Don't Do It

[sixmranch]

I don't wear a tin foil hat, but after the serial number discussion, I thought I would post a few things I wouldn't do.
1. Open carry. I think this is the dumbest thing you can do. Just because it's legal, doesn't mean you should. I guarantee, you're the first person I would shoot.
2. Post pictures of your collection. I like to brag as much as the next person, but showing your safe, gun room and 50 old Winchesters online, makes no sense to me.
3. Reloads for self-defense. Not as adamant about this one, but why give potential ammunition (pun intended) to the prosecutor? Plus modern machinery, probably more accurate than most reloaders. They also have access to components that aren't available on the market.

 

[the_leper_colony]

As my good friend Captain Obvious once said, "It all depends!"

 

[hittman]

I suspect this may get moved to Politics but …. Time will tell.

 

[Jeepnik]

Well, you are entitled to your opinions. But that’s all they are and thankfully the rest of aren’t required to abide by them.

I think the more folks that exercise their second amendment rights and open carry the better. Firearms then become commonplace items.

I’m really not worried about folks finding me and stealing my stuff. And if we do the first thing we won’t have to worry about government confiscation.

And lastly, reloads are pretty much all I shoot. If someone wants to claim my reloads are “deadlier” They’ll look pretty dumb when the ballistics are compared to factory defense ammunition.

But like I said, only opinions. As valid as any others and no one need pay the leastbit of attention to them.

 

[the_leper_colony]

I suspect this may get moved to Politics but …. Time will tell.

I think a lot of it relates to practicality, rather than politics. Say you're out on the public lands somewhere, and you've got a firearm for bear defense - do you carry it concealed, or where you can reach it quickly? And say you're an old fart like me, and thinking about selling most of your guns (which I did during the Wu Flu) - maybe posting some pictures on a forum could find one buyer for the bunch, versus selling 'em one at a time on an auction site. And I know I'm unusual, but I often weigh every single propellant charge, AND every case & bullet, and load down as often as up (so my reloads may be more consistent than a lot of factory ammo).

So, there are practical considerations, maybe as much or more than politics! But as you said, "Time will tell!"

 

[protoolman]

Depends where you live and what you're carrying. An AR carried on a city street sounds dumb. A Blackhawk carried in small town Montana to the cafe during hunting season won't raise an eyebrow. Reloads for self defense just don't come up. I've researched that for years since MasAyoob first uttered it. There are probably a million more common things that come up. Like why were you carrying a 9mm with a 19 round magazine. The police don't even have that much firepower! Etc. See lawyers can bring up anything. Scary AR "assault rifles" I'm still waiting to see the "Sawed off shotgun" the recent school shooter had at home. Was it really a shockwave or pistol grip Mossberg or what?

 

[dannyd]

Did you join the Air Force to late to get the hat?

 

[sixmranch]

Did you join the Air Force to late to get the hat?

Too busy saving America from the Godless hordes!

SAC Trained Killer

 

[John in WYO]

A local historic landmark hotel owner just grins when he sees the tourists eyes whenever one of or all of our coffee group enter the restaurant while carrying openly.

I’m partial to my .500 Linebaugh conversion by John L. (We buried him on Tuesday) in an El Paso Saddlery carved Tom Threepersons holster/cartridge belt.

Hat, boots, jeans and western hat are a favorite of European and Asian tourists who are open-carrying cameras.

 

[Jeepnik]

Too busy saving America from the Godless hordes!

SAC Trained Killer

SAC troops are wimps. Us TAC guys got low and close

 

[dannyd]

Too busy saving America from the Godless hordes!

SAC Trained Killer

I would have been on the cruiser guarding that carrier getting ready to "SAM" you with an SM2.

 

[James also]

SAC troops are wimps. Us TAC guys got low and close

.....and the whole world heard ya comin!

 

[Bob Wright]

I don't wear a tin foil hat, but after the serial number discussion, I thought I would post a few things I wouldn't do.
1. Open carry. I think this is the dumbest thing you can do. Just because it's legal, doesn't mean you should. I guarantee, you're the first person I would shoot.
2. Post pictures of your collection. I like to brag as much as the next person, but showing your safe, gun room and 50 old Winchesters online, makes no sense to me.
3. Reloads for self-defense. Not as adamant about this one, but why give potential ammunition (pun intended) to the prosecutor? Plus modern machinery, probably more accurate than most reloaders. They also have access to components that aren't available on the market.

As to No.3, if you're facing a prosecutor, there are bigger problems than your choice of ammunition. That means your shooting was not declared justified, so you are facing manslaughter at the very least.

Bob Wright

 

[contender]

The OP has stated his opinions, and his thoughts. They work for him.

But not everything is cut & dried & "only one way."
Let's look at the 3 things he's mentioned.
Open carry. As noted,, bear country, or hunting or whatever,, very common, and the best method. Middle of most cities that are not used to seeing firearms,, maybe not as good, but if legal, as noted, it allows the average citizen who may not have much education about firearms to see an honest citizen, going about their daily life w/o being a threat. I have had that happen a fair amount,, because I've had folks ASK me about my carrying a gun openly. So far,, ALL have been very positive discussions, and I've helped educate many people.
In my business, I go all over several counties & towns. We are allowed CCW here as well as Open Carry. I was raised to do certain things,, such as tuck my shirt into my pants. So CCW isn't an easy option,, especially in my daily work due to my wearing T-shirts mostly. If I had a holster on my belt it would broadcast that I carry a gun, but if empty, would say; "I'm unarmed." Or, if I go to a customer's house,, an empty holster lets them KNOW I carry a firearm,, and many may be uncomfortable with that. I may not get a job from some of them.
But I do carry a gun, just tucked into my belt, (a good solid, rigid belt,) as if it were an IWB holster type. I can easily remove it & put it in the vehicle holster when necessary, and yet, put it on my person when I'm not working for someone.
If you are a thug, bent on shooting up a place or people,, you MIGHT try & shoot me first. But I make sure I'm always aware of my surroundings, sit in places where I'm more protected, and in general, do not present my self as an easy target. We call that "situational awareness." And very often,, I've zeroed in on a person, who wasn't doing anything,, but just the way they look, or were acting, caused me to heighten my awareness of a POTENTIAL issue before it could happen.

So, I guess that Open Carry , as you say may be dumb,, but I respectfully disagree. There are plenty of reasons to legally open carry & are quite valid.
(2) Posting pictures of your collection openly.
I can agree with this somewhat. Again, it also depends upon who you are, where you live & how your collection is stored. But in the current day & age of the internet, cameras everywhere,, it's often possible for potential thugs to possibly target a known house or whatever to try & steal from. But many people live in places that thugs prefer to avoid just because of the very likelihood of being caught or even shot trying to do so. Most thugs prefer a quick "in & out" type of theft. And they do not want dogs, or homeowners, or even good neighbors catching them in the act.
In general, I can agree that "bragging" too much MAY be unwise. But not always.
(3) Reloads for self defense.
So far,, I don't think anyone has been tried in a court after shooting a criminal where the issue of "reloads vs factory" has been a point of contention. An easy defense against a prosecutor would be to say; "I'd been target shooting recently & forgot to put factory ammo in my gun." That's just one quick example of shutting down a line of questioning. BUT,, if a person was being tried because they purposely went "hunting people" (I hate using this term, but say, did a mass shooting,) even then if they used reloads a prosecutor MIGHT say; "You purposely built your ammo to cause massive injury & death" as a means of trying to assist in a conviction. But a good defense lawyer can easily point out all the factory ammo purposely designed to do the exact same thing. And much of the factory ammo can often be more devastating than handloads.
My worries about this are very low.

As with others here,, JMO!

 

[Montana Cowboy]

I would not open carry as one person commented " you're the first person I'm going to take out in an armed robbery or hold up" I don't want anyone to know I have a firearm on me. Case in point 2 years ago a guy was so proud of his new handgun that he picked up the day before and was open carrying in a department store when he had to go to the bathroom, two guys who he was unaware of had followed him and entered the bathroom shortly after he did and while he had his other single shot in his hand the two guys attacked him , took his new hand gun and left him in a heap on the floor.

On using reloads everyone knows that when shot with commercial ammo you are dead but when shot with a reload you are somehow deader than dead which makes it much much harder to come back from the dead.

 

[Hankus]

SAC troops are wimps. Us TAC guys got low and close

Air Force vets trying to figure out who’s “tougher” Go Army

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I don't wear a tin foil hat, but after the serial number discussion, I thought I would post a few things I wouldn't do.
1. Open carry. I think this is the dumbest thing you can do. Just because it's legal, doesn't mean you should. I guarantee, you're the first person I would shoot.
2. Post pictures of your collection. I like to brag as much as the next person, but showing your safe, gun room and 50 old Winchesters online, makes no sense to me.
3. Reloads for self-defense. Not as adamant about this one, but why give potential ammunition (pun intended) to the prosecutor? Plus modern machinery, probably more accurate than most reloaders. They also have access to components that aren't available on the market.

I guess I need to pick up some tin foil. I agree with #2 and #3 hundred percent, especially with number 2. It's like a prepper posting what he has- just so someone will try to steal it.
As for actual open carry instead of concealed: Yup, dangerous to let people know you are carrying. However, it does have the benefit of being a deterrent. Kind of a 50/50 deal there.

 

[Paul B]

"I don't wear a tin foil hat, but after the serial number discussion, I thought I would post a few things I wouldn't do.
1. Open carry. I think this is the dumbest thing you can do. Just because it's legal, doesn't mean you should. I guarantee, you're the first person I would shoot.

" I'm not all that fond of open carry in an urban environment. When I lived in a small Nevada town it wasn't too unusual to see people openly carrying. Other than than most of the time my gun was concealed. I carried concealed even in places where it was not allowed and unless you were politically connected, impossible to get a permit. These days I live in a constitutional state so I can carry any way I please. I still carry concealed.

2. Post pictures of your collection. I like to brag as much as the next person, but showing your safe, gun room and 50 old Winchesters online, makes no sense to me.

I think you're right. I'm also beginning to think stating what you have in a post on the WWW is a mistake. I've been just as guilty as anyone here of that potential mistake. Joe Blow says "I just bought a Ruger #1 for $10.00 and it's a beauty. A rare 7MM Blowemup. Big brother is monitoring these firearm site I'm sure and he just entered in hid log, "Jod Blow, onr Ruger #1, caliber 7MM Blowemup. Come gun round up time guess whose door will be knocked upon

3. Reloads for self-defense. Not as adamant about this one, but why give potential ammunition (pun intended) to the prosecutor? Plus modern machinery, probably more accurate than most reloaders. They also have access to components that aren't available on the market."

I've thought long and hard on this one. I would think common sense would say, It doesn't make any difference. Is the shoot a good one or not? Was the shooter justified? Whether the shooter used a factory Plus P Plus round or a hand load that does the same thing is totally irrelevant. However, one should be, NO, must be prepared to counter such claims made by an anti-gun prosecutor. I almost never buy factory ammo. The fact that my self defense firearms are loaded with factory is just because I bought into Massad Ayoob's rhetoric years ago.. I can just see it now. I'm out in the southern Arizona desert on a hike and run into coyotes herding a few illegals carry back packs full of drugs. I'm packing my .44 mag, one of several I have and most likely one of my single shot rifles. The coyotes are usually carrying AK47s so I sure as hell ain't picking a fight with them and if they haven't seen me, I'm making as sure as possible they don't. If the worst should happen,I'm not gona worry about wheteher Winchester, Remington Federal or me made that ammo. I just want to go bang and do what it's supposed to do and the devil take hindmost.
Paul B.

 

[daveag.]

Missouri has been open carry as long as I can remember. A Highway Patrol trooper told me not to conceal in a vehicle. Lay open view on dash or seat. I have been stopped a few times, my Security Six in leather holster beside me. Never mentioned. I open carry at times. Concealed others. I don’t put pictures of anything on WWW. Dropped Facebook years ago. Daughter stopped showing my grandkids. Everyone needs to be aware of surroundings.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I have heard about people getting their guns taken from them while open carrying , but have never heard about someone getting shot because of it .
As far as the gun being taken goes , that is just being ignorant about your surroundings.


Agree with the not posting what you own.

As far as the reloaded ammo goes.
If you end up in court about it , you have much bigger problems than what ammo you used.

 

[wolfsong]

Air Force vets trying to figure out who’s “tougher” Go Army

I've heard it told that the toughest Air Force vets are the ones who "flew" metal chairs and not upholstered ones.

 

[volshooter]

I choose not to carry open in public. Just makes me a target for antis and bad guys. Rather keep em guessing!
Not a chance I'd ever post any pics of my firearms.
Reloads.......that's another thing all together. Most reloaders load for best groups not power. I carry the most accurate rounds for each firearm, regardless of most power. I want to have accuracy first. As any reloader knows, the fastest projectile is usually the least accurate. And as said, if you find yourself in a position with legal troubles then your choice of ammo is the least of your problems.

 

[blume357]

#1: I will not open carry in my city but I would some of the time if I was up in Contender's neck of the woods which is more rural. I think open carry has its place and the problem is too many people's mind set that guns are evil.... hiding them does not help.

#2. I kind of agree that showing your entire collection could cause some crook to target you... but you know... I suspect the average criminal would prefer not to break into the home of most of us.... assuming they are actually doing the internet research to 'target' one of us then they are also finding out that 'most' of us are not going to be a willing victim. Most crooks want easy pickns.

#3: Like someone else said.. when that prosecutor points out you used your special re-loads to put down the person...you are already in a whole world of trouble... kind of like the thing I hear on the internet too often that a person carry's a cheap gun so when the police take it as evidence they don't lose a 'good' gun. Geez, you are carrying the dern thing for the sole reason to save your or someone else life... what is that worth?

 

[Mobuck]

Just a short note: I DO open carry but it is 'discreet'. I'm not playing old west gunfighter with my hogleg flopping around on my leg. Most people wouldn't notice (and apparently don't). I'm not at all worried that a bad guy will target me (a creaky, gray haired geezer) first.
I carry factory loaded ammo because it's available and the bullet choices are very good. If this wasn't the case, I'd carry the best I could produce at home. My vehicle borne PDW is loaded with handloads that are actually LESS powerful than factory loads in order to somewhat reduce the muzzle blast.
I don't post pictures, have 'gun nut' bumper stickers, or otherwise display my firearms interests.

 

[g5m]

The fact that my self defense firearms are loaded with factory is just because I bought into Massad Ayoob's rhetoric years ago.. I can just see it now. I'm out in the southern Arizona desert on a hike and run into coyotes herding a few illegals carry back packs full of drugs. I'm packing my .44 mag, one of several I have and most likely one of my single shot rifles. The coyotes are usually carrying AK47s so I sure as hell ain't picking a fight with them and if they haven't seen me, I'm making as sure as possible they don't. If the worst should happen,I'm not gona worry about wheteher Winchester, Remington Federal or me made that ammo. I just want to go bang and do what it's supposed to do and the devil take hindmost.
Paul B.

Most people in this country have no idea about what the border states are experiencing.

 

[the_leper_colony]

... the thing I hear on the internet too often that a person carry's a cheap gun so when the police take it as evidence they don't lose a 'good' gun. Geez, you are carrying the dern thing for the sole reason to save your or someone else life... what is that worth?

For most folks, there are lots of solid, dependable firearms that are 100% suitable for defending life & liberty, in between "a cheap gun" and "the best you can afford". Just sayin'!

 

[pyth0n]

I've heard it told that the toughest Air Force vets are the ones who "flew" metal chairs and not upholstered ones.

 

[contender]

Another thought on open carry.

It's been mentioned that thugs have attacked & taken a gun away from an open carrier,, or whatever. True.
Mobuck also mentions "discrete" open carry. A very good choice.

I open carry for my own personal reasons, due to clothing & work issues. But if I'm in town, or just anywhere that there are other people,, I'm always very aware of my surroundings, AND who's around me. Often,, I'll shift my body away from people in line behind me or whatever to avoid the potential thug encounter. Or, I'll even move in a manner to prevent them from have an easy angle of attack. I've even put my hand in my back pocket to where there is quicker access to it.
Going to the bathroom in a public place; I go into a stall and lock the door. Period.

I do not "loudly" display my open carry handgun. As I mentioned, it's tucked into my belt and pants. Just the grip section is visible. Often,, people fail to see it. If I use an OWB holster,, I have a level II retention holster. Harder for a thug to grab it that way.

As I've said,, it's not always a hard fast, one way only type of subject.

There are many places I go to,, where it's legal to open carry, & I CHOOSE to carry concealed.

And the most common comment about a thug "taking you out first" because he sees your gun. Well, again, situational awareness, something I do all the time, is going to assist me in recognizing the potential threat. And if a thug happens to TRY & take me out first,, he/she had better catch me totally unaware, AND be a really good shot & hit me on the first shot. I purposely shoot my guns a lot. I shoot USPSA competition. Not only for fun, but to keep myself used to shooting while under stress, and with various challenges all the time. I prefer to consider things from a different view. If I'm open carrying,, I'll be very aware. And if a threat happens, I'll access my handgun very quickly & will engage as necessary with all my skills.
Now, before anybody tries to take apart my thoughts & comments, I will LOUDLY state this;
I AM NOT PERFECT, AND I COULD LOSE IN A GUN BATTLE. I choose my methods because they work for me.

Just do not call me "dumb" for making my own choices that are different than yours.

 

[Jeepnik]

Interestingly, there are folks who open carry every day. Their coworkers carry “concealed” but very poorly done. These same folks regularly come into contact with every segment of society. Yet if you look at the annual hours carried versus number disarmed ( much less shot with their own weapon) you’ll see it is extremely rare.

As a citizen most of us will never deal with the segment of society that disarms and kills folks. If you compare hours carried versus folks disarmed and killed it’s even rarer.

I sometimes wonder if the scare tactics used to dissuade open carry (and bought into by some) aren’t used by those who want to eliminate the second amendment. Think about it. Every minor incident involving legal use of firearms is buried but if anything untoward happens it’s blown completely out of proportion.

 

[sixmranch]

A few clarifications. First off, "dumb" was probably not the best choice. I was making general observations, obviously not applicable to all situations. I open carry when out hiking, or away from "civilization", or if I was in a certain bar in Rifle Colorado. I definitely don't think it makes sense to display gun collections on social media. Not worried about the government, but people breaking into my house. Happened to my dad once. They cleaned him out, and didn't take anything else. That was before the internet. I reload, but there are plenty of good factory rounds available. More than likely wouldn't be an issue, but why not eliminate that possibility?

On a related note, I would highly recommend purchasing CCW insurance if you carry, either open or concealed.