Is Open Carry a Good or Bad Idea?

As with any controversial issue, people on both sides of the open carry debate—the practice of carrying firearms in plain view—feel strongly about the issue. If you don't live, work, or travel in a state where open carry is legal, you may never have to take a side because the decision has been made for you. But if you're more on the fence these days and may need to decide one way or the other at some point, consider the following reasons heard from both sides of the argument:

Against Open Carry:

• Practicing open carry gives up the tactical advantage a concealed weapon provides you.
• Advertising a weapon is an an invitation for a thief to try and steal it.
• Just because there is a legal right to do something, doesn't mean it is the correct common sense choice to make.
• If you already have a conceal carry license and carry everywhere, why would you need to let  everyone else know you have a gun with you.

For Open Carry:

• Criminals prefer unarmed victims— if somebody sees you with a gun they're less likely to try and make you their target, or commit a crime in your vicinity. 
• Make open carry a normal part of the day; after a while it will become common place and the general public will see that just because someone has a firearm on them doesn't mean they intend to commit a crime. After a while of experiencing no negative consequences, folks won't bat an eye and guns will stop being so controversial.
  
• Under the current concealed carry laws, if anyone see your weapon, even by accident (your shirt comes untucked or your jacket swings open) then you are breaking the law, whereas with open carry, you could still carry concealed without the worry of the weapon accidentally being exposed and putting you inadvertently in danger of breaking the law.
  

No matter if you decide open carry is a good idea or a bad idea, overcoming anti-gun prejudice in general is something we can all agree on. Doing so requires that everyone be the best gun owner you can be.  Carrying open or concealed has advantages and disadvantages, but everyone knows that without proper training and mindset, owning a gun is a poor decision. As a responsible gun owner, it is your duty to train properly either way you choose to carry.