Quote:
Originally Posted by cwd
If we are talking about guns as a preventive of crime, then wouldn't open carry be more effective than concealed? Say you are in a store, waiting in line with your glock on your belt for everyone to see and a robber walks in with intent. If the robber saw someone with a gun wouldn't they then look for another place to rob?
Plus, if you are legally entitled to carry, why hide it? It would seem only someone who either illegally obtained the firearm or has illegal motives for carrying would want to conceal. |
On one hand I agree with you. However the other side to that is:
Open carry can often make others around you feel uncomfortable. The other thing is that most people think that a permit is required for you to own a gun, which is not the case in most states, and they don't understand that it is legal to open carry in many areas. It's not unheard of for people to call the Police and report a guy with a gun in a store. The Police show up and everything is legal. That's a waste of Police time and resources because some idiot in the public THINKS he knows the law.
Open carry attracts more attention and being the center of attention is not what carrying a firearm is about. I do open carry at times but when I do I am very aware of how my gun is positioned and I do my best to limit it's visibility. If I'm standing at a counter then I will put my right side to the counter and limit the exposure of my gun. Sitting in a booth then I never sit on the side where my gun can be seen.