projo198 said:
2 questions; I am a concealed carry license holder. Do I still have he option to open carry?
Do you have a driver's license? Do you still walk or ride your bicycle some places?
The way American law works is that if there's not a law prohibiting something, it's legal. And sometimes if there is a law against something, it's still legal because the law is unconstitutional.
kenolathe said:
Concealed and open carry fall under two sets of laws.
During my training, I was told to not mix the two.
:banghead: :cuss: That's not directed at you, but at whoever is spewing misinformation.
Welcome aboard. Really, we're glad you're here.
Since you're new you probably won't have the experience to know that many many trainers should stick to teaching basic firearm safety and stay away from trying to explain laws. Also, many LEO don't really know much about the laws, or about Constitutional rights.
If you want to know about the laws affecting/infringing your right to carry, find your state laws online. Search for things like "concealed carry of a deadly weapon", "self-defense", "trespass".
A very good resource is your state page at
www.handgunlaw.us They provide the text of the pertinent laws, the statute numbers/citations, and links to your state's pistol carry information... again, so you can
read the laws yourself.
There are also information pages available from the front page of OCDO.
As an example, when I teach firearms classes that touch on the various laws, I put the text & statute number in my powerpoint so students can not only read it there but also have the reference to be able to go home & read it themselves in more depth & in context.
I
always encourage people to read the statutes themselves. (Especially LEO to whom I've explained something they didn't understand... One was trying to be very nice about telling me I couldn't carry in a certain business because he thought there was a school across the street. I pointed out that from the time I parked I'd been on private property & that's one exception to the 1000' "gun-free" zone.)
In my opinion, you took the time, effort and money to get your CCW permit, go ahead and use it.
1) Welcome to
Open Carry dot Org
2) The OP says s/he mostly hides, but sometimes would be more comfortable being open about exercising her/his rights. It's her/his choice.
As far as going to different cities, follow the CCW statutes. Under the permit, you are covered under state law and not city codes.
Danger Will Robinson!
State statutes cover you everywhere there's not a smaller locality (county, city, village) imposing its wishes.
If the state does not infringe your right to carry openly (say in a state park), but bordering that state park is a village which is rabidly anti-gun, if you wander out of the park & into the village you can still be ticketed / arrested / jailed (depending on their ordinance) even if you put your coat over it & use the privilege your license provides.