The only places I ever open carried, I was supposed to be the only person present. Anyone being around me, let alone “coming up behind me” was trespassing, and their malicious intention could be reasonably presumed. When I’m supposed to be alone, everyone around me should be uncomfortable, which should be nobody at all.
Open carry is (normally) foolish, but needs to be legal, simply as a matter of practicality. Without open carry, inadvertant exposure of a concealed weapon becomes a criminal act: when your pant leg rides up, exposing your ankle holster, you become a criminal. When someone catches a glimpse of your shoulder holster under your jacket, you become a criminal. When wind and rain causes your sidearm to “print” through the fabric of your pants, you become a criminal.
Prohibiting concealment (mandating open carry) originated shortly after the Civil War. The “theory” was that law-abiding people had no need to hide their weapons; only criminals needed to hide them away. The reality was they established these laws to harass former slaves and other minorities.
Open carry also skips over stupid shit like Florida’s car rules. It’s not 100% clear exactly how to be legal and an anecdote I heard about a cop encounter says they’re not sure either.
The only places I ever open carried, I was supposed to be the only person present. Anyone being around me, let alone “coming up behind me” was trespassing, and their malicious intention could be reasonably presumed. When I’m supposed to be alone, everyone around me should be uncomfortable, which should be nobody at all.
Open carry is (normally) foolish, but needs to be legal, simply as a matter of practicality. Without open carry, inadvertant exposure of a concealed weapon becomes a criminal act: when your pant leg rides up, exposing your ankle holster, you become a criminal. When someone catches a glimpse of your shoulder holster under your jacket, you become a criminal. When wind and rain causes your sidearm to “print” through the fabric of your pants, you become a criminal.
Prohibiting concealment (mandating open carry) originated shortly after the Civil War. The “theory” was that law-abiding people had no need to hide their weapons; only criminals needed to hide them away. The reality was they established these laws to harass former slaves and other minorities.
Gun control is racist?! Who knew.
Open carry also skips over stupid shit like Florida’s car rules. It’s not 100% clear exactly how to be legal and an anecdote I heard about a cop encounter says they’re not sure either.