How do you justify OC?

[mdak06]

I guess I don't fit the mold. I open carry but also have a CHP. It depends on where I am going, what I am doing, and the environment I will be in. OC is generally more comfortable for me and fits my wardrobe better. However if I am going to be at a "crowd" event (sporting game, racetrack, concert) I prefer to carry concealed. It is a matter of retention for me. When I open carry I have (or at least attempt to) a higher sense of my surroundings and the behaviors of those around me. A crowd environment overwhelms my ability to maintain that awareness bubble around me and I get uncomfortable and tense - and I stop having fun. CC allows me to still be prepared to defend myself and those in need around me but allows me to do so in a more relaxed manner. That may sound selfish but I go with whatever method I am comfortable with in the given circumstances.

If I had a CC permit I would probably do exactly this. Right now I don't - it costs a lot of money and takes a fair bit of time to get a CC permit in my state, but the right to OC is not infringed upon.

You will find this on just about any gun site you enter that has this topic as a thread. It seems to be universal. I have to wonder if they realize that they are feeding the anti's with this division. I do both, but I OC most all the time and I have what I believe to be very good reasons for this even though one needn't have "reasons" to exercise a basic right. As far as the thing that the BG is going to "shoot the OC'er first", there is one case of that taking place in Virginia, but as I recall, the OC'er re-entered the business to confront the robbers. Not a smart idea if he had managed to leave safely.

As for me, I fully and completely support both modes of carry and make no distinction between either as it relates to one's personal preferences since I see it as just that; a personal choice. As skid pointed out, OC is the standard (normal, default) mode of carry here in Virginia and that is how it should be. Personally, I would prefer what is commonly called Constitutional carry as four states already practice, with the option of obtaining a permit for any extraneous reasons.

Hopefully we'll eventually end up with Constitutional Carry everywhere.

As far as my reasons for OC -- in general, other than for legal reasons, the primary appeal is crime deterrence. But the fact that it also gives us an opportunity to re-normalize carrying firearms and to educate people is an excellent benefit. The more that people see "normal folks" carrying a firearm, the more normal it appears to be, and over time we might have a chance to reprogram the folks who have been brainwashed into thinking "guns r bad."

Yes, some people are uncomfortable with it. We need to make as many people as possible more comfortable with it, so those who continue to have the irrational fear are a smaller and smaller minority. The only way to do that is open carry.

But as others have said, there is no need to "justify" open carrying. It's the default option. It's kind of like asking "how do you justify keeping a spare tire in your car?" or "How do you justify keeping a fire extinguisher in your kitchen?"

 

[arizonaopa]

why OC or CC

I both OC and CC depending on the situation. Most of the time I OC. I am 6'1" and 235 lbs. I have had many people ask why I am carrying. A person of my size openly carrying a 45 may cause someone to rethink their actions which means I will not have to draw my weapon. I have never had someone berate me for OC or CC. My wife CCs at work because the owner is uncomfortable with guns for personal reasons. However, even the owner has told me and my wife that she feels better knowing someone there is able to react professionally if the situation arises. Whichever way feels best and is legal is what each person should do.

 

[ATM]

To justify carrying is easy, not that it's necessary to do so, having the right and willingness (in many cases even a sense of obligation) to provide for the defense of self, state and Liberty.

What I'd find more dificult to justify is investing any extra effort to conceal the fact that I do so under normal daily circumstances.

When some of us don't adopt the often illogical mental gymnastics required to justify such a concerted effort to carefully hide our armed status, we're typically labeled as something more or less than simply an armed citizen.

What's funny is the fact that we "oddballs" and "attention junkies" are, for the most part, simply less neurotic about devising or maintaining such a ruse to convince others that we aren't armed. :lol:

IMO, that boils down to a silly obsession. I'll still defend their choice to carry as they please, but I won't waste much breath "justifying" my own lack of compulsion to hide it.

 

[Jarrett Miller]

I have a concealed carry permit, but I still open carry.

My reason is simple: The same reason Police Do....Easy access and a visual deterrent.

 

[rushcreek2]

While I was growing up in Southern California back in the 1950's one of the members of our church was a San Bernardino police officer who attended church in uniform - which included his holstered service revolver.

You should have heard all of the consternation. They had to have a big meeting to decide if this officer should be allowed to attend services WEARING A GUN (!).

I think the officer - wisely - found another church that hopefully appreciated the contribution to security that his armed presence provided.

Silly " sheep "[ never seem to be able to tell the difference between a " sheep dog " , and a wolf - do they ?

Bleeeet, and Baaaah....... please don't disturb their peaceful grazing.

 

[since9]

Just thought about this: We don't have to justify something that is perfectly legal.

Bingo. A better question might be: "Why do you OC?"

My answer:

80% because it's the most readily accessible and reliable form of carry. By "readily accessible" I'm referring to both speed and accuracy. Ability to draw and fire in the minimal amount of time. By "reliable" I'm referring to the fact that nearly all concealed carry rigs require you to dive under one article of clothing or another, then withdraw the firearm out from beneath that article of clothing. Not only does this add to the time, but it also increases the probability of that article of clothing impeding your ability to bring your firearm to bear on the target.

20% due to it's deterrent value. On one occasion, around 2:30 in the morning at Walmart, immediately after observing that I was armed, the guy in front of me decided to put down his case of beer, instead of running out the front door with it, as he'd intended. On another occasion, four would-be robbers did an immediate 180 when they noticed I was carrying.

 

[papa bear]

Bingo. A better question might be: "Why do you OC?"

My answer:

80% because it's the most readily accessible and reliable form of carry. By "readily accessible" I'm referring to both speed and accuracy. Ability to draw and fire in the minimal amount of time. By "reliable" I'm referring to the fact that nearly all concealed carry rigs require you to dive under one article of clothing or another, then withdraw the firearm out from beneath that article of clothing. Not only does this add to the time, but it also increases the probability of that article of clothing impeding your ability to bring your firearm to bear on the target.

20% due to it's deterrent value. On one occasion, around 2:30 in the morning at Walmart, immediately after observing that I was armed, the guy in front of me decided to put down his case of beer, instead of running out the front door with it, as he'd intended. On another occasion, four would-be robbers did an immediate 180 when they noticed I was carrying.

good post. but i would have to say it is more then 80% believe it is a deterrent. at least all of the open carriers i have dealt with believe that.

 

[PALO]

Having the opportunity to interrogate criminals, over and over again, I hear similar statements about desires, fears, drives, etc when it comes to committing crimes. I also learned a lot while working deep undercover, since criminals confided in me one on one, since they thought I was a criminal as wel

The vast majority of criminals in crimes that don't attack a person (burglary, robbery, auto theft, etc.) are looking to be NOT seen and they will go through a lot of effort to try to ensure a house in unoccupied prior to entering (casing, etc.). A witness makes their chances of being held responsible for the crime geometrically more likely, plus they don't wa nt to get shot by the homeowner

In cases of crimes against persons with violence (robbery etc) they are looking for the easy target, one perceived to be least likely to fight back etc.

They fear getting shot by a homeowner WAY more than being shot by the police.

There is no way a criminal would single out an OCer for crime victimization. Not only does he not want to get shot, but it is far easier to get a stolen gun on the black market or djuring a burglary (granted many burglars will not take guns when they find them, since they fear aggravating sentences for carrying a gun while committing the crime, and or a VUFA arrest outside the home.

I actually asked this exact question to some perps , because as somebody who OC's myself on occasion, I wanted to know how criminals viewed it. In brief- they said they would actively avoid committing a crime near an OCer and would totally avoid victimizing (trying to ) an OCer

Not my ideas. these are what criminals have told me, and/or I have witnessed.

Noted also that in jurisdictions where guns are near nonexistent, I have seen burglars be MUCH more likely to commit a burglary while people were home (and asleep) etc.

In WA, a shall issue, RKBA friendly state - I have never investigated this kind of burglarly - in 15 yrs. I saw MANY in a short career in Hawaii

the difference: gunz

 

[ptrdsmn]

I live in New Hampshire and anyone may carry OC. No license needed at all. If they want to carry concealed they are required to obtain a License to carry from the local Police Department. New Hampshire is a "shall" issue state too. Anyways because of the weather it changes what I do. During the winter when its cold and snows a lot I usually carry my Springfield XD45 in the hip holster it came with on my belt covered by my jacket. During the summer months when its hot Im normall walking around in shorts, flipflops and a Tshirt and I just open carry it on my hip. I rather conceal carry it but its just not practical with this gun and my bodytype and clothes I wear during the summer. Never had a problem here in Concord, NH. Even stoped and talked to a cop one time on the sidewalk for awhile and he didn't even say a word to me about my clearly visible 45.

 

[Adam Cook]

A: It's more comfortable
B: I don't want my .40 pointing at my junk all day
C: It deters crime
D: I LOVE to school the sheep.

 

[Brace]

I'm still very conflicted on whether I want to carry openly or not. If I do, my rationale will be that it's generally the method of carry that doesn't require a permit and I'd prefer to carry when I travel.

 

[eye95]

I'm still very conflicted on whether I want to carry openly or not. If I do, my rationale will be that it's generally the method of carry that doesn't require a permit and I'd prefer to carry when I travel.

One has to wonder why you are here. You don't open carry, and do spend most of your energy as a new member defending a mob of thug motorcyclists who terrorized a family to the point that they were justified in using deadly force to try to defend themselves.

So, you don't believe in OC. You don't believe in imminent mortal danger justifying deadly force in self-defence. You do think that the actions of most of the MOB of motorcyclists was not criminal.

It seems more and more like your presence here is almost totally due to a desire to defend the actions of the MOB of motorcyclists.

You feel the need to convince us that you were not a part of that MOB before any wonders if you were.

When someone finally raises that accusation, I think, "No way."

Now that you reveal that a desire to OC cannot possibly be your reason for being here, I retract that thought.

My antennae are up, but I am moving on for now.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk.

<o>

 

[Brace]

Well detective, an examination of my posting history might give you some clues, but it would still be up to you to piece them together which is where the real challenge would lie...

 

[rushcreek2]

Open carry in Colorado without a CHP is going to pretty much be a May - Sep activity.

My rationale for open carry is that it deters "mischief" in my midst - wherever I happen to be.

 

[marshaul]

Open carry in Colorado without a CHP is going to pretty much be a May - Sep activity.

Hey, there's this claim again.

No offense, but if you really wanted to, there are several easy solutions to OC in winter. We were just discussing them in this thread, in fact:

http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/showthread.php?117704-Is-Open-Carry-tactically-wise/page2

(And on to page 3.)

 

[MAC702]

Hey, there's this claim again.

No offense, but if you really wanted to, there are several easy solutions to OC in winter...

"Easy" is a relative term.

In my opinion, winter OC is a combination of some or all of the following:

1. Looks ridiculous
2. Not as effective at being warm
3. More costly special attire
4. Not as comfortable

I'm a skinny guy. I don't OC in the winter nearly as often as I OC in the summer. The number one reason I have a CCW permit is because I hate being cold and I don't like looking weird.

I carry for my comfort. That means OC in the summer because to conceal would be to go out of my way. In the winter, trying to OC is going out of my way to do so. I totally agree with you that it can be done. I just don't like how, personally.

I think it should be the number one argument for "constitutional carry."

 

[marshaul]

1. If you say so. It doesn't look at all out of place with my jacket.

2. Sure it is, easily so. My jacket is super warm (with both inner and outer parts).

3. Not necessarily, and not really. I paid $79 for my jacket.

4. OC is always more comfortable, including in winter.

 

[MAC702]

1. If you say so. It doesn't look at all out of place with my jacket.

2. Sure it is, easily so. My jacket is super warm (with both inner and outer parts).

3. Not necessarily, and not really. I paid $79 for my jacket.

4. OC is always more comfortable, including in winter.

1. Completely up to personal opinion; and here we differ, no big deal.
2. It CAN be done, "easily" again being a relative term. Few things are easier than simply putting on a big coat without worrying about what it is covering or trying to put things through holes, which may then bind movement (comfort).
3. "Expensive" is also a relative term, and requires all other things being equal in the relationship (warmth, style, etc.)
4. You yourself have admitted that "always" is not "always." Suit coat, for example?

 

[eye95]

It was pretty damned cold that day, and I have it on good authority that this gentleman was comfortable and warm. I will leave the judgment on weird to you:

 

[marshaul]

1. Completely up to personal opinion; and here we differ, no big deal.
2. It CAN be done, "easily" again being a relative term. Few things are easier than simply putting on a big coat without worrying about what it is covering or trying to put things through holes, which may then bind movement (comfort).
3. "Expensive" is also a relative term, and requires all other things being equal in the relationship (warmth, style, etc.)
4. You yourself have admitted that "always" is not "always." Suit coat, for example?

1. Sure.

2. It's really not that inconveniencing or restricting.

3. Of course, but if you live somewhere where it's really cold, you probably spend a fair amount of winter wear anyway.

4. I've no doubt if the fashion side of suit + OC could be solved, it would be more comfortable.