One Year of Open Carry...

[Hoji]

Yeah? Well what if you were required to come & read & post here every day like some of us?

I suspect the truckstop keeps him busy.

 

[brotherhawk]

Local Taco Cabana put up an unofficial sign requesting no open carry. No official signs for any type of carry.

 

[Wildcat Diva]

Local Taco Cabana put up an unofficial sign requesting no open carry. No official signs for any type of carry.

Yep, we saw that in Houston. I don't mind untucking my shirt as long as it's convenient to do so. But now we know so we can make an informed decision about what to do there.

 

[claymore504]

Open carried after church today at a local Subway. An older couple walked in and was in line behind us. When I turned around the woman was staring at my handgun with an almost terrified look. When she noticed I was looking at her she quickly turned and started whispering to her husband. Only thing I could make out was talk about asking if I have a license to carry. I could tell for sure by facial expressions and body language that they were not happy. I just smiled and said have a nice day when we went to sit down. This is the first time I have had a somewhat negative experience.

 

[Wildcat Diva]

Well, newbies that never seen anyone open carry before gotta get their cherry popped sometime.

Good job!

 

[ZX9RCAM]

I'm still waiting to see my first...

 

[RACER X]

3-4 of us OC at Starbucks in the galleria regularly

 

[claymore504]

Which one? I work in the Galleria area (Hidalgo and Sage area).

3-4 of us OC at Starbucks in the galleria regularly

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Haven't been there in 25+ years.

 

[RACER X]

Which one? I work in the Galleria area (Hidalgo and Sage area).

Post oak and westy

Usually bike night, wed

I'm up there all the time, usually late evening when its cooler, temp wise

 

[sealy99]

I'm curious, other than the physical comfort of open carry vs concealed, what other benefits do you see from it? I haven't carried openly, mostly because I feel that if I ever am in a situation where I need to draw my weapon, I would also want the element of surprise. I feel that many situations where it might be necessary (i.e.. active shooter, robbery, etc...), there's a strong likelihood that the offending party will do a threat assessment prior and target any resistance first. I see another downside being the occasional jackass with something to prove looking to... well, prove something.

 

[sealy99]

I Recently posted this on another forum (so some of you may have already read it) but I guess it is appropriate here:

I went open carry for the first time last night. It was our wedding anniversary, so my wife and I along with her parents went to have dinner at The Republic Steakhouse in College Station. It was too warm and humid for a jacket or sweater and the wife did not want me to go untucked casual, so I ended up wearing my baby eagle on my right hip in plain view.

The meal was great best porterhouse I have ever eaten. As for the carry it was a total non-event. Even though our table was in the middle of the dining room so that anyone could clearly see what I was wearing. I saw no surprised or shocked looks or furtive glances, no comments from guests or staff, my gun could have been completely invisible for all that anyone seemed to care.

Great restaurant. Took my wife there on a recommendation (live in Huntsville) and wasn't disappointed.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

I'm curious, other than the physical comfort of open carry vs concealed, what other benefits do you see from it? I haven't carried openly, mostly because I feel that if I ever am in a situation where I need to draw my weapon, I would also want the element of surprise. I feel that many situations where it might be necessary (i.e.. active shooter, robbery, etc...), there's a strong likelihood that the offending party will do a threat assessment prior and target any resistance first. I see another downside being the occasional jackass with something to prove looking to... well, prove something.

I use an OWB holster, but keep shirt tails out, best of both worlds....

 

[BRD@66]

Cam you are too kind.

 

[easy rider]

I'm curious, other than the physical comfort of open carry vs concealed, what other benefits do you see from it? I haven't carried openly, mostly because I feel that if I ever am in a situation where I need to draw my weapon, I would also want the element of surprise. I feel that many situations where it might be necessary (i.e.. active shooter, robbery, etc...), there's a strong likelihood that the offending party will do a threat assessment prior and target any resistance first. I see another downside being the occasional jackass with something to prove looking to... well, prove something.

Have you ever thought that a threat assessment by a bad guy seeing someone armed may deter him from doing something bad in the first place? Nobody is telling you that you need to open carry, it's a personal choice. I haven't seen or heard of anyone being targeted by a bad guy because he was open carrying, so that is just conjecture.

 

[Younggun]

Here we go again.

 

[sealy99]

Here we go again.

LOL. I read through half of the remaining pages after I posted the question. I already have an opinion on it, but I'm curious if I'm missing something. After reading through some of the comments (should have done that first), I see advantages to both sides.

 

[majormadmax]

Considering how few have noticed me OC'ing over the past 18 months (I do so regularly, and could count on one hand the number of people who have reacted to it), the theory that it makes you a target has been debunked. Plus, given the number of states that allow OC now, there has been little to no reporting of someone being targeted because they OC'd.

Put the whole "I prefer to retrain the element of surprise" in the same urban myths and legends category as "there will be blood flowing in the streets if we allow concealed and/or open carry."

However, it has been proven that criminals prefer easy targets; and will avoid an armed individual; so it serves more of a deterrent if they were to notice (which, like I said, is unlikely).

But my primary reason for OC'ing is simply easier/quicker access to my weapon if needed, especially in a vehicle.

 

[easy rider]

Whether you prefer to CC or OC doesn't really matter, it's the knowing you have that freedom of choice now that does matter. IMO gaining our rights back in any form is the goal.

 

[satx78247]

easy rider,

AGREED 100%

yours, satx

Whether you prefer to CC or OC doesn't really matter, it's the knowing you have that freedom of choice now that does matter. IMO gaining our rights back in any form is the goal.