Anybody around here packin heat?

Also state laws vary. What is legal in Fla. is not legal in NY. As Paxico found out.

Also, it can be useful in more than just self defense situations. A friend of mine had to put down a Deer one evening. It had been hit by a car, both front legs broken, and was just suffering, so he put the Deer out of it's misery.

RossD wrote: You do know that you can carry an exposed weapon in public. I dont recommend it unless you have a good lawyer, because you'll probably have the cops called on you.

Not necessarily true. Open carry has its own set of laws. It's not legal everywhere.

I just got my CCL in FL this week... started carrying my walther PPS in 9mm this week.

Perhaps I should add: I got my carry license about a year and a half ago. I'm still considering whether I should carry.

Cotton wrote: Also, it can be useful in more than just self defense situations. A friend of mine had to put down a Deer one evening. It had been hit by a car, both front legs broken, and was just suffering, so he put the Deer out of it's misery.

There are a lot of really good reasons aside from defense... they stop people from cheating at cards, ease getting rid of losers after a dog fight, and really, there is no substitute for pistol-whipping a hooker when they start holding back the money.

They make an awesome paperweight at the bank also

Cotton wrote: Also, it can be useful in more than just self defense situations. A friend of mine had to put down a Deer one evening. It had been hit by a car, both front legs broken, and was just suffering, so he put the Deer out of it's misery.

I can Field Dress a deer with a buck knife.

In reply to alex:

Really, here in the good ol' US of A? Where? How does one go hunting on public land if you can't open carry?

In reply to RossD:

open carry is not legal everywhere. there are certain places that specifically don't allow it, and also other places where it is specifically allowed, but people don't typically do it, so you can get arrested for "brandishing" without even touching the thing.

EricM wrote:

Cotton wrote: Also, it can be useful in more than just self defense situations. A friend of mine had to put down a Deer one evening. It had been hit by a car, both front legs broken, and was just suffering, so he put the Deer out of it's misery.

I can Field Dress a deer with a buck knife.

Yes, so can I. However, if I'm putting an animal down I would rather shoot it than stab it.

I still would like to know where you can't open carry a weapon in public. (I'm not trying to argue, I just really want to know.)

RossD wrote: I still would like to know where you can't open carry a weapon in public. (I'm not trying to argue, I just really want to know.)

New York
Illinois
South Carolina
Florida
Texas
Arkansas
DC

All of the "wtf, that state doesn't allow OC" are throwbacks to Reconstruction-era policies to prevent black from owning firearms.

14 other require a permit. In many of those you're unlikely to get one.

Tennesee requires a permit to open carry.

And pretty much nationally you cannot open carry while driving.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: When you are armed and properly skilled at using it, you have tools that can make a huge difference in the outcome of an altercation. It is your responsibility to make a decision that your life is in unavoidable jeopardy or face the legal consequences. It is not to be taken lightly. Maturity and good decision making are no less important than trigger discipline.

I just wish more people felt this way about driving.

Osterkraut's list is only partially correct. Texas prohibits open carry of handguns. Long guns may be openly carried.

billy3esq wrote: Osterkraut's list is only partially correct. Texas prohibits open carry of handguns. Long guns may be openly carried.

Yeah, sorry, I associate open carry with handguns.

No worries, I just brought it up because several of the states that prohibit open carry do so entirely (long guns and handguns).

billy3esq wrote: No worries, I just brought it up because several of the states that prohibit open carry do so entirely (long guns and handguns).

Those commie bastards!

In reply to Osterkraut: An additon to your list.NC. You can legally open carry but there is a statute that's something or other about "brandishing a weapon to the terror of the public" that can cause you problems if you do so.

M2Pilot wrote: In reply to Osterkraut: An additon to your list.NC. You can legally open carry but there is a statute that's something or other about "brandishing a weapon to the terror of the public" that can cause you problems if you do so.

I only listed states where it is illegal to OC. Not where some bored cop could ping you for another reason.

I used to ride around with a shotgun and a 22 in the back window of my truck. Even parked it in the school parking lot like that. I don't think I would try that now, at least not in town.

I am not at all opposed to CCW.

...but I've decided every time someone says their planning to do that, I'm going to ask if they have CPR training and carry a face shield (for doing cpr) and sterile gloves. Since you're way more likely to be in a situation to use those things to save a life.

I have a Handgun Carry Permit, which in TN permits open or concealed carry, but I think concealed carry is smarter than open carry because you attract less attention. There are tons of people who have no idea what the law is, freak out if they see any gun and call the cops. All the responding officer knows is that there's a guy with a gun and he's going to respond accordingly (as he sort of has to in this situation).

I carry a pistol (4-inch 1911 .45 auto, of course) for the same reason I wear my seatbelt when I drive: when used properly in a narrow set of circumstances it can save your life. I'd rather have both and not need them than need them and not have them.

And I have to disagree slightly with whoever said not to pull your gun unless you're going to fire. I think it's more accurate to say never draw your weapon unless you're PREPARED to fire. There's a big difference between the two: if, by drawing my weapon, I stop the threat (attacker runs, drops his weapon, whatever) the situation is resolved.