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Open Carry Dress Code

zigziggityzoo

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Nov 28, 2008
Messages
1,543
Location
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
imported post

Hi All,

I've done a bit of thinking. Since we are the de facto face of the gun rights movement - It would seem prudent to make sure that we are presentable to the public whenever we're in public.

I don't think this means that we should always be wearing our sunday best - but I do think that we shouldn't dress like we just came back from hunting, or like we haven't done laundry in a month or two.

This holds especially true for the bigger events we host - since those draw press attention, we should be on the top of our game, and that includes dressing well.

I don't know what all of the rules should be, and I don't think that the rules are set in stone, so to speak. What say you all?
 

autosurgeon

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2008
Messages
3,831
Location
Lawrence, Michigan, United States
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I think you are on to something Zig.

I think clean and neat, No Slogans that are offensive, IE no FBI federal Booty Inspector type shirts or hats, I tend to wear button or polo shirts and on occasion like today (riding the bike) a long sleeved patriotic T-shirt.

I also think that as the ambassadors of the firearms owners in this state we should be mindful of our personal appearance at all times. This includes a neatly trimmed beard if you wear one and clean shaved if you don't.

For the Gentleman and Ladies remember we are here for gun rights not skin rights so while you may like to run around in the summer scantily attired. At an OC picnic may not be the best place to show off all those tattoos.

NOTE these are my opinions and NOT the opinions of MOC in general.
 

sevenplusone

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2009
Messages
397
Location
Kent Co, Michigan, USA
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autosurgeon wrote:
I think you are on to something Zig.

I think clean and neat, No Slogans that are offensive, IE no FBI federal Booty Inspector type shirts or hats, I tend to wear button or polo shirts and on occasion like today (riding the bike) a long sleeved patriotic T-shirt.

I also think that as the ambassadors of the firearms owners in this state we should be mindful of our personal appearance at all times. This includes a neatly trimmed beard if you wear one and clean shaved if you don't.

For the Gentleman and Ladies remember we are here for gun rights not skin rights so while you may like to run around in the summer scantily attired. At an OC picnic may not be the best place to show off all those tattoos.

NOTE these are my opinions and NOT the opinions of MOC in general.
I second all of this and what Zig said. I always try to carry myself in a professional manner when OCing...that includes how I dress. At least a polo shirt and decent jeans at the minimum.

It's hard not to look good with a shoulder holstered 1911 :)
 

Taurus850CIA

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
1,072
Location
, Michigan, USA
imported post

I guess I automatically fall outside the realm of decent appearance. I wear clean clothes, usually jeans and a t-shirt, tucked in, but I have tattoos that show even in a t-shirt.

eta:I agree wholeheartedly that looking like a scrub while trying to portray "decent American citizens" is counter-productive, but I don't see tattoos making ones appearance that detrimental. I am who I am, tattoos or not, but I am a person who takes care of his appearance, ie. hygiene, clean clothing. haircuts, etc. I don't believe a tank top in summertime, which would show off most of my tats, should be a concern.
 

Scooter

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
283
Location
Dundee, Michigan
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I agree, I try not to ever go out looking like a "slob". I always have my shirt tucked in and wear clean presentable clothes, usually nice jeans and a shirt that fits well enough to not be bunched up and baggy when tucked in. Even when I am having a less than great day, I make the extra effort to be pleasant and approachable.

Having said all this; do I have to do any of these things? Of course not! I could have the attitude of " it's my right, screw you!" but the fact is: anyone who does open carry DOES represent open carry whether they want to or not. I may never talk to someone in a store (I have) about open carry but, they will see me and what they perceive will be reality to them. How I look, how I act, how I present myself, will color their view even if they never meet me. Attitude is one of the biggest factors as has been mentioned before. For those of us who do open carry, what someone is wearing may not be a big deal. Me personally, if I were to see someone else wearing a Slipknot t-shirt, ripped jeans, tat's up and down their arm with a gun on their hip, I would think: "SWEET! Someone who open carries!" It's all a little tricky with the public and their media induced perception of people.

When it's all said in done, we need to do our best everyday to be the best representative we can be. What that means could be as varied as the people who do it! Striving to do it, that's where it's at.
 

Big Gay Al

Michigan Moderator
Joined
Aug 27, 2006
Messages
1,944
Location
Mason, Michigan, USA
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Let me see, gangsta style pants/shorts are out, with them hanging around my knees, they'd be too far out of reach. Besides, my gun would pull my pants down to the ground. :) Maybe a baseball cap worn sideways. :)

Darn, I can't think of any way to dress that looks bad. I suppose I could take some jeans and cut some strategic holes in them.

Then if I can find a T-shirt with a Confederate battle flag on it. Or maybe get one custom made that says "Protected by S&W." Problem is, that's a lie. I don't currently own any S&W products. Well, I'm sure I can find something from the Patriot Depot. :D
 

FatboyCykes

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
942
Location
Warren, Michigan, USA
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WARCHILD wrote:
Aw man...does that mean I have to sew all my sleeves back on...:uhoh: :p
I agree...but.... let the flames begin...:banghead:

1_the_right_to_bear_arms.jpg
 

scot623

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2009
Messages
1,421
Location
Eastpointe, Michigan, USA
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I 100% agree. Looking the part is important. When I OC, I always get asked if I'm a police officer, mostly because I don't look like a Hell's Angel. Perception is reality...if the general public perceives us as slobbish losers who carry, then that's what we become.
 

Venator

Anti-Saldana Freedom Fighter
Joined
Jan 10, 2007
Messages
6,462
Location
Lansing area, Michigan, USA
imported post

zigziggityzoo wrote:
Hi All,

I've done a bit of thinking. Since we are the de facto face of the gun rights movement - It would seem prudent to make sure that we are presentable to the public whenever we're in public.

I don't think this means that we should always be wearing our sunday best - but I do think that we shouldn't dress like we just came back from hunting, or like we haven't done laundry in a month or two.

This holds especially true for the bigger events we host - since those draw press attention, we should be on the top of our game, and that includes dressing well.

I don't know what all of the rules should be, and I don't think that the rules are set in stone, so to speak. What say you all?

I politely disagree, we are free to wear what ever is allowed. We have discussed this topic before and I find it distasteful on it's premise. While people are judged on how they appear, they to are judge on a variety of other things, like speech, body type, body art, etc.

I don't think "we " can tell anyone anything. As free people we have to make these decisions on our own. Dress is a personal decision and an expression of that person. People dress in a variety of styles for a variety of reasons. Some reasons are; comfort, financial, religious, practical, etc.

So please dress however you want, as a dress code for going about in publicis going down a slippery slope.
 

scot623

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2009
Messages
1,421
Location
Eastpointe, Michigan, USA
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Vernator, I understand and partly agree with you too. Maybe a happy medium is not too much to ask. If a group of guys OCing are all looking like John Rambo or Travis Bickle(Taxi Driver), that just might put a bad face on MOC and the OC movement(not to mention increase LEO contact by a huge percentage). Of course this is a free country, so do as you will.
 
G

Guest

Guest
imported post

Venator wrote:
zigziggityzoo wrote:
Hi All,

I've done a bit of thinking. Since we are the de facto face of the gun rights movement - It would seem prudent to make sure that we are presentable to the public whenever we're in public.

I don't think this means that we should always be wearing our sunday best - but I do think that we shouldn't dress like we just came back from hunting, or like we haven't done laundry in a month or two.

This holds especially true for the bigger events we host - since those draw press attention, we should be on the top of our game, and that includes dressing well.

I don't know what all of the rules should be, and I don't think that the rules are set in stone, so to speak. What say you all?

I politely disagree, we are free to wear what ever is allowed. We have discussed this topic before and I find it distasteful on it's premise. While people are judged on how they appear, they to are judge on a variety of other things, like speech, body type, body art, etc.

I don't think "we " can tell anyone anything. As free people we have to make these decisions on our own. Dress is a personal decision and an expression of that person. People dress in a variety of styles for a variety of reasons. Some reasons are; comfort, financial, religious, practical, etc.

So please dress however you want, as a dress code for going about in publicis going down a slippery slope.
That slippery slope that the new officers of MOC are going down appears to be resulting in a much more favorable view by the general public in the last week.

Maybe there is something to this.

So I have to agree with zig's advice when the group is represented in public events, and especially to the media.
 
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