Open Carry in Luzerne co. Particulary Mtn. Top and Wilkes-Barre

[Penguini66]

On Tuesday I OC'd to the local Home Depot in Mechanicsburg (accross the river from Harrisburg). No looks that I noticed. I spent a good 10 minutes speaking with one of the guys in the doors section while trying to figure out what size screen door I needed. He didn't say a word to me about it. Then I went home to do some measuring and headed back to the HD for a second trip to pick out a door. Not a word was said to me and no strange looks that I noticed.

However, I was carrying the KelTec P11 with a belt clip IWB at 4:00 so its not that noticeable. Maybe people just don't notice it.

Regardless, I give the HD two thumbs up.

On the other hand, I have found that nobody tailgates me anymore when riding the motorcycle with the P11 in the 4:00 location.

[Michaelgc]

I wonder why there are so many that want to open carry when a LTCF can be had in most of PA. It also seems that there are quite a few with LTCFs that open carry to test the law. Before you jump down my throat on this, I am 110% for the “Right to Bear Arms”, but I also know that our liberal brothers and sisters are looking for any and all reasons to take away our rights. The mere fact that we are menacing them in their eyes by legally carrying open will provoke them to demand stricter gun laws in PA. We already have to many anti-gun laws and giving them a reason to make open carry another one is not a good idea.

[Pa. Patriot]

Lot's of reasons to OC. Those are for other threads though, as are your comments. But since you brought it up I'll address your specific points...

Testing the law:
I'm not testing the law, I know the law. I OC where legal, period.

Provoking anti's:
I completely fail to see your concern. Really, I can't figure it out.
You claim that OC'ing (legally) will cause the anti's to try and ban it.
BUT, if you (and everyone else) do not ever OC than what's the point? Haven't you already lost the right by not exercising it?

IMHO, the more common OC becomes the less of an issue it will be. Sheeple go with the flow, it's part of their character. I think OC'ing can easily become a non event, as it should be. People like myself whom OC have already found that for the VAST majority of people it is completely a non-concern already. The misconception that people will freak out when they see an armed person is an unfortunate stigma associated with the times we live in. Namely the association that guns =crime that the media, Hollywood and public schools are so furiously pushing.
I prefer to push back but to each his own I guess.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[Holleta]

I used to share your opinion as it didn't make any sense to me either and just seemed to be the equivilant of someone loud and outspoken pushing their views.

A while back I had a lengthy discussion with an OC supporter and listened more than I spoke...it made sense and brought me to realize that we should be thanking these people for their efforts. Seriously, it's a 180 degree change of opinion for me. These guys/gals are setting the (good) example and paving the way for those that choose to do so in the future.

I always OC'd a bit around the house/property and find myself venturing out a bit more now.

Originally Posted by Michaelgc

I wonder why there are so many that want to open carry when a LTCF can be had in most of PA. It also seems that there are quite a few with LTCFs that open carry to test the law. Before you jump down my throat on this, I am 110% for the “Right to Bear Arms”, but I also know that our liberal brothers and sisters are looking for any and all reasons to take away our rights. The mere fact that we are menacing them in their eyes by legally carrying open will provoke them to demand stricter gun laws in PA. We already have to many anti-gun laws and giving them a reason to make open carry another one is not a good idea.

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by carterbeauford

OT, do locals enjoy Nardone Bros pizza? I haul most of their cheese.

Hmmm. dunno. But I'm a transplant rather than a true 'local'.

[Pa. Patriot]

Holleta: Thanks for the comments. I am from rural upstate NY. While OC was not unheard of where I was raised it certainly was not real common. Handguns permits (needed to even BUY a pistol in NYS) were hard to get. All this despite my home area being way more rural than anything in NEPA. NY City has truly ruined that otherwise great state.

But back to the topic...

When I moved to PA in the early 90's I too had questions about OC. I certainly was not against OC, just wasn't sure about the "suitability". Mostly due to ignorance on my part. I tended to believe all the myths surrounding OC, including, at first, that it was illegal .
Within a few years I too had been educated on the facts about OC and became a believer.
So what, right? Well here we are today.

[Charlie B]

I usually carry IWB or in a fanny pack, or back pocket depending what I’m carrying.

I went to the range Tuesday; I had an Uncle Mike’s crap holster on and a loose-fitting Soprano’s shirt on. Every time I got out of the truck, the bottom stuck out under the shirt and the shirt bundled up around my Sigma.

I stopped at Northeast Firearms in downtown Honesdale and didn’t realize I crossed the street open carrying, until I got in the store. The Town Police slowed to let me cross and had to see it as they were on my strong side. Same thing a couple of weeks ago in downtown Stroudsburg, no one else probably noticed either.

[SSGF109]

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

Most criminals are deterred by an armed person.
IMO, if the crime is deterred, there is no need for a 'surprise'. A suprise that you may or may not be able to get to before your dead.

In my experiences in 22 years law enforcement, what your doing is attracting unnecessary attention to yourself. Believe me people are not as dumb or unobservant as you may think or they let on. Sooner or later you may run into someone who may just take that pistol from you just to prove a point. Deterred may mean disarmed of your weapon, and an inocent bystander could be hurt or killed. Some police officers may see you as a threat or brazen and just a bit to bold. Having the right to open carry is one think, diplaying it in general public to show everyone you have the right to do so may just bring you more trouble, pain, financial and liabilility problems then your ready for.
I'm not trying to attack you or your rights by my statement, I just want you to see things from a different point of view.... Is proving your point worth the problems it could cause???IMHO

One final note. As you may tell I'm not a big fan of open carry only because not "everyone"does it and its not exceptable by law enforcement, aside that fact I would love nothing more than open carry like it was in the 19th century, and the dirtbags of society would think twice ,but its not hte 19th century.

[Pa. Patriot]

Well, yes. A lot of things "could" happen... A lot of bad things "could", and do happen CC'ing as well. People have been murdered because they did not have time or ability to access their ccw. People that may not have been in the situation in the first place had the assailant known they were armed. Not an unlikely scenario.

My point?

Life is about playing the odds. There's pro's and con's to both OC and CC. I favor the odds of OC, you do not. I am fully aware of the pitfalls associated with weapons retention and have had my share of professional training in retention.

As to the warning about an LEO that might "think" that my legal behavior is "bold" or "brazen". That's nothing more than a perfect example of what is wrong with some LEO's today. Certainly not what's wrong with someone OC'ing.

Making a point:
I think only a fool would try and disarm me to make a point. Might end up a dead fool.
In my post deterred means deterred.

Making my point:
I OC for a lot of reasons. Making a point is just one of them.
Another reason is because I have grown tired of LEO thinking they can bully people into not OC'ing legally . I didn't even realize this went on. When I moved to pa some 14 yrs ago it was as if it was common knowledge that OC was NOT legal, thanks in no small part to the lies and misinformation propagated by LEO's. When I found out otherwise I was a little perturbed. So if it seems like I have little respect for your opinion please understand that it's not personal, only a programmed response to 14 years of BS from LEO in regards to many areas of PA firearms laws. I've also grown tired of hearing of LEO's whom know that OC is legal but are harassing people that are legally OC'ing for apparently no more reason than that they disagree and are trying to "discourage" the act through the power of their badge. That crap is just plain wrong no matter how you slice it.

To be honest, and no disrespect intended, but from the condescending tone of your reply (you imply you know better than me because you are LEO) I read into it a hint of desire to suppress OC because of your personal opinion. That's a little concerning to me. I just hope you do/did not practice that attitude from behind the badge like the LEO's I mentioned above. Again, just the way I read it, especially with the part about how LEO might perceive my OC'ing. I read that in particular as a clear intimidation tactic. Again, I'm not attacking you, just feeling a bit defensive to your tone.

I write this reply more for the people happening to read it than for you as I believe your mind is clearly made up. That's fine, your opinion is yours, I simply do not share it. I have not had a career in law enforcement but have had my share of training as well as life experience.
Your opinion is that my OC'ing is careless. Mine is that your doom and gloom prediction is less than unlikely.

BUT, I'll agree to disagree if you do.
Fair enough?

[Pa. Patriot]

I see you added the below to your original reply. Of course I didn't see it until after I had submitted my reply

Originally Posted by SSGF109

One final note. As you may tell I'm not a big fan of open carry only because not "everyone"does it and its not exceptable by law enforcement, ....

Well that does help clarify your position, thank you.
Of course I take issue with the "not acceptable by law enforcement" part. That is a problem with law enforcement, not law abiding citizens OC'ing