Originally Posted by jyl
I don't think we are talking about open carry in situations where it is pretty common and not unexpected - in the backcountry, on the ranch, maybe at a rodeo, etc. I have no issues with that, I would do it too.
I think we're talking about open carry in situations where it is not common - people walking into the local Starbucks, 7-11, bank, your local restaurant, your kids school, etc with a Glock openly displayed on their belt. "In town" situations, in other words.
Sorry, but creepy-looking guys openly carrying weapons "in town" make other people uncomfortable. They interfere with other people's ability to relax and enjoy their lives. (You don't look creepy? Well, maybe you do. Not all of us look like Jack Olsen.) Just like people who carry loud boomboxes, rant to invisible audiences, stink of BO, and otherwise make those around them uncomfortable.
And I'm not hearing a clear story about the benefit of carrying openly, other than making a statement and tweaking drivers with CA license plates. Is there some place where you're so afraid that you feel the need to openly display your weapon, or to be able to present that weapon faster than a IWB allows? Use common sense and don't go there.
With my CHL, I am permitted to carry openly in Oregon, even in Portland. I think it is a pointless and inconsiderate thing to do, "in town". My snubnose rides quietly in my jacket pocket, and if that's not enough, I'll turn around and go somewhere else.
Again, no problem with carrying openly in the field. That's perfectly appropriate in my book.
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