As you wish, I’ll try not to start a debate, but I will give you a few facts. Since 1986 the total number of states that have implemented what is known as a “shall issue” system for concealed carry permits has risen from 8 to 38. “Shall issue” means that if the state cannot show cause for rejection of an application the issuing authority is obligated by law to issue you a concealed carry permit. In that time there has been a huge drop in violent crimes. I am not correlating the two by asserting that the increase in concealed carry has reduced violent crime, because that is absolutely debatable. My intention is to show that the increase in people carrying concealed weapons has not caused an increase in violent crime. You may determine for yourself by that whether or not it is a good idea.
So, why is open carry allowed in places where concealed carry is not? 43 states have a provision within their constitutions for the right to keep and bear arms, but not all of them provide for carrying a concealed weapon. Therefore open carry is the only option. On the other hand, in some places where concealed carry is permitted open carry is not, typically on the basis that the public will find it alarming. And to an extent they have a point, it is fairly unusual to see someone carrying a weapon openly. But in states where open carry is permitted but concealed carry is not it is the only means for people to exercise their rights.
In yet other states, both types of carry are legal, and in those states open carry is typically done for political motives as it is easy enough to get a concealed carry permit.
I’m not really on board so much with open carry as a political movement. It depends too much on the judgment of other people. As an example, it is not unusual for the police to get a “man with a gun” call from a panicked citizen. When they get to the scene they have to use their judgment. And in some cases, they do not know that open carry is legal, which leads to all kinds of tension and disruption for everybody involved. It’s simply not worth it unless you have no other choice.
Anyway, the reason why you’re seeing open carry so much of late is that it’s a political movement. It used to be virtually nonexistent in most places and is still very rare, but highly visible, and Brady Campaign and the news media have risen to the bait.
I hope that somewhere in that rambling you find at least an idea of the answer you were looking for. I get a bit long-winded sometimes about the subject.