Yeah I know, this has been discussed ad nauseam (sp?) many times on other sites as well.
I'll be applying for my carry license next time I get a ride to our county's Probate court office.
(me qualifying is no issue)
Do you license holders open carry, conceal carry, don't carry at all or (the ever-famous) "it depends".
I've been working for a guy, absolute, unadulterated gun nut, since just after Christmas who open carries everywhere. I'm helping to remodel his entire house, top to bottom about 4k sq/ft. 4 b/r 3.5 baths (NICE place). He has seen fit to strap me up with a "loaner" - S&W 1911 .45 cal ACP brushed-stainless with holster and now I'm carrying everywhere I can without the carry license. I'm strapped up right now in fact.
GA carry license doesn't care whether it's concealed or not.
However, I notice when I'm out with him somewhere people key up on his piece right away. (he carries a Christiansen 1911 - very high dollar) Then they notice my holster is empty. Most don't care but it always draws attention regardless. The 1911 is too big for me to conceal and with spring and summer coming the shoulder holster I've ordered won't do good with a t-shirt pulled over it.
BTW: Taso lives just a couple doors up the street from this guy so I see him every couple days or so now. He opened a new office just after new year's day. That reminds me, we've been invited to a surveyors get-together in a few days so I need to remind him in case we're going.
I guess I'm just throwing this out there.
What say yee?
E
Ya gotta do whatever you gotta do to keep you from getting killed by the bad guys.
Tom Adams, post: 358869, member: 7285 wrote: Ya gotta do whatever you gotta do to keep you from getting killed by the bad guys.
I'm not worried about that so much as I am making the "sheeple" be nervous around the likes of me/us.
I don't carry, never have. But I'd think that carrying around a big load of a gun would get tiresome. While I understand that one wants the stopping power at the moment of truth, if I was to carry on a daily basis it would be one of those subcompacts. For home defense I would want a bigger weapon. In other words, different tools for different jobs.
I like my 1911, but it is on the bulky side for concealed carry. I also have a Springfield XD subcompact in 9mm. I like it a lot as well. Perfect size for an everyday carry gun. Conceals well, shoots well. I also have a Ruger LC9. It conceals even better than the XD, but I don't like it as much for shooting and am not thrilled with the safety mechanism either. If you have a medium or small hand, you might like the LC9 better than I do.
Both Glock and S&W (M&P series) make sidearms similar in size and function to the XD, and everyone I've spoken to who uses them are happy with them. If you want to stick with a 45 but also want good concealment, Springfield came out with an XD subcompact in 45 a year or two ago that I've heard only good things about. I expect that the quality is the same as that of my XD, but with a capacity of 7+1 rather than 10+1.
Concealed carry vs. open carry: Open is more convenient, but in most parts of the country, it will draw too much unwanted attention, as you have observed. If you were to ever find yourself in a situation where you might need to use a gun for defense, carrying open might make you target #1 for a really determined bad guy. Concealed, you have anonymity and the element of surprise. In CA, they've essentially outlawed open carry, so concealed (with permit) is the only allowable method for civilians.
Clients are my litmus test. Some places we work, schools & universities, you go to jail if you enter the campus with a firearm. Others, urban downtown America, you run the risk of being a victim if you aren't carrying OR it is not visible to the bad guys that you have the ability to shoot back. When we are in the woods, it doesn't matter. Churches frown on firearms on their grounds.
Texas is the only State that I am aware of, that dictates that your sidearm be concealed, or at they used to. Mississippi is an open carry state, but a special license is required if you conceal. Tennessee requires a license to carry at all, but visible or concealed is up to you.
I know of a few companies that prohibit firearms on company property or being transported in company vehicles, so I guess the infamous "it depends" is my short answer.
Kevin, as mentioned above - Calif. requires concealment in public places due to the "open carry" guys with the AR's trying to get a rise out of people.
They are also serious about concealment. If it prints or your holster is visible, you may lose your permit and your gun.
100% concealment is very difficult to do unless you have the right firearm and the right clothing.
My dad has been reported to the sheriff for wearing a cell phone on his belt.
Kevin Hines, post: 359041, member: 8489 wrote: Clients are my litmus test. Some places we work, schools & universities, you go to jail if you enter the campus with a firearm. Others, urban downtown America, you run the risk of being a victim if you aren't carrying OR it is not visible to the bad guys that you have the ability to shoot back. When we are in the woods, it doesn't matter. Churches frown on firearms on their grounds.
Texas is the only State that I am aware of, that dictates that your sidearm be concealed, or at they used to. Mississippi is an open carry state, but a special license is required if you conceal. Tennessee requires a license to carry at all, but visible or concealed is up to you.
I know of a few companies that prohibit firearms on company property or being transported in company vehicles, so I guess the infamous "it depends" is my short answer.
As of Jan you can open carry in Texas with a permit.
I very seldom carry but I like my Ruger LC9 when I do, It usually stays in the truck. A belt slide holster with a jacket or vest over it is what I prefer.
The advantage (for me) of the recent open carry law is the fact that if I open my jacket or bend over and someone can see my handgun, it's not a violation of the law.
James
I have my Enhanced Concealed Carry Permit. I have a Kimber Solo, 9mm. Not as bulky as a Glock or a 1911a.
The Ruger LCR is a good carry weapon that also cuts down on bulk and discomfort.
I just got a paddle holster for my P-38 AC41 (WWII war trophy my Dad bought home.) that allows me to carry that beast rather comfortably.
Mississippi has an Open carry law, a castle law that allows you to carry a concealed weapon in your car/truck. Then they just passed a law that allows you to concealed carry in your bag or brief case. And contrary to what most thought, we have not reverted to a gun totin' wild West show. Matter of fact, I have notice no real change at all.
The enhanced Carry Permit allows n=me to carry in many areas otherwise taboo for firearms.
There is very few places I go that I'm not strapped. My edc is a Sig 250c in 357 Sig carried concealed in a inside the waistband holster. I very rarely open carry because I feel it draws attention to the fact that I have a firearm. In my opinion, the key to carrying is a good quality holster. I finally payed the money and got a Stealth Gear Onyx. Most comfortable holster I have ever owned, especially since I have gotten older and am now rockin' a tactical sweet roll.
I carry when I see a need, but rarely open other than in camp or hunting. If someone has decided to shoot folks I don't want them picking me first out of necessity.
imaudigger, post: 359044, member: 7286 wrote: If it prints or your holster is visible
What does "prints" mean in this context?
Jim Frame, post: 359347, member: 10 wrote: What does "prints" mean in this context?
Being able to see the imprint of the handgun thru your clothing.
Concealed means no sign of being armed.
You know hanging out on this board really makes me appreciate little ole NZ...
No guns
No snakes
No ticks
No poison ivy
A relatively benign climate
A well organised Torrens title survey system
My biggest risk is traffic (and earthquakes)
jim.cox, post: 359351, member: 93 wrote: You know hanging out on this board really makes me appreciate little ole NZ...
No guns
No snakes
No ticks
No poison ivy
A relatively benign climate
A well organised Torrens title survey system
My biggest risk is traffic (and earthquakes)
I'm not trying to give you a hard time Jim but I noticed you didn't say "No Crime."
Licensed Land Surveyor
Finger Lakes Region, Upstate New York
Mark Mayer, post: 358878, member: 424 wrote: I don't carry, never have. But I'd think that carrying around a big load of a gun would get tiresome. While I understand that one wants the stopping power at the moment of truth, if I was to carry on a daily basis it would be one of those subcompacts. For home defense I would want a bigger weapon. In other words, different tools for different jobs.
But how do you intimidate the sheeple?
Tom Adams, post: 359411, member: 7285 wrote: But how do you intimidate the sheeple?
Ahh...run around in circles and bark incessantly?
Tom Adams, post: 359411, member: 7285 wrote: But how do you intimidate the sheeple?
Jedi Mind Tricks
Tom Adams, post: 359411, member: 7285 wrote: But how do you intimidate the sheeple?
Hopefully carrying concealed does not intimidate anybody. A few of the comments are good examples of why carrying concealed should be preferred over open carry.
I am especially confident in the people that are able to take the effort to pay for training, pay for finger printing, background check, provide personal references, and provide phone numbers of their neighbors for interviews.
