Originally Posted By: strat81
Originally Posted By: ammolab
I always wondered...is a holster in plain sight that covers the pistol from view (think European Police Holster)....open carry or concealed carry??
Depends on state law. Some statutes are worded that if any part of the gun is visible, it is no longer concealed.
Open carry has to be contextual - in some areas and regions of the country no one raises an eyebrow, like if you go into a rural diner in Az a S&W holstered on your belt no one is going to get excited or likely even notice. In other areas and places in the US you know darn well if you do that you are going to scare and alarm folks for no good reason. Open carry fanatics that walk into crowded urban restaurants with a AR15 are rude attention seeking idiots and are looking for trouble which will certainly find them if they keep looking hard enough.
Concealed Carry laws in the US are a mess. I have a CC license in Texas and carry pretty regularly. The laws detailing what is allowed and not allowed for CC permit holders vary by state. There are buildings and certain types of businesses a cc holder cannot legally enter, certain specific signs can be posted by any business to keep you out. And all of the details can vary by state even though many states honor other states CC permits - but the local rules apply, which means I can CC in other states that honor the Texas permit I just have to keep all the rule variances straight in my head. Bottom line for me is if I pass the required extensive checks to be licensed to concealed carry a weapon, I should be able to carry that weapon into any location. Why am I allowed to walk thru a crowded mall with a 9mm in my pocket but not in my post office...makes no sense. Maybe not onto airplanes - I could understand that. CC holders are the folks you want around if something goes badly wrong in any public place - they are typically not going to meekly surrender and cower in fear to some nut-bag coward walking around shooting innocent people.