Practice of carrying a visible firearm in some US states
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Two persons openly carrying handguns in New HampshireSign at a Walmart entrance asking patrons not to open carry
In the United States, open carry refers to the practice of visibly carrying a firearm in public places, as distinguished from concealed carry, where firearms cannot be seen by the casual observer. To "carry" in this context indicates that the firearm is kept readily accessible on the person, within a holster or attached to a sling. Carrying a firearm directly in the hands, particularly in a firing position or combat stance, is known as "brandishing" and may constitute a serious crime, but is not the mode of "carrying" discussed in this article.
The practice of open carry, where gun owners openly carry firearms while they go about their daily business, has seen an increase in the United States in recent years,[1][2] and is a hotly debated topic in gun politics. This has been marked by a number of organized events intended to increase the visibility of open carry and public awareness about the practice.[3] Proponents of open carry point to history and statistics, noting that criminals usually conceal their weapons, in contrast to the law-abiding citizens who display their weapons.[4] As of 2022, almost all US states allow for open carry either without a permit or with a permit/license.
The gun rights community has become supportive of the practice, while gun control groups are generally opposed.[5][6][7]
^"Gun supporters cheer Starbucks policy". Associated Press. 28 February 2010. Archived from the original on 2 October 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2013. Even in some "open carry" states, businesses are allowed to ban guns in their stores. And some have, creating political confrontations with gun owners. But Starbucks, the largest chain targeted, has refused to take the bait, saying in a statement this month that it follows state and local laws and has its own safety measures in its stores.
^O'Connell, Vanessa; Jargon, Julie (4 March 2010). "Starbucks, Other Retailers Dragged Into Gun-Control Dispute". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 March 2010. The "open carry" movement, in which gun owners carry unconcealed handguns as they go about their everyday business, is loosely organized around the country but has been gaining traction in recent months. Gun-control advocates have been pushing to quash the movement, including by petitioning the Starbucks coffee chain to ban guns on its premises. Anti-gun activists gathered at the original Starbucks in Seattle to push retailers like the coffee chain to ban customers from openly carrying guns, WSJ's Nick Wingfield reports. Businesses have the final say on their property. But the ones that don't opt to ban guns – such as Starbucks – have become parade grounds of sorts for open-carry advocates.
^"Gun-rights activists to descend on downtown Palo Alto". San Jose Mercury News. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 11 March 2010. Today, a group of gun-rights advocates will exercise their Second Amendment rights by congregating in the plaza with unloaded firearms in plain view. Bay Area members of the national "open carry" movement said they chose the city in part because it is one of the few in the state that has a municipal ban on gun possession. Don't expect any '60s-style confrontations with authorities, however. Palo Alto officials said Friday they will not attempt to enforce the city's ordinance, since it is superseded by state law allowing people to carry guns openly as long as they're not loaded. "We're not going to try to fight state law on this," said Palo Alto police Lt. Sandra Brown. "We're just going to let it happen."
^Pierce, John (15 April 2010). "Why 'Open Carry' Gun Laws Work". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
^Urbina, Ian (7 March 2010). "Locked, Loaded, and Ready to Caffeinate". The New York Times.
^Leinwand, Donna (11 February 2009). "4 states, among last holdouts, eye open-carry gun laws". Usatoday.Com. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
^Stuckey, Mike (25 August 2009). "Guns near Obama fuel 'open-carry' debate". NBC News. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
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