is anyone OCing?

[matt2636]

is there anyone OCing in iowa? or is there groups of people getting together in open places OCing? ive seen a lot of this in other states just to exercise their right or to show "hey we aint gunna hurt ya just cause we have a gun" im just wondering.

 

[JD]

At this time there haven't been any open carry lunches etc. that I am aware of. As for anyone open carrying, the general consensus of most I have talked is to let shall issue sink in a little before moving forward with open carry demonstrations.

Lately the media has been depicting open carry as related to shall issue in a negative manner and right now I personally don't want to play into that just yet.

Do I plan on open carrying in the future on a regular basis? Not really, it just doesn't fit my routine but I wouldn't mind attending some OC lunches later on down the road.

 

[matt2636]

At this time there haven't been any open carry lunches etc. that I am aware of. As for anyone open carrying, the general consensus of most I have talked is to let shall issue sink in a little before moving forward with open carry demonstrations.

Lately the media has been depicting open carry as related to shall issue in a negative manner and right now I personally don't want to play into that just yet.

Do I plan on open carrying in the future on a regular basis? Not really, it just doesn't fit my routine but I wouldn't mind attending some OC lunches later on down the road.

understandable. i see people from other states doing the lunch thing or whatever. and i would have to agree i wouldnt OC cause i believe it leaves you at a tactical disadvantage but its a good law to have incase your pistol gets exposed. but i like the idea of getting together on occasion and OCing. like they say a right not exercised is a right lost.

 

[amaixner]

I've seen dozens of people open carrying in the Cedar Rapids area, mostly police and sheriff deputies, but some permit holders also.

 

[matt2636]

I've seen dozens of people open carrying in the Cedar Rapids area, mostly police and sheriff deputies, but some permit holders also.

no kiddin? now are they in uniform or civilan clothes? i havnt heard anything about it.

 

[Tucker6900]

no kiddin? now are they in uniform or civilan clothes? i havnt heard anything about it.

I open carry regularly through out the town I live in and the Washington area. Havent had a lick of trouble yet.

 

[GeoffD]

I'm here in Des Moines, and I have been working myself up to OC. As of now I have "sorta half-way done it" at WalMart, but besides that, I do it at home all the time to get the family comfortable with it first. When I am out and about, where legally permitted to do so, I ALWAYS CC though.

I would definitely participate in an OC lunch somewhere. I'll keep an eye out for the posting. :shocker:

 

[Tucker6900]

I'm here in Des Moines, and I have been working myself up to OC. As of now I have "sorta half-way done it" at WalMart, but besides that, I do it at home all the time to get the family comfortable with it first. When I am out and about, where legally permitted to do so, I ALWAYS CC though.

I would definitely participate in an OC lunch somewhere. I'll keep an eye out for the posting. :shocker:

When I first started carrying, I was not comfortable with OC'ing. However, I did find a good way to ease into it. I started with fully concealed with no chance of the firearm becoming visible. Then, after a while, I would wear shirts that didnt entirely cover the firearm. And once I got comfortable with that, I would OC in certain areas. Now, Im pretty comfortable with it.

Just remember. If you decide that OC is for you, follow these rules:
Smile at everyone- If you say hello and give someone a warm smile, they may not even notice your firearm, and if they do, you positive attitude will help squash their fears.

Be responsible- Dont rest you hand on your gun, dont figit with it. Basically.....DONT TOUCH IT! Unless of course you need to. Some people are so afraid of guns that if they even see your hand anywhere near your firearm they will call the police.

Be respectful- If you are on private property; Grocery store, etc...If management asks you to leave, dont argue. Just leave. Smile and say "Ok". And walk out.

If we show the people who are concerned that we are not bad guys with guns, it will make this whole process alot better!

 

[amaixner]

no kiddin? now are they in uniform or civilan clothes? i havnt heard anything about it.

I have seen both. It's really not that big of a deal, I guess. The media blasted everyone with the fact that OC would be 'allowed' under the new laws, so the public awareness is a lot higher than, say, Wisconsin. I asked the department's weapons training officer if he thought there would be any need for specific training to address people open carrying, and he strongly believes that there would be no problems at all with the department interacting appropriately with OCers.

 

[IA_farmboy]

I'm too much of a chicken to open carry. I have a permit to carry but have not carried yet on my person. I have had a loaded handgun in my vehicle though.

I might have to go on a little concealed carry walk through the neighborhood just to say I did carry out in public.

 

[Mlutz]

Wisconsin Oc'r on the forum... Ill be in Iowa at the end of next month. Around the Davenport area iirc, I'm thinking oc will be the way to go, as it will be quite warm.

 

[hogeaterf6]

Me and the ol lady will be oc'ing as we roll through Aug 3rd on the way to the Rally.

 

[Ramman911]

I think Iowa as a majority is not ready to see people OC. I CC 100% of the time and it would take a long time for me to even consider OC. Old ways are hard to break. Would like to go to an open carry luncheon though sometime, would maybe break the ice for allot of people.

 

[matt2636]

I think Iowa as a majority is not ready to see people OC. I CC 100% of the time and it would take a long time for me to even consider OC. Old ways are hard to break. Would like to go to an open carry luncheon though sometime, would maybe break the ice for allot of people.

yeah i think your right. i think it would be awesome to do some volunteer work while ocing as a group. possibly do it on a regular basis too.

 

[hermannr]

As I learned many years ago, honest men and the police do not hide their weapons, criminals do. The only reason I have a CPL is for winter so I will be legal when I have a coat on.

I have OC'd for over 40 years, and while I do not live in Iowa, I have never had a problem. Remember a right that is not used, will not be missed until you wish to use it, and it is no longer there.

Do you really think the reason that very few LEO's are overtly mugged, robbed, raped etc, has anything to do with the badge on their chest? Or is it maybe more like it is because of the holster on their hip? Criminals do not respect the badge on their chest. If they did respect the badge they probably also would respect the law and not be criminals.

 

[matt2636]

As I learned many years ago, honest men and the police do not hide their weapons, criminals do. The only reason I have a CPL is for winter so I will be legal when I have a coat on.

I have OC'd for over 40 years, and while I do not live in Iowa, I have never had a problem. Remember a right that is not used, will not be missed until you wish to use it, and it is no longer there.

Do you really think the reason that very few LEO's are overtly mugged, robbed, raped etc, has anything to do with the badge on their chest? Or is it maybe more like it is because of the holster on their hip? Criminals do not respect the badge on their chest. If they did respect the badge they probably also would respect the law and not be criminals.

i can agree to that. our laws just changed. well kinda changed we went from a may issue to a shall issue state. and it was blown outta proportion by the media. and a right not used is a right lost. and i dont know how the leo is going to react around here cause i can tell you for a fact theres gunna be "a man with a gun" call from someone who doesnt know the law or just doesnt like guns. no one wants to get in a agurement with leo i know i dont but i think we are just inching our way to oc

 

[hermannr]

i can agree to that. our laws just changed. well kinda changed we went from a may issue to a shall issue state. and it was blown outta proportion by the media. and a right not used is a right lost. and i dont know how the leo is going to react around here cause i can tell you for a fact theres gunna be "a man with a gun" call from someone who doesnt know the law or just doesnt like guns. no one wants to get in a agurement with leo i know i dont but i think we are just inching our way to oc

There will always be people that are afraid of guns, and their will always be LE that wants to be "exclusive" in his OC of a firearm, but that is no reason not to OC. It is like the black folk on the bus in Alabama in the 50's and 60's. People objected when the black folk started to move up and sit in the front of the bus.

It is always better in a situation like yours where the concept is new, to be prepared..a good little brochure or even a summer card to pass out helps, and can be a good reference for you personally...but it has been my experience, if you act with confidence, you will be ignored.

In 40 years of OC I have had one call on me, which resulted in a 2 word exchange with a Sheriff's Deputy. Him; "hunting?", me: "yep" (I was, but I was just leaving the grocery store in town (not my town) at the time) The the Sheriff's Deputy mumbled to himself, "now I have to go find the lady that called and explain to her there is nothing illegal with OC of a pistol." (BTW: In WA you can OC or CC without a permit while recreating)

I do not live in a city, and I do live in a county that is very OC friendly. example: We were discussing contract liquor stores here in WA, and if, like the state owned liquor stores, they were required to allow weapons in the store. Our little village has a contract liquor store, so I asked the owner. Her response was that the state did not put anything about carrying in the store in the contract, "but everyone does all the time here"

 

[84Cork]

Fellow OC'r from PA who plans to move to Iowa next 2-4 years

Been lurking on and off from PA but thought I would say Hi and post 2 links I feel are relevant to this thread.

I will not argue OC vs CC here since it is not the purpose of this thread.

I am an OC'r about 100% of the time when not in the Company vehicle. I have had good events, non-events and bad events. The following two links (yes there are more) illustrate examples of how a bad event and a semi-bad event can be turned around to help ALL OF THOSE who currently OC as well as those who might come after us who may not yet have made that decision.

My main reason for posting these is to illustrate that even though it may not yet seem like "the right time to start OC'ing", I believe it is! I do agree that it may not be the right time for many specific individuals to start OC'ing. Frankly, I will need to know MUCH MUCH more about the laws in Iowa before I begin to OC when I arrive and get my permit (your version of our LTCF).

I am TheF00L in these threads:

http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-1...-turned-into-positive-cordial-discussion.html

http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-1...llege-texas-roadhouse-now-oc-cc-friendly.html



If you read through the OC sub-section you will notice the following:

-It will take a long time to change minds.
-You will fail
-You may succeed.
-You may be arrested or detained EVEN THOUGH you are 100% legal
-It can be frustrating
-Every now and again it will be rewarding to help your other OC'rs
-Your life could be in danger from those who have sworn to protect you
-If one of the reasons you OC is political then you will have to get used to contacting Companies, working your way up through the organizational chart until you get an official policy that you can POST ONLINE for others to see. Get used to failing.
-You will get asked to leave a business or get asked to leave your gun outside.

And the list goes on. If you are considering OC'ing, then please read all that you can from as many OC forums that you can to get a true feel for what can and will happen.

TheF00L
"If one does not understand a person, one tends to regard him as a fool." Carl Jung

 

[IA_farmboy]

And the list goes on. If you are considering OC'ing, then please read all that you can from as many OC forums that you can to get a true feel for what can and will happen.

I am considering both open and concealed carry. One issue is that when I did get the nerve to carry a concealed firearm I came to the conclusion that my holster sucks and my current handguns are very heavy. I feel I need to obtain a new holster, and possibly a new handgun, before I feel comfortable carrying a handgun with any regularity. I do have a loaded handgun in my truck and a loaded handgun at my bedside. At the moment that is as far as I feel comfortable in doing.

I am aware of what can happen when carrying a firearm in public, or at least I think I do. I have educated myself in many aspects of the legal implications of carrying a deadly weapon in Iowa. As it is WAY past my bed time right now I will save reading those links you posted for another time. Thanks for sharing those here.

 

[The Big Guy]

A few tips on OC.

I grew up in IA so it is interesting to me to see what is going on there. As I live in NV, for about 15 years now, open carry is natural to me. Don't even think much about it when I leave the house my gun on my belt. For those of you who feel uneasy about it may I make some suggestions?

1. Wear decent clothes. You don't have to wear a suit, but don't dress like a punk. Be well groomed.
2. Be friendly to those you meet. Have a smile on your face. You attitude comes across.
3. If you are OC with your family with you, people will think even less about it.
4. Show confidence.
5. Have a recording device with you and use it.
6. Learn how to interact with people who may question you. Know your rights under the law but don't get nasty or argue.
7. Know how to interact when confronted by LEO. Remember these words. "Am I being detained or am I under arrest?". If yes to either, shut up except for "I will exercise my right to remain silent, I want a lawyer". If no, "have a nice day officer", and walk away.

The more you exercise your right to carry, the more comfortable you will become with it. Also those who you interact with on a regular basis will become comfortable with it too. You will be surprised how many people ask you about it because they would like to be able to defend themselves and their families too. Very few people will get in your face. In fact you will be amazed at how friendly people are to you when you OC.

TBG
Henderson NV