Like I said, I've only OC'd a few times.

 

The times I did it though, nobody paid any attention to me. I was even thanked once for carrying, which was kinda odd, but I digress.

 

It helps though that I live in a rural, conservative area with a large gun culture and pro-2A law enforcement and officials.

Like I said, I've only OC'd a few times.

 

The times I did it though, nobody paid any attention to me. I was even thanked once for carrying, which was kinda odd, but I digress.

 

It helps though that I live in a rural, conservative area with a large gun culture and pro-2A law enforcement and officials.

 

What part of Michigan are you from? I've OCed in Niles, Buchanan, St. Joe, Benton Harbor, and Detroit.

 

No issues at any of those places. Had a St. Joe cop nod at me when I was up there.

If you can't tell by my name and avatar, I work at Brink's.

 

I am a messenger, I carry large amounts of cash in and out of several places daily. I would feel much more comfortable seeing people who are armed in my stops.

 

I've come across two open carriers so far, one at a bank, and one at a WalMart, and I've thanked both of them. People with their hands in their pockets make me much more uncomfortable than an openly carried handgun.

 

I carry openly because:

 

-It's more comfortable. I carried concealed for over a year. I had to wear bigger clothes and dress differently to accomodate my gun. I carried a SIG Sauer P226, and a small gun was out of the question. I won't sacrifice firepower for convinience.

 

-It's easier. I can draw faster, and instead of using my off hand to lift my shirt, I can use it to fight off an attacker, grab my flashlight, or whatever I may need it for. My gun won't get snagged on my clothing. 

 

-It's visible. You may see this as a disadvantage, but I assure you, it is not. Your element of surprise argument is silly, because for that tactic to work, you must be attacked. Being attacked is a disadvantage. If you feel nervous about an openly carried gun, I urge you to think about that. What about the 10-15 in the same area that you can't see? Those are fine, but because you can see mine, I'm a threat? Right. If I'm a criminal, the very first thing I want to do is draw attention to myself.

 

-Because I can. No explaination needed.

 

I tried carrying concealed. Not for me. An off duty cop tried to change my mind, and I politely told him that I didn't need his opinion on how I should carry.

 

There you go. Open carry is just a matter of opinion and for different people it is the only or the perfected way of carrying a gun.

What part of Michigan are you from? I've OCed in Niles, Buchanan, St. Joe, Benton Harbor, and Detroit.

 

No issues at any of those places. Had a St. Joe cop nod at me when I was up there.

 

I'm a little way north of Muskegon.

 

But yeah, like I said, nobody is really bothered with firearms around here. I know of a few local LE officers that teach firearms and CPL classes on the side around here.

 

We have very little violent crime around here.

I have nothing against open carry, but I've always been more of a proponent for concealed carry (which the US should implement federal concealed carry for all states one license required for all).  We have open carry here in Maine, but the biggest problem with open carry is the current cultural environment we have today.  Most people are ignorant about firearms and only know what the biased media feeds them.  The media and schools have been preaching fear of firearms for a long time so I see a lot of people with an irrational fear of firearms in general.  So when people see a firearm in public they automatically freak out, they call 911, the police respond and.... can't do anything.  Can't even ID the guy/girl.  This I see as a major problem as identified by the Maine Police Chiefs and I think it's perfectly reasonable to stop someone carrying openly and ID them and get their story and send them on their way (minimal delay if everything checks out).  I find it terribly confusing how states like Texas can have open carry laws but arrest or cite individuals that are complying with that law, but after someone feels uncomfortable (there's always going to be someone), call the police and now its a crime.  Either have the law or don't but the current laws in Texas doesn't make any sense and only goes after good honest American citizens.  The courts don't help with their grey decisions that leave a lot to interpretation.  Murica!

I have nothing against open carry, but I've always been more of a proponent for concealed carry (which the US should implement federal concealed carry for all states one license required for all).  We have open carry here in Maine, but the biggest problem with open carry is the current cultural environment we have today.  Most people are ignorant about firearms and only know what the biased media feeds them.  The media and schools have been preaching fear of firearms for a long time so I see a lot of people with an irrational fear of firearms in general.  So when people see a firearm in public they automatically freak out, they call 911, the police respond and.... can't do anything.  Can't even ID the guy/girl.  This I see as a major problem as identified by the Maine Police Chiefs and I think it's perfectly reasonable to stop someone carrying openly and ID them and get their story and send them on their way (minimal delay if everything checks out).  I find it terribly confusing how states like Texas can have open carry laws but arrest or cite individuals that are complying with that law, but after someone feels uncomfortable (there's always going to be someone), call the police and now its a crime.  Either have the law or don't but the current laws in Texas doesn't make any sense and only goes after good honest American citizens.  The courts don't help with their grey decisions that leave a lot to interpretation.  Murica!

 

Open carry is illegal in Texas. Thought I'd point that out.