Why Do People Openly Carry Guns?
Open Carry (OC) is like concealed carry (CCW)’s redneck cousin.
Much of the talk surrounding the “and Bear Arms” part of the Second Amendment centers around concealed carry, but there’s another option that some people exercise—open carry. But why do people carry their self-defense handguns openly? That’s the question at the heart of one of my favorite culture-shock stories, told to me by a friend who lives in the willywags of Arizona.
Seems he was having coffee at his favorite diner when a couple of English tourists came in for some breakfast. They hadn’t even gotten their smothered, covered hash browns yet when they started gasping in outraged terror—they’d caught sight of a man in a 10-gallon hat, jeans, battered cowboy boots…and a big ol’ revolver on his hip. Now, you’d think they’d be thrilled, getting to see a real-life cowboy. That would be the equivalent of me getting off a plane in Paris to be greeted by the sight of a mime surrendering to a bunch of German tourists while saying “hon hon hon” and eating a comically oversized baguette. But no, they were pebbling their pants in panic at the sight of that gun. (My pal says they actually left before their food showed up…and that he was glad for their dry-cleaner’s sake that they hadn’t noticed his own big ol’ revolver, too.)
Thing is, even native-born Americans’ reactions to open carry can be just as extreme as those poor befuddled Brits’.
So why do people do it?
1-Because I Can & It’s My Right
Let’s get this one out of the way, because it’s the most salient fact: The Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights says “Keep and Bear Arms.” It doesn’t say “As Long As Nobody’s Fee-Fees Get Hurt.” So, for many people who openly carry their self-defense guns, their reasoning is the same one I use for writing these columns in my Jockeys—because I can. (You’re welcome for that mental image, by the way.)
Right now, 45 states allow open carry of some kind. In many of them, it’s not necessary to get a special license to do so; as long as you’re legally qualified to purchase a gun, you can wear it openly. That’s a real plus if you don’t feel like going through the rigamarole of dealing with the same bureaucracy that brought you the DMV.
2-Because I Mostly Carry in the Country
It’s every bit as easy for our coastal cultural elites to forget this as it is for your average hapless English tourist, but most of America is rural. If you’re planning on strolling through your own private acreage or taking a long hike through the backcountry, concealing your defensive handgun is pretty pointless—the bears, rattlesnakes, and rabid foxes of the world aren’t going to be impressed by the tactical advantage of a concealed pistol.
What’s more, having your defensive gun visibly at the ready can and does serve as a deterrent to the types of human bad actors that you might encounter when you’re way out on walkabout. Illegal marijuana grow operations, moonshiners, poachers, and plain old creeps are out there in the deep woods…but that gun on your hip will hopefully encourage them to let you go on about your business.
3-Because I’m Trying to Normalize Open Carry
There’s a movement among some gun owners to normalize open carry as a form of Second Amendment activism. In general, normalization is a powerful way to gain public support for any little-recognized but completely legal activity. (Remember how the success of the reality TV series “Top Shot” encouraged thousands of Americans to try the shooting sports for the first time?) After all, there’s nothing to convince folks that OC is nothing to fear like seeing people do it every day while going about their business.
Interestingly, depending on where you are and how you’re choosing to OC, many people won’t react or even seem to notice. People’s eyes tend to sort of glide over a gun butt sticking out of a belt—they seem to put it in the “That’s probably a cellphone or a multitool or something” category. If they do notice, they seem to just sort of assume that you’re a plainclothes cop or the like.
The key point to remember here is that if you’re going to open carry as a form of pro-Second Amendment activism, remember that the operant part of “normalize” is “normal.” Dress to fit in and behave politely while going about your business as anyone would. As in, maybe don’t go to your local coffeehouse or burrito joint rocking an AR-15 slung at the low ready position.
What’s more, you should know that many law enforcement officers don’t really know the fine points of the gun laws in their jurisdiction. (Yes, yes—that’s a column for another time.) And even if they do, they’re obligated to investigate any reports they get. That means that if someone panicked on seeing your openly carried gun and called 911, the responding officer is going to have to talk to you. Be calm and cooperative; make sure you have your ID and any licensing your state may require for OC. You may even find it worthwhile to print out a copy of the relevant section of your state’s gun laws and keep it in your wallet.
What are your thoughts on open carry versus concealed carry? Tell us in the comments!
As one who carries CC, I appreciate those who do carry openly. If a bad guy comes in to do his evil, I consider the good guy OC as a decoy, giving me plenty of time to assess the situation and take appropriate measures to assure that I make it home for dinner.
I have mix feeling toward OC, I personally have no issues when someone comes in the place I am at and have a gun on their hip openly. But I am hesitant to do so simply because if a gun carrying crook comes in where people are to rob and someone is OC the first thing the crook will do more than likely is remove that problem from the start. I don’t think a robber wants to deal with someone OCing so his first thing is remove that issue. But if there is someone in there that is cwc it doesn’t alarm the robber and it puts the odds in favor of the cwc.
The closest I’ve come to open carry is the holster on my Harley and no one including those I ride with has noticed unless I pointed it out and when I stop it goes into belt holster, concealed.
I just enjoyed reading everyone else’s comments!
OC in the country is fine. OC at Walmart, I do not think is wise.
We want to thank all of you for this great discussion (and others)! Too many high-quality comments and insights to count. We are always excited when our writing elicits so many awesome insights from our readers.
As others mentioned, I don’t think open carry is a good idea because guns are a favorite prize for criminals. I don’t want to be clocked in the back of the head while walking down the street or using the facilities and having my gun stolen. It’s the same reason my car and house aren’t plastered with NRA or ‘Protected by Smith & Wesson’ stickers, Why make yourself a target? Stealth is good.
Jack, these are excellent points. You might like an article of ours from about a month ago, too then – https://gunsandgadgetsdaily.com/3-reasons-to-rethink-that-bumper-sticker/
I have been both Open Carrying and Concealing (legally) since 2013 when we made some steps in the right direction here in Arkansas. Most people never even notice my .45 on my hip and I have had several good conversations with people about our laws here in Arkansas that have noticed. I have had a few wide-eyed stares but so far, not one single person has gone running for the hills and I have only had good interactions with local LEO’s. Our group “Patriots of Act 746” (also a Face Book group that discusses a lot of different states laws) use Open Carry to help educate the public on our Constitutional Carry laws and to fight the corruption of our state police and their licensing scheme that puts money into the ASP retirement fund (over $4,000,000 a year (that’s FOUR MILLION DOLLARS)). If you do choose to exercise your RIGHT to carry openly, you MUST practice situational awareness at all times (which you SHOULD do anyway).
I was required to carry a concealed weapon 24/7 for over 18 years as were my team. We did so because we were required to, but we also spent at least four days a month on the range.
The range time was mostly spent on reactions and drawing the weapon and hitting the target. I prefer OC because it allows the most rapid and controlled target acquisition and elimination. My team also practiced in different clothes and outer wear. IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERANCE. Even after a couple of weeks vacation, when someone came back, it was a couple of days at the range.
The comments about becoming the 1st target of the bad guys may hold some validity, but if you maintain good situational awareness you will be ready and much better off than the guy who just fumbled his draw because he was scared and had not practiced in a realistic situation.
Finally, OC is like a lock on your door, it does not stop bad people, it just keeps “honest people honest”.
Google the recent incident where a gentleman was open carrying in a SOB holster in his local Walmart, when nature called and he went into the rest room to do what he needed to do. He was followed in by some miscreants who proceeded to knock him in the head and relieve him of his proudly open carried pistola. They greatly appreciated him exercising his 2nd amendment rights whilst blithely wandering around in condition white.
And I greatly agree with monsieur Fredrickson’s analysis, especially with those who strut into Starbucks with a long gun on their shoulder. Yeah, it’s your right, but, dude, you’re scarin’ the civvies, so, don’t get your fruit of the looms in a wad when Five-0 pulls you aside to ascertain your intentions.
I think open carry is unwise unless you are on duty as law enforcement. It does nothing for the cause and does make you a target. It hurts the cause more than helps.
I’ve concluded that Open Carry people are the Gay Activists/Alphabet Soup crowd of the gun world: They march and parade around in public ostentatiously wearing tactical gear, with guns strapped to every body part, chanting “We’re Here, We Wear Gear, Get Used to It.”
Concealed Carry people prefer to stay “in the closet”; they want to live their lives without people knowing, and becoming the center of attention and derision. They want as few people as possible to know their “secret”.
In the wild, open carry is fine; easy, rapid access is most important. Besides, Gentle Ben or Pete Puma won’t want their Safe Place or run to a cop because they see your gun.
One of the rare instances where open carry was a deterrent, was in Texas, a year or so ago, I believe. A group of people of belonging to one racial stereotype bragged about having a march to “protest” a police shooting, if memory serves. The open carry people said that they were going to attend as well, and did. They stood at just about every corner along the parade rout, guns in full display. There was no rioting, no overturning of police cars, no beatdowns. Everyone behaved. And that’s about one of the rare instances where there’s a tactical advantage to carrying open: During potential civil unrest situations.
I think Open Carry is a poor choice from both tactical and public relations standpoints.
We live in a Free Country nd everyone has the right to say anything. The second amendment give us the right to bear and keep a gun. A couple states give to us the choice to open carry or concealed carry.
Let’s face it, Mr. CHARLES GIBSON has a point, if you can save lives, why not ????
I don’t want to judge anyone but , OC is more to show then to a security purpose.
Sorry if ‘I’ve offended Anyone.
Ricardo Santorsa
Tennessee
Regardless of all of the different opinions out there, only five states (California, Florida, Illinois New York, and South Carolina), as well as the District of Columbia, generally prohibit people from openly carrying handguns in public places. therefore, there are more than a “couple of states” that allow OC. In fact there are thirty-one (31) states that allow the open carrying of a handgun without any license or permit, although in some cases the gun must be unloaded.
I wont get into the back and forth comments of the pros/cons, but would appreciate that unreal generalizations instead of facts not be used.
In Michigan, CC requires a permit, and mandatory training classes, albeit some will say the classes are nothing short of ridiculous, but that’s the way it is. However we can OC without any permits/license, training or whatever, BUT there are several restrictions that also come with that. For example, if you OC and get into your vehicle with that piece of iron, composite strapped to your waist, you are now CC and will be in a bit of a pickel if stopped by your local local PD.
By the way, with OC, we are allowed to keep them loaded. Anyone doing OC without being loaded must be a bit oblivious to the danger he/she is putting themselves into.
When I first moved to a state where open carry was permitted I was surprised but pleased. I would wear a 44 Magnum Ruger Blackhawk 7.5″ stainless revolver in a tan leather cowboy style holster with bullets in the holders on the belt. I did not realize how rare this was until I stepped into a health food store (which I had previously frequented). The store owners eyes popped open and he said something that I can no longer remember. I explained that it was totally legal and he was as surprised as I had been even though he had lived in this state for decades.
His reaction made me rethink the wisdom of my open carry. I no longer openly carried a firearm of any kind and obtained my concealed carry permit as quickly as possible and have renewed it for over 25 years even though it is now legal in my state to open carry without a permit.
Today the reason that I don’t open carry unless hunting etc. has more to do with the fact that I feel it makes me the largest TARGET in the room. I realize that open carry will definitely discourage a certain type of criminal, perhaps the majority of them. However, those who are determined to carry out their evil deeds and or are intoxicated or mentally deranged may feel the need to neutralize me in one form or another. I, therefore, may be putting myself and others in additional danger.
In my opinion, my #1 causing bystanders anxiety combined with #2 possibly increasing the probability of a dangerous reaction from the bad guys is reason enough to choose conceal carry over open carry.
I respect and appreciate others II amendment right and choice to open carry I just personally choose not to. Thank You, Vinny
Most of the people I see with their pistol on their hip are doing it for the attention. They seem to want everyone around them to know they are big and bad with a pistol at the ready. I have seen many actively striking up conversations about what and why they carry. Others consciously turn to people around them to show off.
When I carry (almost always) I do not want anyone to know. No commotion – no problems – no worries.
I have a CHCL here in Arkansas. I do my best to keep it concealed but I am a slim man and I carry a full size 1911. Even under a shirt or jacket it is obvious I have a weapon. For the most part, it is covered. But of no matter, we have open carry.
I have been confronted by liberal women with unnaturally colored hair, often. And one Ritalin castrated, soy fed male. I remain polite and offer my phone if they would like to call law enforcement. So far, they have all balked at putting their feigned outrage and their names into a police report. When they finish shrieking I politely ask them if they are finished, and then tell them I have a Constitutional right that supersedes their opinion to the contrary.
As far as the penis references always made by those who feel inferior just because I carry a gun, I just get a chuckle. My gun is not my penis. One is for self defense and the other is for body functions of various types. I do not get the two confused. It’s not about that, only to the closet glory-hole lurker whose mind revolves around another man’s phallus. Talk about projection of an inferiority onto others. Or the true object of their deviant desires.
I have now had my CHL going on my 4th renewal in Texas and we have not been allowed to carry Open until a few years ago. So I never carry open unless I am on my Gold Wing Motorcycle and I do it there for several reasons. 1st and main reason I usually have on a jacket and gloves so getting to the firearm is not an easy task if you have to dig it out, it is much easier to get to very quickly if ever the need arises and I have been the object of folks trying to run us off the road in the past for ? reason. The other reason is it lets folks know ahead of time you are armed so it may just discourage the person from doing just that.. I am approaching my 70’s and don’t like surprises.
Open carry does not bother me, but it does some people. Besides, why would you want to make yourself target number 1 if a bad guy decides to start trouble. That’s the main reason I CC.
I prefer CC in general when in urban areas but open carry is fine outside towns, in forests, while hunting or hiking. The critters don’t care.
I question the open carry as a deterrent to anyone. If we’re side by side, you carry open, I carry concealed. Who is the first target of a criminal when they approach? Think about it. He already has his gun in his hand, can you draw and fire before he pulls his trigger? While you’re getting shot, I have a chance to move, draw my concealed gun, and return fire.
Just because you can does not mean you should.
My permit says, “Concealed Pistol Permit.” and that’s what I do.
I don’t wear, “Camo” and I don’t wear,”i-Pak” T-Shirts.
If I’m the first target, it defeats my being there.
Though I do not open carry (unless in the uplands) because of the suburban culture I spend most of my time in, I do let others see that I am armed from time to time. When pumping gas, running into a convenience store, etc., I often do not wear a suit jacket. On the one hand, I do not want to confirm to a criminal that I am armed; on the other, I do want him to have strong concern that I well may be,.. the fear of the unknown is powerful.
I am a former police officer. I conceal mine for I am not looking for trouble. But, if trouble finds me it will be sooo unhappy.. If you open carry say in a bank, and the bad guys come in and see you and your buddy; you have zero chances to do some good. If you have it covered the bad boys don’t know and if you have the mindset, you can stop them from doing something they shouldn’t. You can save lives.
Charles A. Lenz Gibson
You absolutely right Sr. !!!
I agreed 100% with you .
….because the damned Constitution says I can!
The constitution is not “damned” so don’t be such a jerk. If you are not being sarcastic (which I hope you are), you probably shouldn’t have a gun to begin with. Harboring Anger much?
Down here in the South when a man grandstands, he’s often referred to as “Big hat, no cattle” …. same can be said for open carry about town. It is stupid and in my mind, asking for trouble. But, if you have a small one and need to compensate, go for it.
Well said sir. I OC as much as I can here in MO. Unfortunately, I am constantly locking my weapon in the trunk for all those “gun safe” zones like banks, doctor’s offices, and gov’t. facilities. Still it’s better than many other states. I have only got the stink-eye once from a city teenager and some old guy (over 65) in the local Walmart.
Keep the faith and God bless.