There are 2 lines of thought I look at with regard to Open vs Concealed carry.
Concealed- pretty much accepted and the standard in many states, most likely because it is CONCEALED and the general public, who can and do become hysterically scared at the meer sight of a weapon, prefer to not see the "evil". Requires a permit or permission from the state to carry in this manner and many believe that this makes them safer. Hoplophobia is very easy to nurture and encourage growth, our mainstream media does a great job of that.
Open Carry- the original, legal means of carrying where seeing the weapon was historically seen as the honorable and polite thing to do so people know you are armed. Written law still on the books for many states, but not regulary practiced. But this idea has been transformed this past century into being not socially accepted. Thank you mainstream media and hollywood.
The problem I see is that, after the 2nd ammendment was written, Government has pretty much tried to take away the right to keep and bear arms. People want that right back and so they are using the 3 boxes to change their government (Soap Box, Ballot Box, Jury Box), and change as we all know can invariably be difficult and painful and met with much resistance.
Although not exactly the same I see a parrallel to the civil rights movement of the 50'/60's. Their are those who push for change gently, thru legal means, without ruffling to many feathers, Martin Luther King (CalGuns). Then there are those who are more in your face, provocative, feather ruffling, Black Panthers (Open Carry advocates). Its a loose association I know, because OC'rs are actually trying to obey the law, while some LE agencies try to treat them as criminals and prosecute them as such. The LE departments that realize this is a PR nightmare and they will lose that battle have turned to the political process by backing the legislature and elected officials to change the rules for them, and attack OC from the flank.
I think the 2 types of gun rights advocacy should operate concurrently, Calguns probably realizes that OC'rs can effect a change of peoples mindset but could also rock the boat so much that it hurts their agenda on the legislative and legal and front weaken any support they might get. Many OC'rs want things to happen today, now, they want their rights back, but if they push to hard and ruffle to many feathers, the strategy can have the opposite affect. Calguns cant show their cards otherwise they lose their position so OC is kinda left in the dark and can get upset and peeved that nothing is getting done, at least that seems to be many peoples perception.
So my take is, allow CalGuns to do their thing they are making progress, working hard, changing the landscape, they are working the slow and steady winning strategy, OC'rs keep doing your thing, be smart, be a positive role model and change the publics perception, and just have faith that their are things going on behind the curtain we cant see. We dont all have to know the grand strategy, just use smart tactics for what you do day to day. The shift in Americas mindset is working, just keep the faith.
