I heart this thread alot. I personally prefer to conceal most of the time. Ill explain why, buckle in: It really does depend where you live. All my country folk OC. Once you get deep in the city its a bit of a card game. Try to OC at galleria in tysons 2 VA. Let me know what kind of reactions you get there, as an experiment. (use caution). Ive OC'd in all sorts of environments, some rich some poor. The skinny from my experience is this: Poor to middle class people will enjoy your company. Period. Some of them will be wary, and a little scared. Their animal brain comprehends you are there to help not hurt, however you have to keep in mind we do such a good job of mocking gun owners and attacking their rights and images in the media and all through school that most people in the US have NEVER SEEN A GUN IN REAL LIFE unless its on an LEO. Their upper brain is conditioned to respond differently to an armed citizen. The unfortunate part is its not always positively.
While to you the sheepdog, always aware danger is not likely, but possible and deadly and then we think wouldnt it just be easier to shoot danger in the head should it charge? Obviously. Thats why we invented guns in the first place, im purposely leaving out the part about land and population control. Whether raised from birth or through a series of events like myself its a tool on your belt of tools, each tool having its purpose. To the sheep it is a grim reminder seen a few times in a lifetime, of the horrible weapons of war. Real, actual, in their face, and in their space.
If its your neighborhood OC may effectively lower the CR and raise peoples opinions of firearms. If its random people when you are out at dinner or w.e in the city the people will have their opinion and never see you again for eternity. It never occurs to the sheep on a typical day that harm could actually come to them, you are reminding them of this. Which is why I am often torn between OC and CCW. I agree that it will never change unless we educate the public, and get them used to seeing damn proud Americans protecting the flock every damn day in addition to all the sheeply duties we abhor because thats what a good citizen does, but I also think while the constitution is beautiful the laws are not.
The media hates us, so America sort of does too to some large extent. Some anti-gun folks really, really, really hate the idea of your right to arm yourself. Often I find its easier to just keep it out of sight and out of mind, but its still there if anything should happen. Personally if a criminal wants to rob the store im in, I intend to meet him with force. Id also rather him not know I intend to meet him with said force if hes already planning an attack. I can see him just saying "Well I still need that crack, but this jerk has a gun so... theres that other store down the street and no guy with a gun there".
Once we have a stronger base of owners and carriers I will feel better that theres another one of us at the store down the street as well waiting for him. Dont get me wrong, I dont want to shoot anyone. Criminals are simply a product of a broken societal hierarchy and lack of proper education. Its their fault for what they do I guess, but nobody robs a liqour store for 30 bucks because he finds it amusing or empowering. Sorry to break it to you. Under all the pooptalk theres a terrified citizen in there that has not a clue what hes doing. The poor sap you may have to put down is just you under different circumstances. There is some downright evil out there, but muggers, burglars, and robbers usually arent that from my understanding. If it has to happen though I dont have a problem doing it and thats why I OC and CCW. Both have their place.
Do not get mad at the sheep, should they hiss or bark, it is not their fault their instinct is danger because they have been force fed that garbage their entire lives. When you see someone with a gun, and you are unarmed, it is uncomfortable. For good reason, if ***** hits the fan everyone with a gun will have a much better chance at survival, and will be much more productive in a chaotic environment than unarmed folks. This is why some countries demand that every single able citizen own a gun. To say the guy with the gun is a target if criminals are around is foolish and ignorant, EVERYONE is a target when criminals are around.