Ok, I know all the downsides to open carry, this isn't a post about that.

I invited a group of guys I know from a "hunting club", (basically, we all hunt fish the property of a good friend), to celebrate the first day of open carry by all of us visiting a restaurant with our favorite 1911's or whatnot, on our hips.

Mind you, this is just a celebration dinner for the passage of the law. A respectful, legal, gathering of a few old dudes with some nice guns hanging on our hips going to grab some Mexican food. These are all 45-75 year old professionals, Dr's Engineers etc. Not tattoo'd up punks and ganster lookin' 20 year old in baggy pants and hoodies. Basically, we are a pretty harmless looking group.

You would have thought I suggested slaughtering a baby on the front steps of the local Baptist church. The replies I got were all "Oh, I'll stay behind so I can post bail!" and "Let's not offend anyone, it's not good for the cause." or simply, "No thanks, I'm out!"

So, am I all that off base, or are these guys just all talk and no walk?

You well find a lot of friends here.

http://forum.opencarry.org/for...isplay.php?127-Texas

A lot of people are just afraid.

Personally, I think this group of guys are just pussies.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Personally, I think this group of guys are just pussies.

That very well could be true I guess you well have to show them the way.

Not to point out the obvious, but unless they have a Tx CCL, they are not allowed to OC. Maybe they all do, maybe not.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Personally, I think this group of guys are just pussies.

I wasn't going to say it about your friends.

When I read the title my first thought was about the "open carry" permit. Well, at least if you come to Virginia you can open carry still.

Your Governor announced that Virginia will no longer recognize 25 other CHL states licenses. No more reciprocity between Virginia and the rest of the CHL states. I can assume that also applies to open carry?

No permit for open carry in Virginia and a lot of other states.

Jeez, that makes perfect sense. Licensed carriers from other states can't carry concealed, but open carry is cool? I guess I shouldn't complain. It's a nice freedom to have.

You may want to look into a possible "loop hole" that became an issue in Wisconsin where I live.

We have had open carry for as long as I can remember but a few years ago I started seeing news stories of People practicing open carry being charged with disorderly conduct. Most of these cases were thrown out of court and it was mostly liberal city neighborhoods that these incidents were occurring.

It became enough of a problem that Wisconsin had to add language to the disorderly conduct law to protect citizens who were open/concealed carrying. just a thought

You know, I think that is the exact reason one of these guys cited. Didn't want to get a liberals panties in a wad over seeing someone with a gun. There will be loads of guys doing it on Jan 1 to prove a point or looking for a confrontation. It is bad press for open carry, so I guess I am starting to see their point a little clearer.

His argument has merit if you want to pander to the libs sensitivities. I don't wish to cause a commotion, I'm not looking for confrontation, not trying to prove something, I just wanted to get some like minded 2A supporting guys together for dinner to celebrate a new freedom. He's right, I'm right. We all have valid views and points.

It will be an interesting transformation for Texas. Sure to come with some growing pains until the public gets used to it.

How many do you think will open carry at DSC?

Hopefully nobody! It's a "gun free zone" you know, to keep us safe.

Yes our Democrats owed Bloomberg a favor. Open carry is legal without a permit. Two more years of this crap. Our Governor put Bill in the White House now plans on being Hillary's VP.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Personally, I think this group of guys are just pussies.

that's just rude...... big bully............................................................................................

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Hopefully nobody! It's a "gun free zone" you know, to keep us safe.

oh you mean a "target rich environment" for jihadis.............................................

I guess I fall in the pussy category, because I won't be open carrying in public.....EVER.

Some people well just gladly ride in the back of the bus.

Or sit at the other lunch counter.

No permit required to open carry in Louisiana.

I have a question for you fellas, a sincere one!

I am not judging a person who open carry's in any way....I just would like to know why you do it.

I am a retired cop (Swat) from The Communist State of New York so the whole concept of open carry is foreign to me...kinda like an Old Western Movies

Is the reason that you open carry more an act of defiance to the Anti's or do you feel that it gives you a tactical advantage....or do you have another reason?

AGAIN, I am NOT judging anyone who open carry's, but in my opinion you are giving up a HUGE tactical advantage...the element of surprise. I don't want anyone knowing that I am armed until I am putting rounds in him. Another reason would be that you are advertising to your opponent that YOU are their greatest threat so you are going to get it first.

Again I am NOT JUDGING ANYONE or even saying that open carry isn't a good idea...I am just asking why you do it.

I also have in mind that I live in a City of 9 Million people/liberals and I assume that most of you live in a rural area where you may know most of the people you come into contact with as you go about your day.

Thanks Fellas!

I won't open carry. There is no advantage to it that I can see. I just wanted to do a one time open carry to dinner in celebration of the law.

Maybe there is an odd occasion where open carry would be an advantage? But I can't think of one off the top of my head unless it is some situation where there is already trouble and you can't avoid it. Even then, it's a tough call to advertise that you have a gun. Kind of like swinging your jacket open to let trouble know that it's a bad idea to mess with you.

Even then, that is a fine line to walk. You have just committed yourself to something and you better be prepared to follow through.

It's a personal choice. 90%+ I conceal. Sometimes open is just easier. 11PM trip to 7-11, for example.

Wisconsin as far as I know has always been an open carry state..no permit required going back to the 1800's.

However you will rarely see anyone actually open carrying in public...you may occasionally see it with store owners or something along those lines but very rarely walking down the street. In the last year I would say I've seen maybe 3 or 4 people doing it.

The way I view open carry is it's a nice companion law to concealed carry..by that I mean they kind of, in a way, cover each other so you're not running into a grey area with the law. If that makes sense.

Maybe some Leo's can correct me if I'm ignorant of the law but if your concealed carry becomes a little too lax...you can say, well I was open carrying

Exactly.

"Because I can." May not be the best answer, but it's the one I'm sticking with for New Year's Day! After that I'd rather not draw attention to myself from LE or criminals or libs who get uptight at seeing these "tools of death and destruction".

I have no desire to cause drama, so you won't see me open carry much if ever.

It's windy today in TX. Walking into gas station wind blew my best open and for a second, I flashed a family of four. We do have a law that protects us from accidentally printing or flashing though, it it is unintentional.

I love that response.. "Because I can!"

A nice F**K YOU to the Lib's...I love it!

You Texans are the best!

Thanks Leopardtrack!

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:


Thanks Leopardtrack!

I need to move to Texas...

quote:

Originally posted by Leopardtrack:
I have a question for you fellas, a sincere one!


Is the reason that you open carry more an act of defiance to the Anti's or do you feel that it gives you a tactical advantage....or do you have another reason?

AGAIN, I am NOT judging anyone who open carry's, but in my opinion you are giving up a HUGE tactical advantage...the element of surprise. I don't want anyone knowing that I am armed until I am putting rounds in him. Another reason would be that you are advertising to your opponent that YOU are their greatest threat so you are going to get it first.

Thanks Fellas!

In the bigger picture I think open carry trades a moderate tactical advantage for a much stronger strategic advantage. Otherwise wouldn't all cops be in plain clothes and unmarked cars? The obvious presence of armed force should be a better deterrent than "maybe someone has a gun". At least in the context of bad guys roaming around for the next opportunity. If Wendell's buddies had agreed, that would have been the safest restaurant in town that night.

Remember, the restaurant owner doesn't have to allow firearms in his private establishment. Putting off customers is a good way to get the owner to prohibit firearms. I would much rather see him allow firearms because people are keeping them concealed and no customers raise concerns. Open carry is appropriate sometimes and inappropriate at others. That's why everyone should try to get a permit to carry concealed.

Two good replies. Both have merit. As for not putting off the restaurant owner, I suspect someone somewhere down the line will do it (cause the restaurant owner to ban carry). Seems inevitable. Some dumb ass ignorant chest thumper will want attention and stroll in there with a 50 cal strapped to his chest like he's God.

Maybe having a few respectful, approachable, harmless looking gentlemen carrying might soften him up to the idea? Some establishments are going to ban them, no questions asked. Some are open to it, some on the line. Maybe the guys on the line could be swayed, if a few guys dressed appropriately, were approachable enough to have a conversation with him it could create a positive impression. Not someone dressed like a thug, gangster or backwoods redneck hick with his sleeveless shirt and hairy arms with his chest puffed up.

Like hunters in the media, we are the voice of open carry. Doing so in a respectful manner creates an impression. You can create a negative one, or a positive one. Be responsible and be a good steward of the law.

Just FYI, we must have a concealed handgun license (CHL) to carry openly. It's not a permit-less open carry law!

When our licenses are renewed they will be called LTC, license to carry.

My only concern at the moment is if my new Kimber I got for Christmas will arrive in time!

Yes, I do have the best wife in the world.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Just FYI, we must have a concealed handgun license (CHL) to carry openly. It's not a permit-less open carry law!

I understand that. My comment was made without special regard for Texas. There are similar issues in other states and some state allow open carry without any sort of permit.

Actually that was just a PSA for anyone in Texas, it wasn't directed to anyone in particular.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Not someone dressed like a thug, gangster or backwoods redneck hick with his sleeveless shirt and hairy arms with his chest puffed up.

As a backwoods redneck hick, I take a little offense to the above statement, and this is the same stereotyping that that liberals use.

Appearances can be deceiving, and the biggest a-holes at my range are the guys "dressed appropriately". The redneck hicks are the most cooperative and helpful. Just saying'....

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Sullivan:

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Not someone dressed like a thug, gangster or backwoods redneck hick with his sleeveless shirt and hairy arms with his chest puffed up.

As a backwoods redneck hick, I take a little offense to the above statement, and this is the same stereotyping that that liberals use.

Appearances can be deceiving, and the biggest a-holes at my range are the guys "dressed appropriately". The redneck hicks are the most cooperative and helpful. Just saying'....

That's Funny LOL!!

I am white trash from New York myself...

quote:

Remember, the restaurant owner doesn't have to allow firearms in his private establishment. Putting off customers is a good way to get the owner to prohibit firearms. I would much rather see him allow firearms because people are keeping them concealed and no customers raise concerns. Open carry is appropriate sometimes and inappropriate at others. That's why everyone should try to get a permit to carry concealed.

Well normally the opposite happens they lose more business then they gain. One sees it over and over.

When they get publicity that they are anti gun they lose customer base.

Businesses gain customer base when the are only pro gun.

Don't fall into the trap set by the old media and anti gun types.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Hopefully nobody! It's a "gun free zone" you know, to keep us safe.

I will be happy if we ever get rid of GFZs!!!

Walking out to the remote parking at DSC is exactly the place where one needs a gun.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Exactly.

+1!

I always conceal carry pretty much for the reasons LT states. But with the old law in TX...if you did not completely conceal...you could get in trouble. This law protects us from that!