Open Carry Concerns

[dachtera]

Greetings all.

I've had my PTC for some time now, and have always concealed when out and around, even though my state (MN) is OC permitted. I found during the warmer months, this was not a huge deal as I normally had my shirt untucked and shorts on. Now, going into warmer months, I typically wear jeans, and a button down tucked in. Sometimes with a blazer depending on temp. I'm not so much concerned when I a blazer or coat on, but more when I only have a shirt on. (I'm generally always warm, a tshirt, then shirt, then coat really don't work for me.) I do have both a paddle holster (Blackhawk) and an Alien IWB for my XD. (Yes, I realize it's not the smallest daily carry gun, but it fits and suits me very well)

My main question, in everyday life, how often do those of you that OC get odd looks, questions, or confronted? I tend to over-think things a little more than most people, and especially on this topic. I would like to carry, and be comfortable, but also not cause public panic and make a scene anywhere.

More often than not, I wear the Alien, because it's far less visible than the blackhawk, and you can only see the rear of the gun, and a small portion of the handle. While discreet, I still want to avoid the potential confrontation.

Thanks!

 

[NCIC105]

Guess it if they said that was not smart to carry your XD, they would sh!t to see me carrying a full size 45 and a baby glock.

 

[Chrisdrummer]

I carry an XD in a Crossbreed IWB. No problem. Wear it year 'round, with shorts or jeans.

 

[Captian Carry]

In my state, New Mexico is allowed or the law. I open carried for years. A full size XD-357 SIG. And for the most part it was ok. But every now and then people would kinda just freak out. And many times I was asked if I was a cop and or did I have a permit(which is not required) then asked why do I carry a gun? I was asked to leave a restaurant a library the mall among other places. Even a lot of Police Officers do not know gun laws that well. So, after years of getting hassled I carry the same firearm conceal carry. It's just So much easier to get things done and not to be bothered. If everybody knew the law it would be no big deal, but people born and raised in this state do not have the foggiest clue regarding firearm laws. So, for me conceal. Even though I prefer open for sure, it was just not worth the hassle.

 

[Peggy Reist]

Have you thought about a tuckable holster?
Sort of like this one. It goes IWB and your shirt tucks in over it.
Springfield XDs ACE-1 Holster

 

[wolf_fire]

The reactions you get will depend on the sheep or lack thereof around you. If you are in an urban area, expect situations like Captian Carry mentioned. If you are more rural, where people know how to think before they react, you will not get "hassled" as much.

 

[dachtera]

Thanks.

I travel between 'city' and 'rural' so it will be a tossup. I do have a tuckable IWB holster now, so that should help quite a bit. I believe it will just be a matter of 'doing it' and dismissing the stares. I've got a permit, I'm not making a show out of the deal, I'm just going about my business.

 

[CarryNM]

In my state, New Mexico is allowed or the law. I open carried for years. A full size XD-357 SIG. And for the most part it was ok. But every now and then people would kinda just freak out. And many times I was asked if I was a cop and or did I have a permit(which is not required) then asked why do I carry a gun? I was asked to leave a restaurant a library the mall among other places. Even a lot of Police Officers do not know gun laws that well. So, after years of getting hassled I carry the same firearm conceal carry. It's just So much easier to get things done and not to be bothered. If everybody knew the law it would be no big deal, but people born and raised in this state do not have the foggiest clue regarding firearm laws. So, for me conceal. Even though I prefer open for sure, it was just not worth the hassle.

I also live in NM. an OCed for a while. Never had a problem, not even with LE. Never asked to leave gun at home or questioned abut why I carried. Yes it easier to just go CC and let it rest, and have the element of surprise.

 

[Sir Diealotz]

IMO 99% of people don't even notice when I OC and rarely does anyone say anything.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I also live in NM. an OCed for a while. Never had a problem, not even with LE. Never asked to leave gun at home or questioned abut why I carried. Yes it easier to just go CC and let it rest, and have the element of surprise.

Don't forget to wear your t-shirt!

Link Removed

 

[SouthernBoy]

I live in Virginia, about 35 miles west southwest of Washington, DC. I open carry nearly all the time and have only had one negative encounter. That was in August 2009 at a local McDonald's. The guy claimed he was a retired LEO but judging from his accent, he was definitely not a native of Virginia... most likely from somewhere up in the northeast.

Open carry in Virginia is the normal mode of carrying a sidearm (read that as standard or default). No permits necessary and no special considerations with which to concern oneself.

OC'ing in my area is a no-brainer. Almost all of the comments, questions, and remarks I get are positive in nature with maybe a third comprising questions. My gun and holster are not showy or scary (gen3 Glock 23 in a Fobus Evolution belt holster) and my dress is normal... as in casual. Jeans or cargo shorts with a decent T-shirt, golf shirt, or rugby, all untucked. My demeanor is always polite, pleasant, and friendly and I believe that goes a long way in assuaging any concerns or fears someone might have when they see my sidearm.

 

[wolf_fire]

Don't forget to wear your t-shirt!

Maybe I'm slow today. I don't get the meaning of the t-shirt. Could you help a wandering mind find his way back please? :smile:

 

[Debbie Hodgdon]

wait, so in MN you can open carry without any consequences?! are there any other states like that?

 

[Firefighterchen]

wait, so in MN you can open carry without any consequences?! are there any other states like that?

WA, OR (with a permit on some locations), ID, UT, NV. Haven't had any issues in these states. There are many more too.

 

[CharlesMorrison]

WA, OR (with a permit on some locations), ID, UT, NV. Haven't had any issues in these states. There are many more too.

You can add Vermont to that list!
Here in Vermont we don't even need a permit to carry concealed!
Basically, you can OC or CC without needing a permit of any kind!
Ya gotta live Constitutional Carry States!

Sent from behind Enemy Lines.

 

[BluesStringer]

wait, so in MN you can open carry without any consequences?! are there any other states like that?

What do you consider "consequences?" Also, what state do you live in? It would help the rest of us to understand your incredulity at the thought of inconsequential open carry. Oh, and welcome to the forum.

Blues

 

[golddigger14s]

wait, so in MN you can open carry without any consequences?! are there any other states like that?

Yes, there are only 43 states you can OC in. Check out Open Carry dot org:
OpenCarry.org - Discussion Forum