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OCing an empty holster, good or bad idea?

Trent91

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2011
Messages
100
Location
Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States
I feel like OCing an empty holster is a good way to spread the word about the movement in Oklahoma, but on the other hand it may cause people who are not familiar with OC to become defensive because the empty holster may come off as an "in your face" tactic.

What are your opinions?
 

VW_Factor

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2010
Messages
1,092
Location
Leesburg, GA
I would do that in areas you were not allowed to OC your weapon. Why not?

Source on your avatar please? :)
 

gprod55

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
141
Location
Little Axe, Oklahoma
Empty holster

I went into my local grocery store, (one where I shop quite regular) with an empty holster. It had quite a profound reaction from the people who worked there. All of management came by and eyeballed me while I was shopping. Most of them new me. But they still checked to see if my holster was empty. The shoppers passed me by without any problems or nasty looks. When I went to the tobacco counter and also where the money vault is kept, I overheard one of the emloyees make a statement to another employee (one I've known for years) behind the counter. "I don't care it still makes me uncomfortable" as he was walking away. I guess I need to do it more often just to get them used to the idea.
 

Trent91

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2011
Messages
100
Location
Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States
I went into my local grocery store, (one where I shop quite regular) with an empty holster. It had quite a profound reaction from the people who worked there. All of management came by and eyeballed me while I was shopping. Most of them new me. But they still checked to see if my holster was empty. The shoppers passed me by without any problems or nasty looks. When I went to the tobacco counter and also where the money vault is kept, I overheard one of the emloyees make a statement to another employee (one I've known for years) behind the counter. "I don't care it still makes me uncomfortable" as he was walking away. I guess I need to do it more often just to get them used to the idea.

Hmm.. Interesting. Anything new to people will make them weary. Like you said, maybe it's just a matter of getting them used to the idea. In order to gain support for the cause, though, we need the average joe to be as open minded as possible. Im afraid the sight of the holster will automatically cause them to become uncomfortable and defensive.
 

ixtow

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
5,038
Location
Suwannee County, FL
Haha well I just dont want to offend anyone, especially law enforcement. I want to spread the word and do no harm to the cause.

You're always going to piss someone off. Does this harm the cause? I don't think so. The anti's make a stink, but their dis-logic fails.

I don't think it is possible to do harm to the cause of Rights and Truth. The reality of being too stupid or hateful to figure it out lies with others, you can't control that.

I OCed an empty holster for decades. Even kids can do it, it's just a holster. Sometimes I put a banana in it. Truth is best absorbed through a smile, be funny and personable.

If you're worried about offending people, crawl back under your bed. The stupid and hateful are offended by everything, and compose an overwhelming majority of the United States' population.

Acting offended is a way of using 'what others might think' to further your own agenda for oppression. "Being Offended" is a tyrant's best friend. If you accommodate it, you've already lost.
 

Trent91

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2011
Messages
100
Location
Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States
I OCed an empty holster for decades. Even kids can do it, it's just a holster. Sometimes I put a banana in it.

Haha nice! That's a good way to add a hint of humor. Although I don't think my wife would let me do it. Wearing an empty holster everywhere I go already embarrasses her enough.

I would actually like a "support open carry" patch to sow onto my nylon holster (my empty carry hah). Just to make the message a little more obvious. havnt been able to find one though. Anyone know of one?
 

BOOMcat12B

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2011
Messages
70
Location
Missouri
That patch idea is not a bad idea.... I could sew it right on my Blackhawk holster. I myself started out carrying just an empty holster, and then I agged a spare mag into the holster, then finally carried my firearm. I still carry just the holster every now and then, but I have found folks rarely notice it. Even when I am armed they do not really notice. I normally will carry just the holster into place that do not allow OCing (Gov't buildings and the like) and just leave my firearm in my vic. No laws against having a holster (or even a loaded spare mag) that I have seen or heard of. But if you do find a patch like that please let us know. I will look around for one myself...
 

Trent91

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2011
Messages
100
Location
Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States
"Open carry" with an empty holster?

Hmmm. Seems like a moot point to me.


Open carry is not legal here in Oklahoma. The point of OCing the holster is to show support and spread the word for legalization.

That patch idea is not a bad idea.... I could sew it right on my Blackhawk holster. I myself started out carrying just an empty holster, and then I agged a spare mag into the holster, then finally carried my firearm. I still carry just the holster every now and then, but I have found folks rarely notice it. Even when I am armed they do not really notice. I normally will carry just the holster into place that do not allow OCing (Gov't buildings and the like) and just leave my firearm in my vic. No laws against having a holster (or even a loaded spare mag) that I have seen or heard of. But if you do find a patch like that please let us know. I will look around for one myself...

Why do you OC an empty holster? OC is legal in Missouri, is it not?
 
Last edited:

BOOMcat12B

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2011
Messages
70
Location
Missouri
Open carry is not legal here in Oklahoma. The point of OCing the holster is to show support and spread the word for legalization.



Why do you OC an empty holster? OC is legal in Missouri, is it not?

It is legal here. However I started carrying just the holster due to nerves and not knowing what to expect. Now while I do carry my 45 on me I do carry just the holster sometimes, just to promote OCing, not to mention like I said some places (like where I work) do not allow firearms so I just leave mine in the vic and carry just the holster. Easier to just remove the firearm, rather than re adjusting everything to where it is comfortable again when I re holster. ( Conceal Carry is legal inside your vic here as well. )
 

Trent91

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2011
Messages
100
Location
Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States
It is legal here. However I started carrying just the holster due to nerves and not knowing what to expect. Now while I do carry my 45 on me I do carry just the holster sometimes, just to promote OCing, not to mention like I said some places (like where I work) do not allow firearms so I just leave mine in the vic and carry just the holster. Easier to just remove the firearm, rather than re adjusting everything to where it is comfortable again when I re holster. ( Conceal Carry is legal inside your vic here as well. )


Ah I see. Thats understandable. Even wearing an empty holster into public places was nerve racking the first few times I did it.

IMG_0691.jpg

Made my own patch :) Tied it on my holster with dental floss cause I didn't want to damage my holster in any way.
 

MKEgal

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
4,383
Location
in front of my computer, WI
OC is legal here in WI (for another few weeks, it's the only legal way to carry), and when I'm in one of the few places we're not allowed to carry, I just take the pistol out (sometimes the spare magazine too) & leave the holster on my belt.

That's when I'm not intending to make a point, though at school it has sparked a few discussions, all positive. Most of my classmates either don't notice (which would be hard) or don't say anything, & a few have been genuinely interested in why I carry & what some of the laws are.

Today I went to a meeting about our new cc bill, & since it was in a prohibited place I OC'd an orange plastic training pistol, & cc'd another one.
That's when I'm trying to make a point.
If anyone (official) ever says boo to me about an empty holster at school, I'll add the orange training pistol.
 

Trent91

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2011
Messages
100
Location
Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States
OC is legal here in WI (for another few weeks, it's the only legal way to carry), and when I'm in one of the few places we're not allowed to carry, I just take the pistol out (sometimes the spare magazine too) & leave the holster on my belt.

That's when I'm not intending to make a point, though at school it has sparked a few discussions, all positive. Most of my classmates either don't notice (which would be hard) or don't say anything, & a few have been genuinely interested in why I carry & what some of the laws are.

Today I went to a meeting about our new cc bill, & since it was in a prohibited place I OC'd an orange plastic training pistol, & cc'd another one.
That's when I'm trying to make a point.
If anyone (official) ever says boo to me about an empty holster at school, I'll add the orange training pistol.

Very nice. The training pistol is a good idea.. I need to get my hands on one of those.
 

gprod55

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
141
Location
Little Axe, Oklahoma
OK2A Meeting

Last nights meeting of the OK2A in OKC held at the H&H was quite interesting. I carried an empty holster into the meeting and when they asked why it was empty I explained to them that my weapon was concealed and that I was making a statement to the public about open carry. One of the attendees there said here fill up the empty holster and stuffed a copy of the constitution in it. The one printed by The National Center for Constitutional Studies. This might bring more attention to the empty holster and give you a chance to explain what it means. Its a good idea and I'm going to give it a try. I'm prepared to take the time to explain to all who will listen. With the copy in hand its black and white wording that can't be refuted no matter how hard they try.
 

ixtow

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
5,038
Location
Suwannee County, FL
Haha nice! That's a good way to add a hint of humor. Although I don't think my wife would let me do it. Wearing an empty holster everywhere I go already embarrasses her enough.

I sometimes "OC" a full AK mag. Or the spare mag of my CCed gun...

Sometimes I "OC" a p38 holster. It completely conceals any gun inside it... But I never carry a gun in it. Usually Dunkin' Donuts Coupons, so the illegal search turns up what!?! LOL!

Or better... Cheerios. Illegal search. LEO asks "WTF is with this?" Me says "Oh, those are donut seeds! Want some?" That way the laugh shows up on the recorder, unlike the coupons...
 

Aknazer

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2011
Messages
1,760
Location
California
It might "raise awareness"...but would not be at all beneficial for self defense purposes.

People aren't saying to not carry a weapon on them while OCing an empty holster (after all, you can still CC while having an empty holster). Now I understand some people might not carry a gun due to fear of cops, but thats different from not being able to carry.

Also if OCing an empty holster helps promote OC and get OC passed, then in the long run it is beneficial for self defense purposes.
 
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