Concealed or Open Carry?

[In-Yo-Grill]

I'm torn on this one buy my gut feeling is that if Texas ever went to an open carry policy I'd still conceal just for the sake of not wanting to draw attention. Like some mentioned earlier I also would want the advantage of people not knowing until the situation deemed it necessary.

[GregD]

My work clothes consist of blue jeans and a polo type shirt with our law enforcement logo (embroidered LE badge). I carry the CW9 or a M&P 40 in a Fobus hoster with a badge clipped to my pants next to my handgun and I'm still uncomfortable carrying open in the public.

[Bawanna]

My work clothes consist of blue jeans and a polo type shirt with our law enforcement logo (embroidered LE badge). I carry the CW9 or a M&P 40 in a Fobus hoster with a badge clipped to my pants next to my handgun and I'm still uncomfortable carrying open in the public.

The plain clothes guys in my department always seem to put a jacket or something on when they are going to be any place for any length of time. In a restaurant or something they cover up or sit strategically. I think it's something about showing all your cards or something. The uniforms of course are just the opposite, they would look strange without the gun. The badge helps immensely but there's lot of people out there that just don't grasp the concept of wearing a gun. Why stir em up.

[GregD]

Here in the deep south the temps run 85-100 with a near 100% humidity, it is very common to see detectives with their handguns showing. I'm retired LE, three years uniform and thirty years in detectives, so this practice is not new. I also put a 642 in my pocket when in a highly populated area instead of carrying open.

[jocko]

smart move

Here in the deep south the temps run 85-100 with a near 100% humidity, it is very common to see detectives with their handguns showing. I'm retired LE, three years uniform and thirty years in detectives, so this practice is not new. I also put a 642 in my pocket when in a highly populated area instead of carrying open.

even though u can open carry, u IMO are using ur head. Why draw unneeded attention.

[toolman]

open carry in public is not for me don,t want the attention carry concealed and keep to myself

[EricNC]

My concealed carry instructor had a great point about this. He strongly advised against letting anyone know you are carrying because it could easily be used against you ... For example, if someone had a beef with you - they could accuse you of "pulling a gun on them" - and even if you didn't (of course), you would have little ground to stand on. Best just to keep it concealed, and hopefully no one else will ever have to find out you are carrying.

[Popeye]

Let me say this, I read a story on the net. How true it is a do not know. Take it for what it is.
The story went that a guy comming home from work with a, This Truck protected by S&W sticker on the back window of his pickup got into a small traffic beef with another motorist. The other motorist saw the sticker and was so pissed that he called the cops and told them that the guy in the pickup was waving a gun around. The cops eventually stopped the pickup and the guy did infact have a gun on him. According to the story the guy never did wave the gun but was charged just the same. Lost his right to carry. Is this story true? It could be, or it could be BS. Like I said take it for what it is. Either way letting someone know something about you that they do not need to know could be very troublesome to you. Nice to have a choice though.

[hsart]

My concealed carry instructor had a great point about this. He strongly advised against letting anyone know you are carrying because it could easily be used against you ... For example, if someone had a beef with you - they could accuse you of "pulling a gun on them" - and even if you didn't (of course), you would have little ground to stand on. Best just to keep it concealed, and hopefully no one else will ever have to find out you are carrying.

Seems like anyone with a concealed carry permit is at risk for anonymous or untrue complaints. Seems like there should be a credible witness to back up the story for the state to act by taking away CCW privileges. I vaguely remember the 'innocent until proven guilty' concept.

[EricNC]

Seems like anyone with a concealed carry permit is at risk for anonymous or untrue complaints. Seems like there should be a credible witness to back up the story for the state to act by taking away CCW privileges. I vaguely remember the 'innocent until proven guilty' concept.

Agreed. And I'd fight it like he-- if it ever happened to me. But just like you can basically get sued for pretty much anything, you can also get accused of pretty much anything. Who knows how long and how much $$ some knucklehead could cost you by making a ridiculous accusation. So I feel I'm best served by doing whatever I can to not let anyone know I'm carrying, and not give them any information to possibly use in an absurd way.

[hsart]

Agreed. And I'd fight it like he-- if it ever happened to me. But just like you can basically get sued for pretty much anything, you can also get accused of pretty much anything. Who knows how long and how much $$ some knucklehead could cost you by making a ridiculous accusation. So I feel I'm best served by doing whatever I can to not let anyone know I'm carrying, and not give them any information to possibly use in an absurd way.

Unfortunately I bet that in most states the bureaucrats would be quick on the draw to revoke a license. You would probably need to show a specific need to carry to have a chance of fighting it and it would cost a lot! Ouch!!

[Popeye]

Oh I'd fight like hell to if it was me, But you have to ask yourself what put the idea in the guys head to begin with. You never know, someone who is totally against guns could do the same thing to any one of us at any time.
There's allot of wacko's out there who just love to stir the pot on others who do not think as they do.

[SureShot]

In my opinion open carry is a good thing. But there’s a time and place for it. If you do it right, dress nicely and don’t be the scary guy, be polite and courteous. The more the public see’s good people with guns and nothing happens the more they become use to seeing people with guns. This can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. It would take away a lot of the worry (am I printing? or opening your jacket, or worrying about someone seeing that I’m carrying a gun). But in the end I think I’m like the majority of you guys, I would still ware concealed, especially in large crowds where I can’t watch everyone. To make sure no one tries to take my gun.
Stay safe and keep your muzzle pointed down range
Paul
Proud NRA and TSRA member

[jocko]

if u want to be challenged about every step of the way by authorities and even owners of business's indeed open carry. whether it your right our not, your gonna get challenged. I choose not to go that route. I really don't believe it will produce public acceptance either...

One can wear a T-shrt with the picture of Hitler on it and the caption I LOVE ADOLPH and u have that right but I would not think you would get to many people walking buy you and saying "Heh, nice shirt" ...

[jlottmc]

Gotta go with you on this one Jocko, mr surveyor as well. I think that right now in the current climate, that what the good folks around me don't know, won't hurt them. Unless of course they mean to do me and my or those around me evil/harm.