This has been a heated topic in the US for quite a while now and I want to get yalls opinions on it. Many states in the US allow open carry but there are still many states that have outlawed it. Whether it's legal in your state or not, what's your opinion on it?

The only people that should open carry are police officers, military (primarily because concealed carry is punishable by execution from the Geneva Accords), security guards and gun shop employees (since it's expected for them to be armed since they are what keeps hundreds of guns from being stolen). All of those people are expected to be armed, so concealed carry does nothing to benefit them unless it is a backup weapon.

Anyone who open carries in public is putting themselves at a greater risk of being robbed at gunpoint (unless in a large group) and will be the first target should some one start shooting.

However, I support their right to be idiots as long as their gun is carried safely. I could see some one open carrying as reasonable if the state/area is restrictive about issuing concealed carry permits, but concealed carry makes more sense for anyone not expected to be armed.

I could see some one open carrying as reasonable if the state/area is restrictive about issuing concealed carry permits,  but concealed carry makes more sense.

 

The main reason for open carry (atleast for me) is that you must be 21 to purchase a concealed carry license but only 17 to open carry (in my state, every state is different regarding the open carry age). For me it's all about protection. I'd much rather be the first target but be armed rather than be the last target but left defensles. If your responsible while carrying, it doesnt cause any issues. It also discourages crime alot more often than you think, most criminals are discouraged when they see someone with a firearm.

c13: What about hunters out hunting? If you're carrying a rifle, you'd *better* be doing so openly (at least, if you want to have any freedom of movement at all). At what point between street and woods do you tranistion to "open carry is OK"?

I agree with c13. I strongly believe in the constitution. Not just the second. Personally I wouldn't want everyone knowing i'm carrying. Element of surprise and all I suppose. Beside's the way this country is heading i'm sure everyone is going to get their chance to walk around armed to the teeth.  I'm afraid collapse is coming. It's not the if but the when everyone has to ask themselves.

Edited January 29, 201412 yr by blyartrucker

I agree with c13. I strongly believe in the constitution. Not just the second. Personally I wouldn't want everyone knowing i'm carrying. Element of surprise and all I suppose. Beside's the way this country is heading i'm sure everyone is going to get their chance to walk around armed to the teeth.  I'm afraid collapse is coming. It's not the if but the when everyone has to ask themselves.

 

I agree with you 100%. The only reason I open carry is because I'm not old enough to get a concealed carry license. I fully plan to get one when I turn 21, but until then I will have my handgun proudly displayed on my hip.

The main reason for open carry (atleast for me) is that you must be 21 to purchase a concealed carry license but only 17 to open carry (in my state, every state is different regarding the open carry age). For me it's all about protection. I'd much rather be the first target but be armed rather than be the last target but left defensles. If your responsible while carrying, it doesnt cause any issues. It also discourages crime alot more often than you think, most criminals are discouraged when they see someone with a firearm.

I agree with you, but you still cant buy a pistol or pistol ammo till you are 21, unless you just go to a gun show and get one there if your 18.  I still doubt you can walk around Louisiana with a pistol openly if your not 21, but i could be wrong!

The main reason for open carry (atleast for me) is that you must be 21 to purchase a concealed carry license but only 17 to open carry (in my state, every state is different regarding the open carry age). For me it's all about protection. I'd much rather be the first target but be armed rather than be the last target but left defensles. If your responsible while carrying, it doesnt cause any issues. It also discourages crime alot more often than you think, most criminals are discouraged when they see someone with a firearm.

And if you're the first dead guy, all it does is give the bad guy another gun.

For your circumstances, I support you open carrying, because it's the only way you can legally defend yourself with a gun outside of your home.

However, it does make people targets by more hardened criminals. Look at these stories for example:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/reports/reports2006/073106robnewtonpatton.htm

http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/1506862/open_carry_gun_enthusiast_robbed_at_gunpoint

http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/95999354.html?lc=Smart

I commend your willingness to take your safety into your own hands though. Stay safe.

The main reason for open carry (atleast for me) is that you must be 21 to purchase a concealed carry license but only 17 to open carry (in my state, every state is different regarding the open carry age). For me it's all about protection. I'd much rather be the first target but be armed rather than be the last target but left defensles. If your responsible while carrying, it doesnt cause any issues. It also discourages crime alot more often than you think, most criminals are discouraged when they see someone with a firearm.

I suppose that's another way to look at it. I'll put it like this. For me to see a civillian open carry is no big deal. Doesn't bother me in the slightest. Just never have understood the reason. The left thinking folk's out there just won't stand for it and you'll never change there way of thinking. They will alway's be there to call a leo and start some shit. Just the way they are. If given the option I would keep it tucked. Although in your situation I can see why you do with the age and all that. Do you get harassed alot?

c13: What about hunters out hunting? If you're carrying a rifle, you'd *better* be doing so openly (at least, if you want to have any freedom of movement at all). At what point between street and woods do you tranistion to "open carry is OK"?

That's OK of course. I was referring to in public, since that is where disputes about open carry occur, not in the middle of the woods.

I agree with you, but you still cant buy a pistol or pistol ammo till you are 21, unless you just go to a gun show and get one there if your 18.  I still doubt you can walk around Louisiana with a pistol openly if your not 21, but i could be wrong!

 

The statues in louisiana states that the open carry age limit is 17, and anyone under 17 may posess a firearm if also carrying written permission from a parent or legal guardian. But you are correct, the age limit is 18 for purchasing a long-gun and 21 for purchasing a handgun. But the statues on that states that it must be for value, so technaclly an act of donation between family members would be acceptable. Persons under 21 would be carrying a handgun registered under their parents or legal guardians name.

I suppose that's another way to look at it. I'll put it like this. For me to see a civillian open carry is no big deal. Doesn't bother me in the slightest. Just never have understood the reason. The left thinking folk's out there just won't stand for it and you'll never change there way of thinking. They will alway's be there to call a leo and start some shit. Just the way they are. If given the option I would keep it tucked. Although in your situation I can see why you do with the age and all that. Do you get harassed alot?

 

Not yet. I havent been carrying for that long, but I also sat down with my local PD and went over the laws and training of their officers on the matter to insure I wouldn't run into any problems. As far as just regualr people harassing me, it hasn't happened yet.

Well like c13 stated above be careful. I'll add always watch your six. I haven't been in law enforcement but did do armed security at a casino and always hated when the crackhead's tried to get around behind you.

And if you're the first dead guy, all it does is give the bad guy another gun.

For your circumstances, I support you open carrying, because it's the only way you can legally defend yourself with a gun outside of your home.

However, it does make people targets by more hardened criminals. Look at these stories for example:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/reports/reports2006/073106robnewtonpatton.htm

http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/1506862/open_carry_gun_enthusiast_robbed_at_gunpoint

http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/95999354.html?lc=Smart

I commend your willingness to take your safety into your own hands though. Stay safe.

 

Saftey is honestly the only reason I do this. I know there's alot of people who do this purely as a slap in the face to law enforcement or just because they want to look cool but that is not the case with me. I'm completely responsable with firearms and thankfully havent had to use it, and God willing never do have to use it.

The statues in louisiana states that the open carry age limit is 17, and anyone under 17 may posess a firearm if also carrying written permission from a parent or legal guardian. But you are correct, the age limit is 18 for purchasing a long-gun and 21 for purchasing a handgun. But the statues on that states that it must be for value, so technaclly an act of donation between family members would be acceptable. Persons under 21 would be carrying a handgun registered under their parents or legal guardians name.

 

Not yet. I havent been carrying for that long, but I also sat down with my local PD and went over the laws and training of their officers on the matter to insure I wouldn't run into any problems. As far as just regualr people harassing me, it hasn't happened yet.

Good deal. would say hope it doesn't happen but i'm sure it will. Stay safe brother.

The statues in louisiana states that the open carry age limit is 17, and anyone under 17 may posess a firearm if also carrying written permission from a parent or legal guardian. But you are correct, the age limit is 18 for purchasing a long-gun and 21 for purchasing a handgun. But the statues on that states that it must be for value, so technaclly an act of donation between family members would be acceptable. Persons under 21 would be carrying a handgun registered under their parents or legal guardians name.

 

Not yet. I havent been carrying for that long, but I also sat down with my local PD and went over the laws and training of their officers on the matter to insure I wouldn't run into any problems. As far as just regualr people harassing me, it hasn't happened yet.

Thats nice to know even though i have had pistols and rifles since i was 11, im shure you have to if you grew up in louisiana. I figured there was a legal way to get around having a pistol under the age of 21!

Edited January 29, 201412 yr by 1997chevyboy

Good deal. would say hope it doesn't happen but i'm sure it will. Stay safe brother.

 

Always. And I'm fully expecting to run into issues at one point or another, that's why I keep the statues on the mater printed and in my truck at all times. Most issues are due to the public and many law enforcement officers simply not knowing it's legal.

Thats nice to know even though i have had pistols and rifles since i was 11, im shure you have to if you grew up in louisiana. I figured there was a legal way to get around having a pistol under the age of 21!

 

I've been around firearms of all kinds for as long as I can remember. Every law has it's loop holes, you just have to be careful and make sure you are prepared to argue your side if you plan to use them.

MI is an open carry state.

 

I don't generally do it, concealed is my preferred option. The few times I have done it was out of convenience more than anything else. That being said, I have no problem with it as long as it's done safety and smartly, and I support the right to do it.

 

The folks who do it to get a rise out of people, or try to get into a confrontation with LE don't have my support however.

Edited January 29, 201412 yr by TylerF

Before i became a LEO, i carried mine (concealed) but I always felt it would deter crime. I have open carried it before, and (when i was younger of course) it would deter fights etc. If another kid at high school or college wanted to come up and start crap, they didn't when I had a gun. That sort of thing. I suppose if someone is hell bent and shooting something up (school, mall, whatever) if they saw a gun they'd be a first target. As far as robberies go, that would be the opposite, atleast in terms of one on one "I pull a gun give me your wallet" type deal. People like that are cowards, and they will go to people who aren't armed. As far as open carry, as a LEO, it gets people scared, I think nothing of it when i see someone walking in walmart with a holstered gun. As a person, they have their right to defend themselves, whether it be open carry or concealed. I see both sides of the issue.

Before i became a LEO, i carried mine (concealed) but I always felt it would deter crime. I have open carried it before, and (when i was younger of course) it would deter fights etc. If another kid at high school or college wanted to come up and start crap, they didn't when I had a gun. That sort of thing. I suppose if someone is hell bent and shooting something up (school, mall, whatever) if they saw a gun they'd be a first target. As far as robberies go, that would be the opposite, atleast in terms of one on one "I pull a gun give me your wallet" type deal. People like that are cowards, and they will go to people who aren't armed. As far as open carry, as a LEO, it gets people scared, I think nothing of it when i see someone walking in walmart with a holstered gun. As a person, they have their right to defend themselves, whether it be open carry or concealed. I see both sides of the issue.

 

I complelely understand both sides. I fully support carrying firearms and do it myself, but I can also see how it can ocassionally cause an issue with certain people. Alot of people get nervous when they see a gun because they're so used to hearing anything with a gun turning into a mass shooting on the news.

MI is an open carry state.

 

I don't generally do it, concealed is my preferred option. The few times I have done it was out of convenience more than anything else. That being said, I have no problem with it as long as it's done safety and smartly, and I support the right to do it.

 

The folks who do it to get a rise out of people, or try to get into a confrontation with LE don't have my support however.

 

Honestly I don't understand carrying a firearm for the sole purpose of upsetting people. I strongly believe in carrying a firearm for personal protection of myself and my family, but thats a handgun. I definately wouldn't walk around Walmart with an AR on my back, that's just asking for problems with the public and law enforcement. While it is your right to carry longguns if you wish, I personally dont think it's something that you should do if your not hunting. I stick strictly to handguns.

As a licensed Security Officer in the state of California... (Sad I know) I am allowed to open carry while on duty, or while heading to a range as long as I have my permits and credentials.  I love the idea of open and concealed carry. An armed society is a polite society.