Open Carry of a firearm is something that I am very passionate about. If you are not aware of what open carry is I will define it for you “openly carrying a firearm in public", as distinguished from concealed carry, where firearms cannot be seen by the casual observer. In my home state of Michigan you can legally openly carry a firearm in a holster in plain view. Michigan Law MCL 750.234d, states that it is okay to openly carry a firearm. There are several reasons why I am pro open carry, first reason being is that I do believe that it would reduce crime rates; second of all I think that it would reduce the amount of shootings that happen along with so many other reasons.
First reason I support open carry is because I do think that if more people knew that it was legal to openly carry your firearm crime rates would reduce. If more people were carrying firearms in plain view less violent crimes would happen in my opinion because if you see several armed people in an area you are going to think well if I do this, maybe one if these people will draw their firearm on me.
Another pro side to carrying a firearm in the open is I do believe that less violent crimes such as gun related crimes would happen. If you see someone with a firearm on their hip you are more likely to think “oh maybe messing with this guy is not such a good idea” however what if you see someone else who looks like a good target and you decide “hey this guy looks like he can’t do anything I will rob him” then you find out this person is carrying a canceled pistol. I am in no way advocating crimes these are all hypothetical situations.
Now for every pro reason for something there is always a few cons to it. One big con to openly carrying a firearm is the fact that some people may find it scary. People in a lot of northern states such as Michigan have not been exposed to firearms during their lifetime. Since the people have not had exposure to a firearm in their lifetime they have only heard the negative things about them on local newscast and the amount of violence that goes on with weapons. So they have this phobia of firearms.
Overall the idea of open carry is a good idea in my perspective. It is my fondest hope that you also see things my way. A right not exercised is a right lost. This is a right you should exercise. These rights were given to us for a reason, why not take full advantage of them?
