Open vs. Concealed carry?

gollbladder13 · January 26, 2009, 09:48 PM

This is kind of based off of reading an earlier thread, but do you carry open or concealed?

Being from WI, it doesn't matter since we can't CC here anyways, but if it ever passes or if I'm in a state that allows it, I'd like to know what I'm getting into either way.

Erik · January 26, 2009, 09:53 PM

I have the option to carry either way and almost always opt for doing so concealed.

mnhntr · January 26, 2009, 09:55 PM

concealed is the better option IMO due to the element of suprise. unless the majority of citizens open carried it would be better to go concealed.

treg · January 26, 2009, 10:13 PM

When roaming my place or the woods I usually open carry. The rest of the time it's concealed.

Either way is legal.

NightSleeper · January 26, 2009, 10:15 PM

I'm from WI too, but if ever given a choice, I'd probably go with concealed. Some people would just be scared of you if you openly carried. Although I agree with an earlier post, if most people did carry open, so would I. I figure most criminals wouldn't consider someone openly carrying an ideal target and would leave me alone.

Brian Pfleuger · January 26, 2009, 10:15 PM

In NY, especially my county, we have no choice- concealed. We were all told in our county required class,in no uncertain terms, that if some one in the public sees our gun and calls the police then we WILL lose our permit. They claim it has happened before.

dabigguns357 · January 26, 2009, 10:23 PM

I have a related question,Just say that our c/c right do get taken away.What then would we do?I have been thinking about it lately and i think if my rights were taken i would say with out a pause that i would open carry.

hoytinak · January 26, 2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

I have a related question,Just say that our c/c right do get taken away.What then would we do?I have been thinking about it lately and i think if my rights were taken i would say with out a pause that i would open carry.

I know many older people that have been concealing long before conceal carry permits were around and continue to do so even without a permit. Some have gotten a permit just to "be legal" as they put it. If they took away the carry permits, I'd proly do what they've been doing for years and carry concealed anyways.

I'm not against open carry (I respect everyone's right to do so and think we should have the option), it's just not really for me. I have carried open when I was stationed in NC but that was only up in the mountains when 4x4ing.

Shadi Khalil · January 26, 2009, 10:38 PM

I never open carry in public. My girlfriend tried to get me to do it this weekend but I wussed out.

Rescue2 · January 26, 2009, 11:08 PM

In a civilized situation (urban/suburban environment), open carry scares the Nervous Nellie's...

Poorly executed concealed carry is equally scary (or more so) to them.

A "gat" shoved into a waistband, and not covered by the obligatory wife beater t-shirt is the worst of all of them (other than a guy decked out in full camo with a shoulder slung AR and a duty belt full of other destructive crap)...

All of the above invite the curiosity of your local LEO...

Carrying properly and effictively concealed gives you an outward appearance of being just like everybody else, and hence, not a threat to their personal definition of "normalcy".

Sixer · January 27, 2009, 12:21 AM

Concealed... by the time you see it, it's already too late

Keltyke · January 27, 2009, 07:50 AM

No open carry here in SC, so I wear concealed. Given the choice, I'd go open - it's just a LOT easier and more comfortable.

NC is supposed to be open carry - BUT...it's against the law to wear a weapon "to the terror of the people". What that means is, if someone is frightened by the sight of your weapon, you can be arrested. Also, I don't think businesses in NC have to display signs against carry, open or otherwise. A good "Catch-22" situation.

The Great Mahoo · January 27, 2009, 09:03 AM

Open carry is legal here in PA, but I went for the CC license to be on the safe side of the law, which is downright baffling at the thought process. But I digress...

I generally carry concealed, but with an increasingly-loose attitude towards it. I used to worry a lot about people being able to see that I had a gun on me, making sure that it was well concealed and would take some time here and there (in private) to ensure that it was still hidden.

Nowadays, I am much less concerned with it. Rather than be sure its tucked under a shirt, worrying about hiding the clips from my IWB holster, I just cover an IWB or even OWB holster with a long shirt or jacket and get on with my day. If someone happens to see my firearm, I don't really care. Legally, I am not in the wrong, so long as I am not brandishing. If it prints or flashes, I make a casual adjustment (if I even notice) and move on.

I got tired of being so concerned with it that I would wonder if I should even 'carry it to xxxxx' or such, so I decided that I would rather keep it close just in case than worry about what other people thought.

I've only been carrying for about 2 or 3 years, and I don't even carry every day at this point. (I am currently waiting on a new tuckable-iwb holster so I can carry at work, so that should solve that.) When I think back on how I was just a short time ago, I can't help but chuckle. I could come across 50 people a day who are also carrying and not even know it; nor do they know that I am.

That all said, I nearly always open-carry at the outdoor range here, and when hunting, which I don't really do at all.

12GaugeShuggoth · January 27, 2009, 09:12 AM

I voted concealed, but would like to note that I spend a lot of time open carrying.....just not out in public. Around the house or on the farm, I see no need to conceal so I just strap on and go about the usual business. I could carry either way legally in public, but choose to carry concealed.

KLRANGL · January 27, 2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

I never open carry in public. My girlfriend tried to get me to do it this weekend but I wussed out.

Man, what a cool girlfriend :P

I find that open carrying can be better under some circumstances. For example, open carrying alone is a bit awkward, especially in the Peoples Republic of Northern Virginia (which I do on many occasions). But in Virginia, every time I go to a restaurant, I have to open carry it. Now I can do this no problem with my IWB holster, since a quick tuck in of your shirt and you're good to go. But with it exposed like that, and with zero retention on the holster, I find it very very uncomfortable when people walk close behind me. Therefore, when I go to restaurants, I usually run an OWB Blackhawk Serpa, and leave my leather jacket over it where it is mostly concealed. The Serpa is probably the greatest holster made, with its active retention, quick draw, and excellent comfort factor.
In the summer, a quick trip to the Route 7 Starbucks and you might see me in cargo shorts, flip flops, beach shirt, and Serpa/USPc combo

That said, I much prefer concealed, and would love the new bill removing the restriction on CC in ABC certified locations to pass

OuTcAsT · January 27, 2009, 01:50 PM

I voted "Depends" Because IMHO you should be able to carry in any manner you see fit as long as you are legally able to do so. I carry both open and concealed, just depends on my mood, attire, and destination.

jfrey123 · January 27, 2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teifmen1948

I never open carry in public. My girlfriend tried to get me to do it this weekend but I wussed out.

That's actually a pretty cool situation. I conceal, but have been wanting to try to OC. Biggest thing stopping me is that the GF is with me all the time and I don't want her to get involved in a citizen or LE encounter over said OC... One day that she's not around though, if she goes shopping with the girls or something, I think I've finally worked myself up to it.

To the OP question: concealed in town or hiking well traveled trails, open carrying during 4x4 trips or camping...

tony pasley · January 27, 2009, 08:42 PM

I usually carry concealed but there are times when I don't put my cover on just to run in and out, or when meeting friends on the way to the range, so both.

Crankylove · January 28, 2009, 12:17 AM

Concealed. Open carry of a loaded weapon in Utah is illegal (you can carry an unloaded firearm openly though, for what good that does you), but even if it wasn't, I would still carry concealed. If I am carrying, it is no bodies business but my own. Some would say open carry may make a potiential attacker thick twice, but I prefer to keep my weapon a secret, and not have to deal people freaking out at the sight of my pistol, or dealing with police after "man with a gun" calls.

Nnobby45 · January 28, 2009, 12:57 AM

If you open carry, you'll deter most would be assailants, but give the worst of them the tactical advantage.

If you like to blend in, and not call attention to yourself, then you don't need me to point out which method accomplishes that.

Some must open carry. They have no options. Some are more interested in letting everyone know that they're entitled to excercise their right. They can't wait to be approached by mall security, and then afterwards, write a post on a forum thread somewhere. Some open carry when driving, or in rural areas. That's fine.

This subject has been argued to death. And will be again until the thread is locked. So I'll take the bait

, say what I have to say, and try to comply with the forum rules.

KnightZero · January 28, 2009, 11:24 AM

OC and CC are both legal in my state - CC requires you to have a LTCF (License to carry firearms), and any type of vehicle carry in the passenger compartment requires a LTCF. I have my license, and I conceal during most of the week for work. I'm in and out of customer sites a lot, and I prefer not to spook my clients. On the weekends, I carry as I feel is suited for the occasion - sometimes loosely concealing my PT140, sometimes strapping my XD40 on my hip with no cover whatsoever. I tend to avoid OCing all the time, but I will OC to places that I plan to frequent in the future. I've made a few friends, sparked a few conversations, spoken with the occasional LEO, and had the chance to educate a few night shift convenience store clerks about their right to protect themselves in this state. I've never had a negative encounter while open carrying, but then again I don't do it to make a statement. Its more for comfort than anything else. Plus, once my regular store clerks have seen my weapon, and had the chance to ask me about it, I won't have to worry about them calling 911 if I print on a bad day.

I've got no reason to show it off and no reason to hide it. Its just there.

Creature · January 28, 2009, 11:39 AM

Even here where OC is legal, I choose to carry concealed.

mrt949 · January 28, 2009, 05:08 PM

C C only way in fl. element of suprise

NavyLT · January 30, 2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Just say that our c/c right do get taken away.

It already has been taken away. It is, in most states by license only. Some states may issue.

cbgixxer · January 30, 2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Keltyke

Yeah I have seen quite a few folks around here open carry, especially when out riding in the mountains.

Personally I'm still waiting for my CCP, so I really don't carry on me unless I'm open in the woods on legal land to do so. Although my bud who teaches the CCP class said he had never seen that "terror" law optioned, you never know if someone's going to throw a fit that you have a sidearm on you...

View Poll Results: How do you carry?
Open	4	2.61%
Concealed	94	61.44%
Depends	38	24.84%
Don't Carry	17	11.11%
Voters: 153. You may not vote on this poll

January 26, 2009, 09:48 PM	#1
gollbladder13 Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Location: Milwaukee area Posts: 42	Open vs. Concealed carry? This is kind of based off of reading an earlier thread, but do you carry open or concealed? Being from WI, it doesn't matter since we can't CC here anyways, but if it ever passes or if I'm in a state that allows it, I'd like to know what I'm getting into either way.

January 26, 2009, 09:53 PM	#2
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	I have the option to carry either way and almost always opt for doing so concealed. __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective

January 26, 2009, 10:13 PM	#4
treg Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 1,102	When roaming my place or the woods I usually open carry. The rest of the time it's concealed. Either way is legal. __________________ .44 Special: For those who get it, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation is possible.

January 26, 2009, 10:15 PM	#5
NightSleeper Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 449	I'm from WI too, but if ever given a choice, I'd probably go with concealed. Some people would just be scared of you if you openly carried. Although I agree with an earlier post, if most people did carry open, so would I. I figure most criminals wouldn't consider someone openly carrying an ideal target and would leave me alone. __________________ *I have rounds yet to fire before I sleep ...*

January 26, 2009, 09:55 PM	#3
mnhntr Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Posts: 972	concealed is the better option IMO due to the element of suprise. unless the majority of citizens open carried it would be better to go concealed.

January 26, 2009, 10:15 PM	#6
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	In NY, especially my county, we have no choice- concealed. We were all told in our county required class,in no uncertain terms, that if some one in the public sees our gun and calls the police then we WILL lose our permit. They claim it has happened before. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

January 26, 2009, 10:23 PM	#7
dabigguns357 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Location: Ona,West Virginia Posts: 1,215	I have a related question,Just say that our c/c right do get taken away.What then would we do?I have been thinking about it lately and i think if my rights were taken i would say with out a pause that i would open carry.

January 26, 2009, 10:38 PM	#9
Shadi Khalil Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 5,210	I never open carry in public. My girlfriend tried to get me to do it this weekend but I wussed out.

January 26, 2009, 11:08 PM	#10
Rescue2 Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 38	In a civilized situation (urban/suburban environment), open carry scares the Nervous Nellie's... Poorly executed concealed carry is equally scary (or more so) to them. A "gat" shoved into a waistband, and not covered by the obligatory wife beater t-shirt is the worst of all of them (other than a guy decked out in full camo with a shoulder slung AR and a duty belt full of other destructive crap)... All of the above invite the curiosity of your local LEO... Carrying properly and effictively concealed gives you an outward appearance of being just like everybody else, and hence, not a threat to their personal definition of "normalcy".

January 27, 2009, 12:21 AM	#11
Sixer Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,891	Concealed... by the time you see it, it's already too late

January 27, 2009, 07:50 AM	#12
Keltyke Junior member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 2,933	No open carry here in SC, so I wear concealed. Given the choice, I'd go open - it's just a LOT easier and more comfortable. NC is supposed to be open carry - BUT...it's against the law to wear a weapon "to the terror of the people". What that means is, if someone is frightened by the sight of your weapon, you can be arrested. Also, I don't think businesses in NC have to display signs against carry, open or otherwise. A good "Catch-22" situation.

January 27, 2009, 09:03 AM	#13
The Great Mahoo Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,269	Open carry is legal here in PA, but I went for the CC license to be on the safe side of the law, which is downright baffling at the thought process. But I digress... I generally carry concealed, but with an increasingly-loose attitude towards it. I used to worry a lot about people being able to see that I had a gun on me, making sure that it was well concealed and would take some time here and there (in private) to ensure that it was still hidden. Nowadays, I am much less concerned with it. Rather than be sure its tucked under a shirt, worrying about hiding the clips from my IWB holster, I just cover an IWB or even OWB holster with a long shirt or jacket and get on with my day. If someone happens to see my firearm, I don't really care. Legally, I am not in the wrong, so long as I am not brandishing. If it prints or flashes, I make a casual adjustment (if I even notice) and move on. I got tired of being so concerned with it that I would wonder if I should even 'carry it to xxxxx' or such, so I decided that I would rather keep it close just in case than worry about what other people thought. I've only been carrying for about 2 or 3 years, and I don't even carry every day at this point. (I am currently waiting on a new tuckable-iwb holster so I can carry at work, so that should solve that.) When I think back on how I was just a short time ago, I can't help but chuckle. I could come across 50 people a day who are also carrying and not even know it; nor do they know that I am. That all said, I nearly always open-carry at the outdoor range here, and when hunting, which I don't really do at all.

January 27, 2009, 09:12 AM	#14
12GaugeShuggoth Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 534	I voted concealed, but would like to note that I spend a lot of time open carrying.....just not out in public. Around the house or on the farm, I see no need to conceal so I just strap on and go about the usual business. I could carry either way legally in public, but choose to carry concealed. __________________ ---Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.--- ---Enlightenment is the ability to take infinite pains--- MOLON LABE

January 27, 2009, 01:50 PM	#16
OuTcAsT Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2006 Location: Eastern, TN Posts: 1,236	I voted "Depends" Because IMHO you should be able to carry in any manner you see fit as long as you are legally able to do so. I carry both open and concealed, just depends on my mood, attire, and destination. __________________ WITHOUT Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech. Silence Dogood *Does not morality imply the last clear chance?* - WildAlaska -

January 27, 2009, 08:42 PM	#18
tony pasley Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2006 Location: western north carolina Posts: 1,641	I usually carry concealed but there are times when I don't put my cover on just to run in and out, or when meeting friends on the way to the range, so both. __________________ Every day Congress is in session we lose a little bit more of our Liberty.

January 28, 2009, 12:17 AM	#19
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	Concealed. Open carry of a loaded weapon in Utah is illegal (you can carry an unloaded firearm openly though, for what good that does you), but even if it wasn't, I would still carry concealed. If I am carrying, it is no bodies business but my own. Some would say open carry may make a potiential attacker thick twice, but I prefer to keep my weapon a secret, and not have to deal people freaking out at the sight of my pistol, or dealing with police after "man with a gun" calls. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

January 28, 2009, 12:57 AM	#20
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	If you open carry, you'll deter most would be assailants, but give the worst of them the tactical advantage. If you like to blend in, and not call attention to yourself, then you don't need me to point out which method accomplishes that. Some must open carry. They have no options. Some are more interested in letting everyone know that they're entitled to excercise their right. They can't wait to be approached by mall security, and then afterwards, write a post on a forum thread somewhere. Some open carry when driving, or in rural areas. That's fine. This subject has been argued to death. And will be again until the thread is locked. So I'll take the bait, say what I have to say, and try to comply with the forum rules.

January 28, 2009, 11:24 AM	#21
KnightZero Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Location: Paoli, PA (for now) Posts: 100	OC and CC are both legal in my state - CC requires you to have a LTCF (License to carry firearms), and any type of vehicle carry in the passenger compartment requires a LTCF. I have my license, and I conceal during most of the week for work. I'm in and out of customer sites a lot, and I prefer not to spook my clients. On the weekends, I carry as I feel is suited for the occasion - sometimes loosely concealing my PT140, sometimes strapping my XD40 on my hip with no cover whatsoever. I tend to avoid OCing all the time, but I will OC to places that I plan to frequent in the future. I've made a few friends, sparked a few conversations, spoken with the occasional LEO, and had the chance to educate a few night shift convenience store clerks about their right to protect themselves in this state. I've never had a negative encounter while open carrying, but then again I don't do it to make a statement. Its more for comfort than anything else. Plus, once my regular store clerks have seen my weapon, and had the chance to ask me about it, I won't have to worry about them calling 911 if I print on a bad day. I've got no reason to show it off and no reason to hide it. Its just there. __________________ KnightZero - Zombie Killing Mercenary Watchman for hire. Will work for food.

January 28, 2009, 11:39 AM	#22
Creature Junior member Join Date: April 8, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,769	Even here where OC is legal, I choose to carry concealed.

January 28, 2009, 05:08 PM	#23
mrt949 Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Posts: 1,692	C C only way in fl. element of suprise __________________ No Gun Big Or Small Does It All