Open Carry

CHL discussions that do not fit into more specific topics

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Lonnie Wilson
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#46

Post by Lonnie Wilson »

longtooth wrote:Agree completely. Your 1st post. Welcome aboard & good thinking. Your last statement was, you folks in Texas, Whar ya from friend?
The great Evergreen state of Washington.

RussP
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#47

Post by RussP »

Well, "Open Carry" is an appropriate topic for my first post here...

Here in Virginia anyone who is not disqualified from possessing a firearm, can open carry without a concealed handgun license where allowed by law.

With a CHL, your method of carry is optional, except, if you have a CHL and want to dine in a restaurant that serves alcohol and carry your firearm, you must open carry :roll: .

I have a CHL and do open carry "when and where appropriate," which I believe is a key point in the open carry debate. I don't OC in public places between dusk and dawn. There are three convenience stores, one near my home, one near my office, and one near my range where I open carry and a couple of chinese takeout restaurants. On a regular basis, that's about it. Did carry into CompUSA last week...

What reactions have I encountered? Only one negative interaction came a couple years ago from a member of the security group that patrols our office complex. He asked if I am one of those 2nd Amendment nuts. I politely said, "I'm not nuts, unless you ask my grandchildren."

I asked him why he carried a weapon, for protection? He said, "Of course."

"So do I." was my response and I shook his hand and went about my business.

All other contacts, mostly questions about why I carry have been neutral or positive.

One father brought his 9-year old son up, asked if I wsa a policeman. I said no, just a normal person like himself. He turned to his son and said, "See _______ , good guys do carry guns." The three of us talked for about 10 minutes about the whys of self defense.

Two people I talked to went ahead and obtained their CHLs.

Most of the time, people don't notice the pistol in its IWB holster. They do notice more often when I carry OWB.

And, last, open carry is absolutely not for everyone for lots of reasons.

It is a matter of choice.

rp

:cool:
“Freedom has a taste to those who fight that the protected will never know.”
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flintknapper
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#48

Post by flintknapper »

Great post Russ, thanks for your participation.

I am pleased to see those from "out of state" joining the forum.


Happy 4th.
Spartans ask not how many, but where!

RussP
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#49

Post by RussP »

Thanks, flintknapper... cjlandry directed me here from another forum.

As to being out of state, while I am a Virginian, I started doing business in Texas in 1979. My son and daughter-in-law live in Houston. I get to Texas several times a year on business, mostly the Dallas area. After 27 years of coming to Texas, I feel as much at home here as Virginia.

Wait, where am I....never mind, you know what I mean.

Oh, and here is my G20 OWB holster...

Image

:grin:

Happy 4th to all!!
“Freedom has a taste to those who fight that the protected will never know.”
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flintknapper
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#50

Post by flintknapper »

Love that Concho!


You're just a "long distance" Texan. We claim ya! :grin:
Spartans ask not how many, but where!

RussP
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#51

Post by RussP »

flintknapper wrote:Love that Concho!


You're just a "long distance" Texan. We claim ya! :grin:
Thank you! I think that description is appropriate.

The concho? Yes, it is a conversation starter. ;-)


:cool:
“Freedom has a taste to those who fight that the protected will never know.”

cjlandry
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#52

Post by cjlandry »

Good to see you here, Russ. We have a few others around here who frequent "that other forum". ;-)

Have you been to the "Introduce Yourself" thread in the "General Gun, Shooting, and Equipment Forum"?

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... &start=510

It's a good way to see who's here, and for others to get to know you a little.

longtooth
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#53

Post by longtooth »

Russ. you know? that is even a good Texas name. Welcome & really good first post. Good encouragement cj
Image
Carry 24-7 or guess right.
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RussP
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#54

Post by RussP »

cjlandry wrote:Good to see you here, Russ. We have a few others around here who frequent "that other forum". ;-)

Have you been to the "Introduce Yourself" thread in the "General Gun, Shooting, and Equipment Forum"?

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... &start=510

It's a good way to see who's here, and for others to get to know you a little.
Thanks, cj... Better get over there before you start posting stories about me.... :lol: :lol:

Will try to get that done tonight.

:cool:
“Freedom has a taste to those who fight that the protected will never know.”
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dws1117
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#55

Post by dws1117 »

Welcome in RussP. It's always nice to have imput for other parts of the country.

Nice pice of Tucker Leather ya have there.

cjlandry
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#56

Post by cjlandry »

dws1117 wrote:Welcome in RussP. It's always nice to have imput for other parts of the country.

Nice pice of Tucker Leather ya have there.
If it weren't for Russ' beautiful HF1, I would probably never have bought my own:

Image

That holster just makes me proud to be a Texan! :cool:

Edit: FWIW, I'm currently in treatment for the Dunlop disease (belly dun lopped over my belt).

But wouldn't these rigs be perfect for the occasional open-carry situation in Texas?

longtooth
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#57

Post by longtooth »

Yep.
Image
Carry 24-7 or guess right.
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kw5kw
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#58

Post by kw5kw »

I wish to have an OC law because I don't wish to live in fear. Fear of accidently printing, when I have the legal right to carry. Fear of accidently showing when I have the legal right to carry. Fear of my hand gun not being readily available because it's in such deep cover because I can't show that I'm carrying.

I want to carry my firearm in such a way that would not raise alarm for the place that I intend to go.

For instance:
Mall: concealed.
Work: concealed.
Movie: concealed.
riding in the car: open.
riding a motorcycle: open.
working in the yard: open
walking over to the neighbors: open.
walking the dog: open.
Lowe's/Home Depot: open or concealed.

Each has an advantage, lets try to use these to our advantage.

Russ

texag06
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#59

Post by texag06 »

I agree, kw5kw. I think, like so many have already said, that the situation should dictate whether you open carry or not. Personally, I would still prefer to concealed carry most of the time. I believe the biggest benefit for me would be not having to worry about printing or exposing my gun. However, for outdoor activities, I would prefer open carry for its comfort.

-Dustin
Glock 19
Kel-Tec P-3AT
CHL Holder (Fall 2005)
---------------------------------------
Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2006

therooster
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#60

Post by therooster »

kw5kw wrote:I wish to have an OC law because I don't wish to live in fear. Fear of accidently printing, when I have the legal right to carry. Fear of accidently showing when I have the legal right to carry. Fear of my hand gun not being readily available because it's in such deep cover because I can't show that I'm carrying.

I want to carry my firearm in such a way that would not raise alarm for the place that I intend to go.

For instance:
Mall: concealed.
Work: concealed.
Movie: concealed.
riding in the car: open.
riding a motorcycle: open.
working in the yard: open
walking over to the neighbors: open.
walking the dog: open.
Lowe's/Home Depot: open or concealed.

Each has an advantage, lets try to use these to our advantage.

Russ
+1

if the wind blows my concealment open, i wont have to worry about it.

it just gives us one more option. whats the big deal with that?


so far, no one has given any good evidence as to why we shouldnt have open carry. "i wouldnt open carry because [insert excuse here]" isnt evidence.
"live with honor, and let not your death be born by the pallbearers of disgrace, cruelty, weekness, and fear." - Justin Smith in a letter to Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

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