[SCCWP]

Not sure if this is the correct forum for this. I recently started back open carrying. I did it for years as an off duty LEO. I believe you make less of a target for a criminal open carrying. I also like the speed at which I can get my weapon into action by open carrying. I have plenty of weapon retention training and have a retention holster so no one can just snatch my gun. I don’t let people walk up from behind me and stay vigilante about this. There are a lot of ways to keep your firearms from getting taken away. I also don’t believe the myth that you‘re gonna be the first one taken in in a situation. I have been back open carrying for a few months now and can say most people don’t even notice. Here is a good article dispelling the myths of open carry. Daily Caller How many of you choose to exercise your right to open carry if your state allows it?

 

[laidlerj]

I’ve heard the warnings that open carry makes you a target, but I’ve seen dozens of situations where robbers walked into a store, right past a uniformed police officer, and held up the clerk.

I try to keep a low profile, but I’m all for people doing open carrying they want. I know it makes the sheep nervous, but I think that’s good for them, in the long run.

 

[ogema1948]

All I can say is to each there own

 

[JohnnyDollar]

Texas allows open carry, but lots of stores do not.
I have always found it more convenient to Conceal Carry.

I know people that do, and generally people do not notice.

 

[Foundation Horse]

And this is an interesting point of contention. With Constitutional Carry in effect, the 30.06 and 30.07 signs become legally insignificant, at least in my opinion. I am not aware of any Court Cases that have upheld those signs since CC become The Law of Texas.

 

[JohnnyDollar]

And this is an interesting point of contention. With Constitutional Carry in effect, the 30.06 and 30.07 signs become legally insignificant, at least in my opinion. I am not aware of any Court Cases that have upheld those signs since CC become The Law of Texas.

I am not aware that the 2021 Constitutional Carry law stops private businesses from restricting carrying in their property, any more than it does away with the places they are automatically not allowed such as schools, polling places, courthouses, bars...
The Texas State Law Library also says otherwise:

In 2021, changes in the law removed the requirement to have a license to carry (LTC) in order to carry a handgun in Texas. However, private properties like businesses can still prohibit firearms on their property.

Guides: Gun Laws: Businesses & Private Property

This guide provides information on Texas and federal gun laws including: background checks, open carry, concealed carry, handgun licenses, restrictions for felons, and local regulation of firearms and shooting ranges.

guides.sll.texas.gov

.

 

[Corndog]

I don’t care what you do. If you return the favor, we will get along just fine.

 

[whittsailor]

I see people open carrying here in Texas once in a great while, but It’s not for me. I prefer to keep it concealed.

 

[oldag]

I do not care to have other people know that I am armed.

But if someone wants to OC, that is their choice.

 

[rammerjammer]

I want my concealed gun to be the biggest surprise in a bad guys life.

I've got nothing against open carry but it's not for me.

 

[Old Wheel Gunner]

When I'm out in the country or bear woods outdoors, I carry open carry... but in Town/City I keep it concealed. I spent too many years as an LEO carrying OC on the duty belt, and when pretty much working plain cloths OWB with my buzzer on my belt. When working UC defiantly CC was the way to go for obvious reasons.

But I'll just leave this article about what happened in Georgia.. I can't comment either way because I wasn't there.. but something happened that created the ability for the snatch and grab of an open carried firearm.

Georgia teen steals gun from Dunkin’ customer, shoots him to death in the parking lot: reports

a 17-year-old male was arrested Friday and charged with murder for allegedly stealing a gun from a Dunkin' customer and Decatur, Georgia before shooting and killing him.

www.foxnews.com

YMMV, but concealed yields the biggest surprises.

 

[Scswolf]

Eh, plenty of older threads on this.
The differences of opinions will not change……being a “target” vs being a deterrent, 2A rights, safety, etc, etc.
Amongst people, in town, at work and such…….CC for me, always, smaller gun.
Out in the woods, camping, hiking, hunting, etc……open carry, always, full sized gun.

 

[needsmostuff]

I have no problem with open carry ,,,,as long as it's done right.
A proper gun in a proper retention holster is a great start. From there it involves a proper, professional, non-threatening attitude.
Too often what I see locally is an entry level pistol flopping around in a crappy Uncle Mikes Velcro POS holster with a "I'm a badass" aura oozing out. They seem to be challenging someone to say something about it.
Nothing good is gonna come out of it.

 

[Foundation Horse]

I am not aware that the 2021 Constitutional Carry law stops private businesses from restricting carrying in their property, any more than it does away with the places they are automatically not allowed such as schools, polling places, courthouses, bars...
The Texas State Law Library also says otherwise:

Guides: Gun Laws: Businesses & Private Property

This guide provides information on Texas and federal gun laws including: background checks, open carry, concealed carry, handgun licenses, restrictions for felons, and local regulation of firearms and shooting ranges.

guides.sll.texas.gov

.

What came first? Business or The Constitution? Specifically, The 2nd Amendment which inherently states.............Shall not be infringed.

 

[SCCWP]

When I'm out in the country or bear woods outdoors, I carry open carry... but in Town/City I keep it concealed. I spent too many years as an LEO carrying OC on the duty belt, and when pretty much working plain cloths OWB with my buzzer on my belt. When working UC defiantly CC was the way to go for obvious reasons.

But I'll just leave this article about what happened in Georgia.. I can't comment either way because I wasn't there.. but something happened that created the ability for the snatch and grab of an open carried firearm.

Georgia teen steals gun from Dunkin’ customer, shoots him to death in the parking lot: reports

a 17-year-old male was arrested Friday and charged with murder for allegedly stealing a gun from a Dunkin' customer and Decatur, Georgia before shooting and killing him.

www.foxnews.com

YMMV, but concealed yields the biggest surprises.

This is why I carry in a good retention holster.

 

[dweis]

I open carry only when in woodlands. I conceal carry IWB only when deep concealment is necessary. Mostly I conceal carry OWB covered by untucked shirt, jacket, etc. It allows for fast draw but unlike open carry it does not draw attention to me. Nor does it motivate anyone to call 911 and report a man with gun.

 

[jayhdavis]

I like the element of surprise concealed carry gives me. As for quick-draw, I much prefer my situational awareness makes a fast draw unnecessary.

 

[DCunniff]

Each state is different. WI, no concealed except WI direct resident licensed. Anyone in WI or country that is legal to own can OC without any license and with different rules though.

The stare laws are too complicated including for WI.

Ex-cop, your call.

I do both.

This question triggers side bars on gun type, size, and more.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

As an old soldier who also has studied military history for over 60 years I can say that surprise is one of the critical tactical elements that can win the fight.
Even if Florida legalizes open carry, I will not do so. And I will keep my license active for when I travel. Heck, we’re close enough to the border that I’m in Georgia almost every day.

 

[PaulWVa]

This is an old argument with two sides of the same coin. One side thinks surprise is the best course of action ... the other thinks open carry is faster. One thinks the bad guy will shoot the open carry guy first ... the others think the open carry guy will be avoided.

I see people carry fully out in the open here ... not that many but a few. No one freaks out or calls the police. This is a Constitutional Carry state and I've never seen an anti-carry sign on a business ... only government buildings, banks and some (but not all) medical buildings.

I carry concealed with my gun (an Airweight J-frame) at around 2:00 .. under my belt and just over my pocket ... not full appendix carry. A light jacket or long shirt covers the grip pretty well. If it happens to peek out and someone sees it I don't really care ... not around here. I've been carrying this way for the past nine years and never had an issue.