Concealed gun carry or open carry..? Which way is better..?

[43north87west]

I vote for concealed, although I'm not opposed to open carry (we have both). I like flying under the radar, so to speak. I don't like drawing attention to myself. I try to be as invisible as possible.

[DanoTex]

Originally Posted by rogerbacon

Even though you are joking, I agree. I think everyone (except convited felons and illegal aliens) should be required to own a gun -- just like Obama wants to require everyone to own medical insurance. Everyone sould be required to take a course on gun safety. Everyone should be required to participate in shooting at a range or hunting event once every 90 days at a minimum.

Very good comparison with the required medical insurance, would this make the Military the 'Public option'? A mandate requiring membership in a gun owners association must be required as well- NRA anyone?

Dano

[DanoTex]

Originally Posted by wenge2ful

There are pros & cons for each way.
Let's hear your arguments.

Personally,I believe more in deterrence ( open carry )
than in possible surprise (concealed carry).

So,I voted for open carry.
Of course.both ways should be legal...

Concealed- for tactical advantage. IMO deterrence isn't possible with low life perps, OC simply gives them the opportunity to do a sneak attack.

Dano

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by wenge2ful
There are pros & cons for each way.
Let's hear your arguments.

Personally,I believe more in deterrence ( open carry )
than in possible surprise (concealed carry).

So,I voted for open carry.
Of course.both ways should be legal...

There are good arguments (as has been evidenced) for both ways. But like you say, both ways should be legal. I have a concealed carry permit in Texas (because that is the only type issued), but would like to see the law changed to allow either open or concealed once one passes the necessary requirements for a permit to be issued.

Originally Posted by DanoTex

Concealed- for tactical advantage. IMO deterrence isn't possible with low life perps, OC simply gives them the opportunity to do a sneak attack.
Dano

Yeah, I definitely see what you say as a point in favor of concealed if it comes down to one or the other mode of carry.

At the same time though (and maybe this has been brought up earlier) low-life perps generally tend to pick on what they perceive as obviously easy targets and if they see someone openly carrying, I would say chances are they will by-pass that person in favor of finding another they are not so sure are "packing".

Yes, the tactical advantage you mention is well-taken...provided that the intended victim is able to get their weapon out in time to effectively use it.

However, because these predatory low-lifes are "skilled" in their art of sizing up the potential vicitim, they mostly attack weaker looking individuals (i.e. elderly people, handicapped, smaller women, etc) and know ahead of time they can likely overpower them.

On other other hand, if someone is openly armed, then the chances are much less likely, I would think, they will be accosted. Especially if there are several more average citizens in the vicinity who are also openly carrying and potentially ready to come to the assistance of an innocent third-party...