OPEN CARRY CURRENT STATUS

[jordanmills]

I OC on occasion but not often. Most people hardly notice but I am not in Austin. IF you OC, I would not just use a OWB holster but some type of security holster, ie. safariland als or gls.

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same here. Once a younger guy asked me what i was carrying and if i liked the holster, but that is about it.

My wife says it might be because i look like a cop. I am not exactly sure what that means though. But i do work for a local government entity, and sometimes we oc in a work polo, after work.

 

[jrbfishn]

I have open carried almost since we could. I have had only one somewhat negative encounter, if you want to call it that.
Sirloin Stockade is posted 30.07. I didn't see it. Nobody said a word until after we were seated and the manager came over and, very nicely, informed me. Gave me the choice to cover it or get a refund. The cashier had quietly informed him, no scene, while being very courteous. I happily covered it with my shirt tail and everyone was happy. I don't think any customers even noticed or cared if the did.
The most negative comment was from a little girl about 10. She asked if it was real. She smiled and said "Wow".
I have had cops walk by and not care or ask if I was licensed. It has been almost a total non-issue.
No cops pointing guns at me in fear I would shoot them.
No crowds running and screaming in fear.
Very anti climactic really.

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[Hoji]

I open carry even in downtown Austin and have had no issues or otherwise funny looks.

Probably need to OC in downtown Austin these days.

Downtown Austin is one of the few places I OC. Generally if I have to pay one of the pay stations to park. It seems to ward of the living dead. They will approach with the standard “hey brother” horseshit from 60’ away and when they see the holster they turn around and find something else to do.

 

[Wildcat Diva]

Husband and I often OC or “barely” OC in downtown Houston areas, mostly shopping, where we feel safe to do so (not a bad area where we would be stalked or targeted. No one worries about it.

 

[Glenn B]

I do not purposefully open carry but have accidentally OC'd twice since here in TX. No one seemed to notice. My sweater had ridden up once while driving and I forgot to check when I exited my vehicle; the other time, the wind blew my open jacket back exposing the pistol for a little bit. When I realized it each time, I covered up since I do not like to advertise. In NY I might have been arrested for exposing it in either of those instances; the laws are that bad up there and some of the cops are that anti gun owner.

 

[Dred]

I OC pretty frequently and I'm certain I print fairly frequently. Until last Thursday I had never had a police officer bother noticing beyond compliment or talking firearms - even before I cut off my dredlocks.

Last thursday a porch pirate showed up to abscond with my new Garret Industries Holster - 15 minutes after it was delivered. The officer that eventually arrived to take the police report asked me to put the pistol in the house for him. Naturally, I indicated the concealed that he'd missed entirely and suggested he probably wanted that one put inside as well.

It bugged me until I realized I was on my own property so he didn't have a clue I was licensed and I didn't make an issue of it. Prior to that two different ranges took issue - I lapsed my membership at one of the two and the second has a much more 2A friendly attitude today.

Pre legal OC, I rode the entire state with my cover garment flapping in the wind - never an issue. I have LEO friends and have played poker with LEO groups.

I have had a few conversations at fast food restaurants. And I made sure my convenience store guy saw me confirm his sign and spin on my heels for 6 months after Bloomberg sent everybody signage before he took it down and I was able to explain he was only prohibiting good guys with that sign - he had no idea.

Only generalization I've made is OC has given me the opportunity to school black folks about my motivations and intentions. I think they ask 'cause I'm a black guy. I think I'm around a dozen new ltc's that I know of.

Finally, 'bout 6 months ago I had a dummy try to ridicule me for feeling tough 'cause I had "that gun" and insinuating that he'd have my ass if I didn't have it after I'd put my bumper about 2" off his bumper in front of my gf's house. I smiled and let him know he was right - I'm too old to be bothered proving dummies wrong anymore. Turns out he's no longer welcome at my gf's neighbor's house.

Like the rest, I don't think most folks notice. I think LEO understand that I'm displaying a clean background check, but I wonder if even half notice.

 

[rotor]

I OC pretty frequently and I'm certain I print fairly frequently. Until last Thursday I had never had a police officer bother noticing beyond compliment or talking firearms - even before I cut off my dredlocks.

Last thursday a porch pirate showed up to abscond with my new Garret Industries Holster - 15 minutes after it was delivered. The officer that eventually arrived to take the police report asked me to put the pistol in the house for him. Naturally, I indicated the concealed that he'd missed entirely and suggested he probably wanted that one put inside as well.

It bugged me until I realized I was on my own property so he didn't have a clue I was licensed and I didn't make an issue of it. Prior to that two different ranges took issue - I lapsed my membership at one of the two and the second has a much more 2A friendly attitude today.

Pre legal OC, I rode the entire state with my cover garment flapping in the wind - never an issue. I have LEO friends and have played poker with LEO groups.

I have had a few conversations at fast food restaurants. And I made sure my convenience store guy saw me confirm his sign and spin on my heels for 6 months after Bloomberg sent everybody signage before he took it down and I was able to explain he was only prohibiting good guys with that sign - he had no idea.

Only generalization I've made is OC has given me the opportunity to school black folks about my motivations and intentions. I think they ask 'cause I'm a black guy. I think I'm around a dozen new ltc's that I know of.

Finally, 'bout 6 months ago I had a dummy try to ridicule me for feeling tough 'cause I had "that gun" and insinuating that he'd have my ass if I didn't have it after I'd put my bumper about 2" off his bumper in front of my gf's house. I smiled and let him know he was right - I'm too old to be bothered proving dummies wrong anymore. Turns out he's no longer welcome at my gf's neighbor's house.

Like the rest, I don't think most folks notice. I think LEO understand that I'm displaying a clean background check, but I wonder if even half notice.

I think that I would have been quite upset at that LEO telling you to put your gun in the house on your own property. I would have asked him to put his gun in his car. I just find that very upsetting. My only contact with LEO when open carrying was a deputy sheriff that was on my property retrieving livestock and he asked what kind of gun I was carrying. Glock 43 I said and that was it.

 

[Wildcat Diva]

I think that I would have been quite upset at that LEO telling you to put your gun in the house on your own property. I would have asked him to put his gun in his car. I just find that very upsetting. My only contact with LEO when open carrying was a deputy sheriff that was on my property retrieving livestock and he asked what kind of gun I was carrying. Glock 43 I said and that was it.

The way I think about it is “damn, what a pussy, could he not handle being around a firearm?” What did he think was gonna happen?

 

[BillRedding]

I OC pretty much exclusively (for at least 12 years now): Here in TX presently, when I was living in CO (moving back there in September), and NM when I visit (often). I kind of "have" to OC as I'm President of OpenCarryElPaso (OCEP)...have to set the example, and despite Beto O'Rourke's most strenuous disapproval. ;-)
Naturally (!), I do NOT OC on Federal property (VA Clinics USPS, military bases, SS Office). And recently -- due to the mass-shooting that happened here @ Walmart a few months ago -- I switch to CCing to go into the store (Walmart and Albertsons, who have "requested" no one OC anymore), then immediately go back to OCing when I am back out in the parking lot.
As some here have already said, most people don't notice OCers, or think they're some sort of LEO. But nowadays, I get the impression MORE people seem to be noticing. ;-)
Whatever, in the ~12 years I've been OCing, no negative encounters, only one "kind of disapproving" look/comment from a Grandad with his 2 Grand-kids in a Colorado Springs Walmart some years back: "Why do you need to carry a gun in a Walmart?" Right...
All the MANY other comments have been positive (and I give each person I talk to a "business card" so they can contact me if they have further questions/interest)...and, these impromptu encounters gives me the chance to encourage them to get their permit (if their state requires one) and CARRY also (CC, as I know most people will NEVER OC, it take a "special" person to do it -- most people aren't up to it). So my MAIN goal is to get the general public out there to take personal responsibility for their OWN safety/protection, not rely on others (911, cops or intervening armed bystanders -- Good Luck to them with that).
So IMO, OCing gets 2 things done CCers can NOT do (and IME they don't CARE to do, and have TOLD me so): "D&E" -- Desensitizing & Educating. I see it as a "grass-roots" effort (on my part) to reach "the hearts & minds" of those who ask me questions about guns/carrying. IMO, we need MORE OCers out there to help with that huge job, even though it's not likely to happen. Regardless, I do what I can by myself to "preach the gospel" of RKBA/Self-Defense to thso who ask (I don't push anything on them unsolicited).
But even if I do not actually TALK to anyone, I'm at least getting some "D" done, as people (other customers, employees/management) see there's "a gun in the house" -- but nothing BAD happens! In fact, nothing at all happens: I'm just going about my business like anyone else there. The only difference is I wear a gun.
I think lots of people would be surprised how many guns are around them every day/everywhere they go that they DON'T see (because people are CCing) and again, nothing bad happens! By OCing, if they notice mine, it's probably the first OCer they ever seen and probably don't know what to expect (who knows their preconceived notions of carriers, but likely their erroneous) -- yet again, nothing bad happens!
I hope they figure out it's not the gun itself, it's who has it -- and what he/she is doing with it.
Carry...whichever way you do it. There's no substitute.
-- BR

 

[BillRedding]

Oops...just saw some typos/errors, but there's no way to EDIT my previous post to correct them. :-(
-- BR

 

[leVieux]

Nobody seems to care.

I have only seen a few people carrying open though.

I believe it's a right we fought for but didn't intend to use much. But we got it.

Anything requiring a government license is NOT a "right" !

leVieux

 

[leVieux]

@majormadmax OCs quite often in SA. I do, but not as often.

Most people don’t notice, even with a commander-sized 1911 OWB. Some places (Taco Cabana is one) won’t post the 30.06/30.07, but will put a tiny gunbuster sign at the bottom of the door and ask you not to enter so you don’t frighten their guests.

The only time I’ve had a negative experience was at a restaurant that posted 30.06, but not 30.07. They were ignorant of the requirement, but asked me to leave and I did.

My most significant concern when I OC is weapon retention when someone decides they want to try to get it. My mindset is that scenario is a fight to the death, so I’m a little choosy where I OC and have the option for higher retention IWB holsters to help mitigate the concern and reduce the weapon signature.

With today’s environment, it’s so easy to have a nice, untucked shirt, that’s what I usually end up in with an OWB carry.

I fully agree with all this. BUT, that wasn't my question, OK?

I think that because I'm older, well-dressed, & extremely polite many mistake me for an L E O. That's fine with me, but I take great care to never say anything which would support that notion.

leVieux

 

[oldag]

I fully agree with all this. BUT, that wasn't my question, OK?

I think that because I'm older, well-dressed, & extremely polite many mistake me for an L E O. That's fine with me, but I take great care to never say anything which would support that notion.

leVieux

Not even a "Howdy, pilgrim."?

 

[lightflyer1]

Or a "Do I have to shoot you or what?" John Wayne as J.D. Cahill US Marshall

 

[jeepinbanditrider]

Seems fine around here. I do it semi-often typically based on weather. I carry in a Safariland ALS holster so it's not a low profile holster or anything but does have retention.

Generally people either ignore me or dont' notice. After OCing in multiple states since I was old enough to carry my general perception is that most people don't notice.

 

[Charlie]

Come to Kerrville, they will stare if you're NOT carrying OC! Heh!

 

[BillRedding]

I think that because I'm older, well-dressed, & extremely polite many mistake me for an L E O." -- leVieux

Well, I often look like a transient, but at least I'm polite. I don't know what the casual observer thinks I am at first glance...except on one occasion in a Starbucks in Albuquerque: The people at a nearby table asked me if I was "Homeland Security." I don't know how they came up with that. ;-)
-- BR

 

[lightflyer1]

Not so much what you look like as how you appear to conduct yourself in public. If you are at least clean and clothed and have manners and act in a civil manner like a responsible adult, people generally treat you well. Act like a jerk and I don't care how well dressed you are they will treat you like a jerk should be treated.

 

[TX OMFS]

The only time I've ever OC'ed it was an accident.

I was wearing a suit one day w/ my pistol IWB & shirt tucked. I took the jacket off in the car. First stop was the bank. I'm used to the feel of a pistol on my belt so I just didn't think about it being visible w/ the jacket off.

Went in, felt the gun, & realized what I had done. I did my business & left no problem. Maybe one other person in there besides employees. The bank has 30.07 but not 30.06.

No one cared or, I imagine, even saw the gun. They probably know me well enough if they did see it to not worry.

 

[Kar98]

...
Finally, 'bout 6 months ago I had a dummy try to ridicule me for feeling tough 'cause I had "that gun" and insinuating that he'd have my ass if I didn't have it after ...

Well duh, that's why I have "that gun".