How many every day carriers are out there? What are your thoughts on open carry vs. concealed carry?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:11:59 -0500

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Mar 4 at 2016 1:16 PM

SSG Ed Mikus — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:16:40 -0500

i feel open vs conceal depends greatly on the location and goings on. there is a time and place for everything. My wife and I would both be daily carriers if we lived in a tolerable state, unfortunately service to our country will not currently allow me to life is a better location.

My preference is normally concealed, but that is more of a personality trait. my wife prefers open but she doesn't like the reactions from her peers as we have small children and somehow other mom's tend to think a pistol would be safer in her purse than on her hip. (their kids must not EVER sneak into their purse)

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 4 at 2016 1:28 PM

SPC David S. — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:28:26 -0500

Illinois/Chicago law makes it a pain in the ass so not as much as I used to in New Orleans.

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made Mar 4 at 2016 1:30 PM

SPC Andrew Griffin — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:30:44 -0500

I'm looking to carry! Still need to apply for my Gun Permit!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 4 at 2016 1:32 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:32:44 -0500

Daily carry (concealed). When I was a dealer I carried open while in the store, and concealed in town.

Both types have advantage, depending on what you are trying to accomplish.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 4 at 2016 1:47 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:47:24 -0500

Briefly: If your threat knows you to be armed, carry openly because it can buy you milliseconds. If your threat does not know you to be armed carry concealed because it can buy you surprise. Engage at a time, place and with tactics of your choosing.

PFC Private RallyPoint Member You may enjoy this thread:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/gun-enthusiasts-and-owners-what-are-your-thoughts-on-constitutional-carry-concealed-carry-and-open-carry-which-do-you-prefer-and-why

Gun enthusiasts and owners: What are your thoughts on Constitutional carry, concealed carry and...

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Response by SGT Benjamin Lindsey made Mar 4 at 2016 1:48 PM

SGT Benjamin Lindsey — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:48:28 -0500

I carry every day. But at this point I actually open carry.

Response by SGT William Howell made Mar 4 at 2016 1:50 PM

SGT William Howell — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:50:02 -0500

Concealed, Concealed , Concealed. When they THINK they have the advantage, but you KNOW you have the advantage you are always one up on them.

"I want people to know I have a gun"....Blah blah blah! Your the first one taken out. If you are trying to intimidate somebody not to mess with you then you are in the wrong place to start with.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 1:53 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:53:41 -0500

Texas now has both, but I only conceal carry. Last thing I want is for the criminal to know I am a threat and take me out first.

Response by SPC James Dollins made Mar 4 at 2016 2:00 PM

SPC James Dollins — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:00:00 -0500

I carry.. Like MANY others, I prefer ONLY to conceal!! I don't mind the idea of open carry, but I think that open carry is just inviting trouble!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 3:24 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:24:20 -0500

I carry daily, and depending on the situation, I usually prefer to open carry.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 3:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:33:51 -0500

I Carry, My state only allows concealed. My holster is OWB (its comfortable), and im always concerned about showing, if we had an open law that concern would dissipate. I would still conceal carry but if im reaching up for something with my right hand I wouldn't worry about showing.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 4 at 2016 4:32 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 16:32:05 -0500

PFC Private RallyPoint Member there are valid points on both sides of the argument. Carrying concealed means having an advantage of surprise, but you sacrifice speed in the draw. Open Carry gives away the element of surprise. Going on the premise that you are more likely to be preyed upon if you appear as a target, open carry would be the way to go. Going on the premise that the criminal will just shoot you from a distance leaves concealed carry the way to go. I prefer concealed when out and about, and open around my home and in the car.

Response by SrA Kevin Ridenhour made Mar 4 at 2016 4:36 PM

SrA Kevin Ridenhour — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 16:36:21 -0500

For me, it depends on where I'm going. So, I do both.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 4:36 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 16:36:39 -0500

I believe it depends on the state's law, and the situation. If you are in a state that does not allow open carry, then don't, obviously. The same with the opposite. However, if you are in a state like Texas or North Carolina, that allows both, then situation will dictate. If I'm just going out shopping and feel inclined to take my pistol, then I typically carry concealed. However, if I am going to a crowded place, or somewhere that I may have to engage someone at a greater distance, the extra seconds of carrying open has it's benefits.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 4 at 2016 7:34 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 19:34:54 -0500

Yes

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Mar 4 at 2016 9:21 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 21:21:03 -0500

Conceal, conceal, conceal. Why give away the element of surprise if you don't have to? Plus, it stops the Henny Penny's from losing their minds anytime they see a holstered firearm.

Response by SGT Jimmy Carpenter made Mar 4 at 2016 11:12 PM

SGT Jimmy Carpenter — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 23:12:03 -0500

I don't leave my house without my pistol.

Response by TSgt William Meyer made Mar 5 at 2016 2:51 PM

TSgt William Meyer — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 14:51:07 -0500

I live in NY on Long Island, I am a retired from NYPD, the only time I carried open was when I was at work in uniform, otherwise I carry concealed, but now I get to carry any caliber I want :)

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Mar 7 at 2016 9:02 AM

SFC William "Bill" Moore — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 09:02:44 -0500

By the end of the March, WV will have "constitutional concealed carry (no permit)" as well as having open carry, which it has had for decades. I work on a government owned installation where we cannot carry. I can arrive at the gate, surrender my firearm to security, and pick it up when I leave. I have did this on a few occasions, as long as I am not planning on taking my usual route home through a short stretch of MD.
I carry all the time while I am working on the farm and surrounding area. Not so much for the chance of protection from bad guys, but the protection of livestock and family. Of course we do have a real problem with drugs and lowlifes in the area, but all know of, or have been warned of me. I am not a bad ass in any sense of the word, just locally well known as not having a lot of patience for their stupidity and a friend of LE. That and I am a pistol instructor as well as pretty good with a long rifle ;-)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2016 8:48 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 20:48:45 -0500

I carry concealed unless I'm out in the woods/wilderness, then it's open carry.

Response by MSgt Niclas Svensson made Mar 10 at 2016 6:30 AM

MSgt Niclas Svensson — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 06:30:00 -0500

When I was stationed in AZ, I carried everyday (except on base). I don't carry much anymore because NJ is stupid, but anytime I'm in my home state of PA, (which is pretty frequently) I carry. PA allows both open and concealed, but I generally prefer concealed at the 2 o'clock position. I know that conversation is a whole other can of worms... Appendix vs side vs back, but appendix carry just works better for me in most situations.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 10:27 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 10:27:30 -0400

I carry most days. OPEN CARRY. I will never understand, and I won't try to understand, why someone would want to hide their firearm. I would rather deter, than have to try to defeat.

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Sep 10 at 2019 7:42 PM

SGT Steve McFarland — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:42:37 -0400

Florida is a Concealed-only state, so I don't have any other choice.

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Sep 10 at 2019 8:39 PM

1SG Frank Boynton — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 20:39:38 -0400

I carry every day. I don’t understand why you’d want to announce yourself by open carry. It kind of makes you the first target. But some people don’t have a choice. I started carrying at 21 and even when I was in the Army I carried. Even though there were rules strictly forbidding it. I did carry openly for a few years when I was a deputy sheriff.