Posted on Feb 11, 2015
Gun enthusiasts and owners: What are your thoughts on Constitutional carry, concealed carry and open carry? Which do you prefer and why?
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(This is meant to be a fun debate)
There have been some studies that suggest majority of crime is opportunity based (aka crime of opportunity theory). Where criminals target those that are perceived as weaker or less likely to fight back. Giving people the means to not only protect themselves but show that they are not afraid to protect themselves may help to reduce crime rates.
There have been countless stories that have backed the prevention of crime when there is an armed citizen present (either in the home or a concealed carry). I can see where some may be concerned about this because just because you can "buy" a gun doesn't mean you know how to "use" a gun. However, some communities that are proud gun zones have less crime and actively educate their children in gun safety as well as proper handling/use.
If you are pro open carry do you think there should be a limitation on the type of firearm that can be carried based on location (e.g. public areas - handguns; hunting/lawful Target Shooting/etc. - all forms; private property - all forms; etc.)?
Edited to include statistics for carrying loaded vs. unloaded:
According to the FBI, "the average gunfight lasts 4 seconds and 95% of gunfights happen within 7 yards." So unless you can load, point and shoot a gun under 4 seconds and within 7 yards (or less if they are rushing at you with a weapon of their own) then you are essentially screwed. You might as well just run around with a baseball bat slung over your shoulder as it would be more effective.
There have been some studies that suggest majority of crime is opportunity based (aka crime of opportunity theory). Where criminals target those that are perceived as weaker or less likely to fight back. Giving people the means to not only protect themselves but show that they are not afraid to protect themselves may help to reduce crime rates.
There have been countless stories that have backed the prevention of crime when there is an armed citizen present (either in the home or a concealed carry). I can see where some may be concerned about this because just because you can "buy" a gun doesn't mean you know how to "use" a gun. However, some communities that are proud gun zones have less crime and actively educate their children in gun safety as well as proper handling/use.
If you are pro open carry do you think there should be a limitation on the type of firearm that can be carried based on location (e.g. public areas - handguns; hunting/lawful Target Shooting/etc. - all forms; private property - all forms; etc.)?
Edited to include statistics for carrying loaded vs. unloaded:
According to the FBI, "the average gunfight lasts 4 seconds and 95% of gunfights happen within 7 yards." So unless you can load, point and shoot a gun under 4 seconds and within 7 yards (or less if they are rushing at you with a weapon of their own) then you are essentially screwed. You might as well just run around with a baseball bat slung over your shoulder as it would be more effective.
Gun Control
Concealed Carry
2nd Amendment
Open Carry
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 102
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I carry in Boston, MA. dependent on where I am going, but always concealed. Boston license is almost impossible to obtain, 1) Pass safety class 2) join a gun club 3) qualify with revolver and auto at BPD gun range. 4) the usual background checks 5) in addition toook 40 hour concealed carry course with State Trooper (my option - not required). Massachusetts is an open carry state, believe it or not. To date I have never seen a civilian open carry.
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CW4 Dan Cady
I carry in Nebraska. Requires a course and registration & background check with State Patrol. Not difficult to get with clean record. Large cities tried to pass stiffer restrictions but Nebraska Law requires municipalities can not be more restrictive than state law. I hAve not attempted open carry.
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I prefer conceal simply because everyone doesn't need to know my business lol. Even though Louisiana has an open carry law and a rough guess prolly 70% of the population either own or own/carry a firearm, people like to start things just because you have a weapon that you can see. I carry because I swore and oath to protect against foreign and domestic and I plan to uphold that oath to the best of my ability.
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PO1 (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) Great response! A lot of people tend to chose concealed for personal preference because it provides the means to protect without calling attention to yourself. I personally feel that the way I carry would be based off of circumstances of the situation, but regardless I should not be hindered by how or what I want to carry.
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I prefer concealed carry so as not to draw a criminal's attention, I would much rather they be surprised how fast a firearm appeared in my hand, safety off.
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I have always thought handguns were for concealment. As they are a very poor choice with there small barrels typically and limited capacity. I do believe in the right to carry open or concealed but to mean open should imply long guns as handguns often say hey its in holster and you can get the drop on me before I can bring into action. I think legally unless a company is going to hire body guard s armed to the teeth you should legally be able to carry concealed. Its your life and no one needs to know your armed with handgun. Criminals are goin to get guns by any means why not be a hard target of surprise? As far restrictions on weapons I believe the 2 nd amendment doesn't say anywhere restrict as congress or other buffoons see fit. Aka no class 3 aka NFA b.s. should be allowed. Just my .02
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Also, I think the most disenfranchised group from Bearing Arms is ironically the group most capable and charged by oath to support and defend the constitution. How can that be justified?
Arm the Armed Forces!
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/arm-the-armed-forces
Arm the Armed Forces!
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/arm-the-armed-forces
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I'm all for open carry, Albeit, licensed with training. "An armed society is a polite society."
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I hate seeing douchebags who carry an M4 or AK47 "because they can." They don't look presentable. They do it to scare people. If you carry in a holster, and don't look like a hobo/white trash, carry all you want.
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Sgt Michael Furphy
That's the big difference in opinions here. While most of us can walk away and leave them alone, you as a LEO are required to confront them IF someone calls in a complaint. There are a lot of people out there that are afraid of someone with a firearm either shouldered or holstered and they call the police. Maybe if the dispatcher inquired further into their complaint besides just carrying a firearm, then the dispatcher can tell them that it's perfectly legal to carry and unless they are breaking the law then there is no reason to send an officer. Wouldn't that help?
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SSG (Join to see)
You'd be surprised what little information a dispatcher can receive. I have great dispatchers, but if the caller doesn't give information, even after asking questions, there's nothing to go on.
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SSG (Join to see)
No, MAJ Ballinger, society is drastically less knowledgeable about firearms than they should be. I think you missed the point about, if someone calls I have to take the call. I can not ignore the call. Part of my job is answering calls for service. I can not just say, "No calls today. I'm not going to do my job." Because that would cost me my job.
I don't run lights and sirens to their location. I don't come out at gun point and demand them to the ground. That's a special kind of stupid.
So, if you want to educate someone, educate the public. You make them understand what's going on outside of their residence , or hose blinders, and we all can live better off.
I don't run lights and sirens to their location. I don't come out at gun point and demand them to the ground. That's a special kind of stupid.
So, if you want to educate someone, educate the public. You make them understand what's going on outside of their residence , or hose blinders, and we all can live better off.
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CW3 (Join to see)
While I agree with MAJ Ballinger that 'douchebag' is absolutely unnecessary in what's supposed to be a professional forum, I still don't agree with using a weapon as a political statement. If you're truly protecting yourself, carry what you need, and be presentable while doing it.
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Well here in Arkansas there is a bit of controversy over open carry but as the law reads, open carry is legal. Although open carry has not been challenged in court yet. I don't have a concealed carry license yet but plan to soon. I think that open carry is a right granted to us by the 2nd amendment to the constitution. I don't agree with gun free zones at all. Gun free zones tell criminals that that area is a easier crime zone.
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PO1 (Join to see)
I am not sure exactly who made the comment but they also made a great point. They said something along the lines of, "If allowed to open carry, how does someone suddenly become a criminal if they want to carry their gun in their purse?" I guess I am wondering how it matters if you can purchase a gun and legally open carry why you would need a permit to now conceal that same firearm?
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SGT (Join to see)
Good point. Maybe it is state by state regulated, like Texas is, so in the state where a person lives, you would have to have a permit. Just a thought.
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IMHO, my problem is that Constitutional Carry is IMHO short of the objective as it has been explained to me that it is unloaded carry(even though you can have a loaded magazine or speed clip on your person).
If I'm going to carry, I'm going to greatly prefer to carry concealed and in a ready to fire state(some form of safety even if it's that of a Glock is presumed).
IMHO, constitutional carry should mean that unless my rights have been abridged due to a violent felony that I could carry anything I wanted, anywhere I wanted (maybe the Sheriff puts it in a locker at the courthouse?) in any condition I wanted, concealed or not but even if concealed, if it prints or reveals its a faux pas, not a charge.
If I'm going to carry, I'm going to greatly prefer to carry concealed and in a ready to fire state(some form of safety even if it's that of a Glock is presumed).
IMHO, constitutional carry should mean that unless my rights have been abridged due to a violent felony that I could carry anything I wanted, anywhere I wanted (maybe the Sheriff puts it in a locker at the courthouse?) in any condition I wanted, concealed or not but even if concealed, if it prints or reveals its a faux pas, not a charge.
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PO1 (Join to see)
SFC Paul Pakenham, a few websites that are good to check out are: http://www.opencarry.org/ and http://www.usacarry.com/.
“A Right Unexercised is a Right Lost”
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SFC (Join to see)
NH is quickly moving towards constitutional carry. One house already passed it and the other is going to pass it. We have a D in the state house, Maggie Hassan. It's not in her political interest to veto, but she also won't sign it into law. She's likely to just let it pass into law.
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SGT (Join to see)
Would state laws still apply. I have a permit for concealed but in Texas you can carry as long as it is concealed. Having a permit allows you to carry in stores,etc. as long as they don't sell liquor or have signs posted with no guns allowed. I do it anyway. Crooks like to hit business that don't allow weapons.
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GySgt Joe Strong
Yes, State Laws and Municipal laws still apply. Know your areas restrictions, stay out of trouble.
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