Open Carry

So....

Since this area seemed woefully lacking of activity, I thought I'd pose this question to my fellow Idahoans:

Do you Open Carry?

What do you think about others who OC?

Have you ever encountered another OC citizen, other than law enforcement?

I just began myself, and the reason I OC now is due to the fact that I do not have a CC License yet. In fact, I just filled out the form and got fingerprinted today.:smt033

I made a decision to begin carrying a handgun and since Idaho allows OC without a permit, that is what I will do at least until I receive the CC License.

The only problem I have with CC is that if I really need to unholster it, I want it to be accessible, really accessible. I would have to say that it is going to be much easier to CC soon because we are going to be entering jacket/coat weather. So I will still carry on the hip in a paddle holster but it will be concealed because of the jacket.

I am actually more concerned about NOT concealing right now because it is getting colder in the mornings and I take my son to the bus stop.

Well, thanks for your time...

Oh come on......

I almost live on the board right now and I'm feeling REALLY lonely here. Is it because I own and XD?

Is it because I live in Idaho?

Is it the chronic hallitosis? (sp)

Open carry IS legal here in Idaho ,BUT, it does attract unwanted attention most of the time and COULD be considered exhibition of a deadly weapon in many cases if the police want to be ignorant about it. Open carry long enough and you WILL see what I mean. Legal or not I usually only open carry in the mountains and desert just to avoid the problems.
(open carry at a school bus stop is one of those times best concealed, kids tell parents what they imagine a lot of the times and not what really happens.)

Open carry would be fine if it was the law of the land but it's not. I like having the element of surprise on my side. Out of site out of mind.

Scooter / Baldy,

Thanks for the comments. I always like hearing other points of view. I haven't really gotten much attention at the places I've gone. I have had a couple of register clerks ask if I was LEO.

I kind of get the impression that most just presume I am. I have that 'clean cut' look. I will concede that I haven't carried for very long, and as you say, if I do so long enough, I'm sure I eventually will.

I have yet to encounter any LEOs while carrying so I have no idea how that exchange is going to go. As for the bus stop...I just don't take it, for the very reasons you mentioned. That and the fact that a number of parents are also there and I wouldn't really feel comfortable with that situation if I were one of them.

:smt023

One bit of advice.......print out a copy of all of ISC title 18 and carry it with you to show any LEO, they PROBABLY dont know all of it or dont care.......especially the part about carrying loaded or unloaded as long as its NOT concealed.

As luck would have it...I got my letter from the Sheriff stating that I can pick up my CCW license on the 20th. Probably record time as I just put my application in about a week ago.

Woohoo!

Ok, so I've seen alot of arguments against Open Carry, and most, if not all, focussed on reactions of others and LEOs, regardless that it is legal in any particular state.

I recently attended a CCW class even though, in my situation, I didn't have to. I am really glad I did. One of the things discussed was the importance of keeping the weapon concealed. This wasn't due to offending others or making them nervous, it was due to making yourself a target.

I hadn't really given alot of thought to that...well, I guess it would more correct to say that I HAD thought about it and just put it in the back of my mind as a very small percentage of possible encounters.

As such, I relegated it to the very unlikely. For whatever reason, I think of it in terms of the more likely scenario now, or at least more equal. With that in mind, I was very nervous the next time I carried in public.

I still open carry while I am walking the dog, due to the number of large dogs in the neighborhood, but not so much in other places. As soon as I pick up my permit, I will be carrying concealed.

tgrogan you sort of wrapped it up in your last post. The problem with open carry is how other people often respond especially those transplanted from a non carry state. In an urban area they feel threatened, get nervous and indignant and will even call the police who then might ask you the magic question....."Why?" "Because I can." works but this isn't what I wanted to do today, best to keep it out of sight. On the other hand if I am fishing, hunting, etc. out in the boonies no one has ever said anything. CCW is the magic solution but learn the laws/rules that apply for your area. Also it's a good idea to get a permit in bordering states.

I wont open carry because I dont need the attention drawn to me.I dont need some guy looking for a challenge.I have been looking into a ccw permit.I have a hunters safety class certificate that is 6 years old from Nevada.I think I still need to take a class though.I'm also looking at a Tauras PT740 to carry.This is my first post so go easy on me.lol

I applied for my ccw permit.It was very easy.Also picked up a Bretta Nano 9mm.Still would like to take some training.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Idahokid

I applied for my ccw permit.It was very easy.Also picked up a Bretta Nano 9mm.Still would like to take some training.

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I read somewhere that there are some places here in Id. that are now offering CCW classes...might try googling it and see what pops up