Open Carry Utopia! In Which State Would You Be Most Inclined & Relaxed?

[Johnny Dollar]

Just finished my taxes.So I feel quite relaxed finally.
Hence, this hopefully entertaining poll.

The push for OC keeps gaining momentum.43 states,technically at least,allow the practice.4 states Alaska,Arizona,the veteran Vermont and Wyoming (for residents only) now have Constitutional Carry where no permit is required to CC or OC.

The future looks bright in several other states.

The states are listed in Alpha order.Forgetting the weather,economics and all else what would be your #1 to just be able to strap on a .44 or whatever,walk out the door and walk down those streets and cross those fields?

Our guide in choosing the possibles is Open Carry.Org. They list almost 30 states as Gold Star,Yellow or Orange,friendly. The poll only allows 20 options, so some friendly states had to be omitted. #20 is an option for Other.
All the 12 Golden are here.

Some slow typing and the poll takes time to load. Thank you.

http://www.opencarry.org/opencarry.html

[Combat Diver]

I lived in Kentucky for many years before they passed their CCW. Only once had any trouble and that was along the Ohio/Kentucky border. I now live in NC and it isnt as open carry friendly as Kentucky was.


CD

[Mt Shooter]

In Montana you can do either, permit is only needed for inside the city limits. Open carry is allowed with the city limits, oddly enough one can open carry where concealed is not allowed, IE: Bars

[TallPine]

More comfortable in my home state than anywhere else.

[Pfletch83]

Kentucky is hard to beat (and we are talking about open carry of anything a person can legally own)

[rondog]

Since I live in CO and OC is legal here, I voted CO. But my wife barely tolerates my CCW, if I were to OC she'd club me with my own gun. So I'm not inclined to OC and relax anywhere.

But if I were single, I'd probably OC as often as I could. I know I've spoken out against OC before, but my wife really is the largest brick wall preventing me from OC. It just ain't worth battling her over.

Since it IS legal here in CO and all, even though it's rarely seen, if I were single I don't think I'd have a problem waddling around in public with a hogleg strapped on, since it's legal to do so. I might carry a pocketful of little cards explaining that it IS legal and why, just to sooth the sheeple and the occasional LEO that might freak out.

[ThomasR]

New Mexico, the land of green chili and OC without need of a permit, what more do you need?
I know, a rhetorical question.

[pmeisel]

I admit i haven't checked, because I don't travel that much -- which states permit OC for non-residents?

[Johnny Dollar]

I admit i haven't checked, because I don't travel that much -- which states permit OC for non-residents?

Virtually all on this list.There may be an exception.

[Johnny Dollar]

My wife has relatives in Sierra Vista and Tucson,Arizona. We visit every 3 or 4 years. On those visits we always go to Santa Fe ,Taos and Albuquerque, New Mexico. I feel very comfortable OC'ing in both states.

Also in Utah,Idaho,Wyoming and Vermont.

Perhaps because I lived in Tucson back in the day, and go to Arizona more than any of the other "comfortable" states ,other than Vermont, my vote goes to wonderful,independent Arizona.

[nalioth]

Sidetrack:

I might carry a pocketful of little cards explaining that it IS legal and why, just to sooth the sheeple and the occasional LEO that might freak out.

Anyone got a source for cards like these? Mebbe a link to some downloadable templates?

[Johnny Dollar]

I have been reminded by another forum member that Wyoming is not truly "Constitutional Carry" in that only Wyoming residents can carry concealed without a permit. .Unless you are a resident of a state that has reciprocity with Wyoming and you have an active CWP from your state you cannot conceal carry in Wyoming.

We don't want anyone here getting into trouble because of a misreading.

So,only Alaska,Arizona and Vermont have "pure" Constitutional Carry where no permit or reciprocity duties apply for open or concealed carry.

If there are any questions on that issue,please let us hear from you.

[pmeisel]

Thanks for the clarification, JD.

[basicblur]

Anyone got a source for cards like these? Mebbe a link to some downloadable templates?

Don't know exactly what you're looking for, but for templates maybe something like VCDL has?
They have an Adopt A Gun Store program - I've adopted my favorite shop and keep 'em stocked with VCDL flyers and wallet cards which have a list of places where CC and OC are allowed/not allowed, and the appropriate law covering each bullet point.

You can find the list here (bottom section of page). Check the very bottom of the page to download a PDF of the wallet cards they distribute, or click here.

BTW-the cards didn't move that quickly last year-this year I've had to restock the flyer/card holder once, and may have to do so again.

[TallPine]

How about just a baseball cap or tee-shirt that says:

"Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."

[spwenger]

...is not on my short list of the definitions of utopia and I generally avoid it, to reduce the risk of getting into a struggle to retain my guns. (I have been trained to "advanced trainer" level in weapon retention and disarming but don't know how to defend two guns simultaneously.) However, I carry openly at the annual Tea Party in Show Low and, when I occasionally see others carrying openly - even while shopping at Safeway or Walmart - I notice that I'm the only one who pays attention. So long as you don't do it on the reservations, it does not appear to be an issue in Arizona. (As an example, the large reservation "next door" to me recognizes constitutional carry, if the gun remains out of sight, but only permits open carry if you are on a licensed hunt.)

I will add that I had an issue with my bank posting "no firearms allowed" a couple of years ago. This appears to have been a knee-jerk reaction from the human-resources department, which I infer was to a customer carrying openly into one branch, triggering an employee complaint. The signage came down relatively quickly, after I and several other members of the Arizona Citizens Defense League across the state complained.

[TallPine]

In general, I might prefer to conceal - indifferently - in town just to avoid any controversy.

But I refuse to ask permission

[Mr. James]

Even in gun-hostile Northern Virginia I carry openly when desired for the simple reason that it's my right, and I shouldn't have to explain it any more than the cell phone on my belt, or riding a bicycle, for that matter.

Guess what? Ten years of this, and no problems. None. Zero.

As for gun grabs, sure, it's within the realm of possibility. I guard against it with the notion that if I lose that sidearm, I've lost my life.

[Johnny Dollar]

So far,it's the very independent,Grand Canyon State, in a runaway

Arizona has more of everything,gun wise,IMO.
Love your state, Arizonan's.
If I was a single man,Heber,AZ would be my home.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Heber-...d-Arizona.html

[HOWARD J]

Open carry is legal in MI--Where I live in S/E MI I have no interest in open carry----around here open carry may get you in problems you don't want to be in. I like concealed carry---besides open carry is not legal in your car--the gun goes in the trunk---bad news

[spwenger]

As for gun grabs, sure, it's within the realm of possibility. I guard against it with the notion that if I lose that sidearm, I've lost my life.

• Do you use some form of security holster? If so, and it is made of a polymer, do you check the tension of all the screws at least once a week?
• Have you taken and do you continue practicing weapon retention techniques for the various attacks that could be made on the gun you're advertising?
• If you recognize that a successful disarming attempt could leave you seriously injured or dead, why do you feel that it's better to advertise that you're carrying?

Granted that it was an extremely rare incident but, back in 2002, a man who worked in south Phoenix was killed when a pair of robbers decided to take his openly carried Glock pistol. Years later, I met one of his co-workers, who told me that he and others had repeatedly advised him that, if he chose to carry in that neighborhood, he should take the course and get the permit so he could carry discreetly. As I said, it was an extremely rare incident but it can happen.

[Lanius]

If I were OCing, I'd never allow anyone to get within 10 feet of me.

Seriously, OC in neighborhoods that have sociopaths = bad idea. They like the idea of a free gun.

[spwenger]

If I were OCing, I'd never allow anyone to get within 10 feet of me.

... if you're expressing reservations about open carry or are making the claim that you can actually conduct your daily activities without allowing anyone to approach within ten feet of you.

If it's the latter, you must live in a more rural environment than I do. For example, I don't see how you can keep people on a checkout line at a supermarket or Walmart ten feet away from you without risking a charge of aggravated assault - "antisocial behavior" while displaying a firearm.

(That last comment is not intended to start a debate about the definition of aggravated assault in the various states. Rather, it is an extension of a caution given by many of the previously state-authorized CWP instructors in Arizona - avoid even verbal conflicts with people who know that you're armed.)

[Treo]

More comfortable in my home state than anywhere else.

Tall Pine saved me the effort of typing it

[Johnny Dollar]

Tall Pine saved me the effort of typing it

To lazy,my Colorado buddy.

But I agree. The state of most comfort is the most cool,

Someday,we pray,that again will be every state.