My opposition to open carry follows roughly the same logic as Chris Rock’s thoughts on kicking an old man down a flight of stairs. Yes, occasions do arise where we have a perfectly valid right to do it. We might even have some remotely conceivable reason to do it (perhaps to make a statement or whatever). That doesn’t mean we should.
Think about it. You lose tactical advantage, because you no longer have the element of surprise. Other people have access to your weapon and might even have better access than you do. And anyone who’s uneasy about guns will look at you with suspicion and fear. Heck, they might even call 911 and say something like, “There’s a guy in here with a gun!!!” The Second Amendment permits you to subject yourself to all that grief. But when the pros and cons are weighed, why on earth would you want to?
Above Video Clip:
Chris Rock, “Bring the Pain” (HBO, 1996).
Several states show why open carry has to be legal. They require concealed at all times carry. Therefore a strong wind could expose your holster and gun for a full second and a waiting officer arrests you for “flashing” your gun. Please remember the story about why the builder of that .380 that looks like a phone wanted an easy to hide gun. “Mommy that man has a GUN!”
For actual open carry, I agree with SportPilot.
I’ve been carrying daily for longer than I care to remember and while I’ve always had the right to carry openly, I’ve rarely found a good reason to do so other than on a hike in remote areas.
Amen, Murph.
We share the same view point on this topic. Its as bad or worse with new patrol officers, even when policies dictate plain cloths off duty carry be concealed.
I’ve responded to enough “man with a gun” calls involving off duty police and HCP holders to mention.
In the end though where open carry is permissible enough people are going to “be that guy” and said privilege will cease.
Maturity and Wisdom are earned on the lesser roads traveled.