The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

NavyLT · August 10, 2010, 12:27 AM

Open carry = good. Concealed carry = good.

1. Deterrent value:

http://www.examiner.com/x-5619-Atlan...ry-in-Kennesaw

http://www.gunfacts.info/pdfs/gun-fa...-5.1-print.pdf
Page 30:
Fact: Every day, 550 rapes, 1,100 murders, and 5,200 other violent crimes are prevented just by showing a gun. In less than 0.9% of these instances is the gun ever actually fired.

Fact: 60% of convicted felons admitted that they avoided committing crimes when they knew the victim was armed. 40% of convicted felons admitted that they avoided committing crimes when they thought the victim might be armed.

Fact: Felons report that they avoid entering houses where people are at home because they fear being shot.

Why would a criminal CHOOSE a target they knew to be armed when they could just wait two minutes or go down the street one block and find a plethora of targets that appeared to not be armed? I would rather deter a crime being considered against me than defend against a crime already in progress. A hidden gun cannot deter crime.

2. Responsible open carry shows the public that it is OK for normal, everyday Americans to have the means available to them to protect themselves while doing normal everyday activities. If they don't see normal people carrying, the only image they will have of guns is from the movies, the media and from groups like the Brady Bunch. Which image would you rather the public see?

3. Faster draw from a holster out in the open vice a holster covered for concealment.

4. No fuss about dressing or clothing choices. I just push my paddle holster on over my belt and go.

Those of us who open carry everyday find that 90% of the people don't notice, 9% who do notice are either curious and often times don't even know that it is legal or are positive and supportive about it, and 1% who do notice are against it or afraid. Unfortunately, on the internet and media, you only hear about the last 1%, because the other 99% is boring.

If you want to carry concealed, then carry concealed. I don't care. I carry concealed sometimes, such as in malls, or when I absolutely do not want an activity possibly ruined by an uninvited police encounter, which rarely happens...but does. I wouldn't say concealed carry is bad, but open carry is better.

August 10, 2010, 12:27 AM	#3
NavyLT Junior member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 1,719	Open carry = good. Concealed carry = good. 1. Deterrent value: http://www.examiner.com/x-5619-Atlan...ry-in-Kennesaw http://www.gunfacts.info/pdfs/gun-fa...-5.1-print.pdf Page 30: Fact: Every day, 550 rapes, 1,100 murders, and 5,200 other violent crimes are prevented just by showing a gun. In less than 0.9% of these instances is the gun ever actually fired. Fact: 60% of convicted felons admitted that they avoided committing crimes when they knew the victim was armed. 40% of convicted felons admitted that they avoided committing crimes when they thought the victim might be armed. Fact: Felons report that they avoid entering houses where people are at home because they fear being shot. Why would a criminal CHOOSE a target they knew to be armed when they could just wait two minutes or go down the street one block and find a plethora of targets that appeared to not be armed? I would rather deter a crime being considered against me than defend against a crime already in progress. A hidden gun cannot deter crime. 2. Responsible open carry shows the public that it is OK for normal, everyday Americans to have the means available to them to protect themselves while doing normal everyday activities. If they don't see normal people carrying, the only image they will have of guns is from the movies, the media and from groups like the Brady Bunch. Which image would you rather the public see? 3. Faster draw from a holster out in the open vice a holster covered for concealment. 4. No fuss about dressing or clothing choices. I just push my paddle holster on over my belt and go. Those of us who open carry everyday find that 90% of the people don't notice, 9% who do notice are either curious and often times don't even know that it is legal or are positive and supportive about it, and 1% who do notice are against it or afraid. Unfortunately, on the internet and media, you only hear about the last 1%, because the other 99% is boring. If you want to carry concealed, then carry concealed. I don't care. I carry concealed sometimes, such as in malls, or when I absolutely do not want an activity possibly ruined by an uninvited police encounter, which rarely happens...but does. I wouldn't say concealed carry is bad, but open carry is better. Last edited by NavyLT; August 10, 2010 at 12:32 AM.