Open carry

[Dietrich]

I am a native North Carolinian and I love my home state.It is a state that allows open carry as well as concealed handguns so that its` citizens have the opportunity to defend themselves and their loved ones in the event that no LEO is there to protect them.
The thing that is starting to give me pause is the IN YOUR FACE attitude that I`m reading in a lot of forums concerning open carry. If you want to OC,you have my full support but you must be able to handle what you are going to encounter from some of the public.You must be prepared to respond calmly and intelligently to the concerns of the people you come in contact with.You will be looked upon with fear,apprehension and ignorance.Your motives will be totally misunderstood and you must be able to conduct yourself as an ambassador of good will.Getting into an argument or raising your voice will only strengthen the resolve of the ignorant and we ,as firearm enthusiasts,do not need bad press caused by a hothead who can`t handle himself.
Unfortunately,I`m reading more and more posts about negative situations involving open carry and poor responses by the person carrying.Personally,I do not open carry in a setting where I will be in contact with the general public.I do OC in the woods and once again let me state that I support open carry if that`s your preference.Just please conduct yourself in a pleasant and professional manner when you are confronted by John Q. A smile and gentle conversation works wonders on the uninformed,but if that doesn`t work,remove yourself from the situation graciously.A shouting match will accomplish nothing.I probably opened a can of worms with this one, but if it prevents one unnecessary argument,I`ll be happy.

[jocko]

have to agree with you dietrich. Open carry to me is just asking for public comment and criticism. I am sure many restaurants don't like it, People who don't understand who do not carry also will not understand the need for open carry. To me just bad advertising. It might be nice to see NC having open and concealed carry laws but I just feel one is asking for issue.s In my home state of Indiana, with a personal protection permit, one canopen carry but be prepared to be challenged by every LEO taht see's u doing it also. Just the nature of the beast. Why go looking for trouble?? I just always felt when a person open carrys, he is trying to be super macho. Eash to his own, I guess..

[jlottmc]

See I have to agree with Dietrich, I have a Concealed Handgun Permit from NC, (even though I no longer live there and also a TX CHL) and though they allow open carry, I never felt it a good idea to carry openly there unless I was in the woods or on a neighboring tobacco farm. I also had a Sheriff's deputy living right behind me say that life would probably be easier with a Concealed Handgun Permit. My home state of TX is a little less than accepting of open carry, and I kinda have to see why, just look at CA right now with their open carry movement.

[wyntrout]

Right on, Dietrich. I would like both options, but there's a time and place for open carry. I feel like too many people are strutting around in an "in-your-face" posture or attitude which can turn the general public against all carry.
I feeler safer and more confident that I can protect myself under most circumstances, but I don't want to draw attention to myself. The more people carrying legally, the better it is for all of us. It keeps the bad guys worried that anyone could be armed... and know how to use their weapon. Training and practice are necessary for familiarity with the weapon and its competent use. Too many don't ever shoot their weapons and it shows when they have to draw their weapon and that can possibly embolden the bad guys. A good two-handed grip aimed at the bad guys C.O.M. shows that you might know how to fire the weapon, even if adrenalin has you shaking. The next biggest thing is having already reasoned that you can fire the weapon in self-defense, and don't delay when you need to fire. I think a lot of people are still uncertain whether they can fire a weapon at another human being... under any condition. I'm not an expert, but I stayed in a Ho..., er, I mean I've seen a lot of movies and critiqued the hell out of them... which really pisses my wife off. She likes quiet during movies.:D
JMHO.
Wynn:D