stealthyeliminator
Regular Member
I’ve decided that, going forward, in normal, everyday conversation, I will begin to transition away from referring to ‘open carry’ as ‘open carry’ and will begin referring to it as ‘normal carry,’ ‘regular carry,’ and eventually just ‘carry.’
Some would have others believe that open carry is a certain, different, special type of carry. They would have you believe that it is a certain categorization of carry. The truth is that so called ‘open carry’ is the type of carry which lacks any special characteristic. It is the ‘regular’ or ‘plain’ kind of carry. It is the natural way to carry. It is the default. It is the type of carry that you will perform when you do not go out of your way to carry any certain way.
To put it in perspective, people often carry a variety of utility items on their belts. For instance, they carry cell phones, knives, keys, etc. When these items are carried on the belt, they are not concealed, yet the carry of these items on the belt is never distinguished as ‘open.’ Why should any other utility item, even a handgun carried for the utility of self defense, be any different?
No, ‘regular carry’ is not the ‘special’ kind, the special kinds of carry are carry methods such as concealed carry. You take special care, you go out of your way, to concealed carry. It deserves distinguishment as a carry method. There is a special method with a special purpose to concealed carry. Athletic carry could be another. You might carry in a certain holster, specific to the task of not hindering mobility. Drop leg holsters come to mind. I’m sure you can think of other examples.
To clarify, I do not believe it’s wrong to refer to open carry as open carry. However, I believe that distinguishing carry as ‘open’ carry can, in some cases, be intentionally or unintentionally used to aid in the perpetuation of misconceptions about regular carry, and we as advocates should be aware of this and ready to combat those misconceptions. I also believe that referring to the normal carry of a handgun as regular or normal carry could be a good conversation starter and open the door to clearing up some of these misconceptions that some of the general public may have fallen victim to. “What do you mean, ‘regular’ carry?” someone might ask. “I simply mean, carrying a handgun naturally without going out of my way to carry in any special manner. I find the most natural way to carry is on my belt, given the weight of the item being carried, and the accessibility of carrying it there.” might be your reply.
This idea has probably come up and been discussed before. Please allow me to reignite the discussion since I was not a part of any of those conversations, and just recently had this idea myself. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Some would have others believe that open carry is a certain, different, special type of carry. They would have you believe that it is a certain categorization of carry. The truth is that so called ‘open carry’ is the type of carry which lacks any special characteristic. It is the ‘regular’ or ‘plain’ kind of carry. It is the natural way to carry. It is the default. It is the type of carry that you will perform when you do not go out of your way to carry any certain way.
To put it in perspective, people often carry a variety of utility items on their belts. For instance, they carry cell phones, knives, keys, etc. When these items are carried on the belt, they are not concealed, yet the carry of these items on the belt is never distinguished as ‘open.’ Why should any other utility item, even a handgun carried for the utility of self defense, be any different?
No, ‘regular carry’ is not the ‘special’ kind, the special kinds of carry are carry methods such as concealed carry. You take special care, you go out of your way, to concealed carry. It deserves distinguishment as a carry method. There is a special method with a special purpose to concealed carry. Athletic carry could be another. You might carry in a certain holster, specific to the task of not hindering mobility. Drop leg holsters come to mind. I’m sure you can think of other examples.
To clarify, I do not believe it’s wrong to refer to open carry as open carry. However, I believe that distinguishing carry as ‘open’ carry can, in some cases, be intentionally or unintentionally used to aid in the perpetuation of misconceptions about regular carry, and we as advocates should be aware of this and ready to combat those misconceptions. I also believe that referring to the normal carry of a handgun as regular or normal carry could be a good conversation starter and open the door to clearing up some of these misconceptions that some of the general public may have fallen victim to. “What do you mean, ‘regular’ carry?” someone might ask. “I simply mean, carrying a handgun naturally without going out of my way to carry in any special manner. I find the most natural way to carry is on my belt, given the weight of the item being carried, and the accessibility of carrying it there.” might be your reply.
This idea has probably come up and been discussed before. Please allow me to reignite the discussion since I was not a part of any of those conversations, and just recently had this idea myself. Your thoughts are appreciated.