I open carried my 1911 today

[BreakingWind]

The question is do you want to advertise or not?

I open cary when out in the woods but amongst the humans I conceal.

Very seldom have I opened carried other then hunting but the job I retired from was with the states Game & Parks Commission, Wildlife Division and on occasion it was necessary. The biggest issue at hand is WHERE are you. Go to a small rural town and walk down main street with a 1911 strapped on and you won't raise an eyebrow. Now walking down main street of any big city USA and now we are in a different realm.

 

[Tinyman]

My thinking is that if I'm outdoors, open is best. If I'm in a grocery, I want it to hidden. Reason is that if there is a customer intent on doing the deed, I don't want to be the target (you know, 'remove' the threat).

 

[Keystone19250]

My thinking is that if I'm outdoors, open is best. If I'm in a grocery, I want it to hidden. Reason is that if there is a customer intent on doing the deed, I don't want to be the target (you know, 'remove' the threat).

And that is exactly what I find myself doing also, now that it’s cold I wear a thermal shirt under a T-shirt, then a heavy pull over. While in my truck or walking to and from a store my pull over is pulled up and tucked behind my gun for easy access, when entering a store I’ll cover the gun, the pullover is heavy and long enough to completely cover the gun and holster. Totally concealed. I found I can do this with every gun and holster combination I have.

 

[BreakingWind]

My thinking is that if I'm outdoors, open is best. If I'm in a grocery, I want it to hidden. Reason is that if there is a customer intent on doing the deed, I don't want to be the target (you know, 'remove' the threat).

Please don't take this as a slight as its not meant in that vein. I see a lot of posts on numerous boards concerning 2A that seem to think that by open carrying that someone intent on robbing a place that sees a open carrier they automatically become a target. More often than not the mindset of the criminals are not, well first I gotta kill this guy, then rob the cashier, then escape. Unless the criminal is a complete wackjob, and if that's the case it don't matter whether you are open carrier or not you are a target. They are more of the mindset of, I'll wait till this dude (or dudette) leaves or I'll rob somewhere else. You would be surprised at the power of deterrence.

 

[Bassbob]

Please don't take this as a slight as its not meant in that vein. I see a lot of posts on numerous boards concerning 2A that seem to think that by open carrying that someone intent on robbing a place that sees a open carrier they automatically become a target. More often than not the mindset of the criminals are not, well first I gotta kill this guy, then rob the cashier, then escape. Unless the criminal is a complete wackjob, and if that's the case it don't matter whether you are open carrier or not you are a target. They are more of the mindset of, I'll wait till this dude (or dudette) leaves or I'll rob somewhere else. You would be surprised at the power of deterrence.

I'm still not comfortably letting anyone know I'm armed. Not for fear of ridicule or politics, just as a tactical matter. And I mean the actual meaning of the word tactical not internet/talking to my other drunk gun buddies tactical.

 

[Tinyman]

Please don't take this as a slight as its not meant in that vein. I see a lot of posts on numerous boards concerning 2A that seem to think that by open carrying that someone intent on robbing a place that sees a open carrier they automatically become a target. More often than not the mindset of the criminals are not, well first I gotta kill this guy, then rob the cashier, then escape. Unless the criminal is a complete wackjob, and if that's the case it don't matter whether you are open carrier or not you are a target. They are more of the mindset of, I'll wait till this dude (or dudette) leaves or I'll rob somewhere else. You would be surprised at the power of deterrence.

Actually, I do not take it as a slight. Criminals are out there -- in large numbers. Killings and smash & grabs are up everywhere. I refuse to let me or Mrs Tinyman be victims. I feel more comfortable by my original post above. You (dude thats going to rob the store) will never know I'm there with a firearm -- I'm not going to be offed.

 

[BreakingWind]

Actually, I do not take it as a slight. Criminals are out there -- in large numbers. Killings and smash & grabs are up everywhere. I refuse to let me or Mrs Tinyman be victims. I feel more comfortable by my original post above. You (dude thats going to rob the store) will never know I'm there with a firearm -- I'm not going to be offed.

And I applaud you for that. But, a weapon will not help you in a a smash and grab, at least in my state, protection of property does not constitute deadly force. But if the crew that is getting ready to smash and grab see someone armed in the store, will they change their minds? or at least wait until the armed person departs? I rarely open carry, but when I do, I just painted a target on my back is the last thing that enters my mind. IMHO open carrying, in most instances, would have a deterrence effect.
We had a case in my home town about 5-6 years ago. A young man came into a drug store. grabbed a few things and got in line, when he reached the cashier he pulled out a concealed sawed off shotgun and proceeded to rob the store. After the cashier complied and put all of the cash in bag, the guy put the gun to her head. Immediately 3 shots rang out from a customer who thought he was going to shoot the cashier and he dropped him. The guy was not killed, he was paralyzed and is now in a wheel chair. Criminally, the armed citizen was cleared as a justified shooting. Now of course in today's litigous society he was immediately contacted by an ambulance chasing lawyer and he sued the guy civilly. The criminal lost, which well he should have, but the point is; he testified during the trial and when the defense asked him why he robbed THAT drugstore, he answered that if he knew their was an armed customer he would not have robbed it. In that instance and open carry would have been a deterrence.

 

[Tinyman]

And I applaud you for that. But, a weapon will not help you in a a smash and grab, at least in my state, protection of property does not constitute deadly force. But if the crew that is getting ready to smash and grab see someone armed in the store, will they change their minds? or at least wait until the armed person departs? I rarely open carry, but when I do, I just painted a target on my back is the last thing that enters my mind. IMHO open carrying, in most instances, would have a deterrence effect.
We had a case in my home town about 5-6 years ago. A young man came into a drug store. grabbed a few things and got in line, when he reached the cashier he pulled out a concealed sawed off shotgun and proceeded to rob the store. After the cashier complied and put all of the cash in bag, the guy put the gun to her head. Immediately 3 shots rang out from a customer who thought he was going to shoot the cashier and he dropped him. The guy was not killed, he was paralyzed and is now in a wheel chair. Criminally, the armed citizen was cleared as a justified shooting. Now of course in today's litigous society he was immediately contacted by an ambulance chasing lawyer and he sued the guy civilly. The criminal lost, which well he should have, but the point is; he testified during the trial and when the defense asked him why he robbed THAT drugstore, he answered that if he knew their was an armed customer he would not have robbed it. In that instance and open carry would have been a deterrence.

It's ok, dude -- I got your 6