Open Carry = Target?

[srothstein]

I think that the apparent paradox is just a problem of not understanding two separate correlations. In general, people being able to defend themselves will lower crime rates. It should start with a lowering of successful crimes as the crimes are interrupted by the self-defense, followed by a decrease as the criminals become aware of the self-defense attitudes.

By the same token, open carry will deter crime in your personal area. Criminals will generally look for an easier target. But there are times when criminals have decided to commit a crime and you happen to be there carrying openly. In those cases, you may become a target as they realize your potential to interfere with their plans. As evidence of the potential for open carry to make you a target, I will point out how many bank guards were targeted by robbery teams because they knew they would be there and armed. I do not have numbers to cite for this, because violent bank robbery is a rare event to begin with and shootings of guards was even more rare.

This is how openly carrying a pistol may reduce crime and make you a target at the same time. As with most other paradoxes, it is really a matter of confusing two or more separate issues or events.

[ShootDontTalk]

I think that the apparent paradox is just a problem of not understanding two separate correlations. In general, people being able to defend themselves will lower crime rates. It should start with a lowering of successful crimes as the crimes are interrupted by the self-defense, followed by a decrease as the criminals become aware of the self-defense attitudes.

By the same token, open carry will deter crime in your personal area. Criminals will generally look for an easier target. But there are times when criminals have decided to commit a crime and you happen to be there carrying openly. In those cases, you may become a target as they realize your potential to interfere with their plans. As evidence of the potential for open carry to make you a target, I will point out how many bank guards were targeted by robbery teams because they knew they would be there and armed. I do not have numbers to cite for this, because violent bank robbery is a rare event to begin with and shootings of guards was even more rare.

This is how openly carrying a pistol may reduce crime and make you a target at the same time. As with most other paradoxes, it is really a matter of confusing two or more separate issues or events.

And your last paragraph is spot on. In my years working with the PD, I never encountered a criminal who went looking for a firefight. Granted smaller municipalities don't see many extremely violent offenders who live for a gunfight. So my feeling is as you expressed.

[AggieDad15]

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.

Absolutely brilliant analysis and spot on - even the part about being attacked later or followed.

People need to remember that gang-bangers and other terrorists are cowards who will sucker-shoot you in the back without a thought. There would be no warning. CHL gives you the advantage in all situations. Stay under the radar folks.

[John Galt]

People need to remember that gang-bangers and other terrorists are cowards who will sucker-shoot you in the back without a thought. There would be no warning. CHL gives you the advantage in all situations. Stay under the radar folks.

All CHL's need to heed this advise and be aware of their surroundings.

[oljames3]

Absolutely brilliant analysis and spot on - even the part about being attacked later or followed.
People need to remember that gang-bangers and other terrorists are cowards who will sucker-shoot you in the back without a thought. There would be no warning. CHL gives you the advantage in all situations. Stay under the radar folks.

Respectfully, AggieDad15, I disagree with your statement as it pertains to me and mine. No one method of carrying gives the advantage in all situations. Absolutes, such as "all" and "never", seldom enhance a serious discussion and can easily be misunderstood as dogmatic, offensive, and condescending.

You carry your way, and I'll carry mine. My preferred method is open carry and I will continue to do so as the situation allows. I'll also continue to conceal when the situation dictates. We can agree to disagree on method of carry. The fact hat we do carry is more important than the method of how we carry.

[AggieDad15]

Absolutely brilliant analysis and spot on - even the part about being attacked later or followed.
People need to remember that gang-bangers and other terrorists are cowards who will sucker-shoot you in the back without a thought. There would be no warning. CHL gives you the advantage in all situations. Stay under the radar folks.

Respectfully, AggieDad15, I disagree with your statement as it pertains to me and mine. No one method of carrying gives the advantage in all situations. Absolutes, such as "all" and "never", seldom enhance a serious discussion and can easily be misunderstood as dogmatic, offensive, and condescending.

You carry your way, and I'll carry mine. My preferred method is open carry and I will continue to do so as the situation allows. I'll also continue to conceal when the situation dictates. We can agree to disagree on method of carry. The fact hat we do carry is more important than the method of how we carry.

Sir, I never argue with rank. I concede your point.

I'm looking forward to being able to OC sometimes and have nothing against anyone who would do it 100% for whatever reason since that will soon be their right...and mine when I deem it appropriate. Thank you for your service!

[viking1000]

Now that I am in a wheel chair, I just cant see myself running for cover any time soon. I will continue to wear my light weight Safari Jacket, only not buttoned up any more. In most cases my two pistols will remain covered. Just wont have to worry about a gust of wind now and then.
By the way the Safari Jacket is cool even in the summer.

[mojo84]

I've thought about getting a light weight safari jacket to throw on as a cover garment rather than tucking my my shirt around the gun most of the time. Just wasn't sure how comfortable it would be.

[Charlies.Contingency]

I've thought about getting a light weight safari jacket to throw on as a cover garment rather than tucking my my shirt around the gun most of the time. Just wasn't sure how comfortable out would be.

Safari Jacket? Excuse me for not being up to date on gun fashion. I usually wear a vest, like a leather or sport vest.

[mojo84]

Not sure it has much to do with fashion. I'm more interested in practicality and comfort. I'm just not a vest guy.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas- ... 722814.uts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Charlies.Contingency]

Not sure it has much to do with fashion. I'm more interested in practicality and comfort. I'm just not a vest guy.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas- ... 722814.uts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice, right on your link it had Safari Jacket Vest next to it! But I see what ya'll are talking about now, I don't generally shop at cabela's, mainly due to my wife knowing I wouldn't be able to contain myself with all the goodies they have.

Gun Fashion = Concealed Carry Clothes

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product. ... %3Dproduct" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[o b juan]

ol James 3 \\
"My preferred method is open carry and I will continue to do so as the situation"

"Preferred Method"

I sincerly hope I do not read about you and the other fellows on here in the News that are adament about OC..

But I really think that the attenntion paid to you all will stop in about 6 or 8 months and you will go back to concealed .

My ax does not need grinding

[Charlies.Contingency]

Absolutely brilliant analysis and spot on - even the part about being attacked later or followed.
People need to remember that gang-bangers and other terrorists are cowards who will sucker-shoot you in the back without a thought. There would be no warning. CHL gives you the advantage in all situations. Stay under the radar folks.

Respectfully, AggieDad15, I disagree with your statement as it pertains to me and mine. No one method of carrying gives the advantage in all situations. Absolutes, such as "all" and "never", seldom enhance a serious discussion and can easily be misunderstood as dogmatic, offensive, and condescending.

You carry your way, and I'll carry mine. My preferred method is open carry and I will continue to do so as the situation allows. I'll also continue to conceal when the situation dictates. We can agree to disagree on method of carry. The fact hat we do carry is more important than the method of how we carry.

Absolutes bug me too. I open carried a gun for a living, and I sometimes work a lot outside in the heat when concealed is not practical. I carry the way the situation dictates. The fact that we carry is very important, but how we carry is also important depending on the situation, which is why my carry method changes with the situations I am in. I do miss the freedom of being able to carry in either method without restrictions.

In some situations, Open Carry will be utilized, but those situations will likely be with limited number of people around.

(Well Said James)

[oljames3]

ol James 3 \\
"My preferred method is open carry and I will continue to do so as the situation"

"Preferred Method"

I sincerly hope I do not read about you and the other fellows on here in the News that are adament about OC..

But I really think that the attenntion paid to you all will stop in about 6 or 8 months and you will go back to concealed .

My ax does not need grinding

I suspect you may have missed my point, o b juan. You carry your way, and I will carry my way.

As you know nothing about me, it is to be expected that your guesses about my intent and future would so widely miss the mark.

I am saying I will continue to carry as I have always done. My experiences in other states (OK, CO, NM) have convinced me that carrying openly is best for me and mine. I have never felt that carrying made me a target. YMMV

This month, I will take my 18 year old son to Tucson, AZ. When we cross the NM border, I will uncover. When we cross the AZ border, we will stop so my son can don his pistol. Over the years, I have always enjoyed carrying openly when out of state. I see no reason why I should feel differently in my home state.

You carry your way, and I will carry my way.