There is an open carry association educating law enforcement and the public about the issue of citizens carrying weapons openly, an option that is legal in Washington but not in every situation. Get educated before you strap on a gun and start strutting around in the mall. The idea of “open-carry” gets discussed a lot in some circles. Open carry is a new concept for me but I am trying to approach it with an open mind. Here are some responses from various folks that regularly pack weapons within these United States:

1. No….I don’t open carry except when hunting. In 15 years of carrying, I have always lived in an open carry state. In all that time, I’ve only seen one individual open carrying in public. While there were no comments, I think the fact that he was open carrying went generally un-noticed. Based on my observations, I think there are far fewer who open carry than some would lead us to believe.

Just my opinion, but I firmly believe that open carry removes, or at least reduces your tactical advantage.
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2. I live in TN. and it is legal to open carry here. I don’t think its “desirable’ but it is an exercise of one’s rights. I open carry occasionally. It is a common place thing I’m told in certain parts of the state. I belong to a TN. state forum and it is discussed. Although the general consensus is that it is not prudent. I understand in some states it is common for people to carry openly in bars and courtrooms. My opinion is that open carry is a lot of work and worry about retention and confrontation. But I believe that it is a right.
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3. The Bad Guy is usually just looking for a quick grab and run, he does not want to stick around for any type of confrontation.

This open carry thing to me depends upon your age. If the “Bad Guy” sees someone who is in their 20’s carrying a gun they may tend to think that these people are trying to be a tough guy and want to see just what they will or will not do. If the Bad Guy sees someone about 30 or older they may think twice because of the persons age and possible experience.

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4. Good points. While in public, I do not open carry. I feel open carry takes away my tactical advantage. It can also leave you vulnerable if two or more thugs attempt a take-a-way from different directions. This is hard to defend against.

Why advertise your weapon and make yourself a possible target. I look at CCW like playing poker. Never tip your hand.
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5. “…I’m not going to individually second guess those that choose to open carry where legal. For me however, I prefer to conceal. I guess it’s the submariners motto of “Run Silent, Run Deep.” for me. I know that cultures can vary dramatically from one state to another, but I think that open carry invites some paranoid person to call 911 from a cell phone to report “a man with a gun….”

Also it has the potential to communicate a “vigilante persona” to the antigun folks; especially to the undecided middle-of-the-road persons, who will be turned off as much as fastening you freshly killed deer to the hood of your car as you drive downtown past school zones on your way to the meat processor. It’s legal, just not good ambassadorship. But this is only as I see it.

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“Let your gun be your companion on all your walks.” Thomas Jefferson

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6. I have carried concealed since 1964. My personal choice is to conceal whenever possible but the fact that OC is legal has its advantages as well. I used to ride a motorcycle. My holstered J-Frame would often show outside my jacket at the waist. No big deal.

As for a “grab and go” because of open carry, all the more reason to get a holster that provides proper retention. I carry my Sig today in a Blackhawk CQC Serpa holster. Anyone grabbing my gun will have to take my pants, belt, and holster with the gun. They will also have to figure out how to get my knife out of the back of their hand.
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7. I am still not sure about open carry for myself but it is good to know that I will not be arrested for “intimidating” just because I get out of the car and my shirt is not covering up my 1911 in .45 ACP.

I wear a Milt Sparks holster (the one advertised as having an FBI cant). I cannot remember what the style is but it is IWB and has the option to tuck in the shirt tail and stay concealed (with a slight modification). I carry the 1911 cocked with a round in the chamber (the way it is designed to be carried).

I usually cover it with a jacket, shirt tail, etc. My weapon is a 5″ barrel, solid stainless Kimber Target loaded with Black Talons rounds and Winchester Ranger rounds (230 grain HP). I want to look into 200 Grain federal expanding round nose. I am hearing a great deal of good things about the advantages of RN ammo (not as prone to jams according to the old school thinking).

Hollow points often fail to open up and thus fail to deliver the full punch (i.e., knock down energy) and can continue through the body causing collateral damage as easily as a round point in some cases. For the uninitiated, experts debate such subjects quite a bit and there are more than a few alternative schools of thought. My understanding is that police agencies often use ammunition that fragments when it hits a solid object. This is due to the high potential for liability faced by police departments as a result of deadly force confrontations.

One of my contacts tells me that in order to carry openly it pays to be in very good shape with training in unarmed self-defense and tecniques for preventing someone from disarming you. The possibility that one or more assailants may try to disarm an armed person is very real in view of the fact that the armed individual is normally prevented from legally deploying deadly force until deadly force is presented.

Thus, from a legal stand point and from the standpoint of common sense, open carry is only for certain people and there are many places where it is unwise and illegal. An armed self-defense class like that provided at the Firearms Academy of Seattle and many local ranges is highly recommended for any one that is planning to carry a weapon in public- openly or concealed. The practice and training needs to be ongoing and regular.

See also www.armedcitizensnetwork.org/.
The fact that it is still legal to wear weapons in plain view (in some states) is worth thinking about. It is particularly interesting that people are doing this in some parts of the country even while in other parts of the country and much of the world outside the U.S., people cannot even own a personal firearm.

Incidentally, a guy was charged with intimidation near Federal Way a few years ago and took his case to the Washington State Supreme Court. He had been ambling down Pacific Highway South in the early hours of the morning with an AK-47 slung over his shoulder in plain view, a full clip and a .45 caliber handgun concealed on his hip. The justices held that such a fact pattern constitutes intimidation and upheld the arrest and the statute as written.

Time and place is critical so use your common sense. Send an e-mail with a comment or question to knapp.m@comcast.net if you want the citation to the case. Or send some links to similar legal precedents and we will publish them. I know I would have been looking for cover if I had seen that guy walking down the street!

See http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/.