Guns & Ammo had a special issue called “Carry” recently. It is on display until October. I picked it up for the article called “A Day In The Life Of Open Carry” by Frank Melloni. Although the article describes him wearing a Taurus Judge, the photos all show him with a semi-auto pistol with a red dot.
Given how often concealed carry proponents talk about draw speed, I’m surprised more do not open carry. Open carry draw speed is far superior, especially when you factor in activities such as sitting down, carrying bags, dining at restaurants with friends in a cramped space, or similar tasks.
What I enjoyed about the article was how Melloni described the tense atmosphere he created. All of the people he interacted with (except his neighbor) were ordinary civilians, and he put them on edge. This is not the atmosphere you want to create as a law-abiding citizen.
Is there a way to create a different atmosphere and open carry? I’m not sure. If I were so inclined, I might try dressing more formally and wearing a prominent body camera. This may lead people to think that you are a type of law enforcement official. As long as you are not pretending to be a law enforcement officer (which is a felony), you may be able to create a less tense atmosphere.
All in all, the article is a good read. Check it out!