Originally Posted by SouthernBoy

...I'd bet you and I are around the same age...

I think that you'd lose the bet.
I was born in January, 1938.

My father worked for the OPS and OPA as a consultant, during and just after WW2.
I used to commute to DC with him, every so often. I was pretty familiar with Virginia-across-the-Potomac, and all the way to the Shenandoah Valley, back then.
Suburban Maryland, too.

Originally Posted by Steve M1911A1

I think that you'd lose the bet.
I was born in January, 1938.

My father worked for the OPS and OPA as a consultant, during and just after WW2.
I used to commute to DC with him, every so often. I was pretty familiar with Virginia-across-the-Potomac, and all the way to the Shenandoah Valley, back then.
Suburban Maryland, too.

HOLY CRAP!!! I know hills younger than you!!! hehe

Ya gotta remember, guys, that I bear the wisdom of the ages.
So listen well you should, young Jedi...

Originally Posted by Steve M1911A1

I think that you'd lose the bet.
I was born in January, 1938.

My father worked for the OPS and OPA as a consultant, during and just after WW2.
I used to commute to DC with him, every so often. I was pretty familiar with Virginia-across-the-Potomac, and all the way to the Shenandoah Valley, back then.
Suburban Maryland, too.

Yeah, you got me on the age thing. I'm a January baby as well. DC and its surrounds were a lot different back then, weren't they? I remember the trolley cars in DC and the tracks going across Key Bridge to the turnstyle on the Virginia side in Roslyn. I'm a local so I've lived here my whole life.

Originally Posted by zhurdan

HOLY CRAP!!! I know hills younger than you!!! hehe

We're getting close to being three days older than dirt. Can't vouch for the hills.

Originally Posted by berettabone

No ill will taken......you just have to remember and re-read austin's original post...........key words...." a little timid", " use a card, to keep me calm", " in the process of getting my CCW", " I am not worried about someone taking my really nice Kimber 1911"......and you think that it's a good idea for HIM to carry openly? What you do, for whatever reason, is your business.....I think that you have a few years on him, and more experience with firearms in general........I never stated that I think that open carry is totally wrong......I just don't think that it's a very good idea for him, at this time......personally, I don't want to run or fight either...that's why I DON"T open carry........I like the element of suprise, and I don't want the attention that open carry brings.......I also think that there is no difference in "awareness" whether you're carrying the firearm on the outside or the inside....carrying a firearm is a big responsibility, and you'd better be paying attention, no matter how the manner of carry...plus, you have no idea where he lives, exactly, so to play it safe, he needs to know what it's like out there. He needs to know, that, maybe in his town or city, it won't be a problem, but 50 miles away, it might be a real problem. No one really knows, unless they know their "area" real well.......Including my own state, even though it's legal, I can name tons of states and tons of cities where open carry is a real bad idea, ie Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Nevada, California, cities....Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Gary, Las Vegas, San Diego...get what I mean? Any of these states, and cities, and there are more, are big problems for open carry. This is why they passed conceal carry laws...to eliminate the hassle, and fear, of open carry, and help protect the right of an individual to protect themselves. I applaud him for asking questions and seemingly, going about getting info in the right way....I just do not think he's ready for the open carry scenario yet, and may never be......................Virginia, beautiful state...I get jealous of the weather....would love to check it out sometime...love to fish, love to hike with the wife, although the feet and ankles are getting a little land worn, and the knees...ah, who are we kidding, it's hell getting old................

This is why I suggested the OP go onto opencarry.org to ask his questions in the North Carolina forum. Those folks can be far more help than I can since they live there and know their state in these regards so well. Were I to venture about in the Raleigh tri-city area, I would do just that to get a feel for the local climate. And I would conceal probably much more than OC simply because I do not know their local flavor regarding visible sidearms.

As I mentioned, I do both. While I favor open carry for the reasons I have already given, there most certainly are times when I conceal because I view it to be the better mode at the time.

Enjoy your holiday weekend and stay safe.

I'll tell you from living in the area.... Raleigh is a very odd city when it comes to carrying. I highly highly highly highly highly highly (did i say highly?) recommend you carry concealed. There are a few places where you can get away with it, mainly towards Garner or Wakefield/Falls Lake, but other than that, no. If you're near or in Cary, you will be harassed by Cary PD.... assuming they don't just throw you in the back of squad car in silver bracelets. The Cary PD is infamous for being a bunch of asshat nazis. (I apologize to the select few that aren't, but you know it's true). State troopers in this area aren't exactly the friendliest bunch either. Just save yourself the misery and CC.

Good to know I aint the only one so old I dust

I have on a few occasions OC'd in VA Beach, Norfolk Chesapeake etc and had a CC permit there for years as well.....lived there in Tidewater for 50 years and never hassled by police using common sense and respectful dialog. Same has held true for Fla., Ala., and now Az........JJ