open carry in PA

[jtkratzer]

one other thing, I was reading back on the first page of this thread, and my opinion, is that JKP was not seriously suggesting locking this thread, but doing so in a good natured manor. Any other thoughts? Because in a forum like this, for a thread to be taken down, that in my opinion would infringe on my freedom of speech rights. Am I correct or wrong with that?

Well, your freedom of speech simply means you can't go to jail for speaking out, it doesn't mean everyone has to like you.

You can't go to work tomorrow and tell your boss you hate f*gs and don't want any hired where you work. You'll probably lose your job, but you can't go to jail for saying that. So, you're free to speak your mind, and you're just as free to lose your job.

my apologies Kratzer, I misunderstood. Why would anyone want the thread to be taken down? I just don't get it, unless they are not for democracy. Only socialist thinking mentality want discussions that are open and free to be taken away, so this is a perfect way of remaining a free and democrated society. So, anyway JT, I wanted to apologize for the misunderstanding, and thank you for your remarks.

No problem. No grudges. No hard feelings. Can't read tone or attitude on the internet. We need a sarcasm font, whatever that means.

Hey, I'll let it slide this time, but if it gets too heated, I'm lockin' it down.

Just kidding! Dude, I'm not a moderator and my post count means I simply spend too much time here! LOL!
Also, I didn't realize this was in the Lehigh Valley section. (I just look at "new posts") So, if I'm offending anyone with my Pittsburgh input, say the word and I'll take my ball and go home.

Don't feel bad about your post count. I joined a forum the same time I bought a handgun in April geared towards that handgun and I have over 2,400 posts there. Lots to learn and talk about.

[bradjc72]

emptymag, no taking your ball and going home, everyone is invited to this thread, I just originally started it here because Northampton had NO threads going on, and it was boring to say the least, and also, I wanted to hear some input from other people on my thread. You are always invited!

[bradjc72]

well, I guess by the silence that nobody else has an opinion on the OC issue, so if at any point someone else would like to chime in, I will listen, and thank you for your responses.

[crlovel]

I'm in Bucks County, and I've been looking at info on this topic all day now. I've lived here since 1992, and I have never seen someone open carrying in my area. Until recently, I didn't even know it was legal, which seems to be the norm for a lot of people.

All of the OC experiences I've read about today on this forum seem to be from NE PA or West PA, with none in the Bucks, Montgomery, or Chester County areas.

I stopped today at a local gunshop and asked the guy there if he knew of anyone in the area who OCed, and he said "no way, around here if you do that, legal or not, you're probably going to get arrested for disturbing the peace or something similar."

How accurate is this? Is there ANYONE in my area with experience open carrying?

[ChrisF4i]

well, I guess by the silence that nobody else has an opinion on the OC issue, so if at any point someone else would like to chime in, I will listen, and thank you for your responses.

I've never seen anyone OC around this area and I haven't had the courage to do it myself. I just feel that it would cause to many problems. Maybe one day I will try it.

[Pa. Patriot]

...and he said "no way, around here if you do that, legal or not, you're probably going to get arrested for disturbing the peace or something similar."

How accurate is this? Is there ANYONE in my area with experience open carrying?

§ 5503. Disorderly conduct.

(a) Offense defined.--A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if,
with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or
recklessly creating a risk thereof, he:

1. Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous
behavior;
2. Makes unreasonable noise;
3. Uses obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture; or
4. Creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any
act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.

Though this section does not deal with firearms,
due to the nature of this code, this law has been cited by
officers to suppress or discourage lawful open carry. Since a
person who is not licensed per §6109 or exempted by §6106(b)
MUST open carry their firearms on foot in order to avoid criminal
charge, nor is there any duty for anyone licensed to conceal their
handgun, open carry is not disorderly conduct. The open carrying
of firearms is not by itself threatening, nor does it cause a hazardous
or physically offensive condition. There are also two cases
that that specifically state that a person may carry a firearm
openly: Commonwealth v. Ortiz www.tinyurl.com/2wtovz
and Commonwealth v. Hawkins. www.tinyurl.com/346wwr

[ccgmedic]

I too am new to this site and really appreciate it. But I have the same reservations as stated in many other posts. The information re: the case law is great. I am not comfortable enough to OC yet. I see that there is great upside to exercising your rights. However, I will CC. I just need to get more information as to how to use these quotes like the previous poster listed when and if I get questioned by a leo.

[reverserboy]

I don't OC but have no problem with those who do. The OCers who post here have taught me some things. I don't worry about printing as much as I did in the past.

[Emptymag]

I don't OC but have no problem with those who do. The OCers who post here have taught me some things. I don't worry about printing as much as I did in the past.

That's EXACTLY how "it" started for me.
First I realized "printing" wasn't a big deal.
Then I didn't give a crap if I "printed".
Then I started to OC on occasion at and near the house.
Now my dog goes nuts when he hears my gun belt "clinking" as I put it on... he knows that means it's time to go for a walk!

[shooter357]

I have yet to see someone OC in my area. I wear a shoulder holster and so far have not offended anyone, at least that I know of. Most of the time I use an inside the waistband holster. When I head to the mountains in northern PA, just about everyone carries and quite a few OC.