Delaware Concealed Carry Forum

CCW Methods & Issues => General CCW Discussion => Topic started by: GunEnvy on April 12, 2011, 10:21:21 PM

Title: Ever open carry?
Post by: GunEnvy on April 12, 2011, 10:21:21 PM
Recently Ive been thinking about OCing once in awhile and was wondering if anybody else here has or does. Open carry is something that has never appealed to me solely because I didnt want to deal with the looks. (Not knocking oc, just wasnt for me). But lately Ive been thinking that it seems like it would be a very freeing expierence.....yeh its a effing gun, look all you want. Maybe its the inner therapist in me or just the effects of ling cold winter. Just wanted to get other peoples thoughts on it.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: John on April 12, 2011, 10:41:50 PM
I have never seen anyone OC in Delaware.  I would imagine every step you took a 911 call would be going in.  Probably more hassel then it's worth.  I do hope some OC guys reply to this thread, would love to hear about their experience's.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: Lumspond on April 12, 2011, 10:43:41 PM
Never done it myself. There is a Delaware open carry forum as well.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: colt0208 on April 12, 2011, 10:54:45 PM
Thought about trying it, but can't shake the self conscious "Target" feeling I will have.... the way I see it is if anything should go down, the bad guy will see me as the biggest threat if he knows I have a gun on me....... I think I will stick to concealed personally...... to each his own though...
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: Hawkeye on April 12, 2011, 10:57:25 PM
I O/C often.  You get a few stares and every now and then you get into a good conversation because of it. I have never had a bad experience but there are those who have.  I have been asked more than once if I am a police officer.  If any of you are in the Milford area I'll be willing to go with you on your first O/C if you want some support.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: muleman88 on April 12, 2011, 10:59:40 PM
I never see anyone oc either. I can imagine the looks you would get. Maybe the public needs to see more of it, that way they would get used to it and not call 911 . I seen the oc forum http://www.deloc.org/ they seem to oc fairly often.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: oldgraygeek on April 12, 2011, 11:16:38 PM
I've never actually carried openly... although, now that I've lost more than 100 pounds, my "hidden in plain sight" Safepacker (http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinnacle/index.php?p=product&id=1356&parent=145) holster has become much more conspicuous. (Anybody need a well-worn black carry belt in a size 46)?

When I see people carry openly, I make the following assumptions:
--They are obviously not "persons prohibited:" if they were, their guns would be hidden.
--They are obviously not about to commit a crime: if they were, their guns would be hidden.
--They are obviously not going to let hoplophobes restrict their fashion choices: if they were, their guns would be hidden.

More power to them.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: Condition 1 on April 12, 2011, 11:22:08 PM
I have OCed a couple of times. Today my OC is limited to gunstore, gun show, firearm related event...if there are no policies against OC.

The two main reasons I prefer CC are:
- I believe in the tactical advantage of the element of surprise
- I don't like the attention when OCing
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: GunEnvy on April 12, 2011, 11:23:00 PM
if you want some support.
Lol if the guy with the gun needs any support ;D......Im sorry Hawkeye I do completely understand what you mean but I got a chuckle out of it. Thanks for the offer and I may just take you up on it. Is there anything you do differently when you oc or do you simply just not conceal it? Ive seen the oc forum and have spoken to a couple people that do oc but Ive always felt that some, and I do mean some, OCers seem to OC because they can and seem like they almost want to rub that fact in peoples face. Hoping to get some feelings from people that prefer to cc but do oc.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: Hawkeye on April 12, 2011, 11:29:35 PM
[Is there anything you do differently when you oc or do you simply just not conceal it?

Just make sure that it is clearly out in the open, I would not O/C with an IWB. Check the O/C forum for their advice on what to do if you run into one of the local LEO's that are not to keen on citizens open carrying firearms.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: Hawkeye on April 13, 2011, 12:00:57 AM
Thought about trying it, but can't shake the self conscious "Target" feeling I will have.... the way I see it is if anything should go down, the bad guy will see me as the biggest threat if he knows I have a gun on me....... I think I will stick to concealed personally...... to each his own though...
I can only think of one recent case where a man O/C'ing was targeted because he was O/C'ing. He had his firearm stolen.  There is plenty of evidence that shows that when the bad guy sees a citizen with a firearm, he will go look for easier prey.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: colt0208 on April 13, 2011, 12:42:22 AM
..[/quote]
I can only think of one recent case where a man O/C'ing was targeted because he was O/C'ing. He had his firearm stolen.  There is plenty of evidence that shows that when the bad guy sees a citizen with a firearm, he will go look for easier prey.
[/quote]

Only takes one time to end up dead.....like I say, some people are totally comfortable with it, but not me personally......the less attention I draw, the better off I am (and feel  ;D)
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: Hawkeye on April 13, 2011, 12:52:32 PM
like I say, some people are totally comfortable with it, but not me personally......the less attention I draw, the better off I am (and feel  ;D)

Agreed. I do not judge people for their preference, CCW or O/C, as I do both.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: Schmenge on April 13, 2011, 01:39:39 PM
I've only witnessed open carry in Delaware once, and that was several years ago. I read the OC forum often and enjoy their posts concerning open carry and "Encounters of Note". I'm in favor of the right to open carry but prefer to cc myself. I would open carry only under certain circumstances, i.e. if there were some kind of break down in the rule of law or if a "show of force" was necessary for whatever reason. My biggest concern is that open carry will somehow cause so much consternation among the general public that people will demand that it be banned. In a place like DE with the governor we have I could see that happening.

If my CCDW renewal doesn't come through in time, I may be forced to open carry!
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: Thlax on April 14, 2011, 05:37:55 AM
I've only witnessed open carry in Delaware once, and that was several years ago. I read the OC forum often and enjoy their posts concerning open carry and "Encounters of Note". I'm in favor of the right to open carry but prefer to cc myself. I would open carry only under certain circumstances, i.e. if there were some kind of break down in the rule of law or if a "show of force" was necessary for whatever reason. My biggest concern is that open carry will somehow cause so much consternation among the general public that people will demand that it be banned. In a place like DE with the governor we have I could see that happening.

If my CCDW renewal doesn't come through in time, I may be forced to open carry!

I'm pretty sure your reciept from when you renewed covers you during the time that your renewal is late.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: Lumspond on April 15, 2011, 12:40:14 AM
OldGreyThinGeek,
Congrats on the 100 pounds.
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: oldgraygeek on April 15, 2011, 01:19:56 AM
OldGreyThinGeek,
Congrats on the 100 pounds.
Thanks, neighbor (we live near Lums Pond).
It's 119 pounds as of today. My sincere thanks to whoever invented the gastric band!
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: Moosie on April 15, 2011, 12:31:21 PM
actually, the inventors of the lap band are two doctors who live maybe 20 miles at most from you.  They live near Earleville, MD on the water.  REally nice folks.  I grew up riding horses with their daughter.

Moosie
Title: Re: Ever open carry?
Post by: oldgraygeek on April 16, 2011, 12:34:12 AM
actually, the inventors of the lap band are two doctors who live maybe 20 miles at most from you.  They live near Earleville, MD on the water.  REally nice folks.  I grew up riding horses with their daughter.

Moosie
Please thank them for me.