When it may NOT be good to Open Carry...

[seeknulfind]

My wife and I have been eating lunch in a local park lately. Nearly every day we see a group of young men with nothing better to do than hang around. Are they trouble? I don't know. They are a bit loud and somewhat obnoxious at times. We seem to get strange looks sometimes - almost as if they are daring us to say something.

It's times like this when I wonder if open carry is really a good idea. Sure I might feel a bit more secure with a firearm on my side, but what if my open carry encourages someone like this to open carry? Could seeing someone around with a sidearm give them ideas they might not otherwise consider?

Which way would you go?

BTW concealed carry is not an option right now.

Andy

[VBshooter]

If concealed is not an option at this time, Maybe consider eating lunch at another place in the park or OC discreetly and ignore the little thugs...It can be done.

[frankD]

Most "thugs" aren't going to open carry. When it comes to thugs, it's the guns that you can't see that are the problem.

[BULLYBOY13]

think about it its always good to have a firearm on you and dont need it and when you dont have a firearm is the time you might need it.just as long that when you do carry a firearm make sure if the time comes to used it in any form to reduce the threat by drawing it on to someone or if you have to discharge it.

[Diomed]

You could always OC and then CC a backup piece. If you're dealing with a large group of hostiles more firepower is your best bet next to fleeing. Just be sure your wife knows how to back you up.

[Tweaker]

It seems he does not have, can't get or doesn't want a carry permit.

I wouldn't give a thought to teaching thugs to OC. Not a realistic concern.

I would be most concerned if you OC and are seen by them and then later are not carrying at all. They will assume you are disarmed then.

I consider a .38 snubbie in the rear pocket of jeans with the handle sticking out OC, and that is certainly not easily observable. Perhaps this is your best bet.

Stay safe and carry lots of ammo.

[wylde007]

I wouldn't give a thought to teaching thugs to OC. Not a realistic concern.

^^^ This.

I would be most concerned if you OC and are seen by them and then later are not carrying at all. They will assume you are disarmed then.

^^^ Possibly this.

[jmelvin]

If these guys are the thugs you think they might be then how or if you carry isn't going to make a whit of difference to them. I'd rather them know I'm carrying and have those around me who perceive me to be a peaceful, law abiding type to know other "good" people carry too.

[nuc65]

I would make sure my recorder was fully charged and running while eating lunch.

[gibbs1911]

According to the gun owners guide the snubi in the back pocket would constitute an attempt at concealment without a permit which is a big no no and a heavy fine. If you choose to carry a gun at all you have to be in a mind-set that prepares you to use it if the time comes. I say OC, and to quote the other guy, get your wife to carry as well and teach her how to back you up, with a cam on stby and a lawyer on speed dial. If you haven't read the VA gun owners guide I recommend you do so. It may help you come to a decision.

[Jakeiscrazy]

They don't want the attention OC would bring to them so they won't do it. It could deter them from screwing with you and your family because your OCing. So I would said it's a good thing.

[mk4]

if you have reservations about OC, and CC is not a viable option, then how about calling LE and letting them check out the thugs/punks? if they're being disorderly, obnoxious or ruining the enjoyment of the public park for you and others, i think it's within the purview of the law to restore that peacefulness and enjoyment. no?

[Tweaker]

According to the gun owners guide the snubi in the back pocket would constitute an attempt at concealment without a permit which is a big no no and a heavy fine. If you choose to carry a gun at all you have to be in a mind-set that prepares you to use it if the time comes. I say OC, and to quote the other guy, get your wife to carry as well and teach her how to back you up, with a cam on stby and a lawyer on speed dial. If you haven't read the VA gun owners guide I recommend you do so. It may help you come to a decision.

I don't doubt either the book or the logic, but a pocket that is smaller than the object inserted in it does not make for concealment in my opinion. A holster can leave even less of the gun visible than a hogleg hanging out of a pocket. I suppose I would have to "tell it to the judge?"

No OC for me anymore, so I may be testing this theory in reverse down mhea in SC.

[seeknulfind]

Thanks for all the replies. Still weighing the pros and cons of all this. We haven't been eating in the park, but only because we haven't been around.

While these guys seem to think they are "something", I've come to the conclusion they are mistaken. OC, CC or NC, I'm not going to worry about them.

Nor am I going to give any more thought to what any "bad guys" might do.

Also, about the "thugs", "bad guys", and other terms (some mine, some not) - I'm reserving judgement on this for now. They are young, living in a depressed area in a time when jobs are scarce everywhere. It's even possible their expectations of the current administration have been deflated. Thus far they haven't done anything but shoot unfriendly looks towards us.

What I'm getting at is I might be making too much of all this. Are these guys trouble? Could be. But they've caused none yet as far as I know. I've thought about possible asking a local LEO about them. Not so much to file a complaint but in a small town like this, I'm sure LE knows exactly who to keep an eye on.

I believe my initial concerns were misplaced. Sure open carry allows for anyone legally capable to do so - even if some have felonious futures. But, armed or not, it would be a mistake to allow the more sinister elements of our society even think they can dictate what the rest of us can do.

Andy

[vooduchkn]

Carry your firearm as you always would is my suggestion. When I can, I do not leave the home with out it.

The question I would ask is why would you be scared to OC here? If you are afraid that it will escalate a situation, I would then ask if you feel that your family is a target in this place? If so, then OC would be my only option other than finding another place to eat. OC and enjoy your picnic.

If you are already worried about this group, then OC should not escalate the situation unless you are worried about a confrontation, which in case carrying would be prudent, but like I stated previously, I always carry when I can.

Imagine if you decide not to carry and a confrontation goes down regardless, are you willing to risk you or your family for the possibility of an encounter?

Just my $.02