imported post
I have been a practicing Open Carry person for 17 years plus now..
Carried openly in many of the Western States all these years without incident (PBTJ)
Have on more than one occasion had Peace Officers notice me in a coffe shop then make a point to smile and sit in the next closest booth to the corner with their back to me facing the door.
Over time I came to realize like the rest of you we all are unofficial ambassadors for both open carry and the Second Amendment..
Which means how people perceive us is as important as the Second Amendment and laws that enforce citizen rights to openly carry.
That being true for all of you now I just wanted to make a suggestion...
Obviously fit, clean cut, modestly dressed people make good impressions with others..
Something less obvious is the selection of your holster and magazine pouches also has an impact on others.
I try to wear gear that matches the clothes I am wearing. Reducing the initial impact on the psyche of the uninitiated and those unfamiliar with open carry regulations.
Earth tones browns, tans, Lt greens are reassuring to people.. Black on the other hand has a certain degree of force to it... So when selecting your clothes.. and wearing your sidearm these things willl impact public perception..
I suggest when possible wear brown leather...vs black anything.
Avoid "Tactical Holsters" where possible. There is nothing to stop you from painting that Kydex Magazine Holder or Holster a tan or light brown if you cannot obtain the tans or browns to begin with.. Krylon offers products specifically designed to adhere to plastics rough it up a bit prime and paint. (Try the back of that paddle first to ensure it will adhere properly.
The idea is to diminish the initial visual impact when your open carry.. For people to see your smile, pleasant demeanor and be put at ease,
When a middle aged women siting beside you waiting for her tires to be rotated feels comfortable enough to ask with out being confrontational.. "Why you are carrying a firearm"? That is a success... You will know what you are doing is working as you are afforded the opportunity to explain how most people in fact are good, honest an decent. How you wish she and every peacable person would carry either openly or concealed and why.. That no Women, Senior, or any honest hard working citizen should ever have to be concerned that they cannot defend themselves and those they love against evil...
It does work... it does help and it is worth the effort.
For your consideration.and comment.
Wm
I have been a practicing Open Carry person for 17 years plus now..
Carried openly in many of the Western States all these years without incident (PBTJ)
Have on more than one occasion had Peace Officers notice me in a coffe shop then make a point to smile and sit in the next closest booth to the corner with their back to me facing the door.
Over time I came to realize like the rest of you we all are unofficial ambassadors for both open carry and the Second Amendment..
Which means how people perceive us is as important as the Second Amendment and laws that enforce citizen rights to openly carry.
That being true for all of you now I just wanted to make a suggestion...
Obviously fit, clean cut, modestly dressed people make good impressions with others..
Something less obvious is the selection of your holster and magazine pouches also has an impact on others.
I try to wear gear that matches the clothes I am wearing. Reducing the initial impact on the psyche of the uninitiated and those unfamiliar with open carry regulations.
Earth tones browns, tans, Lt greens are reassuring to people.. Black on the other hand has a certain degree of force to it... So when selecting your clothes.. and wearing your sidearm these things willl impact public perception..
I suggest when possible wear brown leather...vs black anything.
Avoid "Tactical Holsters" where possible. There is nothing to stop you from painting that Kydex Magazine Holder or Holster a tan or light brown if you cannot obtain the tans or browns to begin with.. Krylon offers products specifically designed to adhere to plastics rough it up a bit prime and paint. (Try the back of that paddle first to ensure it will adhere properly.
The idea is to diminish the initial visual impact when your open carry.. For people to see your smile, pleasant demeanor and be put at ease,
When a middle aged women siting beside you waiting for her tires to be rotated feels comfortable enough to ask with out being confrontational.. "Why you are carrying a firearm"? That is a success... You will know what you are doing is working as you are afforded the opportunity to explain how most people in fact are good, honest an decent. How you wish she and every peacable person would carry either openly or concealed and why.. That no Women, Senior, or any honest hard working citizen should ever have to be concerned that they cannot defend themselves and those they love against evil...
It does work... it does help and it is worth the effort.
For your consideration.and comment.
Wm