Open Carry Experiment..

[cypress]

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Yes you may scare off the cowards but those determined hardened criminals will bury you for your piece and you'll never see it coming. you give away your tactical advantage, the element of surprise in hopes of gaining a deterrent.

I agree. Yes, criminals are motivated by laziness, but also by desperation and stupidity and care nothing about your life. I would rather have the tactical advantage in any situation where I would feel the need to carry.

[eyesopened]

Originally Posted by cypress

I agree. Yes, criminals are motivated by laziness, but also by desperation and stupidity and care nothing about your life. I would rather have the tactical advantage in any situation where I would feel the need to carry.

Would you need the tactical advantage of suprise if the crime never happened because you were OC?

OC also has an advantage of being able to present a firearm faster than one that is concealed.

OC holsters that have retention methods would prevent someone from just grabbing your firearm, and proper training would make it even more difficult.

[ScottyT]

Originally Posted by eyesopened

OC holsters that have retention methods would prevent someone from just grabbing your firearm, and proper training would make it even more difficult.

My wife was concerned about someone coming up behind me and taking my gun when I started OCing. I was doing some dry exercises, so I holstered and invited her to come up behind me and try to take it. she pulled and pulled, but had to stop and look at it to figure out the Blackhawk SERPA.

I doubt many street thugs are familiar with those holsters...

[jtkratzer]

Originally Posted by jeepinbanditrider

PA is an open carry state. Not quite as unrestrictive as AK but they still allow it. I think Philly lives in their own little world when it comes to firearms laws though IIRC it's a big time no no there.

And hopefully someone who has thought though this enough to put it into an experiment has probably checked or already knew the laws on OC.

Open carry is legal in PA without a LTCF at age 18. See below for restriction.

Originally Posted by jcabin

i've done my research, open carry is fully legal in pa, you dont even need a LTCF or CCW, whichever your state calls it..

Open carry is legal in Philadelphia with a valid LTCF. Carrying a firearm in any manner, actually, requires a LTCF in Philadelphia.

The rest of the state only requires a LTCF if you are concealing.

[AZBill]

Here in AZ I see quite a bit of open carry, but most people carry conceled. I carry open while hiking sometimes, but mostly conceled. Less attention and the "suprise" element if needed. Most of the public is used to open carry, so there isn't a reaction to it here.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by eyesopened

Would you need the tactical advantage of suprise if the crime never happened because you were OC?

OC also has an advantage of being able to present a firearm faster than one that is concealed.

OC holsters that have retention methods would prevent someone from just grabbing your firearm, and proper training would make it even more difficult.

Like I said before you are risking tactical advantage for a deterrent. I don't worry about the cowards as they aren't going to hurt you anyway. Worry about the guy that will put you down without thought just to take your gun. Also reaction is always slower than action. This isn't the wild west at high noon when you're going to draw against each other. If a criminal would confront you when you're OCing you'd never see it coming.

[cypress]

I just got my LTCF even though I am primarily interested in home defense and range shooting. Although OC may be legal with or without an LTCF in PA, they don't go out of their way to provide clear information on the subject. After having read the following on the state police website, I decided it would be best to get it just to avoid a hassle from some local Barney Fife.

PSP: Carrying Firearms

The way I read this I can OC in PA without a LTCF as long as I don't drive a car anywhere with it except when hunting or going to a range.

[Vandal]

Has anyone on here OC'd in the Boise Idaho area? I go to school in Moscow, ID and guns are pretty common here so when I OC the only people who stare are little kids and the college anti-gun liberals. I spend my summers at home in Boise and was curious if anyone has had any experience with it.

[Bree]

I have a PA LTCF and normally carry concealed. But I would have no qualms about carrying open, if I wanted to do so. I think jcabin should go with his feelings and carry in whatever legal way he wants.

If he carries open, he will attract more attention. That goes without saying. Some will be negative and some will be positive. Most people simply won't care as they are self-absorbed in their own world. Jcabin is a young man and is exploring. Let him see what's out there and make his own decisions. I would much rather see decisions made on the basis of evidence and experience rather than hearsay and speculation.

[ERRveneno]

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Like I said before you are risking tactical advantage for a deterrent. I don't worry about the cowards as they aren't going to hurt you anyway. Worry about the guy that will put you down without thought just to take your gun. Also reaction is always slower than action. This isn't the wild west at high noon when you're going to draw against each other. If a criminal would confront you when you're OCing you'd never see it coming.

I agree with many things you say. I'm not with OC all time. In fast stops i handle my gun an put it in my front pocket with my hand in. in dark places i just use my carry holster in my front pocket hands on, even while walking. OK but i never allow strange people to go behind me. In my country there is not that much military training and most of the people that carry are not having any tactical training, even though crimes are not because someone is willing to take away your gun. Is a pride to have such a nice pistols as our XD OC, but CC allows anybody to have enough time to do whatever with you. i prefer to say that I CC with an easy way to take the toy out of the box and fire (of course, just if necessary)