Open carry is "illegal" basically in PA the sheriff told me!

**LittleRedToyota** · April 26th, 2007, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by PocketProtector

If open carry is legal then why the concern about "printing" ?

from legal standpoint printing is not an issue at all. who's concerned about it?

**jsmithxd** · April 26th, 2007, 09:57 AM

Who's concerned about printing??

**Emptymag** · April 26th, 2007, 09:58 AM

There's no legal reason to be concerned about "printing" as I understand things.

Most are concerned about printing because they wish the firearm to be concealed in a manner which prevents anyone from knowing they are carrying.

I used to be concerned with that. No longer.
I still haven't decided to open carry(I AM considering it though

), but I no longer worry about someone seeing a "shape" under my cover shirt. With all the electronic gadgetry people carry on their waists these days, most wouldn't even give that "shape" a second thought.

Back to the original post...
As has already been said, having a badge does not equal knowledge of all laws on the books.
Don't believe everything an "authority figure" tells you... our children are lied to every day by teachers with an "agenda", the same situation can occur with law enforcement. There are LEOs that believe only they "should" be permitted to own/carry firearms. Some tell you the wrong thing intentionally, some just don't know any better.

**knight0334** · April 26th, 2007, 10:54 AM

The printing thing is only the concern of those from other states like Texas or those diehard gun people who insist on concealment.

If a state allows open carry, then printing isn't an issue.

**Rule10b5** · April 26th, 2007, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by ChamberedRound

You show that to an officer during a stop and he/she will laugh at you while they put the cuffs on. As most LEOs will tell you (I believe "Steve in PA" has mentioned this in the past), a police stop of any kind is not the time to mount a legal defense.

True, but the benefit of showing it to him is that it makes your 5301 case all the stronger.

**Steve in PA** · April 26th, 2007, 11:50 AM

Don't get me started on the sheriffs and their "knowledge" of gun laws

However, the lack of knowledge is not limited to them, as many municipal LEO's don't know squat. The sheriffs seem to bear the brunt of this because their office is where people go to get the permits so you would think they would know what they are talking about.

As several other posters have mentioned, open carry is 100% perfectly legal in the entire state of PA, however in Philly you must have a LTC if you plan on doing this.

Also, there is no "printing" law in PA.

**MarcS** · April 26th, 2007, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Rule10b5

True, but the benefit of showing it to him is that it makes your 5301 case all the stronger.

Official Opression....my favorite!

**RoyJackson** · April 26th, 2007, 12:35 PM

I don't open carry...

One, not worth the hassle from the cops (the correct thing to do isn't always the right thing to do)

Second, if I'm in a resturant or other public place, I don't want to be the first target of a BG shooter.

Now, I do carry under a sports jacket (Glock 19 if I wearing a sports jacket)...that's about as open as I get.

No criticism toward any who do open carry...I will admit I feel a lot more comfortable now (then a year ago) if I want to remove the jacket in a public place.

**ChamberedRound** · April 26th, 2007, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Rule10b5

True, but the benefit of showing it to him is that it makes your 5301 case all the stronger.

A fair point.

**Skuggi** · April 26th, 2007, 01:25 PM

I open carried yesterday as I'm still awaiting my CCW and just didnt feel safe in the area while I was there. Didn't have a problem, only one LEO in a squad car slowed down and looked at me, I just smiled and nodded. No hassle, a few inquisitive looks, and I didnt even have a problem with the mother and child who walked by me.