Posted on Dec 14, 2014
Which would you prefer: open carry or concealed?
24.3K
426
120
15
15
0
Responses: 78
Concealed. That keeps those who would do us harm guessing....who in the room might be armed?
(26)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
CMC Robert Young in NY and some other states it is hard to guess as many are not afforded the opportunity due to strict laws, especially in NYC and DC.
(4)
(0)
Concealed. I've been carrying that way for 40 years. No reason to give the bad guy the advantage of knowing who's armed. Your more likely to become his first victim.
(17)
(0)
LTC Paul Labrador
That is one of the bigger cons for open carry. I don't think open carry necessarily deters bad guys who are intent on bad things. Carrying openly only makes it more obvious as to who are the priority targets.
(4)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
In Texas the laws are crazy. Can't walk around exposing your pistol but it's ok to have a rifle or shotgun in the open in your vehicle. I used to see a lot of long guns in the easy rider rifle rack in pickup trucks. There's so much theft now nobody does it anymore. Go figure..
(2)
(0)
Concealed. So many people have the wrong impressions of folks who carry anyway, why invite issues? I would rather carry discreetly.
(14)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
PV2 (Join to see) what!?!! no.....nobody has issues with people owning guns or exercising the rights given them by the founding fathers.....
(2)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
I know I feel a hell of a lot safer with my .40 with me. It's not only for my protection but the protection of others when I'm in a store or shopping center in case the bad guys come out of there shit hole.
(2)
(0)
Being a full time law enforcement officer, I am kind of conflicted with this subject. While I am all for the visual of a firearm being a deterrent, open carry also paints a target on you when you're out and about in the civilian world. I personally carry concealed off duty, especially if I have my family with me. I believe mostly it would be personal preference.
(10)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
I agree, personal preference. I have a few LEO friends and one of my friend's dad is retired SD Highway Patrol who cut his teeth in western South Dakota in the early 70's. Pine Ridge, the FBI agents being killed, Leonard Peltier, the AIM, etc. Literally still cowboys and Indians. I asked him one time what he thought about carrying when it wasn't "legal." He told me he'd rather be alive and deal with the consequences than dead. I thought that was decent advice. One of my other friends is a Pennington County Sheriff's Deputy and I've picked his brain as far as open carry is concerned. He told me he doesn't care, they might ask for ID, make sure you aren't a felon but for the most part, they just nod and keep driving/walking.
(2)
(0)
LTC (Join to see), CMC Robert Young, SPC(P) Jay Heenan, SFC Jerry Crouch, SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS and all others, gentlemen, it always depends on the tactical situation.
If people expect me to be armed anyway, open makes me faster and allows me to carry more overt gear (hard to conceal a rifle and flak and load out of mags).
If people could reasonably think I might not be armed, concealed (e.g. When in civvies among the public, when in a "jerga or shura" with locals).
Sadly, as you all know, as you've participated on my other discussion, neither is currently legal for the Armed Forces in normal circumstances, and we need to change that.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/arm-the-armed-forces
If people expect me to be armed anyway, open makes me faster and allows me to carry more overt gear (hard to conceal a rifle and flak and load out of mags).
If people could reasonably think I might not be armed, concealed (e.g. When in civvies among the public, when in a "jerga or shura" with locals).
Sadly, as you all know, as you've participated on my other discussion, neither is currently legal for the Armed Forces in normal circumstances, and we need to change that.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/arm-the-armed-forces
Arm the Armed Forces! | RallyPoint
The outcome of the discussion "Concealed carry for CAC holders?" by [~222148:SGT Bernard Boyer III]. Below follows my skeleton letter to congress, based on the edits RP members have suggested to the 10 points. Anyone and everyone is welcome to edit and personalize the letter for their own use in writing to their congressional representatives. We sent a mass email on 3 January, the swearing in of the new congress, now it's a free for all. You...
(10)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
We can carry if permitted just not on post or in uniform. I think its due to the Posse Comitatus Act as they view us as federal military force and not an individual defending oneself.
(3)
(0)
Capt Richard I P.
LTC (Join to see), good point, my language may have been imprecise: neither open nor concealed carry is legal for the Armed Forces at their places of work, unless they are MPs or security forces. We need to change that.
Also, assignments to various states leaves SMs at the mercy of various state regimes, one could go from being able to carry concealed to protect family off base in NC to never being able to carry no matter what in NY.
Also, assignments to various states leaves SMs at the mercy of various state regimes, one could go from being able to carry concealed to protect family off base in NC to never being able to carry no matter what in NY.
(2)
(0)
SPC(P) Jay Heenan
7 months? That is crazy LTC (Join to see), it is a pretty quick process here in WA state...glad to hear you did finally get it though..
(3)
(0)
concealed, but I have no issues with open. I treat everyone as if they are armed.
(9)
(0)
I currently "CC" in TX. There are people pushing for an open carry policy that would give those with a TX license the option to choose open or concealed carry.
Personally, I prefer to carry concealed. I don't want to draw attention to myself and just prefer if those around me aren't aware of it. I feel the dynamic of concealment and surprise may be the only thing that gets you through certain scenarios.
Additionally, no matter how comfortable and well trained I may be with my firearm, some people feel uncomfortable and nervous around them.
Bottom line for me: If no one knows I have it, then I have control over when and where to present it. Hopefully that day never comes. If given the option I would still conceal most of the time.
Personally, I prefer to carry concealed. I don't want to draw attention to myself and just prefer if those around me aren't aware of it. I feel the dynamic of concealment and surprise may be the only thing that gets you through certain scenarios.
Additionally, no matter how comfortable and well trained I may be with my firearm, some people feel uncomfortable and nervous around them.
Bottom line for me: If no one knows I have it, then I have control over when and where to present it. Hopefully that day never comes. If given the option I would still conceal most of the time.
(7)
(0)
TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn
I'm to from Texas,Abilene. I support changing the law to open carry. That said personally I prefer concealed, so as not to make people uncomfortable or make myself a target.
(3)
(0)
Read This Next


2nd Amendment
Open Carry
