Concealed Carry/Open Carry

[michael_aos]

I have a CCW, but I've dabbled with Open Carry here in Colorado Springs in the past.

No real issues, but frankly it just "feels" funny. I had several people ask "why are you carrying a gun" and "are you a cop?".

In Wal-Mart, the guy behind the Sporting Goods counter was aghast at my Browning Hi Power being carried cocked-and-locked. Didn't make too big a deal out of it, although I noticed a lot of "code XX on isle YY" as I was making my way toward the exit after purchasing a couple of WWB 100rd value-packs of 9mm.

On another occasion we were going camping and stopped at a Wal-Mart on the way out of town for ice. My wife went in, while I verified the security of the items on the cargo-rack. Parking-lot security noticed my open-carry as I was climbing on top of the vehicle and stopped. Identified himself as an off-duty CSPD and informed me I would not be allowed to open-carry inside Wal-Mart (Wal-Mart policy). He claimed as off-duty CSPD he wasn't permitted to open-carry inside Wal-Mart either.

Very pleasant and no hassle otherwise.

[michael_aos]

I very much wish more people would open-carry. I've been in Colorado Springs nice 1993 and I've never once since anyone open-carry outside of hunting.

Uber ninja tactical concerns aside, I'm just not comfortable being a trend-setter. But if more people would start open carrying, I'd sure jump on the bandwagon.

[Irving]

I've open carried one time in a Chipotle in Thornton. One of the kids running the counter brought it to the attention of an off duty cop that happened to be eating there as well. Otherwise, no one said anything. The cop talked to me, but told me I was doing nothing wrong and he wasn't discouraging me. Just wanted to let me know to expect contact with law enforcement everywhere I went. He was about my age. I told him I appreciated his attitude and how he handled the situation.

[MuzzleFlash]

Saw a guy open carrying at the Chipolte in Arvada (64th & Ward) back in September or October. No one made anything of it. He was in a golf shirt and slacks, no badge or police logos of any kind. He was in front of me in line and was still there when I left after eating. I gave him a thumbs up on the way out.

I would be perfectly happy to see people openly armed like Anna here. OK, maybe with a tad better trigger discipline

[Lanearas]

Certainly if you're not comfortable open carrying, then carry concealed (assuming you have a permit), or don't carry at all. It's a personal choice no matter how you look at it. I do take issue with folks warning against open carry claiming you will be constantly hassled. I think that is more the exception than the rule.

Whether one agrees with it or not there is a tremendous increase recently in the open carry movement, and such warnings only serve to mask the reality of open carry: It is just as much a part of our second amendment rights as any other issue, and "a right unexercised is a right lost." Discouraging someone from open carrying where it's currently legal (in my opinion) is essentially advocating the denial of that person's rights.

Do some folks get hassled? Of course it happens. Anyone that OCs should be prepared for it, but again, it's not as common as some would have you believe.

[crashmcwhly]

I dunno...tough not to criticize it. I can't fault the LEOs for making contact, especially after the tragic loss of the four officers in that coffee shop. I know, I know...what criminal walks around with his sidearm exposed. Now if every patron in that coffee shop was openly carrying, the perp may have second guessed himself or certainly not have made it out after the horrific event. But unfortunately, we live in the land of sheep and "us", the sheepdogs, are routinely scolded by the "landowners", the police/government, while the wolves are free to pick and choose. Too many people (the majority) stick their heads in the sand and that scares me more than any two-bit thug out there.

[Irving]

I dunno...tough not to criticize it. I can't fault the LEOs for making contact, especially after the tragic loss of the four officers in that coffee shop. I know, I know...what criminal walks around with his sidearm exposed. Now if every patron in that coffee shop was openly carrying, the perp may have second guessed himself or certainly not have made it out after the horrific event.

Tsk Tsk.

[LeJerk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b6UJsfTAnA