[NotSoSimple]

I have Open Carried before, but in the mountains, at the range, never in public. I have read all that I can both here, opencarry.org, and through state laws so I feel pretty well versed.

But I seem hesitant for some odd reason. Anyone hesitant before they started OC? I am assuming it is one of those 'Just do it' cases.

 

[Shaolin]

Go for it, if you feel comfortable. As long as you stay within the law, you will be fine. Take a ride over to WalMart.

 

[tapehoser]

I am usually hesitant as well and I understand the apprehension.

I only carry if I am dressed in such a way that forces me to OC...like a tucked-in shirt. I'd rather OC than not carry anything at all.

 

[Jeff Johnson]

If you want to OC, then I'd say just go for it, particularly if you don't have a permit yet, and can't carry concealed.

If you don't want to OC, then ... don't.

The first time I carried openly, I was self-conscious all over again, like the first time I carried concealed. However, I was astonished that nobody seemed to notice.

 

[Kevin Jensen]

Open carry is very nerve racking the first few times. It felt like everyone was staring at me! Now I am used to it. :crown:

 

[Outsider]

I open carry for work as a security guard but that is a whole other story. As they said, do it if you feel you're ready.

 

[safeguy]

I have tried open carry and don't like it (although it has its place). I dont want to be noticed and if you OC you definately attract attention to yourself. Further, people who never knew you were a carrier will always suspect you and forever treat you different if they are hoplophobic. People get weird and treat you like Cain (a murderer). On the other hand the few times I have inadvertently broken cover, or carried OC, have sometimes been an opportunity to talk to someone about guns. Some would say if you OC you should also wear a T-shirt with a bullseye on it and the words "Shoot me first". The element of stealth and surprise is lost. Well there. I did it. Now the OC posse is going to flame me. Here is the olive branch. OC has its place and functions, I just prefer not to.

 

[NotSoSimple]

I would much prefer to CC but I do not have my permit yet so I am limited. We are running some errands today so I think I will mention it to the wife and see where that leads me.

 

[Dustin WJ]

I was nervous the first time, but I did it because I didn't have a CFP. Now I'm completely comfortable with it. You'll find that most people don't even notice, and the people who do notice are not bothered by it. That's my two cents.

 

[Shaolin]

I have tried open carry and don't like it (although it has its place). I dont want to be noticed and if you OC you definately attract attention to yourself. Further, people who never knew you were a carrier will always suspect you and forever treat you different if they are hoplophobic. People get weird and treat you like Cain (a murderer). On the other hand the few times I have inadvertently broken cover, or carried OC, have sometimes been an opportunity to talk to someone about guns. Some would say if you OC you should also wear a T-shirt with a bullseye on it and the words "Shoot me first". The element of stealth and surprise is lost. Well there. I did it. Now the OC posse is going to flame me. Here is the olive branch. OC has its place and functions, I just prefer not to.

Either way, you could be a target or the bad guy see's another with a gun and the playing field is even. The chance you take.

 

[ScottyT]

My first OC will be the meet this wednesday and I am a little nervous/self-concious. I think as long as you don't dress like you're from the bad corner of the trailer park you wouldn't attract as much attention. My buddy OCs regularly, but is always in a shirt and tie, people assume he is a detective or something.

 

[UTOC-45-44]

I have Open Carried before, but in the mountains, at the range, never in public. I have read all that I can both here, opencarry.org, and through state laws so I feel pretty well versed.

But I seem hesitant for some odd reason. Anyone hesitant before they started OC? I am assuming it is one of those 'Just do it' cases.

I don't even care any more. I feel like I am doing something wrong when I CCW, eventhough I have a permit. It feel like I am doing something when I am CCWing although I am within the law.

OC..., take it for a breather boys :lol2:

Start small. OC in the house, then the yard, then the local store etc

TJ

 

[NotSoSimple]

Start small. OC in the house, then the yard, then the local store etc

Yup been OCing in the house yesterday and today. Im carrying as we speak. It helps the wife too, as she was uneasy but she starts seeing that it is not impeding with everyday life and it's not so bad.

Couple more days around the house and then I will venture out.

 

[Tarzan1888]

Start small. OC in the house, then the yard, then the local store etc

Yup been OCing in the house yesterday and today. Im carrying as we speak. It helps the wife too, as she was uneasy but she starts seeing that it is not impeding with everyday life and it's not so bad.

Couple more days around the house and then I will venture out.

My wife is actually glad that I don't worry so much about keeping my gun hidden when we are out. She thinks that others seeing my gun will make the bad guys go some where else.

Tarzan

 

[xmirage2kx]

 

[NotSoSimple]

:ROFL: That is pretty awesome. Hard to read but I could make it out mostly. Wife works tonight so I am trying to come up with an excuse to go somewhere and look at something.

I was thinking..Do we have a list of places that are known to not carry at? Only place I have noticed is Federal Buildings and South Towne Mall.

 

[tapehoser]

:ROFL:

 

[UTOC-45-44]

Start small. OC in the house, then the yard, then the local store etc

Yup been OCing in the house yesterday and today. Im carrying as we speak. It helps the wife too, as she was uneasy but she starts seeing that it is not impeding with everyday life and it's not so bad.

Couple more days around the house and then I will venture out.

My wife is actually glad that I don't worry so much about keeping my gun hidden when we are out. She thinks that others seeing my gun will make the bad guys do some where else.

Tarzan

Yeah, in the beginning my wife was a little bit hesitant to me OCing because she didn't want attention for the PD's. After my "encounters" with the different PD's even when she has been around she feels better.

Tarzan...my wife now agrees with your wife. Are they twins or are we just lucky :crown: .

TJ

 

[NotSoSimple]

Well I fulfilled the tradition of going to Wal Mart. The greeter didnt even notice, neither did the lady who I helped get something off the shelf. Did some browsing, looked at a bunch of stuff I knew I didnt want and left without incident.

Headed to Albertsons and scoped out the place for a sign; no sign so we are good to go. Again no problems. No one even noticed! I was sure to pick a lane that was busy, still nothing. I was kind of shocked, but nice really.

I did find myself not knowing what to do with my right hand. I did not want to cover my firearm, but any way else I carried it made it uncomfortable.

 

[ranger45]

With all the diccussion on OC, I still have a question and maybe a concern. Why? What is the point of OC if you have a CC permit? It seems to me that OC will bring on more criticism and give the gun control crowd more leverage, or at least more to talk about. It also seems that if the gun is conceled you are much less likely to have some bad guy snatch your gun, etc