Introduction & Thanks

[The Bosun]

Greetings, all, and thank you to the moderators for allowing me to join this forum. I've posted a similarly worded introduction on the Pennsylvania Firearms Owners Association (PAFOA) website, so please, forgive the near-duplication.

I've spent several months reading posts throughout the Opencarry.org forums, and find them to be of great interest. By way of introduction, I live in the traditionally open carry state of Pennsylvania and am a retired/disabled military veteran (Army & Coast Guard; "by land and by sea"). As such, I'm no stranger to firearms, but only within the past few months obtained my License to Carry Firearms (LTCF) and now find myself bearing arms for the first time in my life without a uniform.

In the short time I've been licensed to carry as a civilian, I have both OC'd and CC'd, as I believe appropriate depending on situation/environment; and will continue to do so. Like most here, I do not believe the mere possession of a handgun, carried in a holster in a non-threatening manner, should cause alarm. I'll add that I do not support the open carry of shoulder-fired firearms. Yes, I understand that doing so is legal--yet, I believe it detrimental to the interests of most gun owners.

While my OC experience is limited, I have yet to have a negative interaction with anyone and will share the so-far-positive experiences in a later post.

I look forward to getting to know everyone here.

Stay safe,

 

[color of law]

Welcome!

Because open carry has been somewhat accepted, the traffic on this forum is not as robust as once was. But don't let that discourage your participation. All reasonable questions will be answered., however, be careful of some charlatans that pop in on this forum, holding themselves out as experts, selling a false story.

Enjoy.

 

[The Bosun]

Welcome!

Because open carry has been somewhat accepted, the traffic on this forum is not as robust as once was. But don't let that discourage your participation. All reasonable questions will be answered., however, be careful of some charlatans that pop in on this forum, holding themselves out as experts, selling a false story.

Enjoy.

Thank you, CoL. Your comments throughout the forums have been among those I've enjoyed. I'm certain to have as many questions as I may possible answers and will value intelligent replies. For now, I can share only that I've been open carrying for nearly four months and have had the following negative experiences:
Zero. None. NTR. (Insert yawning face here.)

Of course, I hope it remains so for all of us.

FWIW, I've just returned from the range to sight in both of my carry weapons, stopped at the local gun store for ammunition on the way home, followed by the gas station. Open carrying the entire time and not so much as a sideward glance from anyone.

The Internet being a haven for charlatans, my guess is that most of us have become adept at outing them--or rather--recognizing when they out themselves.

Thanks again and Merry Christmas,

 

[KBCraig]

Welcome aboard!

I moved from beg-for-permission Texas, to no-questions-asked New Hampshire.

You're right that acceptance depends on local culture. I live in an area where tourists from Quebec and Massachusetts overlap, and I think both groups would go home disappointed if they couldn't talk about seeing armed hillbillies out in public.

 

[2a4all]

Welcome, Boats.

Sadly, Virginia lost its Pennsylvania reciprocity several years ago, so our CHPs (Concealed handgun Permits) aren't honored there any longer (political shenanigans). A workaround is that several "border county" sheriffs have said that they will issue non-resident carry permits to Virginians who have a resident CHP. According to Handgunlaws.us, your PA permit is still honored here, as VA honors permits from every other state. But it is limited to handguns.

OC is legal here, except that recent changes to state preemption law allows localities to regulate carry in local government facilities, which includes parks, beaches, golf courses, etc., so if you get down this way, be sure to keep an eye out for signs, which must be posted, to that effect.

 

[Doug_Nightmare]

@ Boats. Thank your for your service. USN SS ‘69 - ‘75 SSN-660

 

[The Bosun]

Welcome aboard!

I moved from beg-for-permission Texas, to no-questions-asked New Hampshire.

You're right that acceptance depends on local culture. I live in an area where tourists from Quebec and Massachusetts overlap, and I think both groups would go home disappointed if they couldn't talk about seeing armed hillbillies out in public.

@ Boats. Thank your for your service. USN SS ‘69 - ‘75 SSN-660

Thank you, KBCraig.

As a Canadian-American, I can just imagine some of the curiosity. Based on the attitudes of some of my Canadian (and liberal) family members, I think you're getting off lightly if the worst they call you is a "hillbilly".

As for Massachusetts, well--what can any of us say?

Thank you again for the welcome and Merry Christmas to you, sir.

 

[The Bosun]

Welcome, Boats.

Sadly, Virginia lost its Pennsylvania reciprocity several years ago, so our CHPs (Concealed handgun Permits) aren't honored there any longer (political shenanigans). A workaround is that several "border county" sheriffs have said that they will issue non-resident carry permits to Virginians who have a resident CHP. According to Handgunlaws.us, your PA permit is still honored here, as VA honors permits from every other state. But it is limited to handguns.

OC is legal here, except that recent changes to state preemption law allows localities to regulate carry in local government facilities, which includes parks, beaches, golf courses, etc., so if you get down this way, be sure to keep an eye out for signs, which must be posted, to that effect.

Thank you, 24all.

I've read of some of the restrictions now in place in Virginia. I can't say any of them make sense to me at all. (I've tried arguing--as I'm certain many of us have--that restrictive firearms laws accomplish nothing except placing additional burdens on the law-abiding. 'Might as well talk to ourselves.)

Also, FWIW, here in Pennsylvania, we don't issue "permits". Instead we have the License to Carry Firearms (LTCF). Lacking a legal education, I'm unable to discern the legal nuances that define the two. Perhaps someone else on the forum could enlighten me?

And thank you for the warning on signage. Should I venture down to Virginia, I'll be very mindful of the restrictions.

Merry Christmas.

 

[The Bosun]

@ Boats. Thank your for your service. USN SS ‘69 - ‘75 SSN-660

Hello, Doug and thank you for the welcome.

Before we devolve into the the Navy/Coast Guard jokes, please, allow me to sincerely thank you for your service, sir. I can't fathom (pun intended) how anyone tolerates serving aboard submarines but you do have my respect for having done so. No doubt, you have plenty of stories to tell.

As for me I was focused on search & rescue boats with a tour aboard an icebreaker. At age 58, I can still perform most of my rescue/survival swimming drills (though at a much, much slower tempo).

It's good to meet you and I wish you the best.

Now, let the jokes begin.

"A Sailor and a Coast Guardsman walk into the head together...."

Merry Christmas.

 

[Doug_Nightmare]

No jokes from me. I live on an island in Lake Michigan surrounded by lighthouses and Lighthouse Service descendent families. Alan Thiele MCPOCG (5) was friend and neighbor. I may be on the next ferry that has to be rescued by the local icebreaker cutter.

 

[The Bosun]

I envy you, Doug. I've sailed the Great Lakes more than a few times, love traveling the area and find the region's maritime history intriguing. As for MCPOCG Thiele, I served during his watch and remember him well. May he rest in peace. As for a ferry boat rescue, I pray you & yours never require one.
Merry Christmas and thank you again for the welcome aboard.

 

[Logan 5]

I have a great deal of respect for both SSN & USCG. Two vastly different and similarly unique "areas of expertise."

 

[The Bosun]

Thank you, Logan. And you're right--different missions, yet one team/one fight.
Happy New Year to all.

 

[golddigger14s]

Thank you for your service TB.

 

[The Bosun]

Thank you, Golddigger.

 

[Logan 5]

I have heard mostly good things about the USCG, the bad stuff from people that do not understand the role the USCG fills or were doing illegal stuff.

As for the Navy, they scare me. In those submarines they send 200 guys down, and 100 couple come back up. It's almost like the Invasion of the Body Snatcher. Terrifying. (tic)

 

[Doug_Nightmare]

As for the Navy, they scare me. In those submarines they send 200 guys down, and 100 couple come back up. It's almost like the Invasion of the Body Snatcher. Terrifying.

That usually happens in 50:50 mixed cruises as required nowadays. Boys and girls together. Maybe the staterooms are single sex, but ships are fully diverse. USCG too.

I was present when an MM1 male nuke tried to get off the watchbill by admitting to the XO that he had just smoked dope. XO: “Goddamn it. I don’t want to hear it. Go back and stand your watch!”. That was Zumwalts’ Navy. I remember working with the Squadron aboard AS-40, and seeing the biggest security padlock ever on the WT door to female berthing.

So tell US about your service.

 

[solus]

I have heard mostly good things about the USCG, the bad stuff from people that do not understand the role the USCG fills or were doing illegal stuff.

As for the Navy, they scare me. In those submarines they send 200 guys down, and 100 couple come back up. It's almost like the Invasion of the Body Snatcher. Terrifying.

there are a lot of misunderstandings that cause you concern aren't there Logan5?

misunderstandings over perceptions of complains of moderation towards your posting in Deutsch ending in an olde outlawed salute to Deutschland to a new member from Colorado!

the men & women who have served in this Nation's Armed Services & USCG, in the past and do so today, are honourable citizens and deserving of ALL our thanks for their service - not have crude & rude dispersions chastising their character.

 

[Logan 5]

I read my post and see I forgot something. I fixed it for you kids. Sorry!

 

[OC for ME]

I have heard mostly good things about the USCG, the bad stuff from people that do not understand the role the USCG fills or were doing illegal stuff.

As for the Navy, they scare me. In those submarines they send 200 guys down, and 100 couple come back up. It's almost like the Invasion of the Body Snatcher. Terrifying. (tic)

Technically there are not 200 assigned personnel, somewhere around 130 crew members. On Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) submarines there are some small number of female crew members. There could be even a small number of female crew members on Fast Attack (fast boats) submarines...likely officers.

...as for your adage...that applies to FBMs...

...fast boats have real sailors...