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Black men, how are you treated?

WeLoveSosa

New member
Joined
Sep 4, 2014
Messages
2
Location
Tucson
Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm a (21 yo black male) college student at the U of A. I'm from Mississippi and never thought to OC while living there (or while visiting) simply to avoid the dreaded police confrontation. One of the perks of living in Tucson is that the police generally aren't as "aggressive", and I feel as though I wouldn't be constantly harassed. I'm just curious as to the different experiences people have had in this regard. Thanks.
 

qednick

Regular Member
Joined
May 1, 2007
Messages
499
Location
Bandera, TX
Welcome!! I would say check up on the state rules/prohibited places, etc. and then just do it!! The more of us that do it, the more it gets "normalized". The way you carry yourself, dress, etc. will give you more confidence too. The more you do it, the more you'll be confident. Also, see about joining a meet up.
 

decklin

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2011
Messages
758
Location
Pacific, WA
I'm really curious too as I've only seen one or two black men carrying. I've heard there is a stigma among the black community involving firearms. Over the last few months I've had several black men ask me about open carry and what they need to do to carry. I'm glad to see more of an interest.
Welcome to OCDO!
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
I'm really curious too as I've only seen one or two black men carrying. I've heard there is a stigma among the black community involving firearms. Over the last few months I've had several black men ask me about open carry and what they need to do to carry. I'm glad to see more of an interest.
Welcome to OCDO!
I've never understood that reluctance in this day and age.

Attend a local meet n' greet. Take a walk with others. Get involved, please.
 

WeLoveSosa

New member
Joined
Sep 4, 2014
Messages
2
Location
Tucson
I've never understood that reluctance in this day and age.

Attend a local meet n' greet. Take a walk with others. Get involved, please.

I can only speak for myself but I think not wanting to become a target is behind the reluctance. Gang members and whatnot don't care if they are brandishing firearms in public because...they're gang members. Normal citizens however are more hesitant to do so because the police will treat them as if they are gang members, or a threat in general. I've only seen one other black male OC in the few years that I've been here. Then again, there aren't a ton of black people in Southern Arizona anyway.
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
I can only speak for myself but I think not wanting to become a target is behind the reluctance. Gang members and whatnot don't care if they are brandishing firearms in public because...they're gang members. Normal citizens however are more hesitant to do so because the police will treat them as if they are gang members, or a threat in general. I've only seen one other black male OC in the few years that I've been here. Then again, there aren't a ton of black people in Southern Arizona anyway.

Gang members do not OC (brandish?) because it invites attention and potential arrest as a felon (known) in possession.

Non-restricted persons can carry however they wish.....by and large the LEA are most aware of this.
 

FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
Sosa there is another poster here who writes frequently in the AZ open carry experience thread. He is not white or black but a member of a minority that many say are police magnets here in AZ. He is also a UofA student and carries openly in Tucson often. I suggest you read the posts of Rustyyoungman. He has never had any major police interactions that I know. :cool:
 
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Rusty Young Man

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm a (21 yo black male) college student at the U of A. I'm from Mississippi and never thought to OC while living there (or while visiting) simply to avoid the dreaded police confrontation. One of the perks of living in Tucson is that the police generally aren't as "aggressive", and I feel as though I wouldn't be constantly harassed. I'm just curious as to the different experiences people have had in this regard. Thanks.

Welcome to OCDO and greetings from another U of A student here in sunny, dry Tucson WeLoveSosa!:)

Sosa there is another poster here who writes frequently in the AZ open carry experience thread. He is not white or black but a member of a minority that many say are police magnets here in AZ. He is also a UofA student and carries openly in Tucson often. I suggest you read the posts of Rustyyoungman. He has never had any major police interactions that I know. :cool:

Sorry I took so long to post here, but what FreeInAZ said is correct:
I am a 21 year old, Hispanic, armed Law-Abiding Citizen (LAC). With my long, dark hair, sun kissed complexion, and Openly-Carried stainless 1911, I am the very definition of a model citizen.:p

If you're free next weekend, we could meet up for an OC lunch of sorts.

I'm always eager to meet another carrier, ESPECIALLY another OCer, so I would have suggested this if it weren't for some lab work I need to take care of, and the fact that I look a bit banged up (nothing serious, but it is noticeable).:(
 

WalkingWolf

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
11,930
Location
North Carolina
Welcome to OCDO, I like to believe we are color blind. No one can promise you that you will not be harassed for your color and OCing. Or one or the other, some opinions and perceptions die harder than others. What I can promise you is that most of us here will support you, and try to give you as much information as possible how to handle such incidents.
 

OC for ME

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
12,452
Location
White Oak Plantation
Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm a (21 yo black male) college student at the U of A. I'm from Mississippi and never thought to OC while living there (or while visiting) simply to avoid the dreaded police confrontation. One of the perks of living in Tucson is that the police generally aren't as "aggressive", and I feel as though I wouldn't be constantly harassed. I'm just curious as to the different experiences people have had in this regard. Thanks.
Please research and purchase the recording device, audio or video, of your choice. You may notice, I hope, that encounters with cops are mostly uneventful and eerily similar. Most cops know the law, but you will not know that until a encounter ensues.

It is difficult to start OCing, you are carrying a gun after all, on your hip, for all to see. My experience is that most folks don't notice the gun, let alone notice me. Kids seem to be more observant, this may be due to they being at eye level with the pistol. I "CC" from time to time but I really don't abide by the "concealed means concealed" mantra. I guess you could call my normal manner of carry as OC-ish. I don't like little teeny tiny pistols.

Research local and state laws. Carry a recorder and do what you would do when not armed. You may experience disappointment due to the absence of attention...we hope.

Good luck and welcome.
 
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