I saw my first open-carrier today. (Rifle)

[Racer88]

Open Carry was legalized in my state recently.

Today on my way to the grocery store, there was a dude on a motorcycle in front of me. And he was turning into the same grocery store plaza. Traffic slowed down, and I noticed something. Because we were basically at a stop, I was able to grab a quick photo. Can you see it?

I lost sight of him in the parking lot, and I parked. And, of course, I didn't know where he was headed. I looked around the parking lot as I walked to the grocery store but didn't see him. Once I was in the grocery store in the produce / deli area, there he was! I tried to grab another photo surreptitiously, but he was on the move. I actually wanted to strike up a conversation. But with my ankle still healing, I couldn't move that fast. So, I let him go.

Interesting!

 

[no4mk1t]

We have open carry here now, but I would never do it myself.
Cops are always going to respond to a "man with a gun" call with itchy trigger fingers.
I have seen a dude open carrying a 1911 in front of me in the check out line in WalMart.
Older guy, so I inwardly smiled that it wasn't a Glock.
There was no drama. I think I was the only one that noticed.

 

[Racer88]

We have open carry here now, but I would never do it myself.
Cops are always going to respond to a "man with a gun" call with itchy trigger fingers.
I have seen a dude open carrying a 1911 in front of me in the check out line in WalMart.
Older guy, so I inwardly smiled that it wasn't a Glock.
There was no drama. I think I was the only one that noticed.

I didn't hear any commotion in the store. Nobody around him seemed to notice.

The rifle was slung on his back.

I believe he got in and got out without any incident.

 

[NavyVette]

We have open carry here now, but I would never do it myself.
Cops are always going to respond to a "man with a gun" call with itchy trigger fingers.
I have seen a dude open carrying a 1911 in front of me in the check out line in WalMart.
Older guy, so I inwardly smiled that it wasn't a Glock.
There was no drama. I think I was the only one that noticed.

I have seen quite a few open carry in walmart here. I also would not do it, because I want to be invisible.

 

[James Moore]

Open Carry was legalized in my state recently.

Today on my way to the grocery store, there was a dude on a motorcycle in front of me. And he was turning into the same grocery store plaza. Traffic slowed down, and I noticed something. Because we were basically at a stop, I was able to grab a quick photo. Can you see it?

View attachment 39568

I lost sight of him in the parking lot, and I parked. And, of course, I didn't know where he was headed. I looked around the parking lot as I walked to the grocery store but didn't see him. Once I was in the grocery store in the produce / deli area, there he was! I tried to grab another photo surreptitiously, but he was on the move. I actually wanted to strike up a conversation. But with my ankle still healing, I couldn't move that fast. So, I let him go.

Interesting!

As bad as Colorado is for violating our 2nd Amendment rights, it is amazing that we are still an open carry State. Denver has banned it, and the state keeps adding "gun free zones", but it's still fairly common to see someone carrying.

 

[Bobster]

In the motorcyclist's defense, not that he needs any, is that would you rather he leave the gun on the bike? That is one of the issues facing motorcyclists is where to put your stuff so no one steals or messes with it when you park.

 

[Racer88]

In the motorcyclist's defense, not that he needs any, is that would you rather he leave the gun on the bike? That is one of the issues facing motorcyclists is where to put your stuff so no one steals or messes with it when you park.

Of course not. But I'm pretty sure he wasn't on his way to the range. He was open carrying to open carry... on his daily routine evolutions.

Conceptually (and Constitutionally), I am in complete support of "Open Carry."

Pragmatically.... Would I do it? A resounding NO from me. I wouldn't even open-carry a pistol, much less a RIFLE. I don't see a rifle as a practical self-defense weapon when "out and about" in public.

But I will not impose my personal position on practicality, pragmatics, social and cultural concerns, or even the potential for legal concerns (even if it's just an encounter with law enforcement)... on others. That's THEIR choice. If it's legal... you do you.

 

[seniormoment]

Of course not. But I'm pretty sure he wasn't on his way to the range. He was open carrying to open carry... on his daily routine evolutions.

Conceptually (and Constitutionally), I am in complete support of "Open Carry."

Pragmatically.... Would I do it? A resounding NO from me. I wouldn't even open-carry a pistol, much less a RIFLE. I don't see a rifle as a practical self-defense weapon when "out and about" in public.

But I will not impose my personal position on practicality, pragmatics, social and cultural concerns, or even the potential for legal concerns (even if it's just an encounter with law enforcement)... on others. That's THEIR choice. If it's legal... you do you.

Don’t think it is a good idea to open carry like that either. It’s just like putting a target on your back.
I go to a very small church, about 30 in attendance. There are around five or six members carrying, the pastor is a deputy sheriff and one of the elders is retired from the department. If some lunatic tried anything he would be met with substantial resistance.

 

[Racer88]

The interesting part is that he carried into a Publix store, which just recently came out and officially prohibited open carry in its stores. Maybe he was "testing" it?

Publix appears to reverse controversial open-carry policy at stores

New signs posted at Publix stores now state: “Publix kindly asks that only law enforcement openly carry firearms in our stores.” The message appears near the bottom of a broader list of store rules, alongside more routine policies like no pets and no soliciting.

www.wgcu.org