstroupe]

Actually, my wife bought me a Ruger P345 a few weeks ago. (without my knowledge, long story why this particular gun) Haven't shot it enough to even think about carrying it yet. My first impression is that it may be a little large for a comfortable CC, but I'm nowhere near making a decision like that yet.

I was in TN at the time of the above incident and have no idea what their OC laws are, I know that CC requires a class but they have a reciprocal agreement with MS. MS's OC law is so poorly written that I doubt if I ever attempt OC here.

Haven't carried it in the vehicle yet, again not enough experience with it. (other than transport back and forth to my "range") Prior to getting this gun I don't think that I have shot a handgun in over 20 years.

 

[fstroupe]

Went to the TN part of the forum and found that a permit allows for both CC and OC. Seems now I remember it being called "the gunslinger law" during the debate. I usually don't watch a lot of Memphis local news.

 

[carracer]

Carry in the manner most comfortable to you. Situation awareness is important regardless of how you carry, even when not carrying.

Take your wife shopping and get a carry piece for her also. Take classes together and go shooting often. My wife loves her Charter Arms Pink Lady!

 

[MetalRecordingServices.co]

In Tn it is not a concealed permit it is a permission to carry type permit. I only hope this movement to open carry doesnt get get us some sloppily written amendment to current law making open carry required. Truly I would not advise it Memphis. There are somany criminals in Memphis open carry might make you the first target to take out. Or possible run and snatch attempts all day which could get old fast. I carry for less to worry about. Id recommend some stealth. What is crazy is under TN law you could now take your permitted weapon into a bar without brandishing ( some courts are quick to decide in other states open carry is brandishing) but the bar owner can post a not allowed sign and create a what do I do with my weapon, leave it in the car for the thieves in a bad area? Someone will ask why go to bar in a bad area, that would rule out the entire west side of TN its rough in the colony/country's first western frontier. So you have the right to carry how you wish but not quite where you wish. Id rather not give some already jail bound thug the notion of trying my speed from behind.

 

[MetalRecordingServices.co]

Has there been any Challenge to the City of Memphis gun ban on Beale St.. Beale st is not a nice area,parking is dangerous, panhandlers distracting you for the convenience of thugs constantly, lots of car break-in and smash and grabs, your gun is not safe in your car, if you car is even still there when you return to it, and you are not safe going to your car from Beale St.. Being in the music business occasional scouting in the entertainment district would benefit me, but this city ban makes it unsafe to do so. I would love to see this ban challenged.

 

[fstroupe]

Carry in the manner most comfortable to you. Situation awareness is important regardless of how you carry, even when not carrying.

Take your wife shopping and get a carry piece for her also. Take classes together and go shooting often. My wife loves her Charter Arms Pink Lady!

I've shown her the pink lady and a few other brightly colored guns. Actually she prefers SS/black combos, she isn't the pink type.

In Tn it is not a concealed permit it is a permission to carry type permit. I only hope this movement to open carry doesnt get get us some sloppily written amendment to current law making open carry required. Truly I would not advise it Memphis. There are somany criminals in Memphis open carry might make you the first target to take out. Or possible run and snatch attempts all day which could get old fast. I carry for less to worry about. Id recommend some stealth. What is crazy is under TN law you could now take your permitted weapon into a bar without brandishing ( some courts are quick to decide in other states open carry is brandishing) but the bar owner can post a not allowed sign and create a what do I do with my weapon, leave it in the car for the thieves in a bad area? Someone will ask why go to bar in a bad area, that would rule out the entire west side of TN its rough in the colony/country's first western frontier. So you have the right to carry how you wish but not quite where you wish. Id rather not give some already jail bound thug the notion of trying my speed from behind.

Personally I consider the "bad" part of Memphis the area between Tom Lee Park to the west, probably Whitten Rd to the east, Raines Rd to the south, and Shelby Forest to the north. Give or take LOL.

There was a day that there were not but a very few places I would go in Memphis without fear. Today I really don't know where is safe, so I stick to daylight travel, and have pretty much given up my love of live music. If I gotta hear some blues, I'll go to Clarksdale. I'd love to catch Buddy Guy again, I know he is scheduled again for this year's Beale St Festival or MIM, one or the other. I gotta pass on it.

 

[MrFynn]

Just got my permit here in TN a while back. Don't currently open carry, though I could. I prefer having the advantage of concealment, but would have no problem open carrying if need be. More power to those who do!

 

[eagleeyes]

even if i could open carry i still opt for concealed carry as an older woman probably best not to let someone see my business unless they 'ask' for it in a bad way as i think it might encourage a thug or gang of em want to try take it from me and or invite trouble looks questions etc

 

[NavyLCDR]

Just got my permit here in TN a while back. Don't currently open carry, though I could. I prefer having the advantage of concealment, but would have no problem open carrying if need be. More power to those who do!

I am curious.... what is "the advantage of concealment"?

even if i could open carry i still opt for concealed carry as an older woman probably best not to let someone see my business unless they 'ask' for it in a bad way as i think it might encourage a thug or gang of em want to try take it from me and or invite trouble looks questions etc

Wow, eagleeyes, sounds like you live in a pretty rough neighborhood!

 

[MrFynn]

Advantages...

I am curious.... what is "the advantage of concealment"?



When in public, if the "bad guy" sees you first and notices you are carrying, you become a primary target if they are serious in carrying out whatever mischief they had intended. It means that you may need to be reactive instead of proactive. If you are concealed, you're just another "unarmed" person. You will have the tactical advantage. Also, not every police officer will just let you go about your business. Some may ask for your license, others may give you a hard time over it. I would prefer just to avoid it altogether. Mostly its because of the first reason, though, that I carry concealed vs. open....Cowboy action is another thing altogether...

 

[NavyLCDR]

I am curious.... what is "the advantage of concealment"?

When in public, if the "bad guy" sees you first and notices you are carrying, you become a primary target if they are serious in carrying out whatever mischief they had intended. It means that you may need to be reactive instead of proactive. If you are concealed, you're just another "unarmed" person. You will have the tactical advantage.

Wow. I have never heard that before! Really? So, you can provide examples of this happening then? If it did happen, I would think it would be all over the news, so there must be real life examples that you can provide, right? I would love to see some real world proof of this theory!

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Also, not every police officer will just let you go about your business. Some may ask for your license, others may give you a hard time over it. I would prefer just to avoid it altogether. Mostly its because of the first reason, though, that I carry concealed vs. open....Cowboy action is another thing altogether...

So, I should adjust my life to cater to those police officers who are either ignorant of the law or who willfully violate the law and violate my rights by unlawfully detaining me to check me out because I am engaging in perfectly legal activity?

My goal in life is for the criminals to leave me alone, whether those criminals be in or out of uniform. I accomplish that goal by using my gun to visibly deter the criminal out of uniform. Why in hell would they attack one of the .1% of the American population that they can see has the capability to kill them in defense when there is the remaining 99.9% of the American population to choose to target that doesn't have the known capability to kill them? I refuse to deter those in uniform from committing criminals acts of detaining me with no reasonable suspicion of a crime by hiding my perfectly legal behavior from them. Instead, I choose to deter their future actions via education, and if necessary will provide the opportunity for a judge to offer his/her methods of deterrence to them.

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[Bikenut]

NavyLCDR....

the "like" button won't let me "like" your post the 1000 times I wanted...