Concealed carry vs. Open carry

[jackbauer]

Which do you prefer, and why?

[Nate]

There is a thread where this has already been discussed exhaustively if you want to read up on it...

http://www.pafoa.org/forum/concealed...ght=open+carry

[TonyF]

To answer your question ......... both.

It's not a matter of preference, it's a matter of practicality.

I carry concealed most of the time. However, there are other times and other circumstances where open carry is simply more practical.

It gets cold in PA in the winter. When you go to the movies or to dinner you remove your coat. It's so nice to be able to do that without worrying about concealment issues.

I'll address what I feel are the two primary counterpoints to open carry.

First is that you give up a tactical advantage by losing the element of surprise. My experience has been that most people don't even notice. I've had most people only mention it long after we've been in each others company but hardly ever from the outset.

Will criminals notice a gun? Probably more so than civilians cuz they're on lookout for off duty LEO's. However, this aspect requires some context. Think through some of the typical circumstances or conditions you'll find yourself in if something such as a robbery goes down. If you're in condition yellow as you should be, then you shouldn't lose the element of surprise and if you do its your fault.

The second argument is deep carry. All I have to say about that is do you practice presenting your teeny weeny BUG from deep cover often enough not to screw it up at the moment of truth?

I thought not.

[Rule10b5]

Originally Posted by TonyF

It gets cold in PA in the winter. When you go to the movies or to dinner you remove your coat. It's so nice to be able to do that without worrying about concealment issues.

Very well put.

I almost never leave the property open carrying, but I open carry for moments during the day just because it's easier.

Like you said, lose the coat at dinner or a movie. Or when you're popping out of the car for a second to fill up the tank at a gas station, or to run into a Wawa, or wandering around outside (we have a few acres, and I don't bother to conceal if I'm in the "neighborhood," anyway). Or hunting (or when returning from the field), obviously.

Those are just a few of the reasons why I'm glad Pa. is open carry legal. Sure, I don't do it much, but I like not having to worry about being "legal" when I just don't feel like going to the trouble of covering up. And never having to worry about accidentally flashing or printing is even better -- I still cringe when I think about the fact that in many places in the U.S. you can be arrested just because the wind blows back your coat and exposes your gun for a nanosecond.

[soberbyker]

Originally Posted by Rule10b5

I still cringe when I think about the fact that in many places in the U.S. you can be arrested just because the wind blows back your coat and exposes your gun for a nanosecond.

Hell, in Wisconsin and Illinois you can't get a permit to carry period. What happened to "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. " in those states?

[Nate]

Originally Posted by soberbyker

Hell, in Wisconsin and Illinois you can't get a permit to carry period. What happened to "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. " in those states?

I'll tell you what happened, they are slowly turning from "land of the free" to "land of socialism". The politicians in those states are raping the constitution. And sad to say the ignorant people are just as guilty for voting them in

[Mtn Jack]

Just remember our next pres may come from that Ill state!!!!! Not

[kid1911]

At home is the only place I open carry except when we have company then concealed. When I leave the house it is concealed, no one outside my home needs to know that I carry.

[jackbauer]

Originally Posted by TonyF

To answer your question ......... both.

It's not a matter of preference, it's a matter of practicality.

I carry concealed most of the time. However, there are other times and other circumstances where open carry is simply more practical.

It gets cold in PA in the winter. When you go to the movies or to dinner you remove your coat. It's so nice to be able to do that without worrying about concealment issues.

I'll address what I feel are the two primary counterpoints to open carry.

First is that you give up a tactical advantage by losing the element of surprise. My experience has been that most people don't even notice. I've had most people only mention it long after we've been in each others company but hardly ever from the outset.

Will criminals notice a gun? Probably more so than civilians cuz they're on lookout for off duty LEO's. However, this aspect requires some context. Think through some of the typical circumstances or conditions you'll find yourself in if something such as a robbery goes down. If you're in condition yellow as you should be, then you shouldn't lose the element of surprise and if you do its your fault.

The second argument is deep carry. All I have to say about that is do you practice presenting your teeny weeny BUG from deep cover often enough not to screw it up at the moment of truth?

I thought not.

I think the fact that open carry is legal in our state is a good thing. However as I stated in another thread, it puts you at a tactical disadvantage. Living day to day in condition yellow is great, but circumstances could easily present themselves that would make it impossible for you to be aware of everything that is going on around you at all times. If an armed bad guy enters a convenience store for example. You're getting coffee, the guy is intent on robbing the place, he sees you with your weapon, gets the drop on you before you even see him and takes you (the threat to him ) out. In the meantime, I'll draw my weapon (from concealment) and handle the threat. With numerous people in and out of the store, it would be impossible to notice everyone at all times. I know this subject can be "what if'ed" to death and I understand that people have strong veiws on this subject, but in my years of experience carrying a weapon open (professionally) and concealed, (both professionally and off duty) the tactical disadvantages greatly outweigh the advantages. I prefer that no one know I'm armed. Just my opinion.

[TonyF]

Originally Posted by jackbauer

I think the fact that open carry is legal in our state is a good thing. However as I stated in another thread, it puts you at a tactical disadvantage. Living day to day in condition yellow is great, but circumstances could easily present themselves that would make it impossible for you to be aware of everything that is going on around you at all times. If an armed bad guy enters a convenience store for example. You're getting coffee, the guy is intent on robbing the place, he sees you with your weapon, gets the drop on you before you even see him and takes you (the threat to him ) out. In the meantime, I'll draw my weapon (from concealment) and handle the threat. With numerous people in and out of the store, it would be impossible to notice everyone at all times. I know this subject can be "what if'ed" to death and I understand that people have strong veiws on this subject, but in my years of experience carrying a weapon open (professionally) and concealed, (both professionally and off duty) the tactical disadvantages greatly outweigh the advantages. I prefer that no one know I'm armed. Just my opinion.

I don't necessarily disagree with you.

However, being in the LE business, I'm sure you're aware that most career criminals who make a living via armed robbery understand the ramifications of murdering their victims and they'd rather not.

And maybe I should have made it more clear that the % of times I open carry is significantly far and few between. Again, having the option of open carry in a relatively safe and secure location such as a dining establishment or movie theater, ect. is simply a matter of practicality.