Advice from those of you that OC

[mamabearCali]

So my wonderful DH got me a OWB with level 2 retention mostly for around the house. It is entirely not appropriate for CC, but itis super comfy. My question for y'all that OC is do you ever get over the jitters and how would/have you dealt with neighbors that may freak out if it is noticed?

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[AdmiralG26]

Yeah you will get over the jitters. It's awkward at first, but just remember the confidence you have when you cc. It's the same thing, just people can see what you have on your hip.

Others will chime in on how they have handled confrontations, but my advice is stay calm and explain politely that you live in a state where it's legal oc without a permit.

Enjoy oc-ing. I like it!

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[VBshooter]

Be confident and show it,your not doing anything wrong,, answer questions / have the answers if someone asks and ignore idiots that may happen along, I have found that just by doing it like its natural none of the people I come contact with have ever had a problem with me OC ing around them,in their homes or elsewhere,,,

[jdonovan]

My question for y'all that OC is do you ever get over the jitters and how would/have you dealt with neighbors that may freak out if it is noticed?

If they point, scream, pick up the kids and run... well there isn't anything you're going to say to convince them of anything they don't already believe.

Some days no one says a thing, other days it attracts attention. Be prepared for both.

If people want to have a sane, civil discussion I'm all for it. At some level when you decide to OC, you are also putting on your 'ambassador of the gun community shirt'. Be ready to have conversations, and be ready to politely end conversations with people who have non-discussable feelings. There are some men you just can't reach.

[SHMIV]

As was mentioned above, the whole of the gun-owning community is represented by those who OC.

With that in mind, I tend to dress rather civilized when I OC. In other words, if I'm covered in grease from working on my car, or whatever, I really don't want to fall into someones preconceived notion of "crazy, gun toting redneck". At minimum, I keep my shirt tucked in, and usually wear a shirt with a collar. I also remind myself to use proper grammar, to smile, and be generally friendly, which is my normal behavior anyway.

Thus far, I've had no issues. One or two people have quietly gone out of their way to avoid me in the grocery store, but that's about it.

Oh, and when I OC, I carry in a sort of a "cross-draw" position, with my pistol a little towards my front. I do this for a couple of reasons; one, it's easier for me to get to, and two, it makes it difficult for one to sneak up behind me and take it.

[Riana]

My usual holster is an OWB duty holster - not a CC holster at all. But if I'm concerned, I just flip my jacket or shirt over it. It's not well-concealed, but if one is not looking for a gun, one wouldn't see it.

[rromeo]

Ef'em!

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[mamabearCali]

Well I don't usually work on cars---I leave that to my DH. I get covered in baby drool, but that is mostly clean-up able. I always smile, and am polite to a fault. Despite my feisty clashes (all in good humor) with Kruetz on this forum I am generally a very mild mannered person. As for dressing neatly, I am a girl so I don't tuck in. Generally I wear jeans, some sort of shirt appropriate to the season, and tennis shoes.

Mostly I plan t just carry like this around the house and yard. On the go I will prob carry some other way. Thanks y'all!

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[SHMIV]

Well, if you're just going to OC at home, there really isn't anything to be jittery about.

You may have one neighbor who want's to get nervous and call the police, but the only thing to come of that is having a friendly conversation with with your city's finest, in which the officer will inform you that he can't do anything to stop you, but will advise that you have a nervous neighbor.
I've gotten friendly advice from officers in the past, in regard to other topics; I just smile, shake their hand, and thank them for their concern.

But, if you speak to your closest neighbors on a semi-regular basis, I doubt that you'd have any issues. You never know; the visible gun on your hip may lead to the family next door becoming gun enthusiasts, too. And, wouldn't that be cool.

[KaosDad]

All I can do is pass along some advice given to me;

At first, wear a dark shirt. Your sidearm will blend in and it will reduce the o_O you may get.

If you have your CC, try a Virginia Tuck. The only reason I mentioned the CC is in case your shirt or jacket slips over the sidearm grip, you are covered.

Try going about with a buddy that is more used to OCing.

To really get over the jitters - go OCing at a nudist colony. Or is that redundant?

[SHMIV]

To really get over the jitters - go OCing at a nudist colony. Or is that redundant?

ROFLMAO!!!

[CCFan]

I kinda feel about OC the same as I did about CC - once you do it for a while, it becomes just as natural as anything else. Baby steps. Carry in the house - then the yard - then around the yard, mailbox, and keep on going!!

To really get over the jitters - go OCing at a nudist colony. Or is that redundant?

Isn't the *ahem* holster selection a bit limited in this configuration?

[OakRidgeStars]

Isn't the *ahem* holster selection a bit limited in this configuration?

Not at all

[Reverenddel]

"Frankly you terrify me son" (paraphrasing Charlton Heston from the Bud light commercials) directed at Jay.

[steelheart]

i oc all the time and all i can say is this everyone has said the right thing. BUT you must be careful where you go while you oc. the mall in winchester va for example has an itty bitty tenny little sign saying no weapons of any kind. 7th sign at bottom of door. yeah folks its a simon mall lol. check the area around doors for the signs. oc at a nudist colony....thats hilarious!!! cc at a nudist colony...... im staying silent on that

[mamabearCali]

Mostly I plan to OC around the house/yard. Outside the house I will prob stick with my IWB back of the hip (CC). I already have enough to handle when out and about (four kids 6 and under). I really don't have time to educate the ignorant and heaven forbid an errant LEO here and there about virginia law. That said, if anyone knows of an OC picnic I am game.

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[wylde007]

If you're going to OC and MEAN IT, then you have to be prepared for the inevitable stare, query or even admonition.

The good news is that if you are armed with both your sidearm AND your wit, then you will prove victorious by either informing an ignorant soul or confusing them so badly that they disengage out of frustration.

You MUST ALWAYS be an advocate of liberty. It is easy to conceal carry. Nobody knows and nobody has to know. You can insulate yourself and others from the discomfort which comes from having to actively defend your choices.

[mamabearCali]

I am it sure what you mean by "open carry and mean it.". My reason for open carrying around the house/yard was for comfort and safety sake. Out of the house--well maybe in a few months/years when things are calmer.


Right this moment I have too much on my plate to be witty or to educate the common everyday joe. I have my four children with me 95% of the time when I am out of the house. They are all still small and prone to mischief. I would love to be able to educate people and open closed minds or at least shut open mouths, but while I am educating Mr Joe Smith in Kroger my four and six year would be playing tag in the isle, the two year old would try to jump out of the cart and the little baby would throw the toys all over. They are not bad kids,but when the cat is away or distracted the mice will play. Somehow I don't think that would be good representation for large families or the gun community.

In short I am 100% in favor of OC and will do so when circumstances allow and in friendly setting, but to OC in unfriendly settings with all my children in tow could set the stage for problems of all sorts.

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[wylde007]

There is a vast difference between "witticism" and "wit".

I have two children. I OC always and everywhere.

It just sounds to me like you're making excuses. If you don't want to OC, that's fine, but don't make it out to be some unholy burden. There are plenty of people out there who do the same things you do and OC while doing it. To my ears you are providing plentiful California (read: POTENTIAL) situations, not actual ones which you have had to deal with.

As for "OC and mean it" you take it as you will. Either open carry with the knowledge of law and commitment to defend it on your side or don't. If you are "uncomfortable" with OC - and that is how you come across - then don't do it.

Please don't ask for suggestions from the OC community on a public forum and then rebuke the responses because they don't fit your personal predilections.

Regards.

[mamabearCali]

If you look at my original post I asked about open carry around the house primarily. I have my reasons why I do not open carry (for the time being) in public. Some of them I have given, and in my view been rebuked for. I asked does one shake off the jitters and how to deal with neighbors (people ones has to have a continuing relationship with).

The California situations I have tacitly referred to are the same ones everyone who OC talks about. They are not some strange things that has never happened. I don't feel I have the ability to succinctly and deftly deal with those situations right now. If you are confident in doing so with toddlers and babies in tow--good for you. If there is one thing I have learned in working with firearms is that if you do not have confidence that you know what you are doing wait, get advice, and don't do anything until you are certain.

Wylde 007 I am sure you are trying to be helpfulI but if I was uncomfortable but considering it, your response would have been less than reassuring. Telling a person that they are making excuses when they are stating legitimate concerns does address the issue but just irritates the other person.

Regards to you as well.

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