My view on open carry

[Liberty]

I was thinking I would never open carry, My guns and holsters aren't pretty works of art that I want to show to the world. I don't want to get the MOMs all worked up and into the vapors. However I won't put much effort into hiding my gun for an evening or early morning stroll in my neighborhood. It would be dark, and I wouldn't expect many close contacts with other people.

[chuckybrown]

I know people who are actually getting ready for open carry by getting a nice "show" handgun and holster. Their words...not mine. They're looking forward to actually showing off their gun and holster...to whom I'm not sure.

Hey Countryside....do you look down on these folks? I'm asking nicely, not accusingly.

I ask because I read so many here that speak to OC'rs as if they extremists, alarmists, wacko's, etc.

Our rights were "infringed" long ago, and I simply cannot wrap my head around the thought of any 2nd amendment supporter being upset that we've gotten a little sliver of our rights restored.

Happy new year to you, and to everyone here.

[Richbirdhunter]

I know people who are actually getting ready for open carry by getting a nice "show" handgun and holster. Their words...not mine. They're looking forward to actually showing off their gun and holster...to whom I'm not sure.

I was born a raised in Commiefornia, starting at midnight tonight California can seize weapons without a warrant. If someone files a complaint about you the police can come into your home and take your guns.

In my new home state of Texas, starting at midnight I can openly carry a pistol. Am I going to celebrate that restored freedom? You bet your aunt fanny I am.

[Countryside]

I know people who are actually getting ready for open carry by getting a nice "show" handgun and holster. Their words...not mine. They're looking forward to actually showing off their gun and holster...to whom I'm not sure.

Hey Countryside....do you look down on these folks? I'm asking nicely, not accusingly.

I ask because I read so many here that speak to OC'rs as if they extremists, alarmists, wacko's, etc.

Our rights were "infringed" long ago, and I simply cannot wrap my head around the thought of any 2nd amendment supporter being upset that we've gotten a little sliver of our rights restored.

Happy new year to you, and to everyone here.

No, I don't look down on them...they are my neighbors and friends. Even though they will be "flaunting" it a little bit, I trust them otherwise.

[chuckybrown]

Countryside....thank you.

Have a safe New Year's Eve!!

[maverick2076]

I know people who are actually getting ready for open carry by getting a nice "show" handgun and holster. Their words...not mine. They're looking forward to actually showing off their gun and holster...to whom I'm not sure.

Hey Countryside....do you look down on these folks? I'm asking nicely, not accusingly.

I ask because I read so many here that speak to OC'rs as if they extremists, alarmists, wacko's, etc.

Our rights were "infringed" long ago, and I simply cannot wrap my head around the thought of any 2nd amendment supporter being upset that we've gotten a little sliver of our rights restored.

Happy new year to you, and to everyone here.

I am ordering a nicer belt and holster for when I open carry, and it will be for my 1911, not my Glock. There's a couple good reasons for that besides "showing off."

A. I'll be dressing nicer when I OC, since I will at a minimum have a tucked in shirt. IMO, a leather belt and holster look nicer and blend with nicer clothes better than a Wilderness Tactical belt and a Kydex holster.

B. A nicer holster/belt combo present a more professional, less alarming experience, especially to LEOs and others. Sure, the rabid anti gunner might not notice it, but the cop who responds to a call, or a casual observer who knows anything about guns is going to realize that the guy carrying in a matching Tucker gun leather holster/belt/mag pouch combo that cost several
Hundred dollars is probably doing so legally.

C. I bought my first 1911, it's really nice, and it deserves to be carried in an equally nice holster. :)

[chuckybrown]

Very nice Maverick! Here's my OC choice for 1/1/2016:

[Oldgringo]

TAM wrote:
{snip}
If I lived in or near a truly small town in rural Texas - as I hope to some day - it would be different, and my OC practices would likely be different.

Mrs. Oldgringo and I live in such a small town in the Pineywoods of east Texas. While we are both duly CHL licensed, we don't really feel the need to carry until such time as we go to the larger, crime/thug ridden cities or are on the road somewhere. I do CC and will continue to CC; especially, in church and other target rich gatherings because you just never know....even in the truly small rural towns.

[CoffeeNut]

I got a nice holster for OC but it is not to show off rather it's to help make sure I look respectable. To me a nice leather holster and a button down shirt will go a long way towards putting the Austin types at ease. It might make people more willing to ask questions since they won't have the irrational fear response to black tactical stuff and hopefully they just think "Texan" if they see it. I have no problem answering someone's questions if they're willing to engage.

That said the public will only see my gun deliberately a few times a year.

My hope is that the hardcore advocates go away quietly and those that wish to OC either as a means of exercising a right or just because it is easier at the time are able to do so without much hassle.

[oljames3]

I got a nice holster for OC but it is not to show off rather it's to help make sure I look respectable. To me a nice leather holster and a button down shirt will go a long way towards putting the Austin types at ease. It might make people more willing to ask questions since they won't have the irrational fear response to black tactical stuff and hopefully they just think "Texan" if they see it. I have no problem answering someone's questions if they're willing to engage.

That said the public will only see my gun deliberately a few times a year.

My hope is that the hardcore advocates go away quietly and those that wish to OC either as a means of exercising a right or just because it is easier at the time are able to do so without much hassle.

Please define "hardcore". As I have since I got my CHL in the summer of 2013, I will continue to go about my life carrying openly where I can, concealing as the situation dictates, and disarming only if I must. Does that make me "hardcore"? Do you hope that I will go away quietly?

You carry your way and I'll carry mine.

[SkipB]

Tomorrow open carry becomes law. Carry open or cancelled which ever you prefer. Instead of fussing over a law that is coming into effect and further expands our 2nd Amendments right we should be looking at working to further our ability to carry in places we can't now. I'm talking about places like Corps Lakes i.e.. I probably want open carry but for those that do it ain't gonna bother me one way are the other. If I need to explain that to someone out there that might be startled when seeing someone open carry I'll try my best to do it comely as I can and not to upset anyone.

[CoffeeNut]

I got a nice holster for OC but it is not to show off rather it's to help make sure I look respectable. To me a nice leather holster and a button down shirt will go a long way towards putting the Austin types at ease. It might make people more willing to ask questions since they won't have the irrational fear response to black tactical stuff and hopefully they just think "Texan" if they see it. I have no problem answering someone's questions if they're willing to engage.

That said the public will only see my gun deliberately a few times a year.

My hope is that the hardcore advocates go away quietly and those that wish to OC either as a means of exercising a right or just because it is easier at the time are able to do so without much hassle.

Please define "hardcore". As I have since I got my CHL in the summer of 2013, I will continue to go about my life carrying openly where I can, concealing as the situation dictates, and disarming only if I must. Does that make me "hardcore"? Do you hope that I will go away quietly?

You carry your way and I'll carry mine.

No, not at all. I think most on this forum will understand who I was referring to but for those that don't it is the OCT types. Basically if you're carrying your firearm without carrying around giant flags and making a fuss inside Starbucks when they state they don't want 20 openly carried guns in their shops then you're good to go. It's also handy if you don't go to Austin and threaten members of the Legislature and so on.

If your intentions are to make a statement with OC I would hope that it is done in a manner that is tasteful and mindful of the public. If your intention is to utilize it as a preferred method of carry then carry on!

My issue has never been with OC but with those that do not seem to understand that the public and businesses might not see eye to eye with their method of highlighting OC.

[thatguyoverthere]

Mrs. Oldgringo and I live in such a small town in the Pineywoods of east Texas. While we are both duly CHL licensed, we don't really feel the need to carry until such time as we go to the larger, crime/thug ridden cities or are on the road somewhere. I do CC and will continue to CC; especially, in church and other target rich gatherings because you just never know....even in the truly small rural towns.

Yes, it CAN happen in small rural towns, even in the great Pineywoods of East Texas. I imagine there have been others more recently, but I remember this one specifically.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daingerfi ... h_shooting

[Oldgringo]

Mrs. Oldgringo and I live in such a small town in the Pineywoods of east Texas. While we are both duly CHL licensed, we don't really feel the need to carry until such time as we go to the larger, crime/thug ridden cities or are on the road somewhere. I do CC and will continue to CC; especially, in church and other target rich gatherings because you just never know....even in the truly small rural towns.

Yes, it CAN happen in small rural towns, even in the great Pineywoods of East Texas. I imagine there have been others more recently, but I remember this one specifically.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daingerfi ... h_shooting

I did not know of any such happenings in east Texas but there definitely is no shortage of tailless biped squirrels about. Thank you for that post, Daingerfield is smaller than Rusk. We're Methodists; even so, it can happen anywhere.

[big454]

Honestly , I will open carry every chance I get. It not my first time open carrying as I worked as a commissioned security officer for about 20 yrs . Just have to be aware of your surroundings .