Let me first say that even though I almost exclusively open carry, if you choose to remain concealed, great, I'm just glad you carry. But I see comments on here (and on USConcealedcarry.com) that make me feel the need for this post.
I have seen comments that open carry sets us back in the gun law arena as it makes people uncomfortable and sets a bad example. That we need to change opinions quietly and so forth. Can I tell you that I have NEVER ONCE had any body ask me about why I carry when I was concealed. But since I have been open carrying, I have had lots of great discussions about exercising my rights. And I have made a few converts that way. There are several businesses that I frequent, including a bank, and as people get to know me, they'll say "Can I ask you a question?" And it is either Are you a cop, or, what do you do for a living? And that opens the door for some good discourse.
Yes some people might be uncomfortable when they see a gun. You know why? Because most of the exposure they get is from an anti gun media. Or movies. If they never see any regular folks toting a personal protection device, it is hard to get used to it. Some of the places I do business have cops posted on duty. It gets them used to seeing regular folks carrying also. I have never had a cop question me about carrying a gun, not even in the bank where I make deposits for my church. I have come across local PD, county and State Highway patrol and not once have they ever given me grief.
And personally, if exercising my rights makes you nervous, move to China, where you don't have any rights to exercise. How I vote would make some folks nervous, but I don't check with em about that either.
I used to see guys on that other website wringing their hands about what if their kids found out they carried a gun. You know what, you ought to be educating your kids and your wife about such things. My kids have known I carry, even when I was concealed, and they were taught that other folks did not need to know everything. Never had a problem. But my kids knew that Dad would protect them at all costs. The youngest was four when I started carrying. Believe it or not, children can be trained to obey Mom and Dad and not discuss certain things.
You are not educating anybody by hiding it. If you aren't interested in educating anybody, that's fine. But don't tell me you are going to change anybody's opinion when you can't even let people close to you know. That is why I started open carrying.
One last thing.I am self employed and most of the work I do is in Columbus, Oh. Some areas are kind of rough. A couple of months ago, I had a guy at a gas station get pretty agressive in his request for cash. At that time, the door to my truck was open and was between the two of us so he could not see my gun. I told him the money I had was going to be spent on a cold drink for myself when I went into the station. I never raised my voice or showed any emotion whatsoever. Maybe that made him think I was soft, I don't know. He moved on, but as I was walking to the door, he started to intercept me. When he looked down and saw the .40 M&P on my hip, his exact words were "Oh ho ho" as he made a quick u turn and headed in the other direction. At least I didn't have to call PD and explain that I just drew on a guy, or worse. By the way, he told me he had just gotten out of the county jail and didn't have any money. He was wearing surgical gloves and looked to be in desperate need of a fix. I thought he looked like a threat. I guess the feeling was mutual.
I have seen comments that open carry sets us back in the gun law arena as it makes people uncomfortable and sets a bad example. That we need to change opinions quietly and so forth. Can I tell you that I have NEVER ONCE had any body ask me about why I carry when I was concealed. But since I have been open carrying, I have had lots of great discussions about exercising my rights. And I have made a few converts that way. There are several businesses that I frequent, including a bank, and as people get to know me, they'll say "Can I ask you a question?" And it is either Are you a cop, or, what do you do for a living? And that opens the door for some good discourse.
Yes some people might be uncomfortable when they see a gun. You know why? Because most of the exposure they get is from an anti gun media. Or movies. If they never see any regular folks toting a personal protection device, it is hard to get used to it. Some of the places I do business have cops posted on duty. It gets them used to seeing regular folks carrying also. I have never had a cop question me about carrying a gun, not even in the bank where I make deposits for my church. I have come across local PD, county and State Highway patrol and not once have they ever given me grief.
And personally, if exercising my rights makes you nervous, move to China, where you don't have any rights to exercise. How I vote would make some folks nervous, but I don't check with em about that either.
I used to see guys on that other website wringing their hands about what if their kids found out they carried a gun. You know what, you ought to be educating your kids and your wife about such things. My kids have known I carry, even when I was concealed, and they were taught that other folks did not need to know everything. Never had a problem. But my kids knew that Dad would protect them at all costs. The youngest was four when I started carrying. Believe it or not, children can be trained to obey Mom and Dad and not discuss certain things.
You are not educating anybody by hiding it. If you aren't interested in educating anybody, that's fine. But don't tell me you are going to change anybody's opinion when you can't even let people close to you know. That is why I started open carrying.
One last thing.I am self employed and most of the work I do is in Columbus, Oh. Some areas are kind of rough. A couple of months ago, I had a guy at a gas station get pretty agressive in his request for cash. At that time, the door to my truck was open and was between the two of us so he could not see my gun. I told him the money I had was going to be spent on a cold drink for myself when I went into the station. I never raised my voice or showed any emotion whatsoever. Maybe that made him think I was soft, I don't know. He moved on, but as I was walking to the door, he started to intercept me. When he looked down and saw the .40 M&P on my hip, his exact words were "Oh ho ho" as he made a quick u turn and headed in the other direction. At least I didn't have to call PD and explain that I just drew on a guy, or worse. By the way, he told me he had just gotten out of the county jail and didn't have any money. He was wearing surgical gloves and looked to be in desperate need of a fix. I thought he looked like a threat. I guess the feeling was mutual.
