Utah allows OC....Then why am I still nerveous?

[lbcmillard33]

As a resident of Utah I know that I am legally allowed to open carry a firearm. The problem is that Society, Government, and State seem to all have a different idea of this exact same law. I keep pulling open http://publicsafety.utah.gov/bci/FirearmLaws.html website to learn all that I can. The problem is that I don't feel comfortable OC in public right now. I have heard of many people who are legally open carrying and are harassed by cops and others. I am getting ready to take my CWP class to help answer some of my questions about where I can carry, because it seems like most stores don't allow you to carry a gun. I do feel that it would be easier for me to CC because it wouldn't be visible, and only I would know it is there. I guess what I am trying to say or ask is, how did you first overcome this fear of OC in public? I want too, but I want to do it in a way that I feel comfortable. I also don't want to make a bad rap for any gun owners. I would appreciate any of your advice or comments to help me overcome this stupid fear that has been placed over Americans.

[Mike-wvc]

Best way to overcome it is to just get out and do it. I've been OC for about a month now and have become alot more comfortable. The first few times I went out I was very nervous. There are several people on here including myself that would accompany you out on some open carry. I would also suggest going window shopping at a bunch of gun shops and oc their not going to say anything and get use to it.

[DiscoLives4ever]

While there are stories of confrontations, they are MORE than balanced out by countless hours of people OCing without incident. In the year that I have carried, I've probably got around 100 hours of public OC including several times around police or even talking directly to them (witnessed a traffic accident) and have never had any issues.

Although it's a little nerve-wracking at first, you soon realize that most people don't even notice. The small percentage that does notice usually doesn't care or assumes you are an LEO.

To get over nerves I'd recommend shorter trips first (getting gas, running into the store for one or two items, etc.) to get a feel for it.

[brainoncapitalist]

I was extremely nervous the first few times OCing also. I think much of that came from the fact that I didn't know the laws as much as I'd have liked and this made me feel less confident that I was obeying the law perfectly. Now that I know the law (thanks in large part to the people on this forum), I am completely confident in OCing and I do it most of the time now.

The troubling thing is, we are supposed to be free, sovereign citizens. The government is supposed to be OUR servant. They are supposed to work for US. So why is it that we get so nervous around our employees, our servants? I believe we have been trained over the years to view government officials as 'the boss' who will come down on us HARD for the slightest infraction. If we truly had a servant government that was limited to its proper role, this wouldn't be a problem. We wouldn't have SO MANY mala prohibita laws with all their complexities and vagueness. Like Ayn Rand says, "There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws." We have an extremely abusive government who doesn't care a whit about protecting our rights.

[pedman]

I truly understand your concerns and with most people that I have talked with feel better by having the permit first, not sure why and then go from CC to OC. The first time I OC was a few years ago and it was very nerve racking, but this was my perspective. Most of the people did not even care and today I do CC about 70% of the time and the other 30% is OC. I have never been questioned or detained, knock on wood, but keep in mind crawl, walk and then run. I would also recommend that you are comfortable with the current laws. Constantly reading on current gun laws and talking with peers and this being a great site to get good and great information, some you may agree on and others you may not. As a gun owner this is your responsibility as a gun owner. With the simple basic things will help you in the long run.

[UnderratedF00l]

One way to get over the hangups to open carry is to tag along with someone else who is comfortable open carrying.

I'm happy to hit Wal-Mart in Springville with you sometime if you wanna give it a shot. I've open carried there countless times without incident, and I know several other members of the forum frequent there, too.

[UtahCFP]

Just think of it like wearing a button that says "Ask me about Utah gun laws ". You'll be ignored by just about everyone, but a few will be curious and ask about the gun. On rare occasions you'll get someone who is rattled.

[manithree]

I truly understand your concerns and with most people that I have talked with feel better by having the permit first, not sure why and then go from CC to OC.

Utah law is much better now, but there is still that pesky federal GFSZA that puts the 1000 ft victim disarmament zone around every school. That makes a lot of suburban Utah technically off-limits for CFP-less open carriers. I live within a block of an elementary school, and realizing that if I stepped out of my yard I would be violating federal law, I only OC'ed in the woods until I got my permit. I think the hesitation is completely understandable.

[gravedancer]

I truly understand your concerns and with most people that I have talked with feel better by having the permit first, not sure why and then go from CC to OC.

Utah law is much better now, but there is still that pesky federal GFSZA that puts the 1000 ft victim disarmament zone around every school. That makes a lot of suburban Utah technically off-limits for CFP-less open carriers. I live within a block of an elementary school, and realizing that if I stepped out of my yard I would be violating federal law, I only OC'ed in the woods until I got my permit. I think the hesitation is completely understandable.

They did away with the 1000 ft thing. Even without a permit, its now "on school grounds" that is the problem area.

[Snurd]

I truly understand your concerns and with most people that I have talked with feel better by having the permit first, not sure why and then go from CC to OC.

Utah law is much better now, but there is still that pesky federal GFSZA that puts the 1000 ft victim disarmament zone around every school. That makes a lot of suburban Utah technically off-limits for CFP-less open carriers. I live within a block of an elementary school, and realizing that if I stepped out of my yard I would be violating federal law, I only OC'ed in the woods until I got my permit. I think the hesitation is completely understandable.

They did away with the 1000 ft thing. Even without a permit, its now "on school grounds" that is the problem area.

Utah did away with the 1000 feet, but the Feds didn't. Without a CFP the 1000 foot barrier still exists. Unless you are in your car or are on your property. This is for K-12 schools.

[toothguy]

I've been OCing for about a month now and I still get a little nervous. The first time I was a wreck. I was certain everyone was staring at me. I think a lot of my "fears" came from a time I was in Costco last year and saw a guy OCing and he was walking around like he was a movie star -- people pointing and staring etc. I think a lot of it comes down to attitude. When I OC, I try to act like I would normally act. I even wear my glock at my 4:00 so it isn't as intimidating as I walk toward someone (previously mentioned person had it at 2:00). However, putting it in the back means you have to be extra aware of your situation and environment. I'm sure people still see it and point and whisper but it doesn't affect my actions.

The other thing that helps me is recognizing the fact that I understand the laws (thanks forum!) but I have not memorized and cannot quote the laws. When confronted by someone that initiates a conversation as opposed to making a passing comment, I will kindly explain that it is legal in Utah. It isn't my goal to stand toe to toe with someone reciting laws back and forth. My thought is first and foremost to protect myself and my family and second be a good ambassador for gun rights. That being said, I have had several great conversations about guns and gun rights. Store employees know me now and smile and wave when I come it. I've enjoyed having it as a way to talk to more people and make new friends. You will be surprised at how many people around you are CCing.

Then there are the times when people won't like it and will let you know. Yesterday I was at Costco in Ogden and was told by one of the employees that I couldn't even have it in the store (I think I want to run this by the forum for input). I assumed the concerned look and said, "I didn't see the sign as I was coming in." He said they didn't need to post one because they were a members only organization. In my mind, I was thinking, "Legally, you can't forbid me to carry but I don't want to cause a problem." I apologized and thanked him for handling it in the courteous way he did. He told me to "just cover it up" and he didn't care. As I was checking out 20 minutes later, he came up to me and we had a 10 minute conversation about his guns and I made a new friend. I know I miss opportunities to educate people on gun law but I want to just make small pushes against people's comfort zone to get them to accept that guns are here and not evil.

You will get looks, you will have conversations -- good and bad. It just takes time to become more comfortable with it.

[Snurd]

Then there are the times when people won't like it and will let you know. Yesterday I was at Costco in Ogden and was told by one of the employees that I couldn't even have it in the store (I think I want to run this by the forum for input). I assumed the concerned look and said, "I didn't see the sign as I was coming in." He said they didn't need to post one because they were a members only organization. In my mind, I was thinking, "Legally, you can't forbid me to carry but I don't want to cause a problem." I apologized and thanked him for handling it in the courteous way he did. He told me to "just cover it up" and he didn't care. As I was checking out 20 minutes later, he came up to me and we had a 10 minute conversation about his guns and I made a new friend. I know I miss opportunities to educate people on gun law but I want to just make small pushes against people's comfort zone to get them to accept that guns are here and not evil.

There is a thread about guns at Costco. It is in their policy book, or whatever it is called, that they don't allow guns. You handled it well.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10816&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=costco

I don't have a membership there, but I lays CC when I go.

[divegeek]

Just think of it like wearing a button that says "Ask me about Utah gun laws ". You'll be ignored by just about everyone, but a few will be curious and ask about the gun. On rare occasions you'll get someone who is rattled.

Come to think of it, wearing such a button might actually help. It would both clarify for some people why you're carrying and let everyone know that you probably do know the law.

[Sad2125]

I have been OC-ing for over 2 months now on a daily basis. At first I was nervous that everyone would notice, or that there would be problems, but I have really had nothing but good experiences. I have had a couple people notice and compliment me on it, or ask which caliber it was (they had the same weapon). A few have asked if I had to have a License to carry it and I was glad to explain the difference between having to be licensed to CC vs. just legal to own for OC, and the Utah unloaded concept, etc. There are a few times where I will see a plainly labelled sign stating "No Firearms" or "No Weapons" and I will go store it securely in my vehicle, but other than that, I have been very luck to have great experiences throughout Tooele, Salt Lake and Layton areas.

It mostly takes doing it to get over it. I find at times I like to use my forearm to gently touch it on occassion to reassure it is where it should be, etc. and to do so in a way that doesn't seem noticeable or threatening to anyone who might see.

Yes there are still times I'm a bit nervous, but, more than anything, I often now almost forget I'm OC-ing and simply am present to what is happening around me and ready should I need it.

[Raleigh63]

I started OC long before I got my permit, I OC just about everywhere other than work.

Like others have said get with a couple of regular OCers and you will not be so worried.