GunnyGene
Hawkeye
Colion discusses the pros and cons.
Open vs. Concealed: The trade offs.
- Thread starter GunnyGene
- Start date
IMHO: A lot depends on where you're located. Personally, I probably don't even need to carry a handgun 99% of the time BUT there's always 'that 1% chance'. When I was working, concealed was the only acceptable option. I was in all sorts of places including people's homes and had to be considerate of that. Now, I don't have those concerns and tend to just carry discreetly or maybe pull out a corner of shirt tail as concealment.
I use a cross draw positioned in front of my left hipbone which is far less easy to 'grab'.
I use a cross draw positioned in front of my left hipbone which is far less easy to 'grab'.
ex13F
Single-Sixer
When not at home/property it's concealed. Always has been, always will.
He used the same words that I have on here and I never have suggested open carry in the big cities. What he didn't say was cops get attacked by crooks or cops attempting to arrest a crook have some trying to disarm them. The normal citizen might think that never would happen, it does. Cops get training and practice fighting off a disarming attack. Duty holsters have 1 or more retention means.
The attack on that video was one that could be impossible to defend against. In Idaho I see guys and gals open carrying in just about anywhere, that's their choice. I can't help it, I scan the area for possible attackers attracted to an open carry attack. I seen the last one yesterday. I looked around and walked in the opposite direction from the open carry guy using a cheapo holster. At least it had a safety strap.
I always wonder if they have had any training in defending a disarm attempt.
The attack on that video was one that could be impossible to defend against. In Idaho I see guys and gals open carrying in just about anywhere, that's their choice. I can't help it, I scan the area for possible attackers attracted to an open carry attack. I seen the last one yesterday. I looked around and walked in the opposite direction from the open carry guy using a cheapo holster. At least it had a safety strap.
I always wonder if they have had any training in defending a disarm attempt.
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
To me OC is like SCUBA in one sense. Never dive alone and never OC alone. Having an armed backup would scare off most 2 legged predators and two legged versions are often more dangerous and deadly.
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OP
GunnyGene
Hawkeye
Agree. And it's really not much different than protecting yourself and your possessions from purse snatchers, pick pockets, and other common thefts of opportunity. It's unfortunate, but it's the world we live in.
The SCUBA is a nice idea.. then again I spent years diving all alone..... only had to pull the rip cord (drop my weight belt) once.... Of course the last time I dove was with another guy and a dive master... I ran out of air at 110ft....... the dive master and I were buddies for about 15 minutes......
The only thing I actually like about open carry is not having to worry about being totally concealed 100% of the time... I still carry concealed all the time... have no desire to make people uncomfortable.....
The only thing I actually like about open carry is not having to worry about being totally concealed 100% of the time... I still carry concealed all the time... have no desire to make people uncomfortable.....
So, in the end you proved Mike Nelson right.
buckeyeshooter
Blackhawk
I open carry on the farm. The only time I open carry off the farm is when I need to go to the hardware or feedstore in town (about 2000 people) and am lazy to change my leather. Fortunately, in my rural area I don't get a second look.
Had an interesting carry problem today. The great State of Maryland did away with open carry so today I walk into my barber shop and have an "Oh crap!" moment. Up till today I normally slide one of my pistols in my pocket when I went there, but today I have it in a holster on my hip. Very carefully I remove it from the holster an slip it into my jacket pocket so no one notices ... except I still have an empty holster atached to my belt. I go sit in the chair quickly and was covered almost as quickly. I will remember the next time
I would think it would depend on how friendly your barber is.
I had a moment like that a few weeks back....(actually worse) I went into a meeting and had my clip on holster with pistol on belt with my shirt loose over them but for some reason as I walked in it did not feel quite right. When I sat down at the table the holster and pistol fell out but I caught it at my side. The good thing was a lot of folks sitting at the table and they all were listening and looking at someone down at the other end. I slipped the holster and pistol under me and a bit later slipped it out and luckily the pants I had on had big pockets and so they could fit in the side pocket.
I had a moment like that a few weeks back....(actually worse) I went into a meeting and had my clip on holster with pistol on belt with my shirt loose over them but for some reason as I walked in it did not feel quite right. When I sat down at the table the holster and pistol fell out but I caught it at my side. The good thing was a lot of folks sitting at the table and they all were listening and looking at someone down at the other end. I slipped the holster and pistol under me and a bit later slipped it out and luckily the pants I had on had big pockets and so they could fit in the side pocket.
I honestly don't believe the barber would mind. She knows me and the rest of the family. What I was worried about is some 'anti-gun nut' walking in and making an issue, since I would be effectively be "open carrying" in a public place.
OP
GunnyGene
Hawkeye
There's a ton of stupid and pointless anti-gun laws on the books, that do nothing but make life difficult for the good guys, and provide a revenue stream for lawyers, bureaucrats, anti-gun organizations, and politicians. Even in permitless carry red states, and at the federal level. The inadvertent open display of your weapon in MD is one such.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
How did you get a Maryland carry permit? When I lived in Maryland, I was told that I could get a permit that would only be valid when I was carrying cash deposits to the bank.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
I carried a Walther PP in an IWB holster when I was in college. It was usually covered by a jacket but on nicer days I'd remove the jacket. I don't think that anyone ever noticed the grip poking up above my belt. If they did, they may have assumed that I was a cop because I had an athletic build and short hair. At time, at the library, I'd unclip the holster and set it on the desk in my carrel. Again, no one noticed. Now I pocket carry.
Had a customer at my store who was open carrying so I asked what he was toting. My coworker said, "Oh my God, I didn't even notice that. I'm glad I didn't or I would have been freaked out."
Had a customer at my store who was open carrying so I asked what he was toting. My coworker said, "Oh my God, I didn't even notice that. I'm glad I didn't or I would have been freaked out."
After the Supreme Court overturned the New York law (don't remember the name) Maryland had to change from a "may issue" to a "shall issue" State. I applied as soon as possible after the change. Having been a former Maryland Hunter Safety Instructor and an Veteran my request went through rapidly. I now carry whenever I am not at home.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
Does Maryland have any silly restrictions on where you can carry? Churches, restaurants, etc?
Now I'm pretty sure you know the answer to that one.... but look it up on handgun U.S.A. or what ever Gary Snyders web site is....
Yaworski
Hawkeye
I go to Maryland for two days every year and I can't carry there so it really doesn't matter. More of a matter of idle curiosity.
On public school property
Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
aboard a vehicle or inside any building under the control of the Maryland Transit Administration
In or around State owned public building and grounds
Inside State legislative buildings
Innkeepers can refuse to provide lodging if they believe you possess something like a firearm that is dangerous to others.
Port Administration Property
World Trade Center Baltimore Property
Strange one: if you are in control of a 'Dredge boat'. you can have up to two shotguns????
forest lands other than shooting ranges and legally hunting
State parks other than shooting ranges and when legally hunting.
State Highway rest areas, when displayed
Maryland Stadium Authority property and facilites
State Museums
Video Lottery /facilites
Adult rehabilitation centers
Child care centers other than a residence
If the Governor declares and emergency
So, in others words you can carry everywhere if you have a permit except most places....
Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
aboard a vehicle or inside any building under the control of the Maryland Transit Administration
In or around State owned public building and grounds
Inside State legislative buildings
Innkeepers can refuse to provide lodging if they believe you possess something like a firearm that is dangerous to others.
Port Administration Property
World Trade Center Baltimore Property
Strange one: if you are in control of a 'Dredge boat'. you can have up to two shotguns????
forest lands other than shooting ranges and legally hunting
State parks other than shooting ranges and when legally hunting.
State Highway rest areas, when displayed
Maryland Stadium Authority property and facilites
State Museums
Video Lottery /facilites
Adult rehabilitation centers
Child care centers other than a residence
If the Governor declares and emergency
So, in others words you can carry everywhere if you have a permit except most places....
Yaworski
Hawkeye
Thanks. Makes me glad that I moved back to Pennsylvania. The only places I can't carry by law are courthouses, detention centers, and federal buildings. Schools are iffy.
For schools the law says "lawful purposes" and one fellow one a case by arguing that "protection" is a lawful purpose. However, that never became case law.
Of course, private property owners can set their own rules.
For schools the law says "lawful purposes" and one fellow one a case by arguing that "protection" is a lawful purpose. However, that never became case law.
Of course, private property owners can set their own rules.
OP
GunnyGene
Hawkeye
Court houses are one location that had been badly abused by judges, who claimed that they had jurisdiction/authority over the entire building including the parking lot. We settled the issue in MS a few years ago. We can carry in court houses and surrounding parking lots with or without a permit, and with an Enhanced permit in the court room itself even when court is in session. The compromise is that when court is in session a LEO is stationed at the courtroom door along with a metal detector so that you have to show your permit. Everywhere else (such as the county tax collector office) in the court house is not restricted. This took a couple of lawsuits against judges who violated the applicable statute.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
Even the po-po can't carry in a courthouse, only deputies. The court is required to provide lockers for folks' guns and in my county, you still go through a metal detector. If you have a badge, you don't have to remove your belt.
Thanks Blume. you saved me the time to look that up and post it. The Dredge boat is from way back when there was the Virginia/Maryland oyster wars. They were using pistols and rifles and they said they were for taking ducks/geese for food (though they were shooting at each other). They, the 'bay cops', said that a shotgun was OK but no rifles/pistols. Still on the books
As always, kind of funny... the problem was not what they were carrying on their boats but that they were shooting at each other... wonder if they are allowed to carry a flare gun? No one in power has figured out that these aerial boat flares, whether in a pistol or just the hand held kind are probably one of the most dangerous weapons out there. They shoot a burning material that pretty much you can't put out.
I don't have a problem with open carry. Why should it be a problem? If a majority of sane and sensible adults were packing a gun outside their pants,quite possibly the criminals would be more concerned about getting shot rather than taking a ride on the justice system's merry go round.
Might nationwide open carry upset the pansy faction? GEEZ, we could only hope.
Maybe then all those folks would just move to Canada or Australia.
Might nationwide open carry upset the pansy faction? GEEZ, we could only hope.
Maybe then all those folks would just move to Canada or Australia.
Part of me agrees with you Mobuck but then the old geezer in me sees you wrote "sane and sensible adults' and I'm starting to determine that those are actually few and far between. Seems like a month or more ago I did see someone open carrying in HomeDepot...
Personally, I'd like to see "constitutional" carry be the actual law of the land. If for no other reason than to watch liberals, especially politicians, heads explode. Nothing upsets liberals, especially politicians, more than not getting their way.
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