Open Carry vs. Concealed Carry
This is a big debate among gun enthusiasts. California’s open carry laws allow an individual to “openly carry” his/her unloaded firearms in plain view. Concealed carry refers to the practice of carrying concealed firearms on your person. Both are legal in California, as long as you abide by certain requirements.
Proponents of California’s open carry laws which, by the way, may soon be rescinded if newly proposed legislation passes, claim that this is the safest way to protect oneself from becoming the victim of a violent crime. If a criminal sees someone carrying a gun, open carriers believe that the criminal would be less likely to wage an attack on that individual.
Proponents of concealed carry argue that this is the best way to keep criminals at bay because it keeps them guessing as to who’s “carrying”. They also believe that it prevents the criminal from obtaining your weapon before you have a chance to defend yourself with it. Carrying a concealed weapon is legal as long as you have a permit to do so.
