open carry in sc?

[11B3XCIB]

If there is a man/woman in a store that looks relatively clean cut, employed etc, general indicators...and are carrying a weapon (polymer semi-auto pistol) in a paddle-type holster, I am going to assume they are law enforcement not displaying a badge.

If it is some dude in a wife beater with a desert eagle in his waist band I am going to be a little more suspicious.

 

[C_Carson]

I understand that how someone looks plays a large part in our perception of them, but it seems better to base reactions off of someone's behavior rather than the way they look.

If a person (whether tatt'd up, or clean cut) is glancing around furtively, avoiding eye contact, or other suspicious behavior, I'm going to be watching him closely. But without indicators of nefarious intent, I try not to judge folks. Some of the nicest, most sincere folks I've ever met were the opposite of the 'clean cut' look, and some of the rudest folks I've ever encountered were the image of 'model citizens'. And I am ashamed to admit, I did judge/categorize them before interacting with them, and I was completely taken aback each time. It's really taught me to be less judgmental of others. I still try to be as 'normal' and 'clean' looking as possible, especially when OCing on private property in SC and while out of state, but superficial appearance matters about as much as condiments on your entree.

 

[P-1]

+1

 

[dreamerofdreams]

Just asking, if a person is not in uniform, i.e. plain clothes w/o an exposed badge, wouldn't it be prudent to call in "person with a gun?" A few of these in the news..????

No.

Not unless you have some indication that the person is up to no good, beyond having a visible gun.

 

[bigfutz]

With the right haircut and "look," I'll bet anyone could open carry. Everyone would just assume they were LE. Like how everyone slows down if you get behind them in a Crown Vic.

 

[Tigerstripe]

futz, as with my shirts, im not shaving for anybody.

 

[bigfutz]

futz, as with my shirts, im not shaving for anybody.

Yeah, I don't think you would pass for LE. Nor would I. I was in a gas station the other day, a guy walked in - no uniform - and i immediately recognized him as LE. When I got outside, sure nuff black Crown Vic with a blue bar in the grill. Just saying, some could pull off that "look" with minimal effort and "get away" with open carry. Didn't I read the nut in Colorado was momentarily mistaken for SWAT after the incident?

 

[FunkyMonkey]

Didn't I read the nut in Colorado was momentarily mistaken for SWAT after the incident?

I think that was from the body armor he was wearing and the fact that he was calmly waiting in the parking lot afterwards.

I agree that image conveys a great deal. However, I open carried alot in my previous state and not always dressed in my finest. While nobody would ever mistake me for a Hell's Angel, I did get a few :shock: looks but never any serious flak or unwanted attention from law enforcement. In that time I did see a few sketchy looking people open carrying but as a previous comment states, Who am I to judge? 2A covers everybody and it bears remembering that most if not all modern gun control laws originally were an attempt to prevent former slaves from owning or carrying weapons after the civil war.

As long as someone is going about their business peacefully I wouldn't blink if they had an AR slung over their shoulder regardless of their looks.