A major instructor, I want to say it was Tiger McKee but I'm not 100% sure, stated on Tom Gresham's Gun Talk radio show that he had heard from students about open carrier's being burglarized after being followed home. The amusing thing to me is that there are people who worry to death about the "red dots being put on tires by gangsters at gun ranges so they can identify cars to follow home from other locations" urban myth who will turn around and open carry in public.Charles L. Cotton wrote:While it is likely true that no evidence exists to support the statement that open-carry makes one a target, it is more likely true than the claim that open-carry reduces crime. There's absolutely no evidence of crime reduction, but that hasn't stopped OCT and others from making that false claim.
Open-carry is so rarely done in any states, that the lack of evidence is not the end of the inquiry. I think whether a person openly carrying a handgun will be a target will likely depend upon the location, the number of attackers and/or their mental state, and the apparent capability of the gun owner. If a hijacker goes into Wal-Mart and sees someone openly carrying a handgun, I doubt the gun owner will be targeted simply due to numbers, but that's no guarantee. However, if one is carrying openly in a IHOP when a 6-man hijack team hits, then the gun owner will either be summarily shot or disarmed. If one open-carries in a high crime area of town where every thug is armed and I could see the same thing happening.
One thing people need to consider is that firearms, especially handguns, are highly valued by violent criminals. The "big three" burglars want are guns, money and jewelry, in that order. Advertising you have this prized booty could well mean you are attacked or burglarized, if the thug follows you home. So even if you aren't attacked as soon as your handgun is seen, you may make yourself and your family a target at some later point in time.
It's a risk benefit analysis everyone must evaluate based upon their circumstances. I choose to stay incognito.
Chas.
The truth of the matter is that we have precisely 1 documented instance that I know of where open carry helped prevent a crime, it would not have prevented it at all had an officer not noticed the robbery gang waiting outside for the two OCer's to leave so they could rob the place. After being arrested they admitted they were waiting for the guys carrying to leave before they continued with their plan. These thugs were a little more intelligent than most and sent a scout in to check the place out to ensure it was safe to rob, their plan would have only been delayed by Open Carry if the officer had not happened by. They may have even planned ambushed the OCers as they were leaving, that was never reported so only God knows what would have happened.