CrimDoc
Regular Member
imported post
First, my apologies if this topic has already been covered. I searched the forum and couldn't find an appropriate thread ... but I may have just searched the wrong key words.
Second, I just want to make it clear that I support both OC and CC ... this thread is NOT intended to convince people that CC is better: I started it because I'd like to learn something.
Having said that ... I am curious as to why those of you who choose to carry primarily open do so?
Even though I know that OC is legal in Michigan, I must admit that I've never done it. About the closest I've come is just throwing an open jacket or flannel shirt over a medium frame .357 magnum revolver in a belt holster (when hiking out in the wilderness). Not exactly open ... but certainly not concealed past the "first glance" level. Whenever I'm "in public" I always CC with an IWB holster.
My reasoning is both tactical and practical.
Tactical because if something does "go down" I'd like the element of surprise: rather than having the criminal KNOW I'm armed (and perhaps making myself his/her first target) I figure I have a tactical advantage if he/she doesn't know I have a weapon.
Practical because I'd like to avoid confrontations with members of the general public or LEOs who don't know the law. I just read a thread about an OC experience in Grayling that made my hair stand up on end ... a LEO apparently walked up behind a guy (who was OCing) and tried to GRAB HIS GUN (without first identifying himself). I can see about a million ways that scenario could have ended in tragedy. And what if it hadn't been a LEO (who may have been a doofus, but didn't have ill intent) ... what if it was a criminal? There are also at least a dozen threads that aren't quite as scary, but still involve "harassment" that leads to arguments, tickets, handcuffs etc.
So for those of you who do OC regularly is it because:
1) You don't want / see a need to get a CPL (based on the fact that the 2A and Michigan law allows OC)?
2) You feel there's a tactical advantage to OC (i.e. you can get at your gun more quickly / it's very difficult to CC a large caliber / high capacity firearm)?
3) You want to make a statement and educate the public about OC?
4) You feel tactical deterrence outweighs tactical surprise (i.e. bad guy will think twice about a caper if he/she sees there's an armed person around)?
5) It's just more comfortable to OC (IWB holsters CAN be a pain ... I admit that).
All of the above? Reasons I'm missing?
First, my apologies if this topic has already been covered. I searched the forum and couldn't find an appropriate thread ... but I may have just searched the wrong key words.
Second, I just want to make it clear that I support both OC and CC ... this thread is NOT intended to convince people that CC is better: I started it because I'd like to learn something.
Having said that ... I am curious as to why those of you who choose to carry primarily open do so?
Even though I know that OC is legal in Michigan, I must admit that I've never done it. About the closest I've come is just throwing an open jacket or flannel shirt over a medium frame .357 magnum revolver in a belt holster (when hiking out in the wilderness). Not exactly open ... but certainly not concealed past the "first glance" level. Whenever I'm "in public" I always CC with an IWB holster.
My reasoning is both tactical and practical.
Tactical because if something does "go down" I'd like the element of surprise: rather than having the criminal KNOW I'm armed (and perhaps making myself his/her first target) I figure I have a tactical advantage if he/she doesn't know I have a weapon.
Practical because I'd like to avoid confrontations with members of the general public or LEOs who don't know the law. I just read a thread about an OC experience in Grayling that made my hair stand up on end ... a LEO apparently walked up behind a guy (who was OCing) and tried to GRAB HIS GUN (without first identifying himself). I can see about a million ways that scenario could have ended in tragedy. And what if it hadn't been a LEO (who may have been a doofus, but didn't have ill intent) ... what if it was a criminal? There are also at least a dozen threads that aren't quite as scary, but still involve "harassment" that leads to arguments, tickets, handcuffs etc.
So for those of you who do OC regularly is it because:
1) You don't want / see a need to get a CPL (based on the fact that the 2A and Michigan law allows OC)?
2) You feel there's a tactical advantage to OC (i.e. you can get at your gun more quickly / it's very difficult to CC a large caliber / high capacity firearm)?
3) You want to make a statement and educate the public about OC?
4) You feel tactical deterrence outweighs tactical surprise (i.e. bad guy will think twice about a caper if he/she sees there's an armed person around)?
5) It's just more comfortable to OC (IWB holsters CAN be a pain ... I admit that).
All of the above? Reasons I'm missing?