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Keep it hidden

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depserv:
Over two and a half thousand years ago Sun Tzu told us that all war is based in deception.  It follows that the less your enemy knows about you the less likely he is to be successful in his attack on you.  So if you want to increase your chances of surviving a criminal assault, keep your weapon hidden until you're ready to use it.

There are times when there is good reason for open carry, but even in those times, I'll still be carrying a hidden pistol.  And in those times, I'll keep my unconcealed weapon hidden by keeping myself hidden, to whatever extent it's practical to do so.

There are many ways this advice can be manifested. For example, is it better to stand on your porch in plain view holding the famous Joe Biden double barrel shotgun, where you are an easy target for a hidden sniper, or remain inside where they can't see you? Either way you can find a way to communicate your message; it's just a matter of how smart you want them to see you as being, and how much you want to survive.

Likewise, if you have to approach a group of people you don't know that might be hostile, is it better for your entire group to walk up to them, or for some of the group to stay hidden and watch what happens through rifle scopes?

Open carry certainly has its advantages, but it also has its disadvantages. There is a reason vests designed for concealed carry are often called shoot me first vests.

greg58:
Agreed, I prefer that nobody else know when I am armed.
With the exeption of my immedeate family.

Greg58

Bsmacks76:
I was working in Iowa yesterday at a busy public intersection. Nice day out so didn't think too much about a group of crotch rockets that pulled into the lot. They set up shop and milled around on the street side of the lot. Always try to be aware of my surroundings, so I gave them the once over. Noticed one guy with a mid-size auto right away. Not even trying to conceal. After observing for a bit it presented itself to be more like," look at me I have a gun and you don't " kinda things. Open and concealed is legal. He got the attention he was looking for from a lot of passer byes. Guys like this drive me nuts. If I'm carrying and you know it, I didn't do my job. It is our right, yes. But I don't like to flaunt it to the general public and feel it sends a "In your face" kinda message. Oh well, I live on this side of the river.

depserv:
When you're out and about where a lot of people are around notice how easy it can be to move inconspicuously and nonthreateningly behind someone carrying openly; how easy would it be to hit them over the back of the head with something and take their weapon? Or just take it without hitting them first? The best defenses against this sort of thing are situational awareness and being in a group of at least two. And some holsters have features that guard against unauthorized access. But concealed carry is a good defense too, and a very good part of an overall strategy that also uses the other defenses given.

A lot of police get shot with their own guns. I've seen a range of numbers given on this, but even at the low end it says something about open carry when there are people on all sides of you. Civilians have the advantage of being able to walk away from situations police have to go into. But even with that, the danger in giving your enemy intelligence about your weapon is still evident.

depserv:

--- Quote from: Bsmacks76 on March 30, 2013, 06:42:50 AM ---But I don't like to flaunt it to the general public and feel it sends a "In your face" kinda message.
--- End quote ---

I agree.  There are times and places for open carry, but the world we live in now is peaceful enough that it is not one of them.  Open carry now together with certain body language can make a person look like a punk.  I'd hate to have to defend myself in court after defending myself if witnesses saw me looking like a punk before my defensive shooting.

And as I pointed out in a post above, advertising that you have a gun might get you hit over the back of the head by someone who wants to steal it.  Especially if the guy wants your motorcycle too.  It's like flashing a big roll of hundred dollar bills around.

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