Sorry if any of this comes off as condescending or short. I have had a very long day on a side job performing aircraft maintenance, and it was a $*%# of a job that could have been so $#%#ing simple if we would have spent the time gathering the correct tools and planning out the job instead of diving right in (not my decision). On top of all that, I work night shift from 7pm to 7am. Sabreliners ftl. Ok, now that that's off my chest...
The articles Enjay posted were not the one I was hoping to read. You know, the ones where the bank robber takes out the open carrier because he/she was open carrying and was the known threat to the robber. Most people I've encountered who give reasons to not open carry use the Hollywood movie excuses. I know you guys have heard the following a million times so far...Can it happen? Yes. How likely is it. Not very.
I am glad you were able to find these realistic articles about incidents that are related to people open carrying. Some of this stuff happens, not all the time, but it doesn't make some of this stuff any less relevant.
Enjay said:
The story posted on nearly every firearm forum around the interwebs. This story is actually rather notorious due to the fact that there were no witnesses, and there has been a big battle for concealed carry in WI.
Some people, concealed and open carriers alike, have theorized that this man may have made this story up to help get more people aware that concealed carry is needed in WI. The convenience of the timing of the incident does make me question it, but there is nothing that can back the "accusations" against the incident. Then again, there were no witnesses. and the perp was never caught.
There is just not enough detail or information in the article to make a decision or educated guess on what actually happened.
Open carrying has been discussed as a way to deter a mugging. No one ever said it would always deter muggers. This could be the 1% that OC hasn't been a deterrent. Then again, it may not be. As I stated before, there is just not enough details to go by. Maybe if the perp was caught, we could know if he actually saw the firearm when he decided to rob the "victim". It sounds like we will never know. I would like to know, though, stuff like this interests me.
Enjay said:
Ahhh, I remember this one. I'm glad it didn't turn out worse.
Unexpected gun grabs can happen. This is an excellent example of why open carrying requires even more situational awareness than carrying discreetly. This gentleman who had his gun grabbed was in code white, not yellow, like he should have been. He wasn't using techniques to help keep control of his firearm either. Techniques that must be used in a crowded, busy, environment.
If you're going to OC, always wear a holster with some kind of retention other than friction. Like something with a thumb snap, trigger guard latch mechanism (Blackhawk Serpa), etc. Something with more than one retention mechanism may be better if you aren't as situationaly aware as you should be yet (Blackhawk Serper Level 3).
Always position your firearm so you are in complete control of it (or can be if a situation arises). Rest your elbow or forearm on or over the firearm to shield it if you are in a crowded area. Wearing your firearm in a crossdraw helps keep you more in control and aware of your firearm. Some don't recommend crossdraw due to the potential of muzzle sweeping, but its a good way yo OC if you don't have that "exta" level of situational awareness you need while open carrying.
If the person open carrying was paying more attention, and took the time to train himslef to defend his firearm, this situation could have ended better, like this:
http://georgiapacking.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=40381
Enjay said:
This is another story we just don't know all the details to make an educated decision on.
Was the off duty security guard open carrying or carrying discreetly?
Was the guard even in uniform?
Did the guard's firearm get taken from him after he drew it from his holster?
...
Again, not enough details.
Even so,IMO, I don't think this incident is relevant, as it pertains to someone actively investigating someone, possibly pursuing. I think that's a little different than minding ones own business while open carrying.
Dirk Pitt said:
Most of these are the same articles as Enjay posted. The one from Fairfax doesn't give any evidence the robbers were after the gun. How did the person know they robbed him because of his gun? I'm not saying it didn't happen the way it was described, there just isn't enough information,and the perps were never caught and questioned to find out the motive.
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That's my take/opinion on those particular articles.
That being said...
IMHO, open carrying isn't for everybody. Research, training, and mental preparations must be done before venturing out and carrying in the open, more so carrying discreetly.
Just because a "hollywood", tactical criminal, type situation hasn't presented itself to an open carrier yet doesn't mean it can't happen. As mentioned 50 times in my ramblings in this post, situational awareness is paramount. I think 99 percent of negative stories, and myths (if they occur), about open carry could have been, and can be, avoided with a decent level of situational awareness and having control of your firearm at all times.
I have yet to come across anything that would change MY mind about open carry or make ME feel any less safe open carrying my firearms. Your mileage my vary.