imported post
Here in Utah, the only places on that list that are legally off limit to OC or CC if you have a permit to carry are churches that specifically give notice that guns are banned. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has done this for all of their houses of worship in the State. One or two other congregations have given notice for their buildings.
I do not carry to church as it is illegal and my religious leaders have made clear they do not want privately owned guns in church. One of those little sacrifices for religion.
I do not carry into work as they can fire me for doing so and likely would if I were to be discovered. I'm well enough known as the gun guy that I just can't expect not to be noticed. Utah does have parking lot preemption and lock boxes for the car are readily available.
Holding a permit I am legally allowed to carry into schools, bars, and virtually anyplace else I want to. My polling place is often inside either a Middle or High school and I always carry to the polls. I carry to my kids' school. I make a point to OC when visiting the State capital.
As a matter of courtesy I will often choose CC rather than OC when attending events like weddings, funerals, receptions, etc where most of those in attendance would consider a visible firearm to be at least inappropriate in the same way showing up in ratty jeans and t-shirt, rather than a suit and tie, would be inappropriate. In many cases, such events are held inside an LDS Church and so even CC is prohibited anyway.
I will often choose to CC rather than OC when visiting friends or neighbors who I know are or would be uncomfortable with a visible firearm. I consider this no different than removing my shoes when visiting those who don't want street shoes worn inside their homes.
I will not visit a hospital without being armed. I just figure there is too much chance of something happening in an area full of sick, injured people, with lots of drugs available, and where the messes of gang shootings and such end up being cleaned up. If I am merely making a social call on someone being treated, I will often OC, but sometimes CC. If I am accompanying a friend or family member and will be acting as their advocate, I CC just to avoid creating any distractions for those treating my charge.
I think there is great value in OCing. But I think there are some times when having a gun openly displayed may create more problems than it is worth, either short or long term. Just as I am sensitive to the feelings of others when it comes to my dress, my language, the subject matter of conversations, and so on, I try not to be needlessly insensitive to feelings and fears (irrational as they may be) about firearms. A nurse who sees me carrying in a grocery store has been exposed. She need not necessarily confront her fears about such at the same moment she is administering care to someone I love.
Charles