April 18, 2014, 08:45 PM | #1 |
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Open carry
I open carried today for the first time on a trip to the grocery store. I wore my XDs in the factory supplied plastic holster on my right side just forward of my back pocket. I just went about my business as normal and while I think a couple of people saw my gun no one said anything about it.
I guess I expected some one to say something, but maybe it isn't as big a deal as I thought. |
April 18, 2014, 08:53 PM | #2 |
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When they do say something it will most likely be in a panic phone call to the police so be ready to deal with them. Happened to me a bunch of years ago in Arizona, police showed up and told the snowbirds that had called the facts of Az. gun laws. Kinda wonder how it would go down now.
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April 18, 2014, 09:01 PM | #3 |
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It won't be a big deal until suddenly it is. I hope however that your experiences continue to be positive.
I've open carried a few times in less populated areas without issue but otherwise I roll concealed.
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April 18, 2014, 09:55 PM | #4 | |
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April 18, 2014, 10:50 PM | #5 |
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My state has open carry so the mere fact that I am carrying is not against the law. Of course I can't open carry into places that have signs prohibitting firearms on the premise.
If the police are called and they arrive I will cooperate and handle it calmly. I am sure there are better holsters, I am hoping within a couple weeks to get my concealed carry so a completely different holster will come into use. |
April 18, 2014, 11:34 PM | #6 | |
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April 19, 2014, 07:08 AM | #7 | |
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Tom has a great point about the holster. If I were going to open carry, a good leather holster with some type of retention would be my priority. Galco, Bianchi, High Noon or Don Hume are all good places to start. They will also work as concealed carry holsters when you start going that route.
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April 21, 2014, 07:17 PM | #8 | |
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CA specifically banned the practice after OC groups got carried away with their outings. Now I do seem to remember a WI OC guy a few years ago getting a monetary settlement for getting arrested, so hopefully various over zealous LEO's got the memo. |
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April 22, 2014, 02:34 AM | #9 |
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iT still gives the BG the advantage since you've given up th element of suprise !!
NY you MUIST cary concealed and I agree with that !
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April 22, 2014, 01:45 PM | #10 |
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It may take away the element of surprise, or it may convince someone not to do something because a law abiding citizen is obviously armed.
I will go concealed as soon as I get my permit. |
April 22, 2014, 02:48 PM | #11 |
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With as many thing gone so wrong will leos any more my worry leans more toward a stressed out or or over zealous officer showing up with pistol draw ready to shot first. Its legal to open carry in nc too and I know some do. But as rural as it is where I live and with the 3rd highest percentage off legal CC'rs in the state I have never seen anyone owb openly.
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April 22, 2014, 05:49 PM | #12 | |
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There is a real element of risk in the possibility of a gun grab. Carrying in a holster with no retention increases that risk.
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April 22, 2014, 06:02 PM | #13 |
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I'd rather not open carry, for reasons mentioned.... But also, you are basically displaying a$1000 dollar bill.
I believe my right to carry was granted by the constitution, but that's not the reality we live in.... Open carry will get you a free background check soon enough.
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April 22, 2014, 06:36 PM | #14 |
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Right across the border from you in MN. Let us know how the open carry works out.
Just out of curiosity, roughly what age are you and what's your appearance like? i.e. stock broker, 3 piece suit, biker, leather vest, jeans and golf shirt, etc. and if you don't want to comment that is fine because it really is NONE of my business. |
April 22, 2014, 07:49 PM | #15 |
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Always use a retention holster. The Safariland ALS is a great holster that costs around $40 (if they make it for the XDs).
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April 25, 2014, 03:01 PM | #16 |
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Though carry in a less-than-perfect holster could increase the risk of a "gun grab", not carrying due to the lack of a better holster also carries a risk. You have the risk of losing control of your firearm versus the risk of not having your firearm when you may need it; consequences could range from financial loss to the loss of your life.
Good luck in your choices. Personally, I would rather ride a bicycle than walk when my car isn't running. |
April 25, 2014, 03:26 PM | #17 |
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Something tells me that an idiot thug intent on attempting to FORCIBLY TAKE A LOADED GUN FROM YOU doesn't care if there is a retention holster involved or not. That idiot might not even know what the difference is. Either the open-carrier is a weak target and falling-down drunk, or the guy attempting to disarm him has an IQ below 75 and is going to try it no matter what. Don't we all just love to speculate about this stuff?
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April 25, 2014, 08:46 PM | #18 | |
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If the purpose of carrying a gun is to reduce risk, it doesn't make much sense to introduce an element of risk back into the equation.
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April 25, 2014, 09:51 PM | #19 | |
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My son open carried for months and was never hassled by anyone. He has since gotten his ccw and now carries concealed. |
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April 26, 2014, 01:06 AM | #20 |
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I open carry on occasion and have never been bothered. That is not to say it can't happen though.
I never OC when I go down to the city of Atlanta. Last edited by Water-Man; April 26, 2014 at 11:51 AM. |
April 26, 2014, 11:45 AM | #21 |
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I open carry, my choice in MN.
I have practiced drawing my firearm both concealed and open, IME digging my firearm out of it's hiding place takes way to long. Hiding my firearm under layers of clothing concealing it from a potential BG does not out way the ease at which I can Access my Open Carry gun. YMMV |
April 26, 2014, 03:56 PM | #22 |
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Thanks SocialAnarchist for the description of your situation. Being known in your area is undoubtedly a good thing. That and a dose of common sense among those around you including law enforcement should make your life and everyone elses easier.
When the carry law in MN was being discussed someone tried open carry in the Twin Cities metro area and it was about 15 minutes before the police were questioning him about his actions and intent. I do NOT want to start a debate about THAT issue, we've had 'em here before, I am just saying that IS what happened and I'd be interested in what happens to SA too. I remain of the opinion that concealed is usually better than open carry but that's just me. Good luck, SA. |
April 26, 2014, 04:23 PM | #23 | ||
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Definition: Full Definition of PROXY 1: the agency, function, or office of a deputy who acts as a substitute for another 2a: authority or power to act for another b: a document giving such authority; specifically : a power of attorney authorizing a specified person to vote corporate stock 3: a person authorized to act for another : procurator Quote:
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April 28, 2014, 12:34 PM | #24 | |||||||||||||||||
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I don't know where to start with this, so I'll start with a mini intro. I am SA's son. WI resident, same county,OC'd for well over a year before I got my CCL, OC'd in the same grocery store on an almost daily basis, as well as everywhere else I went. I carried (and when I OC, I still do), in a Fobus paddle holster.
Alright, let's get started. There will be a lot of specific's pertaining to Open carry in Wisconsin, and there will be a lot of personal opinion and experiences tied in as well. It will be broken up with my reply to each post I think needed some clarification, so if you don't want to read it all just look for your post. I AM NOT TRYING TO BE ARROGANT OR OFFENSIVE. I just feel that people need to get the correct facts and information about OC in my area, with the addition of my personal experience to paint a clear picture. MY CHOICES AND PREFERENCES DON'T HAVE TO BE YOUR CHOICES AND PREFERENCE. I am not saying that what I do will work for you in your area. On the flipside of that, YOU can't expect what works for YOU to be the ONLY thing that will work for everyone anywhere. YMMV. Quote:
And DaleA, as far as OC in our area, it has gone flawlessly for the last almost 2 years for me. Quote:
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No more risk than by choosing not to carry because of the holster. Pretty sure if you needed your weapon to defend your wife, children, or own life, you'd rather have it in what you see as a sub-par holster, than think "Uh-oh, I left my gun at home today!" while your family is being harmed. Quote:
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In April of 2009, our State Attorney General released a memo that said "¶1. Under Article I, § 25 of the Wisconsin Constitution, a person has the right to openly carry a firearm for any of the purposes enumerated in that Section, subject to reasonable regulation as discussed herein." In that same memo, he went on to say that "The Wisconsin Department of Justice (the Department) believes that the mere open carrying of a firearm by a person, absent additional facts and circumstances, should not result in a disorderly conduct charge from a prosecutor. " So while it specifically say "Open carry is legal," it does say the people of this state have the right to bear arms for security, defense, etc. Quote:
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I am NOT trying to come on here, and be a jerk. I love a good debate, and a lot of you posted a lot of things that I disagree with that I could spark a good debate from. I sincerely do not intend to offend anyone with my replies, however just like everyone else I have my own personal opinions, and experiences, and a lot of time researching this topic. Last edited by maestro; April 28, 2014 at 01:57 PM. |
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April 28, 2014, 04:25 PM | #25 | |
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First off, I don't carry a gun to protect me from people I trust. I carry one because there are violent, brutal people out there. Those people aren't going to be polite or give me warning, and they're probably stronger and tougher than I am. Those are the folks who disarm police officers, who are trained in retention. Against someone like that, the average civilian doesn't have much of a chance. Second, perfect situational awareness isn't possible. I can't monitor everyone if I'm in the middle of a crowd.
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