Here's today's dtiquip from John Farnam:
“Open” Carry
The State of TX has recently authorized “open” (exposed) carry of guns
within the state. Lots of details yet to be worked-out, but the legislation
has gone through. AZ and some other states have technically permitted the
practice for some time. And, even in states where there is no specific
legislation, the practice is commonly noted in some areas.
My advice to students is not to carry openly. When open carry becomes
common, even expected, I may join in. Until then, I’ll leave the practice to
those far more in need of fame and recognition than me!
To me, it is similar to wearing a T-shirt proclaiming your particular
political party. Why do you think everyone who sees you needs to know that?
How does that benefit you?
My personal philosophy of appearing in public revolves around always
projecting a low profile. I don’t think it is in my best interests for me to
inadvertently, nor intentionally, broadcast important information about
myself, information that is no one else’s business!
So, I discretely carry concealed. I am always heavily armed, to be sure,
but you can’t tell by looking, nor do I talk about guns, politics, travel
plans, et al with people I don’t know. Precious few people have a
legitimate need to know any of that!
I do my best to be courteous, polite, and pleasant with everyone, but never
chatty with people I don’t know. I don’t want to appear “interesting”
nor “beauteous” while in public. I just quietly go my way and conduct my
business without fanfare. I believe that philosophy adequately represents
my best interests.
Be a “stand-out” when you are so inclined. Just be prepared to garner
far more “attention” than you ever wanted!
/John
Those of you who have spent much time around John may question his ability to be "low profile" but his sentiment is clear.
Here in Wyoming, other than in dowtown Jackson and on campus at the UofW, open carry prompts more interest in "what" you're carrying than "that" you're carrying……still it's one of those issues that seems good legally but bad practice. 34 years ago I worked for Bianchi Gunleather and one of our greatest concerns was handgun retention (building holsters that were "draw-proof" to anyone other than the one wearing the holster). I'm guessing that 99.9% of the non-LEO gun carriers have never had a class/practice on weapon retention. They're a gunshop-on-the-hoof for a potential perp needing to arm themselves quickly if they are open-carrying.
Regarding the "need for recognition," it kind of ties back in to the discussion of the "Cowboy" vs the "Tactard" LEO outfits…..the older I get, the more I find the truth in Lao Tzu quote, "those that know not talk and those that talk do not know."………well, I've talked too much…...
