Open Carry Poll- Will/Would you open carry?

I'm curious how many would actually open carry vs. who would keep it concealed while out in public. Please only vote if you are a CHL holder. Please expand on why you would or would not open carry. I open carry when at the deer lease, of course, but I'm speaking for when out in public around town.

When it takes effects, I predict a new thread with pics of these people and their Tackleberry rigs

lol who is this guy 6000 plus post and this is the first time ive seen them here?

place is a lot bigger than OT

I want to carry 2 six shooters and start dressing like Paladin.

LOL!

i probably will just for the record...in the pasture

Maybe if I ever go high fence hunting.

I imagine a few dealers at the coin shows / gun shows / ect will open carry though, and I am fine with that.

I would prefer not to, but would like to be able to if the need ever raised.

Why advertise ? Someone sneak up from behind and kill ya for it

The only aspect I like about this is that I won't feel as conspicuous when I carry my larger frame 9mm. Other than that, I have no reason or desire to display a handgun on my side..

Like most of these things where people predict doom and gloom if it passes, it won't be a big deal in the end.

If I feel the need to carry, you can bet I won't be carrying a pistol, I will grab my M14. It is hard to conceal an M14.

cant wait to hear about the open carry folks getting robbed of their firearms.

I don't believe that has really occurred where open carry is permissible.

Right, cause it happens so often in the other 44 states that have open carry

Why advertise? Keep mine concealed...easier to surprise bad people that way...

Really stupid

Why would anybody want to lose the element of surprise ?.

It never seemed to hurt Paladin.

Think about it like this. Walking down a street, bad guy sees 5 guns, or in a store and sees that many, he might just turn around and not try it.

Its just nice to not worry about becoming exposed. I will not open carry expect on my own land or around the house. It will just to nice to have the option.

I won't Open Carry my pistol but i will have less concerns about printing or accidently showing it from under concealment. Open Carry will get yourself attention and i am a fairly shy person...

Or guys with guns out in open get shot first if something goes down. If i was a thug thats what i'd think, get rid of the one that has a weapon in sight.

it will have the same qualifications as concealed carry so the guy this pushed this deal will still be a no-go.

Good poll.
It is interesting to see how many will not open carry, more than I thought.
I have talked to some that swear they will open carry. Although I respect their right to, they just have an odd attitude about them, kind of "I am a bad a__" attitude. Maybe I need to meet some some different people.

very dumb hillbilly idea, but doesnt matter to me, just exposes the carry guys.

really?????? naive.....

Most people are arguing the wrong point imo. I wouldn't want to open carry and see some valid points to those against it. To me the point is we should be allowed to carry how we choose. To each his own and keep .gov out of it.

Why do Police Officers wear uniforms?

I'd conceal most of the time but the option is nice.

id agree if you change that to anyone who can legally carry.

108 in July. nuff said.

That's already in effect actually in conceal carry.

I think if your legal to own a gun, you should be able to carry any way you please. WITHOUT registration or restrictions.

yep.

In Alabama you can open carry. I only saw 2 ppl doing it

My point exactly. What everyone argues is why they would or wouldn't.

I won't tip my hand. I conceal.

I have open carried in public. It is no big deal at all.

I will.

Just imagine dressing up Pancho Villa style with a big sombrero, crossed bandoliers, and go to Walmart.

Will this open carry require a permit or license?

I have seen a lot worse!

Still need a chl

The bills with a chance at passing require a CHL.

New Mexico is a open carry state for their residents but I dont know how that works for non residents.I know when we were rv'ing there for months at a time I didn't see anybody open carry,not even at the gun show.
AZ also has open carry but for the life of me I cant remember seeing anybody there carrying either.O,I did see a few bikers traveling that had firearms but nobody walking around with them hanging off their sides.

Lived in AZ for a bit. Seen people open carrying not many but it wasn't a big deal. I was surprised many state's are ahead of Texas on gun laws.

hillbilly deluxe......

What is the personal need to open carry? Carry but don't show it....

Compensation. That said, there are several senerios where open carry apply.

Personal choice. Point is we don't need .gov to make it for us. Next thing you know they'll be trying to force you into healthcare.

it was all started by a guy who cant conceal carry, who thought he would be able to open carry if the law was passed.....just my opinion.

Comfort, easily accessible. A possible deterrent.

It's personal... That means it's nobody's business to make someone else's personal choice.

But I'm happy to share my personal reasons. IWB carry in July sucks. I can wear an outside holster, which my shirt will pretty much conceal. I'll still print, I may show if I reach for a high shelf... But open carry means I don't have to worry about it.

People who spend a lot of time hiking, camping or fishing in areas where they might encounter wackos or wild animals but otherwise don't have a need for a CHL. I doubt we will see a lot of people walking around suburbia with Glocks on their hip after the fad wears off, but I can see a need if I'm out hiking or bank fishing.

Please provide one (1) example where this has happened in the 44 states that currently allow open carry to support your opinion... Or look up the definition of naive and apply it to the correct individual here.


Anxiously awaiting...

do your own research......I dont have time for fools......google may help you, check out Grisham Oregon.

I already have. That's why I'm 100% confident you will fail to find any facts that support your opinion. My opinion, however, has 44 states with open carry history to support it.

Do you need me to look up the definition of fool for you?

In cooler weather it will be nice to throw on an OWB paddle holster, a light jacket/fleece and not have to worry about covering my pistol with my shirt. I'll still be semi-concealed, but won't have to worry about my jacket being zipped at the bottom all the time.

My intention is make use of Open Carry to wear a sidearm when hunting on public land or any other places where I might be alone and remote with the wife and family. I'll continue to carry concealed in more public and populated areas.

The law will also remove the fear of "printing" when carrying concealed, correct?

Grisham Oregon......google is your friend.

This is why it matters. #freedome.

So the guy in another post that was nekid, he had an open carry permit ?

Plausible deniability. Facts get in the way of this.

I answered his question twice, oregon is an open carry state and there is a documented case of an open carry guy getting robbed of his handgun.

crickets.......

That was the answer I received a few years ago when I asked one of my former hunters why he carried a six-shooter on his hip when he filled the corn feeders. All said with a beer in hand.

Welcome to Tombstone.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oregon-man-openly-carrying-new-gun-robbed-by-man-with-gun/

GRESHAM, Ore. - A 21-year-old Oregon man was proud enough of his brand new Walther P22 handgun that he was carrying it in the open during the wee hours of Saturday morning after purchasing it earlier in the day.

Police say another young man in grey sweatpants, a white t-shirt and flip-flops then approached and asked for a cigarette, according to CBS affiliate KOIN in Portland.

William Coleman was then told by the man in flip-flops: "I like your gun. Give it to me."

It looks like most folks will still conceal carry, I could care less either way.

I think most folks share your opinion......opinions may vary among soccer moms and Liberals.

[quo te=IHateFeralPigs]I won't Open Carry my pistol but i will have less concerns about printing or accidently showing it from under concealment. Open Carry will get yourself attention and i am a fairly shy person... [/quote]
We have open carry and it is nice not to have to worry if you accidentally show or print. I haven't seen anyone carry open since the law changed.

I guess I dont get my apology.....CDoan???????

Awesome! Let us have rational debate. Of course I know about William Coleman III of Gresham, OR. (not Grisham... I think that's an author)

I read plenty of different news sites, including quite a few gun sites, and will admit I'm quite biased. I definitely favor more individual liberties for American citizens, including gun rights. Even if I was a liberal gun hater, I'd recognize this story, as it was a beating drum for all the liberal gun haters, and splashed across every news outlet across America. Being the one incident that proves open carry is BAAAaaAaaaaaad. (That was a sheep reference... But I digress.)

Being the typical Asian I am, I researched... I have to admit, I originally read this when it happened, as it was on thetruthaboutguns.com... Which is admittedly biased in favor of firearms rights! But I recognize they are biased, and fact check them, as much as I do liberal sites. Anyhow, what I found was this:

Mr. William Coleman III purchased a new pistol, and strapped it to his hip. Then he went on a walkabout in the neighborhood, with his cousin. While kicking it on the street, near 172nd and Glisan, a tall fellow came up, and asked for a cigarette. Mr. Coleman gave him one. The tall fellow then commented on the gun on Mr. Coleman's hip, pulled his own firearm, and demanded Mr. Coleman's firearm. Tall fellow then fled.

So, you, liberal rags, gun haters, open carry haters, and those whose opinions differ from mine point to this incident and say, SEE! Just like I said. I told you that if people open carried, then the criminals will just target them and steal their guns. If this guy had not been open carrying, then he would never have been robbed. BLOOD IN THE STREETS.

As for me, I simply see it differently. This man was targeted for robbery, not because he was open carrying, but because he was standing with his cousin near the corner of 172nd and Glisan in Gresham, OR at 2:00AM. If you care to check, that city has an extremely high crime rate, including roughly 2 1/2 times more ROBBERIES than the U.S. average. They also like to rape, burglarize homes, steal cars, etc. more than the average bear. You can see, here:

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/or/gresham/crime/

I believe it to be inaccurate to say open carry led to Mr. Coleman being robbed, and would instead say that being out on the street in a bad neighborhood of Portland at 2:00am led to him being robbed.

Another thing... Mr. Coleman's open carry piece wasn't even loaded. The county that he was in doesn't allow an open carry handgun to be loaded. You can't even have a loaded mag in your pocket without a CHL in that county. So, don't open carry if you can't have it loaded. Makes carrying a weapon pointless.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/10...d-required-law/

There is also that one Milwaukee incident... Which we can discuss if we like. Those are the only 2 I know of, and I was prepared to discuss either one. If there is another you know about, I'd be happy to discuss it with you as well... Although I understand nothing I say will change your opinion, I still felt like writing it. So thank you for the opportunity!


44 states enacting open carry over a period of how many years? I'm confident things ain't gonna get bloody here.

Yes. I apologize for disappearing. I was forced to eat pigs in a blanket with nachos while watching House of Cards. Then I got chastised for taking so long to write that last reply. Now I have to finish watching this next episode. But I miss you. We should hold hands.

hahahahaha.....ok sparky......whatever you say......hahahaha......really thats all you have???????

Well, you kind of came off as the all-knowing, never wrong Concho that we know and love and called him a fool right off the bat when a simple, "here is a case where it happened, please feel free to read this link," but I guess it's easier to call someone a fool and then expect an apology from your thrown in Concho Castle.

what does Asian have to do with the discussion......

I haven't read the previous posts, but I won't be carrying "open". However, I support the bill because I worry about being busted by an LEO because they can see my weapon, somehow, in my vehicle. I think LEOS on here have said that they will walk around a vehicle from all angles to see if they can spot a handgun.

Duck, my confrontation with CDoan goes back a while......my apologizes if you were offended.

Yes. Other than those 2 incidents that come up over pages and pages of Google, I've found many more incidents of people being robbed of their conceal carry. Some might say that means open carrying DECREASES the chance of being robbed, I won't. I'll just say that standing on the street in a high crime area known for armed robberies at 2am with an unloaded gun on your hip increases your chance of being robbed.

I dont know about all that, if you are a law abiding person, by all means exercise your rights.

It wouldn't matter what I said... Concho will call me names, and I will destroy his worthless arguments. It's love hate. He hates me, but I love him.

I'm a racist troll.

No need to apologize to me.

I would have agreed with you on that issue, but that isnt what you stated earlier.....make up your mind do you want to talk about concealed or open carry? There are people out there who are going to be robbed of their guns just like some get their wallets taken.

I share this thought process.

If it does become legal, I will not purposely open carry just like I will not openly carry a dead deer across my hood going down the highway. If it's accidentally seen, okay, no problem. Antagonizing people with things that might be offensive will not help the cause for your children and grandchildren. It might be legal but there are those with little man syndrome that feel the need to make us all look bad.

if you have to open carry to be a real man????? who has the little man syndrome?

A visual display will only be a deterrent to some folks. Most bad guys now have nothing to lose a no regard for consequences. But being free of accidental display will enable the good guys to be prepared.

Which do you consider antagonizing, the deer or open carry part? Or both?

I thought accidental display and or printing was already not a violation. Wasn't that cleared up a year or two ago with an amendment?

Because we look sexy in them

So much for 100% confidence. You always have an excuse when you get called out. You and I have been around and around before, and you were wrong then

I already said that, yet no one wants to acknowledge that. Good luck with them acknowledging you, lol.

I'll acknowledge that I've noticed that phenomenon, too. Make a point of fact and everyone keeps arguing something that is false or not part of the issue.

Reading and understanding isn't a strong suit in the OT

+1

I figured a large majority would say no. After reading all the comments, I still see no reason why anyone should openly carry. It honestly makes no sense to me.

When we were checking into a hotel late one night in NM on our elk hunting trip, several cowboys were checking in at the same time, all carrying their SA 6 shooters. I was not ready to see this in public, and my awareness immediately jumped up. Sure, there are people around us all the time carrying concealed, but it was not something you expect to see when confronted in a dark parking lot or on an elevator by yourself with your hands full of gear.

Yeah, and besides those types about all I can envision are some of these bubbas you see in the "people of Wal-Mart" pictures floating around, except with their "hog leg" or High Point strapped on. And as soon as the law passes they will be strolling Wal-Mart wearing their heat just to act tough show that they can.

And to add to that: After the law passes you will see more 30/06 signs than ever before. And yeah I know your reply, "they won't get my business". Their business won't suffer.

I'll open carry. Maybe I'll get shot for it, maybe not. Maybe I'll get robbed for my pistola, maybe not. Maybe I'll die in a car accident on the way to get my new open carry holster, maybe not. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow, maybe not. Maybe at the end of the day I might care what anyone thinks about my choice, probably not. Opinions are like butt holes, everyone's got one and they all stink, except mine. It smells like roses.

Maybe at the end of the day I might care what anyone thinks about my choice, probably not.

That's why you made a point to post your opinion after a two month absence.

Blah blah blah. Boring

If you didn't care, you wouldn't waste your time.

So don't carry a wallet???

+1

I'll keep it hidden and have the element of suprise. Plus I think I would feel dumb every one staring at you like you just walked out of the bathroom with toilet paper hanging out your pants.

I work out of state about four days a week. Don't see it regular, but I do see folks doing it. Never have seen it cause a problem. Me myself probably wouldn't do it... too many naysayers and unwanted attention. Although I personally feel it's a shame that so many pro 2nd amendment people are divided by something that is already constitutionally legal right to do as an American. Either way thanks to all you veterans that have sacrificed for us to do so.

Great post, MR5.

The duality of man is always entertaining on the forum. Reminds me of postings about our national duty of strict, non-negotiable support for the 2nd amendment while trying to justify ways around 1st amendment in another.

what? no im just saying that criminals will steal your gun same as your wallet, it doesnt have anything to do with open carry.....crooks will be crooks.

Yes will occasionally carry. When out at the lease carrying a pistol open carry and need to run into town for something. Leave it strapped on when legal. Every day open carry no.

I'm gonna get two Wilson Combat 1911s and open carry all the time because I'm awesome and people should know it.

I'm sitting in my Raptor now dreaming of my coolness...

If it passes all you will see is $1000 1911's in snakeskin custom holsters, the ultimate pissing match

Shane

Slightly off topic....

When I was waiting in line to vote in last November's general election, a man two people ahead of me was openly carrying a sidearm. I commented to one of the election volunteers when I signed in that I thought it was illegal to enter a polling place with a gun. The lady replied, "Not if you're the deputy sheriff of Smith County."

I'm in the CIA and carry an open bottle

Yeti should put out a holster.

I've been a LEO for 27 years and on a normal traffic stop I don't walk around a vehicle from all angles to see if I can spot a handgun. If you are a law abiding citizen I support your right to carry any weapon you choose, in any manner you choose. If you are a criminal, not so much.

You open carry guys just need to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and understand that you may become a target yourself. Just keep your eyes open and use common sense.

Nope! I don't want a bad guy to know a thing before I Pull, Holler, and shoot his azz!

Yeah the only advantage I see would be not getting trouble if a gun wasn't concealed in my truck.

Anyone that wants to open carry should be buddies with petiki or whatever his name was. Yall are on the same level

Won't open carry. If I'm carrying, I don't want to advertise and would prefer to keep the element of surprise should anything ever happen. Also guns make many people nervous anyway and why make them more nervous by openly displaying a weapon. Not to mention I think openly carrying opens up the possibility of theft of your weapon and having it used against you or someone else. JMO.

Not much difference in Grayson County and Bagdad

Depends on which part of Grayson County we're talking about.

Yep. If I'm at the bank or a restaurant and a bad guy walks in a sees a gun on my hip, who do you think he's gonna shoot first? That's right, this guy!

dumb

I don't know if it's sad or funny that the law has always been that way, they passed a law clarifying it, and yet Jim Bob taking his break at the feed store is posting on the THF about how "et shore wud be nize if we dinint get en trubel fer accidentelly printenn" by having an OC law.

I am going to dig out my pearl handled 45's with a fancy gunslinger belt with silver conchos, the ones like Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy and the Lone Ranger wore.

Poor Shane!

If things get to the point where I have to carry out in the open, I'll have bigger things to worry about than whether or not it's legal to do.

I'll carry concealed.

So what you're saying is you are a dog groomer at petco in the concrete jungle? I image just waiting to re-take the bar.

I will continue to carry concealed, but I don't mind if it passes.

Don't you even think about messing with me!

Back in 1982 one of my friends told me he and his wife were in the Palace Bar in Prescott when three cowboys came in with their wives all dressed up and wanted to dance the night away.The men were all wearing pistols but as soon as they got to the bar they took them off and handed them to the bartender.One of the women was very pregnant and they came to town so she could have her baby tomorrow so they said.Since my friend was a cowboy from Kansas he got to know them a little bit and a little conversation.They worked on a big cattle ranch and didnt get the chance to come to town much.They danced,drank and when they left later that night they strapped on their pistols and went out the door.

What is your problem?

Or go around dressed as Patton.

People don't realize that Texas is one of the last states to allow open carry. No changes were recorded in crime or "open carry folks getting robbed of their firearms"

What I like about it is it doesn't make it a crime if the weapon is seen.

I'm all set for when it passes.

Don't you know by now!

If you mean this will eliminate concealed carriers having to worry about printing or their gun accidentally showing while carrying concealed, that is false. All it does is allow people with a concealed handgun license to carry completely open, meaning they can have an exposed holster on their hip.

It's been mentioned several times on this very thread that it already is NOT a crime to print or have your concealed weapon accidentally exposed. That was already changed/clarified with a previous law.

Is that a gun you're concealing, or are you just happy to see me?

BOTH!

There is nothing poor about me Coolie the Creeper. Only if I only buy meat at 4.99lb. Then maybe.

I like freedom and having choices! Will I ever open carry...I dont know.

I now know why you're so uptight. Restrictive underwear. Set them free!

This is how I feel too!

If I had land or a house in a place that I needed to open carry I'd sell it pretty fast...

Is there anything illegal about openly carrying a pistol around your own property now? (Land/house)

I think that comes under the Castle Law but if you live in a close neighborhood firing it might be something else.

Now that is what you call a Dalhoustantonio rig. Just need to add a bandolero.

Don't you have a yet sticker on your boat?

That's not my 1/2 of said boat

Lol

Hey yeti holster and grips. Keep the skin cool.

I answered "no", though I might wear one of my larger hunting hand-cannons, going to and coming from hunting trips. Other than that, I choose to look like a sheep.

To each his own. God Bless America.

I just voted no and its 80% no/20% yes.

When it passes....in actuality there will be 97% concealing and 3% open.

Internet tough guys coming out party!

The only time I open carry is when im hunting a predator contest and ive got my DPMS A15 20BULL, and shotgun mounted in my gun racks on my high rack. The guns with a pile of dead animals on my flatbed gets a lot of attention going down the road.

I voted yes, but only because I lived in Arizona when open carry was the only option. I see a booming market for bbq guns!

I will OC.

You are probably right. I have 4 guys that work for me that all talk like they will. They have a CC license now and hardly ever carry. I figured at best they might carry a few times when the laws are first changed. Other than that, I bet I never see them open carry, or very rarely if they do.
But I will be glad they have a right to.

Well said......We have spent a lot of time in az , have see mabey 3 or 4 people open carry.Not a big deal. I have a CHL and would prefer to stay CHL, but I want the option in certain, very seldom situations.

What he said^

^!

The same people that couldn't carry concealed will be the same that can't carry open, it won't help the guy that pushed this issue one bit.

Same with me. CHL for 15+ years and I'll plan to keep it concealed.

I prefer concealed, carried for years and I'm just more comfortable that way. I do open carry at the lease and sometimes at the gun shows. (no mag) But when carrying at the show, it is to display the holster not my "old" Glock.

I heard part of the new law is LEO can no longer ask you if you have CHL.

That's not correct, Red.

The law states that, if you are open carrying, LEO may not stop and ask to see your CHL. In other words, if you're walking down the street, with a legally holstered handgun (once open carry passes), and not breaking any other law...LEO cannot stop you and ask for CHL.

However, if you are stopped for a valid reason (just because you are open carrying a handgun is not a valid reason) you are still required to show the LEO your CHL if asked.

I will open carry a 44 magnum on the day it becomes legal to OC. After that conceal carry[i][/i]

Thanks for the clarification...

I'm going to "open carry" as in having an OWB holster but put a shirt over it. It will be somewhat obvious, and if I reach or stretch it will expose, but I'm not going to go all Texas Ranger and have it out and my shirt tucked in.

Still trying to decide once it passes. I'm leaning toward just keeping it concealed.

Minter66 - I have been carrying that way for most of the last two year (OWB holster at 3 o'clock, with a large untucked Dickies work shirt covering it).

It's how I'll continue to carry once Open Carry passes. Only difference will be that I won't be nearly as concerned about accidentally uncovering my pistol from time-to-time.

Moving from pocket carry 380 to a G23 serpa but it will not be exposed.

I will carry OWB covered with my shirt and not worry about exposing pistol.

I voted yes because I would tend to carry more the way I do when visiting Arizona. That is to say not trying to show it but not worried about it showing.

In Texas, even with protections for accidental showing, I won't carry a full sized pistol OWB nor with an unbuttoned cover garment because I don't want to have to argue with anyone about whether the wind blew my overshirt open or I intentionally opened it to show my gun.

No, I would not open carry, but I feel paranoid some times that my concealed carry may imprint or accidentally be disclosed. Therefore, open carry would make me feel more comfortable & incite me to carry more often, no matter the situation.

FWIW

Open carry just passed the third reading in the Senate, 25-6. The bill is on the way to Gov. Abbott's desk, where he has promised to sign it!

Cause I don't want to.

The bill has to go back to the House first because Huffines amendment was added. Then to the Gov.

I don't think there is much value in blatant open carry - concealed carry to keep from drawing attention seems the best way to go. However, there are exceptions. Open carry does make it kinder if you accidentally expose - but I think folks are missing some of the other advantages. What are those? Well, first - it allows you to carry a larger weapon. Now I know I'm to draw a lot of comments from this, and folks who are going to claim how great a shot they are - but the reality, and there is no way you will every convince me otherwise, is that a pistol will a longer barrel is going to be more stable and more accurate. They just are. With open carry, I can carry my full sized Glock instead of that little concealed model. I've shot thousands of rounds out of each, and the bigger gun is just more accurate - period. Especially if your target isn't in the same elevator with you.

Secondly, open carry isn't for all circumstances - but there are some times it just plain makes sense - or at least, a LOT more convenient. Say you're out on your ranch, lease and you have your big roscoe strapped on. Now you have to run into town to pick up something. Inconvenient taking the gun off and on for the quick trip. Cmon - we've all been there at least once. And I've always not felt good about leaving the weapon in the vehicle when I was shopping. I always felt silly putting on an extra shirt or jacket during a 108 degree summer day when I run into the 7-11 for a pack of smokes.

I can probably think of a few other special one-off circumstances where open-carry makes sense too.

But open-carry does have some serious drawbacks and repercussions. First, you have that stuck to your hip and you're going to draw attention. There will ALWAYS be some custard-head that doesn't like it and will make trouble for you. That might be a call to the police, false accusations, or just plain fear and uneasiness. Futhermore, just like what happened 100 years ago, you are going to have some hot-shot that sees you packing and figures it will be a good opportunity to challenge or harass you in some way. No, I don't think you are going to have folks say "Draw Partner!", but I can see some thugs seeing you with a gun, and rather than be a deterrent - they will see a new gun they want to own. They'll figure a way to ambush you.

Even now, there are plenty of LEO's that don't know the current laws. There are going to be a countable percentage out there after open-carry passes that won't know the new law too! Especially some of the smaller town popo's. They will see you with a open firearm and will stop and hassle you - at best. Maybe some of them will over-react and assume the worst. Not something I personally would want to take the chance on.

Don't think it won't happen - it most definitely will. At first, the sight of armed citizens will put people off. But as it become more common and folks begin to lose their apprehension - there are going to be those "have-nots" that will want to be "haves". I can even see where it will become the new Thug game to "take the gun from the old man" to teach them a lesson and get you a brand new pistol. Don't think being armed will protect you from someone who wants to specifically target you. They can ALWAYS find a way to surprise you and ambush you if they try hard enough.

Read the actual true stories of "gun fighters" of the old west. Most of them confessed it was a real pain to be constantly challenged - and many of them got their reputation simplty because folks were constantly trying to beat them - they never wanted to shoot half the people they did. They became outcasts and recluses because of it - no one wanted them around, even if they were "nice guys" and behaving themselves - because of who and what they attracted. A modern day example would be Zimmerman.

In short, I think OpenCarry is a good thing - but something NOT to be used commonly, only just the rare times where it makes sense. IMHO, anyone who goes around openingly armed all the time is just not being very smart. That's my opinion anyway for what it's worth.

Will a partially concealed pistol be allowed now? One that may be glimpsed
at by the public depending on how the wind blows your shirt or coat?

Current law says a chl is carrying unlawfully if they are carrying under the chl code (not on private property, etc) the licensee "intentionally displays the handgun in plain view of another person in a public place."

So it comes down to intent. Did you choose to carry that way because you wanted the wind to catch your jacket and reveal the gun? If not, you are fine.

However, police officers often make flash judgments based on what they are thinking as they see something. E.g. I had one in another state stop me in a park because I was "carrying a rifle" ... except I wasn't. At the time I didn't even own a rifle and sure wasn't carrying it around a park. But something caught his eye as he drove past at 50mph and he was convinced. He proceeded to search bushes around me and try to get someone in no way connected with me to let him search their car for the rifle he knew was on the scene somewhere. I mention that story because under current law if a police officer drives by and - at the exact moment they form their impression of you - the wind catches your jacket, they may well pop you for unlawful carry even though your intention was to conceal. They'll tell themselves you put the cover garment on after seeing them drive by or something, just as the cop in my story thought I'd stashed a gun in the bushes. It isn't a huge risk but it's a risk I don't want to take.

Depends on the occasion, but yes. Having the option to carry as I choose is a good thing.

Please quit perpetuating myths about OC'ers getting ambushed by bad guys, sniped by bad guys, being first targets, etc. It simply is not true - if it were, the data from the 44 other states that have OC in one form or another would be overwhelming. But it's not, these hypotheticals are exactly that.

Mostly this.....But if the right occasion arises Re; BBQ party with close friends, I'll wear my STI in custom OWB Holster

Do a little research and you will find out it's not just hypothetical. It doesn't happen all the time, but it has happened. But you won't because your tactic is to belittle and shout down those who don't agree with you.

Probably not in the beginning. I do not like attention and the first people to OC will undoubtedly be given a lot of it; by the public, the media and even the police. If a layer of cloth can prevent that nonsense then it's worth it to me.