Question for those who regulary open carry

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Originally Posted by headcase

Hi and welcome. It really depends on where you are and the attitude of those around you.

Agreed.

Additionally....it depends on you and how you PRESENT yourself.

Our communities love to stereotype each other enough as it is.......and then add a GUN into the picture???


Take for instance - Our very own Soberbyker is one of the absolute kindest people you'll ever meet.....But, IIRC, he doesn't OC cuz of the wrongful perception society has of "Biker" type people. Sober has plenty of ink done and he's got the 'biker' look......and unfortunately, our society would guarantee that Mr. Sober gets plenty of unnecessary attention and questions. That's a shame.


Orrrrrrrr......what if you look all "Thugged Out"? You could be the president of your local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter.....but if you have the Gangsta look - you'll get unwanted attention.


Here in NEPA - I'd bet a Hispanic dressed in anything other than a tie or a polo shirt would get looked at sideways.


It is what it is.


I've worn high & tight haircuts since I was about 10yrs. Most folk just assume I'm LEO or something.

You are how you’re perceived. Be conscious of that.

[BerksCountyDave]

Originally Posted by Gary in Pennsylvania

Agreed.

Additionally....it depends on you and how you PRESENT yourself.

Our communities love to stereotype each other enough as it is.......and then add a GUN into the picture???


Take for instance - Our very own Soberbyker is one of the absolute kindest people you'll ever meet.....But, IIRC, he doesn't OC cuz of the wrongful perception society has of "Biker" type people. Sober has plenty of ink done and he's got the 'biker' look......and unfortunately, our society would guarantee that Mr. Sober gets plenty of unnecessary attention and questions. That's a shame.


Orrrrrrrr......what if you look all "Thugged Out"? You could be the president of your local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter.....but if you have the Gangsta look - you'll get unwanted attention.


Here in NEPA - I'd bet a Hispanic dressed in anything other than a tie or a polo shirt would get looked at sideways.


It is what it is.


I've worn high & tight haircuts since I was about 10yrs. Most folk just assume I'm LEO or something.

You are how you’re perceived. Be conscious of that.

hmmm interesting. I'm covered in tattoos, wear black, and ride a motorcycle. I'm not hassled when I OC . . .

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Originally Posted by BerksCountyDave

hmmm interesting. I'm covered in tattoos, wear black, and ride a motorcycle. I'm not hassled when I OC . . .

You are an exception.

There are many folks on this board who fall into a stereotyped category and will admit they notice the negative public perception.

Jah and Sober ore only two of them.

Agreed.....it's wrong. But it is what it is.

NEPA (and I don't claim to be 'from' here) is not as culturally diverse as other areas of PA.

[BerksCountyDave]

Originally Posted by Gary in Pennsylvania

You are an exception.

There are many folks on this board who fall into a stereotyped category and will admit they notice the negative public perception.

Jah and Sober ore only two of them.

Agreed.....it's wrong. But it is what it is.

NEPA (and I don't claim to be 'from' here) is not as culturally diverse as other areas of PA.

That's a good point Gary. I'm an hour outside of Philly and 10 minutes outside of Reading, so we have a good mix. Although, I'm white so I'm not sure that factors in so much.

Has Sober ever OCed? Or has he assumed he'll get hassled? Not arguing, just asking!

[andrewjs18]

I've OC'd in Delaware County and Philadelphia without an issue so far...

As other have said; keep fliers in your wallet/pocket. You can almost guarantee you'll be giving them out quite often.

I gave fliers to both Caa2003's Dad and Uncle to read because neither knew OC was legal and been CCing and around guns for probably over 20-30 years....

[BerksCountyDave]

To add something to my response to the OP, I would say that, doing the math roughly, I have something said to me (positive, or otherwise) about 4% of the times that I go out and about OCing. The VAST majority of times it is completely uneventful. And of those 4% of times something is said, the majority of those are positive comments or honestly curious people who ask a question. That's why I always carry some of Pa. Patriot's flyers with me when I OC.

[jahwarrior72]

Originally Posted by Gary in Pennsylvania

Here in NEPA - I'd bet a Hispanic dressed in anything other than a tie or a polo shirt would get looked at sideways.

hmmmmm, so that's the secret?

[PennsyPlinker]

Mark, I've been to so many places so many times, I can't even begin to recall all of them. I have had very few hassles - two, I think - and both were minor. One was in Dick's in Whitehall, where I went purely to see if they were going to hassle me. One of the kids working there followed me around the store telling me I needed a permit to carry it in the store. I replied that I didn't, but that I would leave it he wanted me to. He said not to worry.

The second time was in Best Buy, also in Whitehall. The store Loss Prevention manager had some trouble with me carrying, but the store managers told both of us it was no problem for them. I was back in about a week or so after that, and the LP guy barely remembered who I was. That is unusual for me. Most people don't forget me even when I would like them to.

I've had some interesting interactions with LEO's, both CC and OC, but all turned out positive. I've had a few private citizens question my need to carry at all, but logic and a few good humored comments usually defuses the situation. All in all it has been positive and boring.

Oh yeah, when I attended the Dickson City meeting, the mayor or police chief whoever he was stared daggers at me, but he said nothing, and did less.

[jahwarrior72]

Originally Posted by PennsyPlinker

Oh yeah, when I attended the Dickson City meeting, the mayor or police chief whoever he was stared daggers at me, but he said nothing, and did less.

i remember that; they were both staring at you, but it was more like dull butterknives. people in charge don't like it when you talk purty.

[headcase]

Looking at the responses after my original post, I re-read it and maybe it wasn't clear to a new guy, but I OC about 80% of the time. I have done so just about everywhere you can legally be in a 30 or so mile radius of East Stroudsburg. Walmart, Weis, K-mart, the Stroud mall, Texas Roadhouse, Longhorn steakhouse, Borders, B.J.'s, every diner in that area, gas stations, banks, fast food restaurants, little league, just about every where. I have done so dressed up, business casual, in ripped up jeans and a wife beater, un shaven, unshowered and miserably sick, with my ten year old son, with my 85 year old grandmother, with my wife, solo, surrounded by neighborhood kids and their parents while fixing their bikes. I have OC'd just about every where and in every state of dress. I still haven't done so to the courthouse, but I did CC there. I have had the police disarm me and I have had conversations with cops where not a mention of my firearm was made. I am a strong advocate of OC, and an occasional activist. I also strongly advocate carrying in a manner in which you feel comfortable, be that CC or OC. As I said before, know the law, and be prepared to stand up for your self, because if you OC, the chances of you needing to do so are a thousand times greater than if you do not. The first time you encounter police while OC is not something very many people want to experience, but, lol, it does get easier the more you do it You may never have an encounter of any kind while OC'ing, just be prepared because then again, you may. Hope that was clearer