# Dopers in open carry states. Do you see a lot of people carrying in non-threatening environments? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 1, 2015, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720 "2015-01-01T22:30:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/1 "2015-01-01T22:30:10Z")
I am curious. In states where open carry is allowed do any noticeable number of people actually open carry in typically non-threatening environments like school meetings, suburban mall shopping, high school sports events, dining out etc.? ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/2 "2015-01-01T22:36:17Z")
No. It happens, but rarely. I think it’s illegal here in school settings, events where more than X number of people are in attendance, and other conditions I’m unaware of. I suppose it depends on the circles one moves in. I have seen people open carrying (I think the bar is actually set much higher for legal _concealed_ carry in Michigan) but not often. Then again while I know a lot of people who own firearms, that’s mostly for hunting and I don’t know a single soul who is rabidly pro-gun rights. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/3 "2015-01-01T22:41:00Z")
So far as I know, Ohio is still technically open-carry, and I’ve never seen a single soul packing heat openly other than lawmen and security guards and the like. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/4 "2015-01-01T22:53:15Z")
Yeah, most people are going to be pretty inhibited by public pressure from carrying in the open in public spaces. But I think you’d find more of it on farms, hunting trips, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/5 "2015-01-01T23:42:31Z")
I live in Columbia, Missouri. In the past year I think I’ve seen two people openly carrying (excluding uniformed cops). One was a customer at our weekly farmers’ market. The other was a customer at Jimmy Johns. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/6 "2015-01-02T15:01:56Z")
In Northern Virginia (Fairfax area) it is rare, but seen occasionally. A few years ago I was in a McDonalds in Herndon and this guy was there with his maybe 8-ish year old daughter (or maybe niece) and was packing a fairly prominent revolver on his belt. Nobody seemed to mind. I was also at the Taco Bell in Fair Lakes late one night when a bunch of fairly young people (maybe mid twenties) came in and one of them had what looked like a Glock in a holster. Nobody seemed to act any differently and there were no gestures of violence from them or anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![thatguyjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6de8d8/32.png) [@thatguyjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thatguyjeff)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/7 "2015-01-02T17:35:47Z")
It’s been several years since MN law allowed open carry. I saw a guy once (one time, ever) with a small pistol on his hip in a restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/8 "2015-01-02T17:51:11Z")
I looked it up just now to see if Washington was an open carry state, as I have never once seen anyone carrying a firearm in public outside of law enforcement. Apparently it is, although you need a permit to have a loaded gun in your car, so that might make the logistics difficult . ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/9 "2015-01-02T18:59:01Z")
During hunting season, all the time. All other times of the year, never. (Vermont has no restrictions on concealed or open carry.) ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/10 "2015-01-02T19:04:21Z")
Only when legally protesting proposed restrictive gun legislation. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/11 "2015-01-02T19:08:41Z")
Oregon is an open carry state with a robust gun culture. But you never see people open-carrying in social situations. Hunting and hiking in the back country, yes. Otherwise, no. I can think of only one exception: At a little rural mom 'n pop diner, the cook always had a .45 strapped on. He cooked in plain view of the patrons. It was very in-your-face and conveyed a message not conducive to comfort in a fine dining establishment. They sold shortly after to a much more relaxed proprietor. The business is thriving these days. And that’s the problem with open carry in many situations, I think. It telegraphs an aggressive message that unsettles a lot of people. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/12 "2015-01-02T20:20:18Z")
Oklahoma has been an open carry state for those with a Concealed Carry license since 2012. I have seen it exactly once and it was by the owner of the bakery that I was visiting. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/13 "2015-01-02T20:58:39Z")
Never seen anybody here in NC. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/14 "2015-01-02T22:48:28Z")
A month or two back I saw a guy open carrying at the chinese buffet. I have no problem with it, in theory, but seeing it was still weird. I think the guy might have been off duty LEO, as he had some sort of sheriffy looking hat or something with him (that I only noticed after the gun). ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/15 "2015-01-03T00:43:52Z")
I’m not a Nevada resident, but I just got back from Vegas last week. While at a Blueberry Hill (small chain of cheap family diners), I saw a guy sitting at the table next to mine who had a holstered weapon clearly visible. I have no idea if he was off-duty law enforcement; I saw nothing to suggest either way. I have traveled to Vegas dozens of times over the years, and that was a first. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/16 "2015-01-03T00:50:29Z")
Missouri’s been an open carry state for many years, but until recently municipal governments could deny this right. That left folks legally open carrying on one side of the street, but not the other if the street was the line between two municipalities. Now if you have a CCW permit those laws mean nothing. For practical purposes it makes it less if an issue if your normally concealed firearm becomes exposed. My small town has never outlawed open carry, but in my 10 years in the area I’ve only seen it twice. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/17 "2015-01-03T03:47:19Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I looked it up just now to see if Washington was an open carry state, as I have never once seen anyone carrying a firearm in public outside of law enforcement. Apparently it is, although you need a permit to have a loaded gun in your car, so that might make the logistics difficult . I drove by a very in your face public open carry demonstration in Kirkland. Oddly enough, it seemed to have sucked away the normal “impeach Obama” crowd at the nearby Costco. Quite a few folks with “assault style” rifles slung across their bodies (generally bare shirted guys or short women) and pistols holstered. Pretty in your face testosterone. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/18 "2015-01-03T15:36:51Z")
> [@astro](#): > > **Dopers in open carry states. Do you see a lot of people carrying in non-threatening environments?** I’m in Georgia here - I see people with guns all the time at my local Walmart. Don’t know what is so threatening about a Walmart… ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/19 "2015-01-03T15:40:35Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > I’m in Georgia here - I see people with guns all the time at my local Walmart. Don’t know what is so threatening about a Walmart… Well, you might get shot by a two-year-old. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720/20 "2015-01-03T19:00:19Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > I’m in Georgia here - I see people with guns all the time at my local Walmart. Don’t know what is so threatening about a Walmart… I’m also in Georgia, a state so in love with their guns that one community has a law [\*requiring \*gun ownership](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennesaw,_Georgia#Gun_law)\*. But I cannot remember the last time I saw someone open carrying, who wasn’t a LEO. Granted, I live in a near suburb of Atlanta that is firmly blue, LGBT-friendly, and liberal. But even hiking and camping in north Georgia (which is beautiful, by the way, you should come visit), I’ve never seen folks packing. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > … It telegraphs an aggressive message that unsettles a lot of people. Exactly this. Those gun nuts who stage open-carry demonstrations in Texas are, I think, getting off on unnerving people who see them. I enjoy shooting, when I get the chance, and am a gun owner myself. I don’t get scared when I see someone carrying a gun, in a safe and responsible manner, so I wouldn’t be unnerved by someone open carrying. But I would make uncharitable judgments about his character, self-image, and penis size. And of course, as **Onomatopoeia** pointed out in the other open-carry thread, there’s a double standard in this country about race and gun rights, that can literally [get a black man killed.](http://www.theroot.com/articles/politics/2014/08/john_crawford_shooting_open_carry_for_whites_open_season_on_blacks.html) \*To be fair to Kennesaw, their statute exempts people who won’t own a gun for religious or political principles. The law is symbolic, only. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-in-open-carry-states-do-you-see-a-lot-of-people-carrying-in-non-threatening-environments/708720.md?page=2)