Any of you other OC'ers ever consider this???

[Brown-Bear]

Do any of you other guys ever wonder why people either do or do not seem to say anything about your carrying of a firearm in plain view?

I sometimes wonder if others assume that I am an off duty LEO, or have some other reason for carrying OC other than the fact that I can and its how I am chosing to carry my firearm that particular time.

Any thoughts?

BB

[FromMyColdDeadHands]

If you don't act abnormal people dont notice for the most part. As far as I know I have only had 1 person notice I was OC'ing, he gave a 2nd look and kept walking. Hell I stood next to a cop for 5 min. one nite and he didnt even notice, conversation and prepared coffee, gun side toward him at one point...never noticed.

[BradfordCOHunter]

I'm assuming they don't say anything or "pretend" to not notice, simply because you have a gun. Not to be a wise guy, but how many civilians REALLY desire to verbally confront a person with a gun, and discuss with them why they are carrying it? So I say it's either fear factor, or in the case of some OC'er's who look the part, people just assume you are an undercover or a detective.

[Jon Smykal]

Originally Posted by BradfordCOHunter

I'm assuming they don't say anything or "pretend" to not notice, simply because you have a gun. Not to be a wise guy, but how many civilians REALLY desire to verbally confront a person with a gun, and discuss with them why they are carrying it? So I say it's either fear factor, or in the case of some OC'er's who look the part, people just assume you are an undercover or a detective.

There is absolutely no reason anyone would assume I am a police officer. Yes, I am clean cut, and usually dress nicely. However, I am 21 years old, and I just don't have the police officer look.

I think people do make assumptions, however most do not notice. I carry myself confidently, and do not act 'shady'.

The people who DO notice probably assume 'If he has a gun openly displayed like that, he must not be breaking any laws, that would be stupid.'

I think most people would assume that if you are publicly displaying a weapon, that it would be insane for you to be committing a crime, as every cop, video camera, and person walking by can identify that you are carrying.

That said, I have never been confronted by police, citizens, or anyone else for that matter. I am not an intimidating guy, by any means, and I think I am very approachable, so I don't think people would be afraid to talk to me (In fact, I am the type of person who talks to EVERYONE, and can be friends with pretty much everyone.)

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Now…..I believe I may be perceived as off-duty LEO. I never did loose my military bearing. And I keep it real “high fade, skin on the sides & a number two on top” high-and tight.

But where I usually OC…..I KNOW that there are many who notice.
When OC’ing in stores, I’m always the designated driver….and when pushing a cart, your arm no longer helps partially obscure the firearm. Many adults notice in Wal-Mart – and nearly ALL the children.

Restaurants – I don’t think anyone ever notices.

The puppy huggers in Petsmart notice.

Anywhere else…..I wouldn’t know. I’m not paying attention and trying to catch someone who’s peeking. But with the typical ‘situational awareness’ scanning, you’ll catch them sometimes.

Originally Posted by Jon Smykal

The people who DO notice probably assume 'If he has a gun openly displayed like that, he must not be breaking any laws, that would be stupid.'

I think most people would assume that if you are publicly displaying a weapon.....

....There is an obvious permitted reason to do it – they just don’t know what that reason is. Bodyguard? Some sort of LEO?

[XD45]

I still wanna know what a LEO looks like

[knight0334]

If anyone ever assumes I'm a LEO - they gotta be thinking I'm some undercover drug/vice dude when I'm in my normal attire.

However, my FCC(Funeral Court Church) outfit looks very much like a PA St. Trooper's with the coloring(gun metal gray + black slacks).

[Pa. Patriot]

People minding their own business? I thought this was a good thing

[PennsyPlinker]

People usually mistake me for an LEO - one who is working undercover to stake out the fat, old, graybearded rednecks in pickup trucks by blending in to look just like them!

I have no idea why people don't notice it more, with the possible exception that most people are completely self involved to begin with. Just look at how many people don't notice things like stop signs, red lights, your car when they cut in front of you, etc. How many people are walking about aimlessly with Ipods, cell phones, or whatever stuck in their ears? It is just one more thing for people to not notice.

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Originally Posted by XD45

I still wanna know what a LEO looks like

XD - I think that when one says "Looks like LEO" it is implied TYPICAL LEO.

LEO's portrayed on television (which is most of the public's exposure to LEO) are typically not a size 44 waited bearded man.

Not to say that that such a man cannot be an LEO......it's just not what the public is conditioned to see/expect of an LEO.

The media paints LEO not EXACTLY like.....but in the ballpark of armed service men & women (for the most part).

So when I (can I speak for we?) say "I don't look like typical LEO" or "I'd pass as LEO".......the previous sentence is what I (we) are referring to.