Who Open Carries?

[MrYesterday]

Guns scare me when worn by people in public. Don't get me wrong, I love guns, I just think they belong on a gun range.

You haven't ceased to amaze me. :lol1:


I carry my Glock any time I'm outside. When I'm carrying I dress respectably (at the very least a polo/t and jeans), conduct my business as a law abiding citizen, say please and thank you, and refrain from confrontation more so than I did before I started carrying. Carrying is serious business, and I think of myself as a spokesperson every time I'm out.

Dressing well may sound trivial, but people are a lot less apt to be scared by a man in clean jeans and a polo than stained cargo shorts, and a wife beater.

A weapon is a responsibility, be it a knife, revolver, or pistol. I think that a lot of people that make the choice to carry take it seriously. It's changed me for the better, and I think it would do the same for others if they were only aware that they have the RIGHT to carry.

I have female friends that I have bought revolvers for, and trained them how to use them because they were scared of the neighborhoods, or campuses that they lived on, and it has brought them self-esteem, self-respect, and self-reliance. That's a lot of good to come out of a $200-$400 piece of steel that people don't think anyone should have the right to have.

If you're scared of people openly carrying a handgun, it's your own fault for your lack of education on the topic. Criminals DO NOT carry handguns openly. If they did (even one case) the anti-gun groups would have it plastered on billboards, and all over the media.

I don't really care how a person chooses to carry. I (like Donald) just wish more people would make the choice to do so. It sounds like an oxymoron, but a society full of legally armed citizens would be a much safer society where more criminals would think twice.

I'm glad to see more debate here on the topic though, my thumbs are sore from typing on my iPhone.

Sent from my iPhone

 

[guanaco]

Anti-gun people should really understand the world is not all fun and fluffyness, and while you may think guns belong only in a range, the criminals don't. Just yesterday a friend of mine was held at knife point, he stepped back and drew his gun, tables were turned and now the assailant is awaiting trial in one of our marvelous prisons [lol].

 

[idontknow]

Unfortunately people will always fear what they choose not to/can't/don't understand. It is insteresting how the individuals that are anti- gun/weapon/self defense consider themselves to be the ones with the open minds.....

 

[MrYesterday]

What I love to hear is the anti's saying "I would rather DIE than have someone kill someone else to save my life!". Really? Do you honestly think you're going to tell a good samaritan to put away his pistol, and let the BG rape you, stab you, shoot you, or beat you to death? How about your child, or your significant other. Boisterous, and outlandish claims are easy to make until you're put in the situation.

 

[donaldejose]

If you are faced with the threat of serious bodily injury you have four options. 1. Talk to the person threatening you and convince them to become a better person. Highly unlikely to work. 2. Submit. Do whatever they say and take your lumps which may be rape or death, you don't know. They may say:"Just do what I say and I won't hurt you." You comply and then they think: "why should I leave any eyewitness behind? Dead people can never ID me in a line up or testify against me at trial. BANG!" Trusting criminals not to hurt you is taking a bad bet. If criminals cared about your feelings they wouldn't be criminals in the first place. 3. Run. This is a good choice if it is available to you. No one should be called "chicken" in such a situation. But, the criminal doesn't announce his intentions well in advance so you have time to run. He doesn't pull his gun when he is 5 car lengths from you as he starts to walk towards you. He will confront you when you cannot run, that is part of his plan. So this option is highly unlikely. 4. Fight back. Now what will you fight with? What do you have on you most of the time. Will you flail him with your wallet, your car keys, your purse? You will always have your fists (women have fingernails) but you must ask yourself which trumps the other: fists over a knife, finger nails over a knife, etc? A handgun in your hands will trump anything he has other than a gun. The only thing you can have which makes it a "fair fight" with a criminal with a gun is your own gun. So the bottom line is: do you want to have the opportunity to have a fair fight with the criminal or do you want to guarantee his superiority over you? I personally want a fair fight, at least.

Open carry is an advertisement: if you plan on acting like a criminal think twice because you are going to have someone here who has the capacity and willpower to fight back.

I really don't judge the criminal. I leave that up to God. However, I am willing to assist in arranging the meeting between the two of them without feeling a sense of guilt. When a criminal knows that fact, it may deter him. Often criminals are not heroic individuals. They are bullies who pray on weaker people and do not want to challenge stronger people. The last thing the criminal wants is a fair fight.

 

[joe_chill]

Ease up people. Many of you that carries does it for protection. I understand and respect that. "Over here" though, it would be considered crazy to carry, openly or hidden. Guns just aren't that common. No one I know have ever had the need to defend themselves with a handgun and I think many of my fellow european citizens would have the same experience as me. We live in totally different societies, thats why, I think, we have a hard time understanding each other...

 

[trailboss99]

More for fear of craziness than anything else lol... like the guys that open carry long guns. There's a guy that goes to our range that rides a harley every day. He open carries an AK-74 across his back, and his motorcycle helmet is a "Battle Helmet" with a horsehair mohawk. He also has a custom made Don Hume leather holster made for his 44mag on the gas tank of his bike. That man is ready for the zombie apocalypse.

LOL, he would be in jail in about five minutes here, or shot. To transport my arms I need to have them in the boot (trunk), bolt removed and ammo in a lockbox. If I have a wagon and not a sedan they must be covered and chained in. You could carry a handgun to the range (the only place we can legally use one) on a bike but in a saddle bag/backpack and with a trigger lock in place.

 

[donaldejose]

Different societies have different laws, customs and expectations. That is fine. One needs to be sensitive and aware of the social norms for the society in which you find yourself.

I knew a guy from Alaska who went to law school with me in Iowa. He, and some friends, drove to his first year of law school through Canada. He brought a .357 magnum handgun with him. Unfortunately, he decided to shoot at highway signs on the AlCan Highway along the way. I have driven that road. There are over a thousand miles of wilderness on that road. There is no risk of hitting anything other than a tree or rock. Back in those days it was a gravel road and you couldn't drive over 40 mph. Other vehicles are few and far between. Holes in road signs are a nuisance but nothing more, no real risk of hitting people or cars. However, the Mounties happened to catch him, arrested him and charged him with a felony (I think the mere possession of the handgun not the shooting of the signs that was the felony in Canada). Out on bail he skipped the country. For the next four years he had to fly every time he traveled from school to home and back. Having a handgun in Alaska or Iowa was not a crime. Shooting at signs in Alaska and Iowa was a misdemeanor. But the culture and law in Canada is different and he either didn't know that or didn't adequately respect it. So he had a felony warrant on him in Canada. He wasn't a criminal. However, one must know and respect the culture, even when just passing through it.

When I grew up in North Dakota my brother (in middle school) and I (in high school) went to a local gun store and bought a .22 rifle. The owner asked: "Are you sure this is OK with your parents." We said yes, when in fact they didn't know about it at the time. (when they found out later they just said "be careful.) We balanced the .22 rifle across the handlebars of our bikes and drove home "open carry." We also traveled "open carry" on our bikes that way every time we headed to the edge of town to shoot that rifle. No one ever bothered us or seemed afraid. Police cars that drove past us didn't stop us. Now I live in a suburb of Philadelphia PA and kids here would not have the same experience!

I have lots of handguns and rifles in my house. My neighbors think I am a bit odd. However, if trouble ever happens, they will be the first ones knocking at my door! If I notice something strange in the neighborhood, I put on my handgun and go for a walk past that neighbor's house to get a closer look at what I noticed and to be ready to assist any neighbor in trouble. I can get there faster than the police who may be 10 or 20 minutes away.

 

[trailboss99]

Yeah, I used to bring rifles home on my pushbike or on the train. Back then no one even blinked. Now I'd be arrested. Thanks Martin Bryant (google him).

 

[joe_chill]

Since we are sharing =) When I was a child my parents gave me (after a lot of insisting from my part) a rambo knife. This was in the mid 80s. I played with that knife unil the blade came loose, cutting branches and what not. Today, if a grown-up would see a 10 year old with any knife, let alone a rambo knife, Police and social service would be all over my parents in a matter of minutes.

 

[donaldejose]

Yes, all too often our societies are forcing us to be a bunch of wimps and to raise wimpy kids.

 

[MrYesterday]

LOL, he would be in jail in about five minutes here, or shot. To transport my arms I need to have them in the boot (trunk), bolt removed and ammo in a lockbox. If I have a wagon and not a sedan they must be covered and chained in. You could carry a handgun to the range (the only place we can legally use one) on a bike but in a saddle bag/backpack and with a trigger lock in place.

Here it's not common practice, but happens on rare occasion open carrying a long gun. Some people prefer it because you need a LTCH to carry a handgun openly or concealed, but for a rifle, you don't need anything. That doesn't mean you won't have A LOT of run ins with the police. Once a week he has a conversation with a LEO, or citizen trying to talk him into ceasing the practice.

I just have my glock on my hip, and an AK or an AR in a scabbard slung across the back of my driver's seat in my truck. I guess I'm just not as hardcore lol

 

[KenD]

Noticed a post up above where possession of a gun would be considered a fair fight if one were to be confronted by a criminal with a weapon.

Being a military member, I learned one thing right away. There's no such thing as a fair fight - but there are two possible outcomes to each and every fight. 1. Win 2. Lose. I have absolutely no desire to ever find myself in a fair fight.

It's not about fair, and life isn't fair. They started the "fight" by choosing you as a victim. It's about achieving outcome number 1 as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Possesion of a handgun or rifle and the skills and knowledge to use it proficiently achieves outcome number one pretty much every time. Not to mention it's often overlooked that you'd probably not be chosen as the "victim" anyhow - as criminals are looking for easy targets, not victims that have the means to defend themselves and the willingness to do so.

 

[robbnj]

If I notice something strange in the neighborhood, I put on my handgun and go for a walk past that neighbor's house to get a closer look at what I noticed and to be ready to assist any neighbor in trouble. I can get there faster than the police who may be 10 or 20 minutes away.

A few summers ago, I was up late (2AM) and heard a voice outside in my yard.
Gun in hand, I went outside to investigate.
It was a young girl who had run away from a local "kegger" that had been broken up by the police.

I stayed in the shadows and kept completely silent while I laughed internally as she tried to explain to a potential ride home where to find her (she had no clue).
I figured her adrenaline levels didn't need to be spiked again by some guy with a Glock in his hand appearing out of the darkness...

 

[MrYesterday]

It's sad to see so many people that aren't allowed to carry. They're proposing a nationwide CC program, that would only exclude Illinois. Basically, if you get your CC permit, or License to Carry in one state, you'll be allowed to at least CC across the country on that one permit/license. Maybe one day Illinois will get they're act together.

Pic unrelated

 

[andries]

It's not that simple. Lot's of people work at schools, banks, universities, governmental institutions, which are gun free zones. I personally work at University. It doesn't matter whether I have CCW or not. University is a gun free zone and no firearm is allowed there. Therefore I don't see reason to get ccw. Where would I carry? To grocery shopping on weekends?

 

[donaldejose]

Gun free zones are only invitations to criminals. If I wanted to go someplace to shoot a lot of people and leave before the police arrived 10 minutes later, were would I go? To a "gun free" zone. I know no one is going to be able to shoot back there. I just have to shoot quickly and leave quickly. See how stupid the "gun free" zone idea is? Criminals don't follow the law. They are not going to say "oh I cannot bring my gun here because it is a gun free zone." Criminals have illegal guns. They are violating the law just by having them. They are not going to obey the "gun free zone" just because they see a sign posted to that effect. Every school should have more than one adult who carries concealed so many people can immediately respond to a shooter and not just cower in their classroom hoping for the best. Get out there and stop it ASAP. Don't wait for the police and let the shooter shoot 20 or 30 kids before the police arrive. You hear the first "bang" walk towards the sound and stop it ASAP.

 

[wiscrna]

I knew a guy from Alaska who went to law school with me in Iowa. He, and some friends, drove to his first year of law school through Canada. He brought a .357 magnum handgun with him. Unfortunately, he decided to shoot at highway signs on the AlCan Highway along the way.

Wait. WTF?

I have driven that road. There are over a thousand miles of wilderness on that road. There is no risk of hitting anything other than a tree or rock. Back in those days it was a gravel road and you couldn't drive over 40 mph. Other vehicles are few and far between. Holes in road signs are a nuisance but nothing more, no real risk of hitting people or cars.

You are rationalizing criminal behavior.

However, the Mounties happened to catch him, arrested him and charged him with a felony (I think the mere possession of the handgun not the shooting of the signs that was the felony in Canada).

As they should.

Out on bail he skipped the country. For the next four years he had to fly every time he traveled from school to home and back. Having a handgun in Alaska or Iowa was not a crime. Shooting at signs in Alaska and Iowa was a misdemeanor. But the culture and law in Canada is different and he either didn't know that or didn't adequately respect it. So he had a felony warrant on him in Canada. He wasn't a criminal. However, one must know and respect the culture, even when just passing through it.

He most certainly was a criminal. He was wanted for a felony charge. And he fled the country to evade a warrant. And now he's an attorney? That's awesome. You must be very proud of your profession. Isn't there an ethics section on the bar exam? And isn't there a question that goes like, "Have you ever been convicted of a felony, or do you have any outstanding felony warrants on you...anywhere?

To say that the attorneys in my family would view him as a pariah would be understating the matter. Severely.

The only word I have for your perspective on this issue is..."Interesting."

Gun free zones are only invitations to criminals. If I wanted to go someplace to shoot a lot of people and leave before the police arrived 10 minutes later, were would I go? To a "gun free" zone. I know no one is going to be able to shoot back there. I just have to shoot quickly and leave quickly. See how stupid the "gun free" zone idea is? Criminals don't follow the law. They are not going to say "oh I cannot bring my gun here because it is a gun free zone." Criminals have illegal guns. They are violating the law just by having them. They are not going to obey the "gun free zone" just because they see a sign posted to that effect. Every school should have more than one adult who carries concealed so many people can immediately respond to a shooter and not just cower in their classroom hoping for the best. Get out there and stop it ASAP. Don't wait for the police and let the shooter shoot 20 or 30 kids before the police arrive. You hear the first "bang" walk towards the sound and stop it ASAP.

This, I don't disagree with.

Being a military member, I learned one thing right away. There's no such thing as a fair fight - but there are two possible outcomes to each and every fight. 1. Win 2. Lose. I have absolutely no desire to ever find myself in a fair fight.

It's not about fair, and life isn't fair. They started the "fight" by choosing you as a victim. It's about achieving outcome number 1 as quickly and efficiently as possible.

^^^^^Quite possibly the most intelligent post in this entire thread.

As always, just my $0.02.

Will

 

[MrYesterday]

It's not that simple. Lot's of people work at schools, banks, universities, governmental institutions, which are gun free zones. I personally work at University. It doesn't matter whether I have CCW or not. University is a gun free zone and no firearm is allowed there. Therefore I don't see reason to get ccw.

Universities are slowly changing their policies. A lot of campuses have started adopting CC policies.

Where would I carry? To grocery shopping on weekends?

You work 40 hours a week, there are still 128 hours in the week. 88 of those hours you're usually not sleeping. Most attacks don't occur while the person is working (unless you work at a bank or gas station). So the answer is YES, while you're grocery shopping, and on the weekends you could/should carry.

 

[boostin20]

It's sad to see so many people that aren't allowed to carry. They're proposing a nationwide CC program, that would only exclude Illinois. Basically, if you get your CC permit, or License to Carry in one state, you'll be allowed to at least CC across the country on that one permit/license. Maybe one day Illinois will get they're act together.

I really hope this happens soon. I don't like not being able to carry if I'm going 30min across the state line to go shopping, fishing, hiking, etc.