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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Being retired from Law Enforcement, I always carry a concealed firearm. I once was shopping at a Mall and an idiot pulled a gun out and tried to commit an armed robbery on a store clerk. I happened to be in the Store buying cigars. Anyway, because I was carrying, I stopped that idiot, dis-armed him and detained him until the authorities showed up. I was able to foil that crime before it escalated into something real tragic. I am an avid concealed carrying pro gun advocate. Guns don't kill people , it's the idiot with a gun that is dangerous and there is no shortage of these nuts walking around. Because I am a former LE Officer, I have a permit to carry in all 50 States. Thank God for honest people who are able to carry guns. Believe me, they do make a difference and we do keep people safe from all types of criminals. Just my 2 cents! SF!
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Lt Col Stephen Piper
PO1 Don Mac Intyre -
Fortunately, we are a country based on laws not on you or me interpreting God's laws. There are almost two hundred years of jurisprudence that have interpreted the Constitution and have regulated the rights contained therein. Moreover, one of our first Supreme Court Justices, Chief Justice Marshall, was the first to pronounce the Court's duty to interpret the Constitution.
Fortunately, we are a country based on laws not on you or me interpreting God's laws. There are almost two hundred years of jurisprudence that have interpreted the Constitution and have regulated the rights contained therein. Moreover, one of our first Supreme Court Justices, Chief Justice Marshall, was the first to pronounce the Court's duty to interpret the Constitution.
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Sgt William Coffee
Sgt David G Duchesneau - No where ever has there been a threat from Washington or any official that guns will be taken. Where do you read and/or hear that shit. All anybody wants to do is not sell guns to people that are mentally unstable. Is that not reasonable, or do you feel the 2nd amendment says that all citizens need to be armed. If that's the case you need to study all the words in that amendment.
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Sgt David G Duchesneau
Common sense brother , it's just plain old common sense. And no, not everyone should be armed. WTF-Over! Only those who have a legal right, under the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution, and want to carry should be able to carry! SF!
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CAPT Hiram Patterson
Sgt William Coffee - Government can't be trusted. Vets get their guns taken away now and now the gov't wants doctors to report people to the FBI if they think a patient is wonky and have their guns taken away and the gov't want to look at people on Social Security to see if they are wonky and take their guns away. That is confiscation now and in the future. All gun control, registration, etc., is aimed at is eventually taking everyone's guns away. Hillary proposes gun turn ins like Australia and England had and that is aimed at the same thing. All this is reality, not fiction.
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I choose to carry concealed because I carry for defense of self and others, not to make a public statement.
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I agree with the Right to carry but feel that There needs to be some way to make sure that you arent going to shoot your foot off. Now I have a CCP and carry everywhere that is legally permitted. in that being said I have been asked by a few people that I know that have asked me what type of gun they should get to carry openly. Now asking them questions I was told by one person that they werent going to do any training because they wanted to carry as a scare factor and not have the firearm loaded. (BIG RED FLAG) So i am a large fan of training before you carry.
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SrA (Join to see)
so it was a balmy Aug drill weekend in the guard in Washington. I was a Team Leader in a Transportation Company (leaving specifics out). Now in my team I had a "Special" Private that had been in about 6 years, that just wasnt all there. The next morning he didnt show up at the appointed time which was 30 mins before formation for this soldier. So after calling his cell phone about 15 times with no answer, I gave his wife a call and was able to get in touch with her. Turns out this SM was cleaning his S&W 40 the night before on the couch and didnt eject the magazine fully and ended up firing a round into the top of his foot as he went to remove the slide...and to make a long story short ended up getting pushed out a few months later. Saw this SM about a year ago in the local Wal-Mart and he told me with a smug look on his face that he was receiving disability from the military now due to shooting himself.
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SFC Stillman G.
Shouldn't be getting disability due to self inflicted and off duty (my opinion only).
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SrA (Join to see)
Oh I agree completely there is people that are more qualified for disability that arent getting it
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MSG Danny Stanley
Firearms safety is something that used to be taught in the home. My father taught me proper handling and muzzle awareness when I was young. We teach our kids how to speak properly (first amendment) and tell them the proper use of words and sentence structure, and we do not require a license to prove we know how to form a sentence without using foul language, so they don't hurt anyone's "feelings". We teach our children how to drive a car (no constitutional right) and how to parallel park so they don't hurt or kill anyone. We should also teach our children proper firearms handling and safety (second amendment) so they won't hurt or kill anyone.
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People, law abiding types" should feel free to carry anywhere open or not. It's a right that needs to be taken seriously and not just "because".
I once saw a young guy, 20 or so, walk into a Subway for a sandwich with a 38 on his hip. He did not have a shirt or shoes so it was illegal to be served. But the girl behind the counter was intimidated because he had a gun. I think he did it to be an ass and see if they would say anything. I stayed close behind him incase something did happen. If she refused to serve him like she should have and he mentioned, touched or drew attention to the gun that would be illegal. I would have stepped in. After he left I had a chat with the manager.
Another time an old timer cowboy, Spurs and all showed up for a haircut with a 45 on his hip. Everybody asked him about the gun, nobody was scared cause it's not uncommon here, and he deflected the questions taking attention off of it each time. Well mannered gun owner, unlike the first.
I rarely carry, but it's nice to know I can when I need to. I usually wear the wrong clothes for a concealed carry.
The most important thing to me about owning a gun, if you arnt sure you WILL use it if needed, don't carry. This is different than knowing how to use it. Many people are shot when a criminal takes the gun from them. Bad owners.
I once saw a young guy, 20 or so, walk into a Subway for a sandwich with a 38 on his hip. He did not have a shirt or shoes so it was illegal to be served. But the girl behind the counter was intimidated because he had a gun. I think he did it to be an ass and see if they would say anything. I stayed close behind him incase something did happen. If she refused to serve him like she should have and he mentioned, touched or drew attention to the gun that would be illegal. I would have stepped in. After he left I had a chat with the manager.
Another time an old timer cowboy, Spurs and all showed up for a haircut with a 45 on his hip. Everybody asked him about the gun, nobody was scared cause it's not uncommon here, and he deflected the questions taking attention off of it each time. Well mannered gun owner, unlike the first.
I rarely carry, but it's nice to know I can when I need to. I usually wear the wrong clothes for a concealed carry.
The most important thing to me about owning a gun, if you arnt sure you WILL use it if needed, don't carry. This is different than knowing how to use it. Many people are shot when a criminal takes the gun from them. Bad owners.
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Sgt Packy Flickinger
Not off hand, but I have seen studies. I just don't keep track of every source of every statistic I ever hear. But I'm sure a few minutes with Google you'll find one or two.
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Sgt Michael Furphy
PO1 Jennifer Purcell: You got it exactly right! I ride a Harley and have tats and have been treated very poorly by some people. This was mostly in the early days when Harley's were unpopular. You were considered to be a thug just by riding one. It's the loud mouthed, look at me I'm bad, idiots that ruin it for the rest of us.
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1SG Earl Hoover
Exactly, this is not the Wild West in the 1880s, and there is no need to alarm anyone. If you come walking into a store with a firearm, I'm going to be watching you the whole time. Keep it concealed, and no one will have any problems.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
1SG Earl Hoover - I kinda wish it was the "wild" west in the 1880s. Life was so much safer back then in terms of guns. The deadliest "mass shootings" were actually shootouts between criminals and law enforcement. Typically over gun control laws in cities.
Criminals walk into town with guns, cops go to stop said criminals from carrying guns in their towns, and a shootout happens. Sure there are several different cases that happened, but the majority would have never happened if it wasn't for gun control.
If we could simply change the laws back to the 1880's we would be alright. We should be happy to see openly carried firearms.
Criminals walk into town with guns, cops go to stop said criminals from carrying guns in their towns, and a shootout happens. Sure there are several different cases that happened, but the majority would have never happened if it wasn't for gun control.
If we could simply change the laws back to the 1880's we would be alright. We should be happy to see openly carried firearms.
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While I am definately in the "pro-gun" crowd, I'm not so up on open carry unless you are in uniform and on duty. Why mark yourself as a priority target? I'd much rather have the element of surpise.
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I prefer people conceal carry, Open carry does not offend me, I just think that if something goes down and you need it, by concealing it first you have the element of surprise.
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I’m all for constitutional carry, with the opportunity for a state license for reciprocity purposes. I prefer concealed carry, but while hunting, hiking, or camping I may open carry. I would never open carry a longarm unless hunting. To do so is only to get attention and test LEOs. Too many gotcha videos out there of open carriers trying to trap police into violating their rights. Though, I’m against the government at any level dictating what and how I carry. Same with training. It’s common sense to learn how to use any potentially dangerous tool, whether it be a firearm or a chainsaw. I'm just against training being mandated. There are already laws in place for negligence. If you buy a firearm and carry it, and you then injure or kill someone due to lack of training, then charge them due to their negligence.
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PO1 (Join to see)
I feel exactly the same way, with the addition of open carry on your own private property. For example, if I own a ranch or farm I would like to be able to have my rifle mounted openly in my truck so if I need it out on my property it is a lot closer than in my house. Another is open carrying a handgun, holstered on my hip while out and about on my property (think 40-60 acres in mountain country). This to me is not as "crazy" as doing the same thing in a public area. I would never open carry in a public setting but I feel I should be allowed to conceal carry without having to explain to anyone why I feel the need to.
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MSG Mitch Dowler
Constitutional Carry means that no license is required anywhere at any time. The requirement of most states to have a license is unconstitutional. The goal is to have Constitutional Carry and return to our Constitutional form of government. We have deviated so far from the Constitution in so many respect that it will once again take the blood of patriots to correct the problem.
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I think that education is the first thing that needs to be done starting when someone wants to learn how to shoot a gun. Otherwise they are more of a danger to themselves and those around them. That is why I am against teachers having guns in school. I was a teacher and I know that there are many students who could easily disarm or steal the gun as not everyone is great at hiding items in their classroom or able to defend themselves. There is nothing worse than be shot with your own gun.
I prefer concealment as it does not allow me to be one of the first targets of a gunman as they want to kill those who could kill them first.
I prefer concealment as it does not allow me to be one of the first targets of a gunman as they want to kill those who could kill them first.
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I support people's right to carry whatever whenever however they choose, and I also support other people's right to think you're an idiot for carrying an AR 15 around in public for the sole purpose of exercising your right to do it.
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I live in Texas and carry concealed most of the time, in January 2016 I will have the option of carrying openly and I may do so on one or two occasions just to mark it off the bucket list, but most of the time I will continue to carry concealed. Open-carry is convenient when you need access to your firearm but I wouldn't want the undue attention, from criminals and law-abiding citizens alike. If I were a bad guy looking to do bad things, my attention and the first rounds out of my chamber would be directed toward identified threats to ME, meaning anyone in a law enforcement uniform or a civilian openly carrying. Criminal or not, open-carry draws attention, no thanks, nothing to see here, go on about your business.
I either carry in the small of my back using an elastic inside-the-waistband holster or on my hip in (concealed) plain sight using a Sneaky Pete holster (http://www.sneakypeteholsters.com). I am always locked and loaded, otherwise why carry? A nice thing about the Sneaky Pete is that I have the option of carrying with the safety off.
I think the upcoming open-carry option in Texas is overall a good thing but there will be those that will give gun owners a bad name, I posted the following to Facebook about a month ago, these four types of people will emerge:
1. I was a concealed-carry handgun license (CHL) holder before Texas open-carry, and I will continue to concealed-carry because it is the most practical carry for me.
2. I was a CHL holder before Texas open-carry and I will now open-carry because for me it is the more practical carry.
3. I was not a CHL holder before Texas open-carry but will obtain a CHL because I’ve seen a lot of people openly-carrying and don’t want to be the guy without; once licensed, I WILL open-carry.
4. I may or may not have had a CHL before Texas open-carry but I want to make a statement, political, social or otherwise and I see an opportunity; I will use my weapon, my holster, and/or my style of dress to make this statement and I can guarantee that many folks won’t like it. I WILL carry openly but beyond that, my carry will best be described as:
1. Look-at-me-Carry
2. I-Wish-a-Mother F’er-Would-Carry
3. Ask-me-About-my-Gun-Carry
4. Ask-me-About-my-Holster-Carry
5. I-am-Anti-[FILL IN THE BLANK]-Carry
6. I-am-Pro-[FILL IN THE BLANK]-Carry
Numbers 1-3 will likely or at least possibly fall into the ‘responsible CHL holder’ category, number 4 however will be the guy/gal that you see on the evening news every night, giving responsible CHL holders and gun owners in general, a bad name.
I either carry in the small of my back using an elastic inside-the-waistband holster or on my hip in (concealed) plain sight using a Sneaky Pete holster (http://www.sneakypeteholsters.com). I am always locked and loaded, otherwise why carry? A nice thing about the Sneaky Pete is that I have the option of carrying with the safety off.
I think the upcoming open-carry option in Texas is overall a good thing but there will be those that will give gun owners a bad name, I posted the following to Facebook about a month ago, these four types of people will emerge:
1. I was a concealed-carry handgun license (CHL) holder before Texas open-carry, and I will continue to concealed-carry because it is the most practical carry for me.
2. I was a CHL holder before Texas open-carry and I will now open-carry because for me it is the more practical carry.
3. I was not a CHL holder before Texas open-carry but will obtain a CHL because I’ve seen a lot of people openly-carrying and don’t want to be the guy without; once licensed, I WILL open-carry.
4. I may or may not have had a CHL before Texas open-carry but I want to make a statement, political, social or otherwise and I see an opportunity; I will use my weapon, my holster, and/or my style of dress to make this statement and I can guarantee that many folks won’t like it. I WILL carry openly but beyond that, my carry will best be described as:
1. Look-at-me-Carry
2. I-Wish-a-Mother F’er-Would-Carry
3. Ask-me-About-my-Gun-Carry
4. Ask-me-About-my-Holster-Carry
5. I-am-Anti-[FILL IN THE BLANK]-Carry
6. I-am-Pro-[FILL IN THE BLANK]-Carry
Numbers 1-3 will likely or at least possibly fall into the ‘responsible CHL holder’ category, number 4 however will be the guy/gal that you see on the evening news every night, giving responsible CHL holders and gun owners in general, a bad name.
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