The Most Important Reason to Open Carry

[IOC]

Even if you don't carry a gun, support those who do and recognize that Open Carry is the low fruit that is picked by the anti-gun left in their attack against all guns. Most citizens are unaware of their right to Open Carry and for that reason, there is no overwhelming opposition when legislation is proposed to ban Open Carry as the anti-gun left just accomplished in California. Once Open Carry is eliminated, limiting Concealed Carry is their next target. OC'ing is the first line of defense against the anti-gun left. Wearing our gun on our hip educates the public to our Open Carry right and it warns the criminal that we aren’t easy prey.
Only the good guys (and girls) Open Carry!
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[NavyLCDR]

Personally, I open carry knowing the majority of criminals are looking for the easiest possible target and a person known to be carrying is not the easiest possible target.

"Normalizing" the sight of a normal American carrying a gun for self-protection during normal everyday life is just a bonus.

 

[Axeanda45]

Perhaps this should have been posted in the OPEN CARRY section? Not that my OPINION matters to some here..... :to_pick_ones_nose:

 

[NavyLCDR]

Well, maybe in this section we won't get those postings by those guys that like to hang out in the open carry section for the sole purpose of bashing open carry...

 

[IOC]

Perhaps this should have been posted in the OPEN CARRY section? Not that my OPINION matters to some here..... :to_pick_ones_nose:

I would be preaching to the choir if I posted in the OC section. The purpose of this thread was to give those who oppose OC to see it from another perspective. I know that many CC'ers look at us like we're grandstanding, but having lived in an increasingly liberal California for 30 years and Washington DC for 34 years, everyone who knows me, knows that my primary purpose for OC'ing is to protect our right to do it. When we have to fight the anti-gun left and the CC'ers who malign OC'ers, it makes the task a little more difficult. OC'ers are the first line of defense, because if we weren't here to fight to keep our OC rights, it would be the CC'ers on the front line as they now are in California.
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[fnsmoak]

I do not prefer Open Carry for a few reasons that I'm sure have been hashed & rehashed to the point of dis-interest for me. HOWEVER, I would definitely make use of that option, and possibly quite regularly if it were a valid legal option in my area. Almost everyone here has access to a someone or someplace that they can easily handle and use firearms.

The only folks in this area that would get upset are those that would receive marching orders from their Socialist-minded organizations. Most natives to the area would be happy to see it.

If the option was being debated (WHEN) in our (SC) Legislature, I would definitely be calling, emailing, texting, and praying for my "honorable" public servants to allow it.

With Open Carry, my biggest problem would always be "WHAT TO WEAR".

 

[NavyLCDR]

Personally, I think we will gain more traction in promoting open carrying and carrying a gun in general if we articulate factual reasons of doing so as the most effective means of self protection rather than saying we are going so for political reasons/statement.

 

[IOC]

Personally, I think we will gain more traction in promoting open carrying and carrying a gun in general if we articulate factual reasons of doing so as the most effective means of self protection rather than saying we are going so for political reasons/statement.

I spent four days sitting at our Idaho Open Carry booth in Boise and in Lewiston discussing/arguing Open Carry with hundreds of people. Self protection can be argued between CCers & OCers, but that argument doesn’t resonate with most people who don’t carry at all, and those are the people we (OCers & CCers) need on our side when their legislature takes up bills that restrict either. It took nearly a full day of debating before I realized that the best argument that changed minds was Open Carry as the 1st defense against the anti-gun left. We must argue the primary point that changes minds jointly with the self protection aspect.
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By the way Navy, I was a BM2 on Swift Boats 67/68

 

[NavyLCDR]

I spent four days sitting at our Idaho Open Carry booth in Boise and in Lewiston discussing/arguing Open Carry with hundreds of people. Self protection can be argued between CCers & OCers, but that argument doesn’t resonate with most people who don’t carry at all, and those are the people we (OCers & CCers) need on our side when their legislature takes up bills that restrict either. It took nearly a full day of debating before I realized that the best argument that changed minds was Open Carry as the 1st defense against the anti-gun left.

Well, let me ask you this....

Let's say middle aged soccer mom approaches you in Wal Mart and asks you, "Why are you carrying that gun?"

Which answer do you think will work better with her....

"Because it is my right and I don't want the government to take it away."

or

"You heard about the Columbine school shooting right? Look around you. What do you think would happen if a person like that came in here and started shooting random people? Who do you think, right now, right here in this room is best equipped to stop them? Or, let's pretend that you are a criminal looking to rob someone for their wallet. Who would you pick? Would you pick me, knowing that I have the capability to defend myself with a gun? Or would you pick just about any other person in here who appears not to have any way to defend themselves? Wouldn't you rather have the criminal not bother you or your family at all and go somewhere else?"

 

[Caribou]

I would be preaching to the choir if I posted in the OC section. The purpose of this thread was to give those who oppose OC to see it from another perspective. I know that many CC'ers look at us like we're grandstanding, but having lived in an increasingly liberal California for 30 years and Washington DC for 34 years, everyone who knows me, knows that my primary purpose for OC'ing is to protect our right to do it. When we have to fight the anti-gun left and the CC'ers who malign OC'ers, it makes the task a little more difficult. OC'ers are the first line of defense, because if we weren't here to fight to keep our OC rights, it would be the CC'ers on the front line as they now are in California.
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Just because some of us don't have enough interest in OC to spend much time on the OC pages does not mean we are against it. This is a Coke and Pepsi issue. You can drink all the Coke you want I DON'T CARE, I'll go for the Pepsi. I don't even have a problem with those who don't want either. It is the people that want to restrict my consumption that I have a problem with.

Okay, you got me to post on an OC issue. I hope you are pleased with yourself.

 

[IOC]

Well, let me ask you this....

Let's say middle aged soccer mom approaches you in Wal Mart and asks you, "Why are you carrying that gun?"

Which answer do you think will work better with her....

I agree with you Navy, and that is the way I would respond also, but I would add the explanation that OC is the 1st line of defense against the Anti-gun left. We need to educate the general public on both issues if we are going to prevent the left from making any more successful incursions into the 2nd Amendment. Let's stop them at California.

Where and when did you serve Navy?
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[IOC]

I disagree. CC does relatively little(compared to OC)to expose the general public to carrying and encouraging them to do the same for both self defense and 2nd Amendment defense.
Am I going to get you to respond twice on an OC subject? :nhl_checking:

 

[NavyLCDR]

I agree with you Navy, and that is the way I would respond also, but I would add the explanation that OC is the 1st line of defense against the Anti-gun left. We need to educate the general public on both issues if we are going to prevent the left from making any more successful incursions into the 2nd Amendment. Let's stop them at California.

Where and when did you serve Navy?
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True about 1st line of defense against the anti-gun left. People need to see an image of an American carrying for self defense, not just the image the anti-gun media is going to show them.

I was on USS Rhode Island, SSBN-740 in King's Bay, Georgia for most of my enlisted career, then VAQ-131, Whidbey IS, WA; VQ-3, Tinker AFB, OK; FRC NW, Whidbey IS; now VAQ-142, Whidbey IS.

 

[Caribou]

I disagree. CC does relatively little(compared to OC)to expose the general public to carrying and encouraging them to do the same for both self defense and 2nd Amendment defense.
Am I going to get you to respond twice on an OC subject? :nhl_checking:

I don't carry to make a political statement. But like I said, drink all the Kool-Aid you want.

 

[IOC]

I don't carry to make a political statement. But like I said, drink all the Kool-Aid you want.

So, you are going to wait until they take it from you as they did to Californians last month? Then it will be too late. It is time to take the message to the masses now and educate them so they will be on your side when the anti gun left tries to take your gun.

I know, "Only when they pry it from my cold dead hands." Well, I didn't see much prying from cold dead hands in California.

And, what Kool-Aid are you referring to?
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[mistergus75]

If Open Carry ever becomes legal in Texas, I still would carry concealed. I don't like the feeling when in line at a convenience store, for example, and there are others around and behind me. In those situations, I try to shift a bit to the right, putting most of those behind me on my left side, away from the gun on my right hip. I also try to keep a slight pressure on my gun using my forearm, just to keep it secure. But I'm still mindful of the possibility that someone behind me might make a grab for my weapon if they saw it printing, for example.

I think that risk goes up when OC'ing.

 

[50SR9]

I guess I am weird. I support both ways..open and concealed. Just carry the way you feel most comfortable. $.02

 

[Wyldekard]

I have visted this thread several times now with the same result each time. My opinion regarding the concept of the thread is positive. My opinion of the OP is while he may not be part of the problem, I'm pretty sure he is also not a good part of the solution. I'll just leave it at that.

 

[Firefighterchen]

If Open Carry ever becomes legal in Texas, I still would carry concealed. I don't like the feeling when in line at a convenience store, for example, and there are others around and behind me. In those situations, I try to shift a bit to the right, putting most of those behind me on my left side, away from the gun on my right hip. I also try to keep a slight pressure on my gun using my forearm, just to keep it secure. But I'm still mindful of the possibility that someone behind me might make a grab for my weapon if they saw it printing, for example.

I think that risk goes up when OC'ing.

From person experience, I don't feel the risk increases at all. I have yet to have anyone grab for my gun (which I keep open), or wallet (which I keep concealed). I too become more secure in my possessions when I'm in a crowded place, but I feel your fear that open carrying increases a grab to be irrational. But its your fear, and that's something you will overcome yourself, or not, so good luck with it. If it helps any, I have not had anyone grab for my gun anymore then when I concealed (which has been zero so far), and I'm sure other open carriers can attest to that as well.

Then again, I can watch a thousand people handle spiders, but they still freak the crap out of me.

 

[Firefighterchen]

I have visted this thread several times now with the same result each time. My opinion regarding the concept of the thread is positive. My opinion of the OP is while he may not be part of the problem, I'm pretty sure he is also not a good part of the solution. I'll just leave it at that.

while everyone is entitled to their opinion, I feel the op deserves more positive reaffirmation for doing a good job supporting OC. I feel he is a good part of the solution, and it will take a lot more to fulfill the solution completely. While we all might not see each other eye to eye, I'm glad IOC joined this forum.