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Would you open carry a sidearm if it were legal?

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Replies

  • JermanatorJermanator Posts: 16,244 Senior Member
    I have done it in the past. It was when I was working in Detroit and didn't have my CPL yet. I didn't need one to open carry, and I preferred to be armed than not armed so I carried openly. I have a CPL now, so I am a bit more discreet than before.
    Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.
    -Thomas Paine
  • bisleybisley Posts: 10,815 Senior Member
    No.

    I'm for open carry, but my half-azzed self defense strategy includes cringing and whimpering and hiding behind my wife until I can get my gun drawn. Open-carry would take that away from me and leave me with nothing but my fast draw. I used to beat Matt Dillon when I was a kid, but without the music to tip me off, I might not be fast enough to beat a revved up speed-freak.
  • samzheresamzhere Posts: 10,923 Senior Member
    bisley wrote: »
    No.

    I'm for open carry, but my half-azzed self defense strategy includes cringing and whimpering and hiding behind my wife until I can get my gun drawn. Open-carry would take that away from me and leave me with nothing but my fast draw. I used to beat Matt Dillon when I was a kid, but without the music to tip me off, I might not be fast enough to beat a revved up speed-freak.

    We've discussed actual situational behavior and gun techniques in other threads, but in my experience (having had a few actual, real life events where I drew my pistol) these things occur in stages mostly. That is, you're maybe pumping gas and you see a weird guy approaching, you draw your gun and keep it alongside your leg, and seeing that the guy usually decides he's got an important dental appointment to keep and heads away. Similar to that. And yes I know it DOES occur when the bad guys rush in fast. Situational awareness is maximum always.
  • Gene LGene L Posts: 12,817 Senior Member
    My first instinct at an armed threat is to lose control of my bladder and scream like a woman.
    Concealed carry is for protection, open carry is for attention.
  • samzheresamzhere Posts: 10,923 Senior Member
    Gene L wrote: »
    My first instinct at an armed threat is to lose control of my bladder and scream like a woman.

    Some guys here swear that this tactic works. I won't however disclose who.
  • gaimangaiman Posts: 60 Member
    I've pointed a gun at guys (1 at a time) several times in my life, and I let my gun "show" another time or 2. I've also stopped dog attacks. I know of a case wherein a cow killed a woman and another case wherein a bull would have killed a guy, but his wife drilled in in the forehead with a .22 woodsman. That stunned it enough to let the guy escape from the headbutting with just some broken ribs. The Angus had him down on the ground inside of a small pen, with wooden bars that he was able to roll under. It aint always about other men.
  • EliEli Posts: 3,074 Senior Member
    samzhere wrote: »
    Would you open carry a sidearm if it were legal?

    It is, and no.
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,436 Senior Member
    gaiman wrote: »
    I've pointed a gun at guys (1 at a time) several times in my life, and I let my gun "show" another time or 2. I've also stopped dog attacks.

    D4EA9861-41E6-416F-9931-EEB587505FEA_zpsuggbgh5g.jpg
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • KENFU1911KENFU1911 Posts: 1,052 Senior Member
    Yes I would..and do......I live outside a very small town....near one of the biggest cattle ranches in the State.....open carry is common.......so if I run into town for a load of water.....or hardware...or a DVD at the library....or maybe a taco at the Snowcap...........I don't bother with concealed in warm weather......never had even a slight problem....even the tourist from all over the World don't freak out....some just figure that's the way the West still is.....or say things like."I wish we could have stuff like that back home"..............but when I go to the big City....Flagstaff.....Prescott.........I take the time to go concealed........way to many strange Humans in cities for me to open carry.......Ken
  • BufordBuford Posts: 6,724 Senior Member
    There was this one time at band camp.
    Just look at the flowers Lizzie, just look at the flowers.
  • KENFU1911KENFU1911 Posts: 1,052 Senior Member
    Buford wrote: »
    There was this one time at band camp.

    With a Python????
  • JasonMPDJasonMPD Posts: 6,583 Senior Member
    gaiman wrote: »
    I've pointed a gun at guys (1 at a time) several times in my life, and I let my gun "show" another time or 2. I've also stopped dog attacks. I know of a case wherein a cow killed a woman and another case wherein a bull would have killed a guy, but his wife drilled in in the forehead with a .22 woodsman. That stunned it enough to let the guy escape from the headbutting with just some broken ribs. The Angus had him down on the ground inside of a small pen, with wooden bars that he was able to roll under. It aint always about other men.

    Bragging is the worst thing here.

    Those of us who've been there and done more don't brag.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
    “There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.” – Will Rogers
  • bobbyrlf3bobbyrlf3 Posts: 2,614 Senior Member
    It's legal here is Wa state, but I don't.
    Knowledge is essential to living freely and fully; understanding gives knowledge purpose and strength; wisdom is combining the two and applying them appropriately in words and actions.
  • samzheresamzhere Posts: 10,923 Senior Member
    Zee wrote: »
    awesome

    Funny, gaiman, that lots of people here talk about how they carry concealed or open carry and have plenty of guns of all sorts, but the MOMENT that someone actually DOES "present" or otherwise display a weapon for genuine self defense, that person is ridiculed as a braggart.

    Hint to Zee: I didn't see anything that gaiman said that was bragging or otherwise touting himself. He simply stated a fact (I'm accepting that he didn't make up this statement) but said ZERO that could be construed as self-aggrandizement. He simply said that he's pointed a gun on occasion. He didn't even talk about the incident(s). He then related somewhat funny (not funny to the person involved of course) about a bull attacking, but he didn't say that he was involved.

    Hint to Zee: Lots of people in this forum have clearly stated that they go around armed (some even say they wear a holstered firearm while walking around in their own homes) and it's accepted as perfectly okay. I don't remember your posting "borrowed" signs (not even taking the time to make your own keen poster) making light of these folks who carry concealed or carry open. So why do this when a 2A-believing armed guy actually decides to draw and maybe even point the gun? Carrying a weapon = good, drawing that weapon = not good? Duh.

    Now if he'd bragged about how brave he was or how keen he behaved, sure, tease him. But he simply stated the act and didn't embellish. So wherein was his error? How did he step over the line and deserve ridicule?

    Please explain.

    And yes, in the interest of full disclosure, I have also drawn & "presented" (aimed at) people several times in my life as well. But I was doing this with zero interest in being keen or cool or "deck" (the hipster version of cool). I did this because I was in a genuine self defense situation. Should anyone wish me to discuss these incidents, I'd be happy to detail the situations and be open to criticism should the actions I took seem to have been wrong. I'm always happy to learn from my mistakes.
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,436 Senior Member
    samzhere wrote: »
    Please explain.

    It's all in the presentation, Sam. The vast majority or...........a goodly portion of this gentleman's posts have been of his grandiose accomplishments and abilities he has. He set the pattern. I just followed along. Gotta look at the big picture..........Sam.

    Oh, you're awesome too...........Sam. Keen?

    :smooch:
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • jbp-ohiojbp-ohio Posts: 10,942 Senior Member
    horselips wrote: »
    Everything is legal in Arizona. Thank God. No gun bans, no magazine capacity limits, no permit needed for open or concealed carry. No restrictions on what can be shipped. Here in Tucson, despite the hoplophobia of the far-left SanFran - style city government, we host a major gun show about every month or so, sometimes two.

    That said, I reserve open carry strictly for the wilderness (we call it a 'desert'), up in the mountains, or around my own yard. Those handguns are generally heavy, all steel, large caliber revolvers, with longish barrels, often in full-flap military-style holsters, and unsuitable for convenient concealed carry. I never carry open in developed, urban, commercial environments. And I would no sooner take a long gun into a restaurant than I would a spare tire, a fire extinguisher, a drill press, an ironing board, a lawn mower, a vacuum cleaner, or a printer/copier. Some things are simply out of place, regardless of the legality of owning them.

    That is by far your best post yet....... and :agree:
    "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Thomas Jefferson
  • BufordBuford Posts: 6,724 Senior Member
    samzhere wrote: »
    And yes, in the interest of full disclosure, I have also drawn & "presented" (aimed at) people several times in my life as well.

    You have told us several times, 6 I believe.
    Just look at the flowers Lizzie, just look at the flowers.
  • KENFU1911KENFU1911 Posts: 1,052 Senior Member
    Zee wrote: »
    It's all in the presentation, Sam. The vast majority or...........a goodly portion of this gentleman's posts have been of his grandiose accomplishments and abilities he has. He set the pattern.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE6iAjEv9dQ



    I work down at the pizza pit
    And I drive an old Hyundai
    I still live with my mom and dad
    I'm 5'3 and overweight

    I'm a Sci-Fi fanatic
    Mild asthmatic
    Never been to 2nd base
    But there's a whole nother me
    That you need to see
    Go check out MySpace

    'cause online I'm out in Hollywood
    I'm 6'5 and I look damn good
    I drive a Maserati
    I'm a black belt in Karate
    And I love a good glass of wine
  • JerryBobCoJerryBobCo Posts: 8,227 Senior Member
    No.

    It is legal here, and I don't do it.
    Jerry

    Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
  • gatorgator Posts: 1,746 Senior Member
    I prefer concealed and mostly carry in a super tuck holster and wear a cover shirt however most of the time while driving I'll take the cover shirt off and put it back on when I leave the truck.
    Now if I stop for gas I won't bother with the cover shirt as I am standing between the pump and the truck,but if I go into the station's store I put the shirt on.
    USMC 80-84
    -96 lbs
  • samzheresamzhere Posts: 10,923 Senior Member
    gator wrote: »
    I prefer concealed and mostly carry in a super tuck holster and wear a cover shirt however most of the time while driving I'll take the cover shirt off and put it back on when I leave the truck.
    Now if I stop for gas I won't bother with the cover shirt as I am standing between the pump and the truck,but if I go into the station's store I put the shirt on.

    Now ya see? Makes perfect sense! Of course not having twin ARs strapped crossways over your shoulders can get you fired from the local mall ninja guild.
  • samzheresamzhere Posts: 10,923 Senior Member
    Zee wrote: »
    It's all in the presentation, Sam. The vast majority or...........a goodly portion of this gentleman's posts have been of his grandiose accomplishments and abilities he has. He set the pattern. I just followed along. Gotta look at the big picture..........Sam.

    Oh, you're awesome too...........Sam. Keen?

    :smooch:

    No, I don't have to look at the big picture. I was just referring to gaiman's post above. I'm well aware that he's done more than his share of goofy posts and I just challenged one of them in another thread. But his single post you sniped at was neutral.

    And no, I'm not awesome either. But I do have a couple of catamite positions open and applications are welcomed.

    But seriously, why snipe at someone who's ACTUALLY had a real life self defense situation? People gush all over someone who's got 142 firearms ready to defend the north forty but if someone draws and "presents" the weapon, he's suddenly branded as some puffmeister. Makes zero sense. But making sense isn't the object -- posting idiotic images that the poster didn't even have the temerity to create himself is the comeback of elegance. Duh.
  • samzheresamzhere Posts: 10,923 Senior Member
    Buford wrote: »
    You have told us several times, 6 I believe.

    Thanks for the reminder!
  • samzheresamzhere Posts: 10,923 Senior Member
    KENFU1911 wrote: »

    I work down at the pizza pit
    And I drive an old Hyundai
    I still live with my mom and dad
    I'm 5'3 and overweight
    etc

    That's funny! Is this a song you've written, a kind of spoof pop song? Because you might consider trying to sell it or something, honest. You'd be surprised at the types of things these days that make money.
  • RazorbackerRazorbacker Posts: 4,646 Senior Member
    Wambli Ska wrote: »
    Oh he'll I'll chime in. I would open carry if I lived in a place/time where it was not only legal but common to do so. I would love to go walk around with a nicely tooled leather rig and a fancy handgun hanging from it. It actually would be nice to not have to dress for a gun for a change.

    Man, I hadn't thought of all that but I heartily concur.
    Teach your children to love guns, they'll never be able to afford drugs
  • BAMAAKBAMAAK Posts: 4,484 Senior Member
    Wambli Ska wrote: »
    Oh he'll I'll chime in. I would open carry if I lived in a place/time where it was not only legal but common to do so. I would love to go walk around with a nicely tooled leather rig and a fancy handgun hanging from it. It actually would be nice to not have to dress for a gun for a change.

    You could have your holster match your socks, I'm sure someone makes holsters with cassette designs.
    "He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm."

    -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German writer and politician
  • JayhawkerJayhawker Posts: 18,362 Senior Member
    samzhere wrote: »
    That's funny! Is this a song you've written, a kind of spoof pop song? Because you might consider trying to sell it or something, honest. You'd be surprised at the types of things these days that make money.

    It's a Brad Paisley song...I'm So Much Cooler On-Line

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE6iAjEv9dQ
    Sharps Model 1874 - "The rifle that made the west safe for Winchester"
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,436 Senior Member
    samzhere wrote: »
    No, I don't have to look at the big picture. I was just referring to gaiman's post above. I'm well aware that he's done more than his share of goofy posts and I just challenged one of them in another thread. But his single post you sniped at was neutral.

    And no, I'm not awesome either. But I do have a couple of catamite positions open and applications are welcomed.

    But seriously, why snipe at someone who's ACTUALLY had a real life self defense situation? People gush all over someone who's got 142 firearms ready to defend the north forty but if someone draws and "presents" the weapon, he's suddenly branded as some puffmeister. Makes zero sense. But making sense isn't the object -- posting idiotic images that the poster didn't even have the temerity to create himself is the comeback of elegance. Duh.

    FA7B9C34-2528-4E87-83E1-3AC30CD495DE_zpszel7vq3o.gif
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • snake284snake284 Posts: 22,429 Senior Member
    samzhere wrote: »
    The thread in the Clubhouse section about the long gun open carry "parade of idiots" brought up a thought...

    If it were legal where you live (carry permit or not), would you open carry a sidearm for self protection, such as in a non-stealth holster?

    And assuming that where you were going was totally legal for you to open carry, of course. And yes I know that some states currently allow open carry of sidearms, so if you live there, your feedback would be especially good.

    And I'm not talking about your being off in the deep woods hunting or whatever. I'm instead talking about everyday going here and there, maybe to the Kroger or Wal-Mart or at a restaurant with friends, normal routines.

    I'm thinking that I would not, just because I don't want to bring unnecessary attention to myself, good or bad attention either way. I prefer to just be "Sam" and that's it, not "Sam wearing a Ruger".

    You know, I used to think it would be cool to open carry, until it was pointed out to me that someone open carrying is going to be the purp's first target. Nope, I'd rather have the element of surprise going for me than advertising up front.
    Daddy, what's an enabler?
    Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
  • Diver43Diver43 Posts: 12,769 Senior Member
    Wambli Ska wrote: »
    Oh you funny man... :punch:

    I would love to open carry my 610 in this holster y friend made for me.
    DSC_00311.jpg

    That is a Sunday rig if I ever saw one!!
    Logistics cannot win a war, but its absence or inadequacy can cause defeat. FM100-5
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