Mike McDaniel has yet another piece on the open versus concealed carry of firearms at the American Thinker today entitled simply Open or concealed carry? McDaniel, I think would agree that the best weapon you have is the one on top of your shoulders. Good situational awareness, avoidance when possible, de-escalation when necessary should be your go-to. My Shotokan Sensei years ago noted that the only fight you win is the one you didn't have. One should strive to never have to draw and use the gun, though if you have to draw it, you must be prepared to use it. It is a tool, not a talisman.
The primary advantage of concealed carry is criminals can’t know who is carrying and have to assume everyone is and act accordingly. This applies largely to red states. Of course, situational awareness plays a role. Anyone appearing to be an easy, unaware target is more likely, armed or unarmed, to be attacked. Obviously, the greater the number of honest people carrying concealed, the greater the potential deterrence.
Many would argue there is no commensurate advantage to open carry, but for the sake of argument, I’ll make a case. An openly carried handgun might—might—convince criminals the person carrying it is prepared and situationally aware, someone with whom one does not trifle—unless observation reveals otherwise. It can’t be assumed an open carrier will therefore be less aware, relying on their exposed weapon to ward off evil, but it can’t be discounted either.
McDaniel cites a number of advantages to open carry besides the supposed deterrent factor. One of these is that it is easier to carry a full size gun, whereas most concealed carry guns are sub optimally small. Yet I carry a full size 1911 handgun daily and slip it under a shirt, behind a jacket, under a sweater, and so on. Now when I started out, I didn't think I would be able to do this, so I bought your typical "belly gun" as a first buy. But I soon found that no one was paying any attention. I was of course hyperaware, but most people are buried in their phone or concerned about their current mission.
One other consideration I call "don't scare the white women":
The other primary issue to consider is stampeding the women and children and frightening the cattle. The mere sight of a firearm is sufficient to panic some people. However, there is nothing sane Americans can do, nor should they, to avoid aggrieving the perpetually aggrieved, particularly those of an anti-liberty/gun bent. Rational Americans aren’t responsible for the moment-to-moment mental health of the unbalanced, but one can make a reasonable case for doing what’s reasonably necessary to avoid unnecessary confrontation of all kinds.
When I see someone carrying openly, and that’s actually less common than most imagine even in Flyover Country, I take a few moments to assess their actions and apparent emotional state, and to date, that’s all it has taken to be comfortable with them.
McDaniel makes the point that no one is responsible for the reactions of another. Each one of us is responsible for our own actions and reactions. When people say that seeing a gun make them feel unsafe, they are demonstrating a desire to control others, not a particulary delicate sensibility. Such people are manipulative and should thus be ignored. However, why draw attention to yourself? I have had the experience of listening to an anti-gun person bang on about it while I stood there with my 1911 on my hip and smiled and nodded. If you go about concealed, you don't have to become a lightening rod.
Here, I have to interject something that comes up frequently. Should a Christian be carrying a gun, prepared to shoot someone? Our God did command us not to commit murder. But He is not a pacifist, and we are not to be pacifist either. Our God hates evil and sin, and if we love Him, we will too. God sent Israel in to slaughter the men, women, children and even the animals of those worshipping the ancient demons (and this should frighten us today, as many still worship these beings.) God also expects us to defend ourselves, our families and neighbors against unlawful attempts to take their lives. We should use the best tools available for that job, but always pray we don't need to use that force.
McDaniel comes down on the side of concealing our firearms. I agree.
Generally, it’s best to go about one’s business as unobtrusively as possible, relying on situational awareness and solid knowledge of use of force law to avoid ever having to draw or fire one’s handgun. Arguably has the greatest chance of doing that while carrying concealed.
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