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This is an interesting article about open carry in San Diego. It is actually a fairly neutral, sympathetic treatment from a reporter who knew nothing about guns.

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2009/jul/15/cover/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Interesting article. Thanks for posting the link.

There's lots of open carry in Southern California. None of its legal, and its mostly BGs shooting each other, but there's LOTS of carry there.

I personally wouldn't characterize that as open-carry. If the weapons are unloaded, it is basically a waste of time for self-defense. The only purpose is to make a statement, which it definitely does.

Purplehood wrote:I personally wouldn't characterize that as open-carry. If the weapons are unloaded, it is basically a waste of time for self-defense. The only purpose is to make a statement, which it definitely does.

Yeah, I think it's all about making a statement. It was good to read a story by a reporter, unfamiliar with guns, that is open-minded.

It is huge risk to have an unloaded gun when a BG would pull a firearm and disarm you under threat of deadly force.

Pulling a loaded magazine, insert said magazine in said pistol, rack said pistol' slide, release said slide, acquire sight picture and target
would take couple to few secs that are deadly for yourself if the the BG is bent on drugs and has the intent to waste you quick.

Beiruty wrote:It is huge risk to have an unloaded gun when a BG would pull a firearm and disarm you under threat of deadly force.

Pulling a loaded magazine, insert said magazine in said pistol, rack said pistol' slide, release said slide, acquire sight picture and target
would take couple to few secs that are deadly for yourself if the the BG is bent on drugs and has the intent to waste you quick.

And wants a nice new gun (new to him/her).

I agree that an unloaded firearm is no good in a mugging. But if you were in a store or on a campus (similar to Va Tech) where you are not currently the target at that instance at least you can then load your pistol and be ready to protect yourself or stop the active shooter before he turns to you. So yes, unloaded gun < loaded. But unloaded gun > nothing at all.

True. They are in general fairly heavy and make a good blunt-projectile.

An unloaded handgun and a full magazine on your body are orders of magnitude more useful than a loaded handgun locked in your car 100' away.

If that's what happens in California, why do people think Texas are not pro-gun enough to accept open carry?

frazzled wrote:There's lots of open carry in Southern California. None of its legal, and its mostly BGs shooting each other, but there's LOTS of carry there.

Unloaded open carry is perfectly legal throughout California, according to state law.

Beiruty wrote: It is huge risk to have an unloaded gun when a BG would pull a firearm and disarm you under threat of deadly force.

Because criminals pay full on attention to the nuances of carry laws in any state? You're expecting the readers to believe that "jonnie mugger" knows the gun on your hip is unloaded because it's against the law to carry a loaded gun like that? Really?

Beiruty wrote:Pulling a loaded magazine, insert said magazine in said pistol, rack said pistol' slide, release said slide, acquire sight picture and target
would take couple to few secs that are deadly for yourself if the the BG is bent on drugs and has the intent to waste you quick.

You know, you're right, they should just walk around with out any means of self defense and take whatever fate deals them. It's foolish to project force when your ranks are weak ... ask all of the armies that ever fought during any war, ever. I bet I can count on my tongue the number of potential muggers that accost an openly armed "potential customer" with visions of "new gun" dancing in thier head. AND, frankly, if they're that off balance, getting the drop on them shouldn't be "rocket surgery."

I made the same comment in another thread on another board ..."at least these folks are DOING something!"

Mock them if you think you're superior but, they're behind the lines.

Purplehood wrote:I personally wouldn't characterize that as open-carry. If the weapons are unloaded, it is basically a waste of time for self-defense. The only purpose is to make a statement, which it definitely does.

I don't know if this would work but its worth a discussion.

Some enterprising youg holster maker should come out with "Slide Locked" version of a holster. The wearer carries the pistol with the slide locked back.

I know my Berettas need a pretty heavy thumb to close the slide so I know mine would stay open and not accidentally close while holstered. The holster would need some sort of internal ridge so the release tab is never touched and also a high sweat tab but it would work.

If a threat is encountered, draw both the pistol and the mag and do the 2nd half of the "empty reload drill". It would take practice but I bet the draw time could be the same as what it takes us Texans to pull the cover garment out of the way.

Also, if it was me I would have the holster maker come up with some sort of medium level type retention. I would also have my carry pistol modified with a large magwell opening like the "race guns" have.

Since printing isn't a concern, why not?

Just a thought.

Unloaded open carry seems dangerous on the surface, but not as bad as being totally unarmed. Let's say years before CHL, you were sitting at a table in Luby's in Killeen, unarmed OC would have been appreciated.

It is called the Barney carry.