What are the cons of open carry?

Asked by: Gideon Prohaska  |  Last update: January 21, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (21 votes)

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Open Carry
  • Public discomfort – Many people are intimidated by seeing guns openly carried in public places. ...
  • Risk of hostility – Openly carrying may attract unwanted attention and hostility in certain situations or locations.

What are the disadvantages of open carry?

Openly carrying a firearm can attract unwanted attention from the public. People who are unfamiliar with firearms might feel uncomfortable or fearful, potentially causing unnecessary confrontations or leading to calls to law enforcement.

Is it better to open or conceal carry?

If you are around people, concealed is always better because it reduces anxiety. Concealing is the considerate thing to do. Why does anyone need to see your firearm or know you are carrying. If you are not around people, open carry is a reasonable alternative.

Why should open carry be banned?

Open carrying in crowded public places results in more shootings. This uses both guns and ammo, and causes a need for medical care and medication, and police action, and also a need for counselors and lawyers.

What 5 states don't allow open carry?

States that Prohibit Open Carrying of Handguns
  • California13
  • Connecticut (Effective Oct. 1, 2023)14
  • District of Columbia15
  • Florida16
  • Illinois17
  • New Jersey18
  • New York19

The Truth About Concealed Vs Open Carry

39 related questions found

What state has the loosest gun laws?

Mississippi. Mississippi has the weakest gun laws in the country and the highest gun death rate. Lawmakers must stop failing their communities and take action to save lives.

What stores do not allow open carry?

Publix, Aldi, CVS, Walgreens and other businesses want shoppers to leave guns at home. Walmart and Kroger entered the national gun debate this week after announcing that shoppers would be asked not to openly carry firearms in store – however, they're far from the first.

Do you need a holster for open carry?

Retention Holsters Are Absolutely Recommended, If Not A Must

While everyone is free to make their own decisions, the best practice is to use an open carry holster that has active retention. Not only does it mitigate the risk of a gun drop, it guards against gun grabs.

Can you carry a gun in public in the US?

Introduction. In the United States, it is legal to carry a concealed handgun in public in all 50 states. Many states require a person to have a permit to carry a loaded, concealed handgun in public.

What's the difference between constitutional carry and open carry?

Constitutional carry, or permitless carry, codifies the right of law-abiding citizens to carry a handgun—both open and concealed carry—without a permit and is the primary way states recognize the right to bear arms as an extension of the right to self-defense, not a privilege bestowed by government….

Should you keep your gun loaded?

To prevent injury or death caused by improper storage of guns in a home where children are likely to be present, you should store all guns unloaded, lock them with a firearms safety device and store them in a locked container. Ammunition should be stored in a location separate from the gun.

Can I open carry my handgun?

California – It is generally prohibited to carry a firearm openly in California.

What is the difference between CCW and CWP?

It's the same thing, but just simple change in wording. Some states use the word permit and others use license. Either way, the permit or license needs to be renewed (like a driver's license) every so often.

How common is open carry?

Among the findings: 80 percent of surveyed handgun owners who carried their handgun had a concealed-carry permit, and 66 percent said they always carried their handguns concealed, compared with 10 percent who said they always carry their weapons openly.

What are the disadvantages of owning a gun?

Access to a firearm significantly increases the risk of death by suicide, domestic dispute, homicide, and unintentional gunshot. Consumers should be informed of these risks prior to purchasing a firearm. They should also be informed about the importance of responsible firearm storage.

Can you open carry appendix?

Appendix carry is considered a concealed carry technique, though you can carry openly if you choose. But this article is about concealed carry, so we'll stick to that.

What states don't allow open carry of firearms?

Nine states require a permit to open carry a handgun, while four states, California, Florida, Illinois, and New York, prohibit it entirely. Open carry is also not permitted in the District of Columbia.

Why do people carry guns?

Personal protection tops the list of reasons gun owners give for having a firearm. About seven-in-ten gun owners (72%) say protection is a major reason they own a gun.

Can nurses own guns?

There are some (not many) hospitals where guns are not specifically prohibited. It's up to you to be familiar with the rules and regulations for self-defense tools at the hospital or doctor's office where you work. You must also know your state and county laws regarding use, carry methods and concealment.

Is it better to conceal or open carry?

Accessibility – Open carry allows faster access to draw your weapon compared to concealed carry. Public perception – Open carry may make some members of the public uncomfortable, while concealed carry avoids this issue.

Can I carry my gun in my purse without a holster?

In short, all holsterless carry methods are unsafe. A good holster fulfills three functions: securely retaining your handgun in one place, keeping the barrel pointed in a safe direction, and protecting your trigger from being accidentally depressed.

Is a thigh holster open carry?

What Is a Thigh Holster? A drop leg holster sits high on your thigh and is secured by straps and, sometimes, belt loops. This option is a popular choice for women who want either concealed or open carry.

Can I open carry in Walmart?

Motivated by our desire to create a safe environment in our stores and clubs, we request that customers no longer openly carry firearms into Walmart or Sam's Club locations in states where open carry is permitted – unless they are authorized law enforcement.

Can you carry in Costco?

Costco policy prohibits firearms and other weapons to be brought into the warehouse, except in the case of authorized law-enforcement officers.

Can you carry a firearm in Starbucks?

Officially, Starbucks doesn't allow guns. That's their policy: they want every customer who comes in to their guns in the car or at home.