Concealed versus Open Carry?

Mar 2009
307
0
why you asking b ?
i like conceal because i would like people to assume i do not have a firearm, possibly given me the edge if i need it
 
Jan 2010
689
0
Pacific NW
I support BOTH.
Let those who feel the need to 'open carry', do so.
I myself prefer to carry concelled.
 

mjn

Jan 2009
394
1
Tri-Cities, Wa
Open carry of a handgun IMO is grandstanding. "hey... look at me. I have a gun". About the only time I open carry is out in the boonies.. For instance, if I'm on my annual campin trip in Central Idaho, and we ride into Elk City for ammo and phone calls.. I just leave it on me. I'm certainly not gonna leave it on the ATV outside. But out there.. no one cares. Firearms are commonplace. Open carry around non-gun people just causes problems.

Besides.. why would you want anyone to know you are carrying? As has been said already, you lose the element of suprise.
 
Mar 2010
135
0
Spokane/Yakima WA
I support both. In true public I usually conceal carry.

Went on a trip to OR last year on the motorcycles so I had not choice but to open carry if I wanted to carry. Both me and the GF carried the whole time including in National Parks.

It felt a little weird to carry open but my thought is because it is not something people are use to seeing, nor that I am used to doing. If more people did more often I think that perception would change.

I had several good comments about it. A couple of other out of state people asked about legalities that did not know the rules and said next time they would have theirs. I had one mid 20's couple go running for their car when we pulled up. It could have been something else but they sure looked scared of us, it is very sad to see people like that.
 
Jan 2010
371
0
Sherwood, OR
...Open carry around non-gun people just causes problems...
But if more people would open carry as a part of normal daily lives, then it would begin to become less unusual, and people would become accustomed to it.

Both sides have their advantages, but when I am out with my wife and daughter, I don't want the extra attention that sometimes comes with open carry, so it gets concealed.
 
Sep 2009
18
0
Oregon
I support both. In true public I usually conceal carry.

Went on a trip to OR last year on the motorcycles so I had not choice but to open carry if I wanted to carry. Both me and the GF carried the whole time including in National Parks.

It felt a little weird to carry open but my thought is because it is not something people are use to seeing, nor that I am used to doing. If more people did more often I think that perception would change.

I had several good comments about it. A couple of other out of state people asked about legalities that did not know the rules and said next time they would have theirs. I had one mid 20's couple go running for their car when we pulled up. It could have been something else but they sure looked scared of us, it is very sad to see people like that.

NWCID-

How did you open carry? Leg rig? On the Hip? Just curious

J
 
Dec 2010
3
0
Salem, OR
I support both open carry and concealed carry. Personally, I prefer concealed carry because it is less hassle and it may provide a tactical advantage. Any law-abiding citizen should be allowed to carry open but it just causes unwanted problems...
 
Jan 2010
472
0
Bend, Or.
I definitely support both. My preference is concealed but more power to those that open carry. If it's effective then go for it.
 
Dec 2010
3
0
Albany, Oregon
Exactly how I feel

I support both open carry and concealed carry. Personally, I prefer concealed carry because it is less hassle and it may provide a tactical advantage. Any law-abiding citizen should be allowed to carry open but it just causes unwanted problems...

This is exactly how I feel. I also feel that open carry puts you at a tactical disadvantage.

Lets say YOU are the bad guy and are about to rob the store and you see a person open carrying. What would you do? The normal prudent person will say... "I would pick a different place to rob" however, criminals don't think like normal people...
 
Mar 2010
135
0
Spokane/Yakima WA
NWCID-

How did you open carry? Leg rig? On the Hip? Just curious

J

Strong side. That is my normal carry. I have carried in a drop leg holster but that is when we are out riding ATV's and stuff where I dotn want the butt of the gun to jab me in the ribs. IMHO if you out out in public you look like an ass if you were wearing a drop leg holster.

Part of carrying and building support is to not look bad. Legal or not, Right or wrong IMAGE from the public DOES make a difference. It only takes one guy looking bad to give a bad image to LOTS of gun owners.

Just my thoughts and opinions take them for what they are wroth.

Here is a pic of how I usually carry, I dont have any pics of me from that day. M&Pc in Uncle Mikes Kydex.

DSC_0015-2.jpg


Here is the GF on that trip. She is carrying a Taurus .38 on her weak side since I didnt have an open left hand holster and she only has IWB holster for it.

DSC_0181.jpg
 
Dec 2010
305
0
Fall City
This felt like a great topic for my first post. I have been lurking for awhile now so howdy.

I do indeed open carry from time to time, but people up in Sammamish tend to get kind of freaked out by it. I had a lady in a QFC come up to me and yell at me and tell me "You cant have that." I looked at her and said read your constitution and learn you're local laws. She was not happy with me.

Needless to say since that happened I tend to conceal carry as much as I can since I carry a Springfield XD .45 4inch barrel. Not the easiest gun to totally conceal at times.


cheers
 
Mar 2010
135
0
Spokane/Yakima WA
This felt like a great topic for my first post. I have been lurking for awhile now so howdy.

I do indeed open carry from time to time, but people up in Sammamish tend to get kind of freaked out by it. I had a lady in a QFC come up to me and yell at me and tell me "You cant have that." I looked at her and said read your constitution and learn you're local laws. She was not happy with me.

Needless to say since that happened I tend to conceal carry as much as I can since I carry a Springfield XD .45 4inch barrel. Not the easiest gun to totally conceal at times.


cheers


When people tell me I cant do something I usually ask them nicely "why not"? Then they will usually saw something like "it is against the law" and I simply ask them "what law am I breaking" I ask them to please show me cause I dont want to be breaking the law.

One of 2 things will happen. First nothing with change from the closed minded person. Second is that they will either ask and learn, or look up and learn the truth.

Either way it does not change the truth or the law.
 
Dec 2010
62
0
Salem, OR
I prefer open carry. I did have an incident in San Francisco and was almost arrested for open carrying in a Starbucks, but the cops didnt know that open carry was legal. I usually wear a shoulder harness or a drop leg holster if its cold. That way Im not concealing my weapon in any way.
 
Nov 2009
463
0
WA
Either works for me.

The other day while working I walked into a coffee shop. A guy was sitting with a really nice 1911 on. I walked up to him and I could immediately tell he was getting ready for the "Show me your papers" bullshit but I just asked what make and who did the work.

Not all cops are ignorant. Some of us like guns too.
 
Dec 2010
62
0
Salem, OR
I know that not all officers are ignorant. I was just surprised that the SFPD was. Although, I have had quite a few good comments on my open carry. It hasnt seemed to make a lot of people uncomfortable. Some people have even asked me about because they would like to carry or their husbands want to carry.
 
Dec 2010
1
0
seattle,wa
I conceal when im out in public. I open carry when Im out in the forest or mountains fishing.
 
Dec 2010
1
0
Inner SE Portland / Bucerias, Nayarit Mx
Concealed, period.

Open carry makes the public act weird, unless you're wearing a uniform that's commonly noted for open carry.

My only exception is if I am somewhere where I need my six-shooter with snake loads.
 
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