I generally dont OC but I make no effort to truly hide the fact I have one. Not worried abut the gun bulge or if it peeks out from under my shirt. Just getting gas or anywhere near my house, which is rural, I open carry. I may more now though.
I'm pleased to see that this thread is still alive.
I pretty much carry. Not overly concerned with concealed vs open carry but make some effort to buy shirts with a bit more hanging length. Although just recently spent the week in Okc and didn't carry. Strange I know for a guy who carries religiously at home. But with so many people all over the place I just could not in good conscious carry my 357 Magnum with stout 158 grn jacketed hollow points. Almost impossible to fart in Okc without getting Stern looks.
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Man when I go to OKC, which includes Norman in my mind, I usually take the 9mm barrel out of my G23 and put the .40 barrel back in. I hate going to the city.
For those who claim "You will be the first one shot", I tend to disagree.
While it may happen if you run into that 1 in a thousand crazed killer type of robber, but most robbers just want to be robbers, not murderers.
Most robbers will case a target before committing a robbery. They don't want to rush in guns drawn just to find out that the local police department is having its weekly pizza party in the restaurant they want to rob.
What they want is a soft target. A place with very few people, and no obvious resistance. If they see someone who is armed, they will (in most cases) leave and look for an easier target with less risk.
Personal experience: A few years ago, I was open carrying in California. Yes, it is legal to open carry a loaded handgun in certain areas of CA.
I walked over to my local pizza place, about 300 yards from my house, after dark, to get a pizza just before the place closed for the night. I walked in, and it was just me and the pizza guy. I ordered my pizza and sat to wait for it. A moment later two "wannabe gangbanger" types walked in, and immediately went to the far corner of the place and sat down (out of view of the pizza window). Now, this place was not a place where you get waited on at the table. You go to the window, order your stuff and take it back to your table. So, they caught my attention. The pizza guy however, being in the back making my pizza didn't even know they were there. After about 5 minutes, they still hadn't gone to the window, so I went to the window to talk with the pizza guy. They clearly saw my gun, and about 30 seconds later they walked quickly out of the pizza place.
A convenience store down the block was robbed about 15 minutes later by two guys matching the description of the guys in the pizza place.
Open Carry can and does act as a visible deterrent to criminal activity. The more guns people see on law abiding citizens (criminals usually hide their guns), the more ill at ease the criminals are, and the less likely it is that they will commit crimes in the presence of an armed citizen.
While it may happen if you run into that 1 in a thousand crazed killer type of robber, but most robbers just want to be robbers, not murderers.
Most robbers will case a target before committing a robbery. They don't want to rush in guns drawn just to find out that the local police department is having its weekly pizza party in the restaurant they want to rob.
What they want is a soft target. A place with very few people, and no obvious resistance. If they see someone who is armed, they will (in most cases) leave and look for an easier target with less risk.
Personal experience: A few years ago, I was open carrying in California. Yes, it is legal to open carry a loaded handgun in certain areas of CA.
I walked over to my local pizza place, about 300 yards from my house, after dark, to get a pizza just before the place closed for the night. I walked in, and it was just me and the pizza guy. I ordered my pizza and sat to wait for it. A moment later two "wannabe gangbanger" types walked in, and immediately went to the far corner of the place and sat down (out of view of the pizza window). Now, this place was not a place where you get waited on at the table. You go to the window, order your stuff and take it back to your table. So, they caught my attention. The pizza guy however, being in the back making my pizza didn't even know they were there. After about 5 minutes, they still hadn't gone to the window, so I went to the window to talk with the pizza guy. They clearly saw my gun, and about 30 seconds later they walked quickly out of the pizza place.
A convenience store down the block was robbed about 15 minutes later by two guys matching the description of the guys in the pizza place.
Open Carry can and does act as a visible deterrent to criminal activity. The more guns people see on law abiding citizens (criminals usually hide their guns), the more ill at ease the criminals are, and the less likely it is that they will commit crimes in the presence of an armed citizen.
Good point. I think each has its benefits. I'm 50-50 on it. I do unless I dont. The key is situational awareness regardless of how or if you carry.
I opened carry around my little town, but I don't think I dress like a slob.
He was very aware of the situation and utilized his available tools (open carried gun) to detour an armed robbery of the pizza joint. Win win.
I agree 100%. I in no way ever meant that he wasnt if thats the way it was taken.
I carry OWB, but leave my shirt untucked. Just nice to not have to worry about accidental exposure or printing not to mention having to stuff a gun in my pants,
