Open Carry: How do you feel about it?

[CM156_v1legacy]

So, I was mulling the issue over in my head dear readers, and I thought about this question. How do you feel about Open Carry? I.E. people who walk around in public places with guns strapped to their side or too their back.

I am a denizen of Missouri, which is an open carry state. In rural areas, it's not uncommon to see a farmer or two carrying around a shotgun, nor is it uncommon to see a man sitting in a dining establishment with an pistol holstered at his side.

I ask because opinion on this matter varies, even among gun owners. My father is a NRA member, and he's not a huge fan of open carry. As for me? I'm fine with it. It doesn't really bother me. In some ways, I do feel safer around people with guns, especially those who I can tell have been training with them recently. That, and my state is also a shall-issue state for permits to carry a concealed weapon, so I see it not really different. Either way, I'm around people with guns. And I'm not bothered. I don't think I'll open carry myself, but I'm not bothered by it. Thoughts?

EDIT: Oh, and this goes without saying, but let's try to avoid flaming and hyperbole, ok?

 

[Todd Ralph]

Depends honestly to me how the person is acting and how they carry themselves. If they look like a goon and screwing around then not so well. If they look responsible and just have it on person then not so well

 

[Spacewolf]

i think i would prefer a noticable gun to a hidden one as at least then its deffinatly for detering attacks rather than killing someone in a fight

 

[Vegosiux]

Yeah I'm inclined to agree, if you really absolutely have to have a gun (*sigh*), at least make it noticeable. I mean, concealed firearms can't be a deterrent, since nobody knows you have one in the first place.

 

[Jonluw]

Yeah, no I'm fine with living somewhere people don't carry weapons on the street, thanks.

But I would definitely prefer open carry to concealed.

 

[Esotera]

I suppose I'd prefer open-carry. But we're not even allowed guns here really in the UK -_- so that's not happening anytime soon.

 

[Farseer Lolotea]

Depends honestly to me how the person is acting and how they carry themselves. If they look like a goon and screwing around then not so well. If they look responsible and just have it on person then not so well

This.

Additionally, if someone's got a firearm, I'd rather know that they do.

 

[michiehoward]

I think the only reason why a person with no gun starts to open carry a gun. They saw someone else, who they perceived as a total retard carrying and thought to themselves...

"Well I better carry a gun if a idiot like him is wearing one, you know safety"

 

[requisitename]

I dislike guns. They make me uncomfortable because they are dangerous*. You can argue if you like, but you won't change my mind. They're MADE to be dangerous. That's the draw. If they weren't dangerous, they'd have no place in personal protection. It seems to me that allowing people to walk around with guns (open or concealed) is really just asking for trouble. Regardless of a person's history, it is completely possible to lose one's temper.. which, even without a gun, can lead to disastrous consequences. Adding guns increases the chance of tragedy, in my opinion.

* dan·ger·ous
Adjective: Able or likely to cause harm or injury.

 

[Ectoplasmicz]

Pretty much what has been said. In aus guns arent legal, but if you were able to carry one around, id prefer to know someone was carrying it, rather than it being concealed.

 

[Liberaliter]

I don't like the thought of people walking around openly with dangerous weapons, but I don't have to worry about that to the extent that you describe as I live in the UK.

 

[Colour Scientist]

I've never really been exposed to a gun culture.
I went to New York twice and the cops with guns made me feel slightly uncomfortable. I imagine it would make me feel pretty uneasy, though, I suppose if I lived somewhere where it was normal, I'd eventually get used to it.

 

[Muspelheim]

As a European, it's not really much of a worry. The only people who usually got guns where I'm from are either policemen, huntsmen, soldiers and more serious criminals. But I don't think open carry is a good idea, anyway. Mainly because I don't think there should be any reason for you to bring a deadly weapon with you outside. But again, it's a bit of a non-issue here, since if someone who isn't a police officer wanders around with a gun, you're most likely stuck in the middle of a bank robbery or a gunfight between two criminal groups.

 

[Nocola]

Rick Perry goes for morning runs with a laser-sighted pistol.

I guess my point is that there is a point at which carrying a deadly weapon with you becomes ridiculous.

You live in the city/town Not a war zone - you don't NEED a weapon, it's unnecessary and invites trouble. You're not going to find terrorists at WalMart or McDonalds. Put the gun away there champ. If you aren't a cop or a solider there should be no reason you should carry a weapon with you in public. The only possible exception I can think of is farmers, but that's not in the city anyway so yeah.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

I am a denizen of Missouri,

I am so, so, so, so, so, so, sorry to hear that. I'm from, and am moving to next month, Mansfield. Whereparts you livin'?

OT: I'm not okay with people openly carrying weapons. It invites trouble and just looks douchey.

I reside in an area near Creve Coeur that's not incorporated in any of the cities. Nice place. Nice people.

 

[senordesol]

It would certainly make everyone a hell of a lot more polite.

What's that old saw? Well-armed society is a polite society?

In all seriousness, I support the right to arm one's self but as a citizen of California this would take some getting used to. I think we are legally an open-carry state (it just can't be loaded), but no one walks around with them in plain view who aren't police.

 

[Atmos Duality]

Before I reply, a little context: I occasionally hear (illegal) automatic gunfire in the distance when I visit my friend who lives close to the..."unsavory" side of town. Drive-bys and firefights are entirely too common for my tastes (fortunately, he lives on the "good side" of the "DMZ", which is regularly patrolled and separated by two large treelines, but I can still hear the gunfire clearly enough).

Years of attempted "crack-downs" have ultimately proved ineffective at keeping that kind of firepower out of the hands of gangs and criminals. Honestly; I'm far more worried about the gangster with a modified Tech-9 or sawed off shotgun in their pants/jacket than the guy openly packing.

 

[Malyc]

I dislike guns. They make me uncomfortable because they are dangerous*. You can argue if you like, but you won't change my mind. They're MADE to be dangerous. That's the draw. If they weren't dangerous, they'd have no place in personal protection. It seems to me that allowing people to walk around with guns (open or concealed) is really just asking for trouble. Regardless of a person's history, it is completely possible to lose one's temper.. which, even without a gun, can lead to disastrous consequences. Adding guns increases the chance of tragedy, in my opinion.

* dan·ger·ous
Adjective: Able or likely to cause harm or injury.

The gun by itself isn't dangerous. You can put one on a shelf, and it will just sit there. They become dangerous when someone with the will to use them, does.