Gun enthusiasts and owners: What are your thoughts on Constitutional carry, concealed carry and open carry? Which do you prefer and why?

I've had a Concealed Carry Permit since the age of 16 - it comes automatically when we get a driver's license in my state.

There have been two four old kids deaths in two days by semi pistols laying around. Some people, with or without a permit don't need to have guns.

SCPO Sally Puddy - What state?

We have a lot of problems here at home, that is a reason why alone we should take care of home and let other countries fend for themselves.

You have that right. We have a lot of homeless who are on drugs or are just plain messed up mentally. There are trashed out neighborhoods that have shootings all the time. It doesn't just happen there. In all neighborhoods there are shootings all the time. Rich, middle, and low incomes. There are no boundaries. The good citizens are fed up and have to be armed.

Hmm, MSG Floyd you are wishing for a military dictatorship where you would feel safe but are concerned about the Citizen being armed. I could name off a few locations in the world where you would feel right at home.

MSG Mitch Dowler.....No where in my statement that is said, I can recommend some places for you too.

Now you're just like your neighbor to the west - Vermont.

Hell, half of our Legislators carry when they are in Session. Imagine, anyone, who has a permit, can conceal carry in the State Capital building and if you do not have a conceal permit, you can carry as long as your weapon is visible. Gotta to love it!

I recently purchased a Ruger GSR in SS. It is by far the nicest/best rifle I've ever owned for the cost. We use to live in San Antonio and my wife & I cannot wait to go back. Texas it's a whole other country.

I love home (Texas) but looking to finally settle in Montana's northwestern mountains.

What part of Texas did you used to live in?

SGT Michael Furphy - We use to live in San Antonio the most beautiful "city" in the great state of Texas. Near a lot of other great places like Boerne, Gruene, Bandera etc. Have you lived any other places in Texas besides Jefferson?

Yea I think that just makes things worse or more uncomfortable. I understand the safety and intent so I reason with it but I see where informing the officer you're carrying feels like a violation of my rights. However I go back to putting myself in the Leo's shoes, knowing if the person is carrying or not levels the playing field and prepares them for anything. I think it's all about the approach. I reside in NY, and I was on my way to Virginia with the family. Through one of the states I was passing, it was a requirement to inform the Leo if you're carrying. In my head I was like darn hope things don't get real but I approached it the best way I saw fit. I was pulled over at some checkpoint, don't know what the checkpoint was for and didn't bother asking. I turned car off, turned on domelights, hands on wheel, windows down. Officer approached, told me they're conducting random stops in the area. Asked me what I'm doing round here, told him driving to va with family. I gave him my license and registration and had my weapons permit on top as well. I informed him that I am currently in legal possession of a firearm and that is it holstered on my left side. He said thank you for that, asked me what type of firearm and said nice choice while he observed my permit. Looked in the back of my vehicle seen my girls in the back and told me to have a safe trip. It worked for me. I just didn't want any trouble and tried my best to be as cool as can be. Although I've heard from other holders that doing what I did made things worse or very, very difficult. But I read my gun permit manual and knew I was in the right to begin with so that helped.

The thing is many permit holders are subject to so many different regulations through other states. I'm planning to drive down to va again the following week and will have to have my manual out and check online for new regulations because they change often and can be confusing. Certain states require the weapon to be in the trunk encased, ammo and magazines in dash, others are the other way around. That's why I can see the frustration from citizens when more regulations are thrown on top. It is what it is though. At least I can carry through certain states. Guy from NY traveling with nothing but women, best believe I'm grateful I can carry and protect my loved ones. I'll abide the laws.

SFC (Join to see), in my state I’m not required to inform an officer that I’m carrying. If pulled over I wouldn’t say anything. If asked to exit the vehicle at that point I would inform him/her of the firearm.

I'm with SFC (Join to see) on this one. WA state does not have a duty to inform, and I will not do so unless context makes it seem prudent.

As a matter of principle, I don't need to inform anyone, including law enforcement, that I am going around and exercising my rights in a legal and peaceable manner.

Things that would make it seem prudent:
- The law enforcement officer asks the question. My answer is "I have a concealed carry license and am currently armed." The conversation will go where it goes from there.
- It may become self-evident in the near future. They want me to step out of the vehicle (assuming body carry) or they want to search the car, and I intend to agree (not a foregone conclusion). At that point, I don't want the officer surprised.
- I am in an area where I am unfamiliar with the law - I realize that some states have a duty to inform, and I think it varies by location in some states. If I'm not 100% sure, I'll disclose. (I USUALLY research the location before I go, but sometimes I end up someplace I didn't expect to be when I did the research.)
- There is some reason to believe that the officer is in a heightened state of agitation/concern. This is really a broad catch-all. If I see a lot of law enforcement in the area (i.e. it appears that something went down), a checkpoint is being run, etc. If the officer is being an abusive a$$, etc. The officers in that area have a reputation of not knowing the law[1], etc. In all honesty, most of the things under this umbrella don't technically call for disclosure. However, I don't wish to be a test case. Or explain to the backup that comes squealing in. Or spend the weekend in jail. Or go to court to prove that I'm right. Or be a test case. I have no issue with those who do. But I'm not here to make a political statement. I'm attempting to go about my business.





[1] A LOT more common than a lot of LEOs I've talked to want to admit. Or at least the habit of the LEOs DECIDING what the law should be and substituting that for "is." In WA state, where there open carry is explicitly (per the law), it took several state supreme court decisions, several memos from the state's attorney general, and follow-ups by county and local prosecutor's offices before most agencies got the idea that someone could legally have a gun on their hip "even if" they were not a LEO. Even today, there are some areas of the state where you will be stopped if you do so, or if you have a rifle rack in your truck.

Remember that police and all people working for the government are servants to us as Citizens. There sole purpose in life is to protect the rights of Citizens. There was a time early in our nations history when police were not armed. The Citizens did not trust government officials with the responsibility firearm ownership required. If those officers came into a need for arms they would call out for help and a Citizen would come armed and to the officers aid.

I live in CA, so I'm fucked on all fronts in regards to CC.

Language, Eric. This forum requires professional response.

Yes! I also see the pros and cons but they still do not meet the very basic justification for unarming an entire society while those around them are still armed. Just because you take away my guns does not mean those that are already breaking the law and committing crimes are all of the sudden going to stop using guns as well. I really liked the idea that SrA (Join to see) had about requiring proof of training before or after being able to purchase that type of firearm.

I am all for training, but the more layers of regulation added to the process with the intent to increase safety, can become a poor tax. Not only that, the most valuable lessons cannot be documented or taught in a weekend class: respect, the value of human life, and the responsibility of every conscientious person to preserve human life if possible. These are the critical safety lessons, the prerequisites to the technical training that comes after.

Great topic! Thanks for posting.

I agree, I did not learn to shoot at a range or by an instructor. I was taught by family members that literally took me out into the woods at a young age. So there may be an issue when it comes to civilians being able to afford the proper training. Excellent point and thank you for contributing to the discussion!

I can definitely see the pros and cons for all three. I think it all comes down to time, place and knowledge. The acceptability of responsibility is also based upon the gun owner. Just because you can own the gun does not mean that you won't be held accountable for the use or misuse of that weapon. I feel that if a definitive law is passed across the states then there should be clear guidance on what is acceptable and unacceptable in the wearing and use of said approved firearms.

A jacket in 90 degree weather? I just wear short and an untucked shirt to conceal with no problems. Why would you feel forced to respond to a Citizen carrying a rifle and posing not threat to you or others? What difference does the magazine capacity make to you for a rifle or a handgun? The 2A provides for Citizens to be armed against tyranny and tyranny carries a rifle with multiple high capacity magazines. The Citizens Title 10 responsibilities as members of the militia not associated with the active armed forces, reserves or national guard require such arms.

Hi, Master Sergeant Dowler.

First, I don’t have the legs for shorts.

Secondly, why would you not feel compelled to take a more active security posture when someone walks into a room with a slung rifle? We carry (in Whataburger, to keep with my example) to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Why does someone need an AR-15 to do that? I have to assume that, one, you just killed a deer and didn’t want to leave the AR in the car, two, you’re trying to make a point about open carry in a ridiculous fashion, or three, you might decide to start cooking off rounds. I can guarantee you that tyranny isn’t going to rear its head at Whataburger, so why do it?
There’s a time and place for semi-automatic rifles and 30 round mags. When I’m trying to get a cheeseburger might not be the best time. Defend yourself judiciously. Carry because of a threat in line with the armament, not to make a point about the 2nd Amendment.

Constitutional and concealed carry does have an advantage over open carry, great example!