The word 'cops' cover a wide family of law enforcement officers. The group of LEO's that open carry most are the partol officers, so I assume you are speaking of patrol officers.
Patrol Officers carry openly for the obvious reasons. 1) as a show of force and the authority to use that force. 2) fast draw in panic situations. Note here that police are thrust into panic situations far more that any civilian ever will be and rely heavily on speedy aquisition. 3) have you seen all the crap they have to carry on their person/belt? 4) quic re-holstering so they can safely manipulate the other tools on their tool belt
Compairing LEO reasoning for open carry against civilian decision to open carry is not a valid comparison. I don't believe "because cops do!" is a valid reasoning for open carry unles your intent is to identify yourself as a cop wanna be, and that reasoning alone is a good enough reason for you to NOT carry at all.
The decision to either OC or CC is a personal one, just like my decision of what type of car I buy. All the expanation in the world why YOU (OCer) bought what you bought is not going to convince me (CCer) that I bought the wrong car. Simply stated "it fits my needs". And we need to recognize this argument goes both ways. I don't care if you legally OC. I may not agree with the decision but it is not my decision to make for you (only your state legislature can make decisions for you without your consent)
I conceal carry for one reason alone. For concealment. I don't want anyone to know I have a gun. It's none of their business. Personnaly I think Open carry will draw more attention to myself and that's not why I carry. I want to be mistaken for a wall flower and ignored by everyone. I don't carry to stand out in a crowd. The element of suprise is a most powerful weapon.
A good post Walt except for the last sentence. I was completely with you up to that point. Especially, when you give the only "REAL" and "LEGITIMENT" reason a person carries the way the do.
"The decision to either OC or CC is a personal one," .... "it fits my needs" .... "I conceal carry for one reason alone. For concealment. I don't want anyone to know I have a gun."
^^^ALL very legit reasons not to OC^^^^
IMHO;
Every other thing you said was right on point.
You hit the nail on the head about OC & CC being a personal choice. I also give you big props for recognizing both methods are "valid"; and different situations may call for different methods.
BUT!
If you're chosen to be a victim by a BG, you have already given up the element of surprise. It has been said many, many times in these discussions; and it is still as TRUE now as ever:
"Surprise" is an "OFFENSIVE" tactic!
As an honest, law-abiding citizen, we will most likely ALWAYS enter a confrontation from a
"DEFENSIVE" position. This simply means that it is
IMPOSSIBLE for a CCer or OCer to have the
"element of surprise" on their side; PERIOD!
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I'm sorry and I mean no offense!
But, instructors that teach the "
element of surprise" is a
"DEFENSIVE" tactic just do not know what they are talking about. IMHO; they are running a real risk of instilling a false sense of security in their students.
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Now for the caveat;
If you CC, you can argue that the
"surprise" comes into play when you choose fight back
"AFTER" an altercation is imminent, or has already begun. But, this is a false argument from a "tactical" standpoint.
The above being said;
The very first objective to surviving ANY fight should be to turn the tables on your opponent by putting them on the "defensive".
(The ONLY choice that any CCer or UN-armed victim has if a BG picks them as a victim is to go on the "DEFENSIVE" and fight; or a CCer can simply give up.)
Theabove is NOT true when you OC!
Where CC can be looked at as "ONLY" a defensive stategy, OC on the other hand can also be seen as an "OFFENSIVE" stategy.
(A PRE-emptive tactic; an preventative measure if you will)
What OC tells a BG is that if he does choose "YOU" or any other people around you to be their victims, they will most likely face a REAL THREAT to their own life. This allows a BG to make a better "educated" decision.
A bg
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS choose their victims on the "Risk-vs-Reward" principal. This means that BGs are ALWAYS looking for the easiest target
(Lowest Risk target) for any "REWARD" they are seeking.
AVOIDING a confrontation with a BG should be the PRIMARY goal of anyone who carries. IMHO; this is where OC outperforms CC.
Now for another caveat;
Depending on "WHAT" reward a BG is looking to get from a victim, and "HOW BAD" he wants what a victim can offer, dictates the DANGER of any encounter.
For instance:
- If the BG is a terrorist that is willing to die during their crime, ANYONE and EVERYONE is in grave danger irregargless of there SD training & techniques.
- Likewise, if you are in the vicinity of a DBS, your firearm is not likely to help you at all because "drive-bys" usually happen to fast.
- If you are in a place that an "armed" thug chooses to rob, you may be in EXTREME danger, but not in IMMINENT danger. (Other variables will come into play)
- IF a BG is a normal street bum who will resort to assault if you refuse his desire for a handout, the danger can still be EXTREME. But, this type of criminal if far more likely to go elsewhere if he knows his victim is very likely to fight back.
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Itis with the last TWO examples where OC has been REAL-LIFE tested to actually deter crime.
As far as I know, there are no statistics where a BG chose not to rob a business of choose a victim because he "
KNEW" a CC'er was armed.
(Remember: a BG "thinking" you may be armed is NOT the same thing as a BG "KNOWING" you are armed.)
Peace!
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