Am I the only one thinking this is really not good?

[ICEMAN]

I don't OC very often, but think that most all of us should do it once in a  while.

Maybe a monthly or yearly exercise, even with some publicity to remind the non-carrying public that we are numbers strong.

[Blacklab]

Not for me to oc but more power to those that do 

Seen a gentlemen in winco last year with his oc. Honestly it kind of made me smile to see it and second nobody was pointing fingers. Then my curiosity got to me and I had to go talk to him.  I walked up said hi introduced myself and asked if I could ask a couple ?s. Sure he says. Then I asked if his oc caused him unwanted grief. Not as much as you would think. Here and there but very little. Then he say's it's legal to carry you know. Yes I know I was just wondering how much hassle you get. Not much, but hell I'm retired and sometime's a little bored. So I like to kick a few trees to see what falls out of them.  

[D-Rock425]

Its funny to me when and where I see people open carry.

[lee]

Why do guys walk around displaying a holstered gun in the open carry, in a really public area?  Today saw two open carrying. Something is just wrong with someone walking around Kent Station Square displaying open carry.  Maybe low self esteem trying to look like a bad hombre or what?  Come on, conceal it!  I understand in the woods, doing recreational activities but sitting down in one of the most public places in Kent?  WTF?  I carried for over 25 years as part of my job and carry concealed every waking moment since leaving that profession, the last thing I want is someone to see what cards I have...  Must be a terrible poker player, eh?  And it is always someone that holy gripe, I'd be scared if somehow they had to utilize that weapon as method of force.  I am all for 100% training for folks without prior experience.  Guess part of the debate that I will always lose in an open forum, but most guys that carry scare the bejesus out of me...  Am I alone?

Sir,

After read'un yer post I have to ask, Are you implying that everyone that OC's is/has:
1. Wrong
2. Low self esteem
3. Terrible poker players
4. Scare you
5. are not 100% trained

Such a wide range implication to an entire group of folks will have the same effect as throw'un gas on a fire to try and put it out.   

OC'ers exercise this activity because IT IS THEIR RIGHT. Period

This is not meant to flame you, I am just concerned about the apparent implication you are presenting.

God speed,
Lee

[MuleDeerCrazy]

It's kind of like killing a big buck and then tying the head on the front of your truck for all the world to see... it's not illeagal and other hunters may think it's cool giving you the thumbs up when they drive by, but to a lot of people it's poor taste and either way doesnt' do anything to promote our cause.

Heck, hound hunting used to be legal, until a bunch of people decided that it was cruel and in poor taste... and poof, hound hunting is no more in this state.

 

[Arnbo]

It's their right... and none of our business.

sent from my typewriter

 

[Alchase]

The only reason open carry is now considered "in poor taste" or "he just wants attention or confrontation" is because we have allowed a very small vocal minority to determine that it is no longer socially acceptable to open carry.
Open carry to my knowledge, has never caused a single shooting?
Though there may be one I do not know about.
Do we allow people to keep us from voting, because they feel uncomfortable?
Or do we allow them to keep us from voting for a particular party?
So really, what is it that causes people to "oh my gosh, he has a gun!" when every police officer also has a gun on their hip?
The only thing causing this negative backlash, is an agenda within the person reacting that way.
Not the person who is open carrying.

Whats next?
 
It is not socially acceptable for you to have free speech anymore, because I am uncomfortable with what or how you say it.

I am not concerned about what others think about expressing my right to vote,
I am not concerned about what others think about my right to free speech,
I am not concerned about what others think about my right to carry fire arms, open or not,
I am not concerned, right up until someone makes an issue out of my rights, then I become very, very concerned.

What response does a normal person give when those rights list above start to be infringed upon by others ignorance?

They vote!
They speak
They express their rights to carry!

When we stop doing these things, we have lost

[cohoho]

I guess I was pretty literal and threw a large blanket over a group of people when I put this out last night based solely on the two guys I saw carrying OC.  Not meant to offend, it was just these two folks I saw last night were really there for the show and display factor.  Yep that me, trying to subdue people's rights!   

[Crunchy]

I am not big on open carry either, but to each their own.

[mossy8352]

For me I do not see open carry much around here. But something to consider looking at California where recently open carry is no longer legal and CCW permits are almost impossible to get means the person with a hand gun has to have a concealed permit or leave it at home or locked up in the car. It is legal and a right and the deer head on the grill to show off may be legal but to me it is in bad taste and hurts us all. Maybe the answer is to us common sense when open carry is the norm (rural areas/sporting goods stores etc.). I am certainly not against it but if you do you should be prepared for the outcome.

[Arnbo]

If you were a Criminal planning on robbing a place walked in and seen a couple people
 That are carrying handguns......I would bet the Thug would reconsider.

[Alchase]

I guess I was pretty literal and threw a large blanket over a group of people when I put this out last night based solely on the two guys I saw carrying OC.  Not meant to offend, it was just these two folks I saw last night were really there for the show and display factor.  Yep that me, trying to subdue people's rights!   

Cohoho, my statement was not meant to be pointed at you, but the ones who would oppose our rights in general.

[magnanimous_j]

It’s their right, so go for it.

That being said, I think it’s a bad idea. The OP mentioned seeing guys open carry at Kent station, which is a crowded shopping district. That means any dumb kid could walk right up behind them, yank it out of its holster and run away with it. Being a deterrent to crime is dubious at best. People who rob retail stores aren’t exactly criminal masterminds who think this stuff out. They are people with poor impulse control and violent tendencies.  Some junkie could be in a store to buy a pack of kools and see some guy obliviously open carrying and decide, “hey, I’ll grab this gun and rob the store with it.” I think it would be extra embarrassing to get pistol whipped with my own gun.

More than that though, I think it’s a bad way to be ambassadors of our subculture. I think open carrying is openly antagonistic and honestly it reeks of insecurity. it’s macho posturing and it plays into the stereotypes our opponents have painted us with.

[Mike450r]

open carry is a great idea.  If I see someone openly displaying their weapon it does catch my eye because it is not the norm but I do not get concerned.  Criminals will generally not display their weapon until they are ready to commit the crime.  A psychopath might but luckily they are not as common as the general thug. So if the people that are worried about it used common sense they would realize that the guy walking through the store with a gun on his hip is not there to do any harm.

If I had to choose one to be ruled illegal I would choose concealed carry.  Think about if all law abiding owners were openly carrying, only the criminals would have their weapons concealed but they would be seeing a hell of a lot more people with a pistol on their hip and I think firearm crime would drop dramatically.

[turkeyfeather]

I agree with others that it is absolutely their right, but not for me. If I'm in a crowd and it's about to hit the fan I don't want the bad guy to know that I am the one that might ruin his day. But to imply that just cause someone doesn't fit the mold of what you think they should look like that they are untrained morons just looking for attention? That is just not a very fair determination. How should one that open carries look? One could say that you are stereotyping or even  discriminating or racist. I live in Eastern Wa and we have lots of "redneck, hillbillies" looking type of people that some might say don't look like they should have a gun. But alot of those guys or gals can handle and shoot a gun better than any of us can. You should never condemn someone for exercising their rights even if you don't agree.