Open Carry in MA question

[hogwylde]

I don't want to argue the benefits or caveats of open carry because that is not my intent. For ME it is not beneficial to open carry so I don't. BUT! In looking up Massachusetts Open Carry laws, I came across this tid-bit:
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Massachusetts is not a traditional open carry state, but it is not a crime for Class A License holders to open carry. However, it is reported that some jurisdictions will use this as an excuse to revoke permits.

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Assuming what I found to be true, IF in theory open carry is NOT illegal in MA, what is the big deal in "printing" in you are carrying concealed?

 

[revolverboy]

I'm an instructor is MA. There are no laws against open carry but when some sees you open carrying they may flip out & call the police OR they may think you're the police. You can get a call from your local chief of police when caught & he can pull your license & put restrictions on it.

As for printing, you should avoid it. You don't want to let people know you're carrying. Not that people watch you when you shop or go about your business. No one has ever noticed that I carry & approached me. If I am spotted, my standard answer will be "its my colostomy bag"!

 

[Blackthorn]

I lived in Western Mass for 10 years. I had a LTC A... I would never risk carrying open even if I knew I was within my rights to do so. There are way to many Barney Fife's that would love to push their badge around right or wrong. Easier to conceal and live in peace than try to push the limits with politically driven prosecutors and tough guy LEO's....

 

[hogwylde]

I lived in Western Mass for 10 years. I had a LTC A... I would never risk carrying open even if I knew I was within my rights to do so. There are way to many Barney Fife's that would love to push their badge around right or wrong. Easier to conceal and live in peace than try to push the limits with politically driven prosecutors and tough guy LEO's....

Where in Western Mass? I am in Westfield...

But anyway, the reason I asked this is because without going out and buying new larger shirts, I feel as though I am printing to a degree. I've never been question or approached but would like it even more concealed, but until I do buy more shirts, if I was printing and someone called the police, could the same ramifications arise if I were printing as if I was OC-ing? Could they say I wasn't concealing it enough?

 

[Boston Boy]

Where in Western Mass? I am in Westfield...

But anyway, the reason I asked this is because without going out and buying new larger shirts, I feel as though I am printing to a degree. I've never been question or approached but would like it even more concealed, but until I do buy more shirts, if I was printing and someone called the police, could the same ramifications arise if I were printing as if I was OC-ing? Could they say I wasn't concealing it enough?

MA resident and instructor with 40+ years of CC, and have never been questioned. Appropriate carry method with appropriate clothing=no problemo! Oh, I forgot--don't **** with holster or clothes.

 

[Blackthorn]

Where in Western Mass? I am in Westfield...

But anyway, the reason I asked this is because without going out and buying new larger shirts, I feel as though I am printing to a degree. I've never been question or approached but would like it even more concealed, but until I do buy more shirts, if I was printing and someone called the police, could the same ramifications arise if I were printing as if I was OC-ing? Could they say I wasn't concealing it enough?

I lived in Longmeadow and then in Springfield proper... I was a good standing member of the Westfield Sportsman Club......

 

[hogwylde]

I lived in Longmeadow and then in Springfield proper... I was a good standing member of the Westfield Sportsman Club......

Cool! Got a neighbor here! The Westfield Sportsmans Club is nice. I was there a couple of weeks ago and am going back today.

 

[Blackthorn]

I thought it was the best pistol/rifle range in the area as it is pretty much open whenever you want to use it.... Shot a lot of rounds during the week... I encountered very few shooters during the week so I pretty much would have the range to myself.. Skeet range was great and the informal skeet league they had was fun... Easthampton has a really cool skeet range because you can shoot under the lights during the summer months......