I only OC with double retention holsters, never with paddle holsters (those are only used for the range). You would have to be very familiar with the holster to be able to pull the pistol out of its holster. And Im always aware of my surroundings all the time, no matter where I am or how Im carrying. This is the way I have always been due to where I grew up.

 

I personally am 100% for both. Since I started my job, I've seen 3 people that OC come into the store. 2 of which had empty holsters, probably so they wouldn't "scare" anyone, and one guy who had his pistol. I actually just found out that Idaho's OC minimum age is 18, so I'm legal to carry my pistol as long as its carried openly.

I see the advantages and disadvantages to carrying both ways. I'm still going to get my permit next year so that I have the option to carry concealed in case there is somewhere that I'm going that I know is not OC friendly or if I just feel like CC that day.

I think the public should be educated so that they know when they see a person with a properly holster handgun, that they don't need to be scared of him. This is one reason why I prefer OC over CC.

I agree with CincinnatisMostWanted about some punk seeing a good guy with a gun and walking out to pick an easier place to hit. On the other hand, Ramprat, you also make a valid point, but if you are aware of your surroundings and living in the yellow phase, you could possibly spot the bad guy walking in with the intent to knock the place over before he sees you and your gun and possibly do something to stop him or at least alert an employee or something.

I personally try my best to stay in the yellow phase, and be alert to my surroundings, even though I don't carry often(yet). I'll admit that I have times where I get tunnel vision on what I working on or I'm just thinking about something and zone out. At work, my head is on a swivel at all times, I try my best to give most people a quick once over to TRY to determine if they are any kind of threat. Its a grocery store, so there are hundreds of people in and out of there everyday and if I had a CC permit and carried all the time before working there, I'd feel very uncomfortable without my gun(no guns at work even concealed). This is why I always carry at least 2 knives. One for my general cutting work and one for defense should I ever need it, highly unlikely in my area but it gives me peace of mind. That's my .02

 

At the range, hunting, gun right protest march, sure by all means. Openly carrying a handgun in a public full of fearful sheeple for the purpose of stating your rights, which according to my understanding is the main reason the OC'ers do it, is not the time or the place.

If I was a desperate or crazed criminal walking into a place intending to perform an armed robbery and saw an OC'er, they would be the first one I'd shoot. If I was not actually insane or desperate and didn't really feel like killing somebody that moment, I'd just go somewhere else. The deterrence argument doesn't really hold up for me.

 

You just contradicted yourself. Deterrence means deterring them from robbing/harming YOU, not the person or store down the street. Nothing is going to stop a criminal from doing what he does, but open carrying just might stop him from doing it to you.

 

No, I stated two different possible outcomes. There are of course, more. Did you not read this part:

 

Did you even read my post?

 

OK, so the consensus is that open carrying among the general public for the purpose of making a statement about gun rights is dumb idea.

Anything else?

 

Why is that? Because it might scare the sheep? What other rights do you give up just to conform?

 

You also have the right to be a bull-headed, stubborn, selfish SOB who cares little for anything or anybody but yourself.

But I prefer to not normally exercise that one as much as I might like.

 

I will agree with all of those except selfish. That one is unwarranted. Show me one post I made that portrayed me as being selfish. Id really like to know.

As far as bullheaded stubborn SOB, Ive been called worse by better. And I wont even disagree with it. Im stuck in my ways.