Concealed gun carry or open carry..? Which way is better..? (illegal, weapon)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I prefer not to attract attention with a weapon, so I would vote concealed. I do realize open can be a deterrent, but it can also attract, I feel the attract is worse than the deterrent.
IMHO openly carrying a handgun in an area where that is very unusual such as an Eastern city is a way of asking for a fight. In many Western cities it is not unusual to see a person with a gun in the open so is not considered a challenge. Open carry also leads to a quicker response to a threat because the carrier does not have to get the concealing cloths out of the way.
Concealed carry is preferable where people are not used to seeing guns in the open. It also keeps any potential mugger uncertain about their status. Getting your gun into action is a bit slower but not all that slow if you practice.
Practice is the principal advantage a law abiding civilian has over many criminals. Criminals with their illegal firearms cannot just go to a civilian range and learn how to use their guns. They tend to emulate the TV thugs and fantasy villains. Those guys never use a gun in a proper and effective manner because the script writers are on their side.
I prefer concealed and I am mostly armed when in town. However when I'm out in the local countryside, I carry openly. bigger gun, faster access, more comfort.
In town, even though it's still a small frontier town, I don't like the attention open carry brings me and I know that it makes some individuals feel uncomfortable, rightly or wrongly. I don't think it's my obligation to re-educate people on their beliefs and phobias. Besides if there was a desperate robber or killer who enters your space with evil intent the first thing he's gonna do is shoot the guy with the sidearm before proceeding with his intent. Best to keep the equalizer hidden until necessary.IMHO. I carry a weapon because statisticly, I'm the most likely to be a victim. I'm old, too old to fight and too proud to run and the young meth heads think old people have all the money and are easy targets.
I always carry openly in the countryside because I live in an area of vast stretches of open land, dotted with many canyons, deep washes and uninhabited mountains. I carry a 45 auto. I've had a momma bear back me down mingus mountain to protect her two cubs which I stumbled on. I've had a mountain lion stalk me from an overhead ledge for how long, I don't know. When I noticed it a warning shot was sufficient to send it running. I've encountered many rattlesnakes but never shot them, just walked around. If one bit me I would kill it for sure, as I would most likely die from the bite with my heart history. I shot a mule deer as a mercy killing that had been obviously hit by a vehicle as it was dragging it's hind legs and crawling along in severe pain. Left it for the coyotes. Anyone who doesn't carry a large caliber gun with them in the Arizona high desert when away from civilization is a fool in my opinion.
We have a lot of home break ins in Arizona. They target old people and kick in your front door and take everything you have. Rarely do they get caught by the police. Many get shot by armed homeowners. If you live through the experience you are lucky. I keep an SBS(short barrelled shotgun) automatic with 15 round mag handy for just such a party. I have a HKMP5 with a registered seer pac for back up and fun shooting.
I think all Americans should carry guns, just like the Hollywood version of the West. It would be great to see people, even young kids wearing holsters with loaded guns. This is what makes America the greatest country ever.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
