BOM
Regular Member
imported post
A little background: I'm 19, turning 20 in March, i call Albuquerque homeand i have been open carrying since the day I turned 19. I started with a Glock 19, and then moved on to a USP .45, and now I'm carrying a Glock 20. I started with a thumb break Galco holster, and now I’m using a Blackhawk CQC SERPA holster for my G20 (I love it by the way). I dress to fit what i happen to be doing, so if its shorts and a tee, then so be it, I pay no special attention to my clothing other then making sure it does not impede access to my weapon.
One thing that has struck me time and time again is the total lack of attention I get for open carry, in fact I would venture to say that no more then 20% of the people I encounter on a daily basis even noticethe full size Glock riding on my right hip. Those that do take notice usually simply smile, and a few may even ask what I am carrying. Once in a great while do I will run into an anti, and when I do, they are usually defeated with a short talking to; in fact, the majority of people that doapproach meaboutopen carrying are just curious of the legality of carryinga pistol.
I open carry for a couple reasons, first and foremost, I am a staunch supporter of the entire bill of RIGHTS, especially the 2nd RIGHT. Getting permission from the state to carry a gun is turning your RIGHT into a privilege, something I do not agree with, and never will. Next, firearms are under constant attack from a great number of people, and although the gun owners of America are a strong group, I feel that open carry is a great way to not only demonstrate that most private gun owners are safe mature people, but also educated, and intelligent. It also removes some of the fear the public has of guns, because they see me, and my gun, and they see a law abiding, regular person going bout his daily life. This is a good thing for us.
As I mentioned before, I'm19, and mecarrying openly helpsfight the image that people of my age tend to perpetuate. I’m not immature, nora criminal, nor a moron, and quite frankly anything else bad or evil. I’m a responsible young adult, who defends his rights, and himself. I think safely carrying a gun, and being knowledgeable about the laws regarding my choice is one of the best things someone of my age can do, not only for themselves, and the gun people,but the general public as a whole.
As far as the ideas that open carry will lead to me getting my gun snatched, or me shot first during the perpetration of a crime, or whatever. To that I say situational awareness. Being aware of what is going on around you is paramount, gun or not, and noticing the danger signs that always come before a crime will prevent you from becoming a victim because of your gun.
Regardless of your choice to carry open or hidden, or to even carry at all, take care, be safe, and have fun.
-Josh.
A little background: I'm 19, turning 20 in March, i call Albuquerque homeand i have been open carrying since the day I turned 19. I started with a Glock 19, and then moved on to a USP .45, and now I'm carrying a Glock 20. I started with a thumb break Galco holster, and now I’m using a Blackhawk CQC SERPA holster for my G20 (I love it by the way). I dress to fit what i happen to be doing, so if its shorts and a tee, then so be it, I pay no special attention to my clothing other then making sure it does not impede access to my weapon.
One thing that has struck me time and time again is the total lack of attention I get for open carry, in fact I would venture to say that no more then 20% of the people I encounter on a daily basis even noticethe full size Glock riding on my right hip. Those that do take notice usually simply smile, and a few may even ask what I am carrying. Once in a great while do I will run into an anti, and when I do, they are usually defeated with a short talking to; in fact, the majority of people that doapproach meaboutopen carrying are just curious of the legality of carryinga pistol.
I open carry for a couple reasons, first and foremost, I am a staunch supporter of the entire bill of RIGHTS, especially the 2nd RIGHT. Getting permission from the state to carry a gun is turning your RIGHT into a privilege, something I do not agree with, and never will. Next, firearms are under constant attack from a great number of people, and although the gun owners of America are a strong group, I feel that open carry is a great way to not only demonstrate that most private gun owners are safe mature people, but also educated, and intelligent. It also removes some of the fear the public has of guns, because they see me, and my gun, and they see a law abiding, regular person going bout his daily life. This is a good thing for us.
As I mentioned before, I'm19, and mecarrying openly helpsfight the image that people of my age tend to perpetuate. I’m not immature, nora criminal, nor a moron, and quite frankly anything else bad or evil. I’m a responsible young adult, who defends his rights, and himself. I think safely carrying a gun, and being knowledgeable about the laws regarding my choice is one of the best things someone of my age can do, not only for themselves, and the gun people,but the general public as a whole.
As far as the ideas that open carry will lead to me getting my gun snatched, or me shot first during the perpetration of a crime, or whatever. To that I say situational awareness. Being aware of what is going on around you is paramount, gun or not, and noticing the danger signs that always come before a crime will prevent you from becoming a victim because of your gun.
Regardless of your choice to carry open or hidden, or to even carry at all, take care, be safe, and have fun.
-Josh.