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Here's questions for all who open carry

turbodog

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Independence, Louisiana, USA
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I've been reading folk's stories of their experiences at OC'ing a firearm. Some have positive reactions from other citizens and LEO. Most seem to have neutral experiences (no one seemed to notice or at least acted like it) and other have had negative reactions, especially from police.

My own one experience being in the negative category, I got to thinking: How much does peoples reaction to the firearm have to do with the carriers appearance?

Myself, I'm a long-haired, heavily tattooed biker. I can pretty much be sure that any time I OC, It's gonna be a negative experience based soley on peoples perception of the "type". A "book by the cover" thing.

So what do Y'all think? Do you think a persons general appearance has a lot of influence on reaction to OC? What about the age of the person carrying?

If someone asked me "Are you a cop"? I would probably be dumbfounded and would have to ask "Do I LOOK like a cop"? But what about you? Do you look (to a reasonable eye) like you COULD be a plaincloths cop? If so, do you think your own experiences with the public and LEO's may have been influenced in some way by the way you look?

Those of you here that are Law Enforcement, what's your take on that thought?
 

zigziggityzoo

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Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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I think appearance does matter to the average person.

I'm 22. When I OC, I don't think I necessarily look like some gangbanger, but I certainly don't look like a cop (though a haircut and a change of clothes could change that perception). Therefore, with a gun, to most people, I look out of place, which raises suspicion.
 

Dustin

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May 28, 2008
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Lake Charles Area, Louisiana, USA
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Visual Perception is everything to Humans. What the eyes see, the mind believe's.

Which one of these guys looks more intimidating ?



This guy with his shirt tucked in, belt on, nice shirt, trimed cut hair/clean shaven,

2004464315.jpg




Or this guy,

biker_man_with_gun.jpg




Now I'm not saying it's right to do so, but I now better understand what happen in your incident where you OC's for the first time.

It's always about perception. Rightfully so too.

How many well mannered, polite, stand up young men dress like this ?

ap_sagging_pants_071015_ms.jpg




None that I know of. So when I SEE someone dressed like this, my perception is

Young, No Father around, Out to prove something, Lazy, Gangsta, etc.etc.

Sorry, but I don't take chances.

As for as Bikers go, Well I've hung around several. my uncle is a biker. Bikers I know look rough, but have more morals than the thugs above.

This is just IMO.
 

turbodog

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Jan 20, 2009
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Independence, Louisiana, USA
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Good examples Dustin. Eye of the beholder for sure. While I was dressed more like your first picture at the time, the tats and the hair, even in a tail, seems to read bad news to most citizens. That in itself doesn't bother me a bit, but I'm aware that my appearance to folks will most likely lead to constant hassle while OC'ing, so it will be a rare day that I do it. Constitutional right or not, my wife was none too pleased about the police reaction the first time. I can just hear her if it happens everytime we go out. LOL
 

Gunslinger

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Mar 6, 2008
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Free, Colorado, USA
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Perception is reality. If some asshole was carrying a shotgun over his shoulder and looked like an extra from "Escape from New York," my hand would be on my .45 and if the shotgun came off his shoulder, he would be in for a bit of unpleasantness. If he was walking down the street carrying his shotgun in his arm pointing down, I wouldn't give him a second thought. It's not just clothes that create perception, it's also a threatening posture.
 

RickMarc

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
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Location
Rayville, Louisiana, USA
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Yes , unfortunately appearance does lead people to judge first. im not saying its right. Whenever we decide what appearance we want to project , it is to illicit a response from others , be it negative , positive , or neutral.
 

sheepdog

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Mar 12, 2008
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Texas
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...drinking coffee one cold morning in a Waffle House...two bikers came in...hair...beard/moustache...leather everywhere...big smiles and Howdys...pleasant and friendly...cold mornin' but they could have done waffles on the counter it was so warm in there...one takes his jacket off...and I'm lookin' at a Walther PP in a black holster...all I said was "You probly wanna put your coat back on.."...on the third time he got it...and had his coat on in a flash....that was it....why? Friendly...not smartalec or scowling...OBVIOUSLY liked people and was not up to trouble...I've got biker friends who are kinda dirty and kinda greasy...but their great attitudes would be a good first impression...to all but the snottiest folks....when I dress scruffy or don't shave...I'm always friendlier and more polite...if somethin' bad happens...their first impression will help me, not hurt me....
 

sheepdog

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Mar 12, 2008
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Texas
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..."...feel the need..."....:D

Texas is not an OC state... left that T word out, didn't I?!!!
 

sheepdog

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Mar 12, 2008
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Texas
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...the post wasn't state specific...the criticism wasn't called for, and I'll do my own profile...thank you very much...if folks would follow the spirit of the thread instead of picking at minutiae ...we'd enjoy it better....why don't you two stand down and exhale...
 

Malum Prohibitum

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Whoa, there. You posted something that was odd in a Lousiana forum on "OpenCarry.Org," and I asked a question.

Chill. Your response is very odd.:? A little "off."
 

sheepdog

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...when some ofthe posters spend more time picking apart others' posts than contributing...it sounds like an ex-wives club...I was answering the poster's questions...and I answered yours...
 

Malum Prohibitum

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And your post seemed ok when you answered mine. It was even entertaining. Then you came back as Mr. Hyde and nutted up.

It was odd.
 

sheepdog

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Mar 12, 2008
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...if you honestly can't figure it out...why should I explain further...I'm done with this thread...I tried to help the poster....that was the plan...
 

Malum Prohibitum

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Well, I honestly can't. A pleasant poster that all of a sudden turns around and starts biting people's heads off is weird.
 

XD-GEM

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Jun 5, 2008
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Location
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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Wow, sheepdog, chill out, man. Your posts usually HAVE been interesting and contributed well to the discussion, as did this story. In this case, however, Malum Prohibitum had a legitimate question about your story which I'm certain others here did as well.

Since Louisiana is an Open Carry state, a person who knows the law and then tells someone to cover it anyway must have some other reason. You then added that this was a Texas story, which greatly clarified the apparent oddity because Texas is currently NOT an OC state. My post was a simple suggestion intended to help you avoid any future misunderstandings of this sort. Placing something in the location field of one's personal profile can be helpful in that way.

BTW, Malum ought to update his profile in the same manner - something I recommend to all OCDO members. One of the things I find enjoyable about this board is seeing the locations of posters. It really helps build support for the group as a whole to see the wide geographic range of members here.

So now, can we have more of this :lol:and less of this :cuss:?
 
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