General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: A hypothetical question for someone that packs a gun (concealed carry) [View all]Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)It's not something that comes up a lot in my life (open carry is perfectly legal in Oregon, but here in Portland it's virtually never done). Out in rural areas, particularly out in the eastern part of the state, it's not nearly as unusual to see someone with an openly-carried handgun. Maybe a rifle in a rack in their truck. I never really worried about those people though - there's a certain ease in their body language, I suppose...a "business as usual" sort of thing that's very different from the unspoken signals someone sketchy sends.
Like I said in my previous response, I'd be keeping an eye on someone with an AR or AK strapped to his back in a mall here in the city. That behavior is far enough outside social norms to warrant watchfulness. Nothing illegal...but a lot of things that are legal aren't necessarily a great idea.