Open carry flintlock

Juice Jaws said:

Sometimes I think people read what they want to read in the posts.

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Very true. Unfortunately, there are some that are on the edge of their seat waiting for something to complain about.

Craig Wildcat Wilcox said:

Last year, Ohio went to legal open OR concealed carry. Was joking with a fellow ML fan, said maybe I should get me a cowboy rig, carry one of my longer-barreled Pietta's.

But, as an ex-LEO, I see no need to advertise, so I'll stick with my old hideaway modern firearm. Besides, that big ol' .44 is HEAVY!

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Carried a 1858 on a hike once. They want to pull down the pants.

In Texas it is legal to carry a long arm in public areas, city ordinance not withstanding. I strongly discourage it.

It's already been said, but Just Because You CAN Do Something Doesn't Mean You SHOULD Do It.

You legally can drive a horse drawn wagon on a 4 lane road in Texas... but driving it on the shoulder is a better idea.

kyron4 said:

Just because something is legal doesn't mean you should do it. I feel you could draw a lot of attention, some good and some bad. All it takes is someone to call it in and say "man" with "gun" and " in public" and you may have a swat team face plant you on the pavement . Worse if they lie and say you're pointing it at people. Sure, it's legal, sure, you'll be cleared and released, but not a good day in my book. It sucks, but it's the world we live in my friend.

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I am with you, most of the way. My feeling, though, coming from a different culture, is that just because something is legal does not make it desirable or sensible. I take it as a measure of the wisdom of black powder people in the USA that they would, I think, generally regard it as mostly foolhardy and likely to bring our particular interest into disrepute. Unless there is a need for it, if it is likely to upset or frighten people and in the process, waste police time, why do anything? And if we agree with that philosophy, what sucks about it?

Rangefogger said:

Anyone know the legality of open carry when it comes to flintlock rifles? I’m in Illinois (hope to move soon) and was just curious, as I hear flintlocks either originals or replicas are not considered firearms. Not planning on doing this, just curious.

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I would not carry a muzzleloading rifle in a place it would be inappropriate to carry a cartridge rifle. To most people, a gun is a gun. They don’t even know what a muzzleloader is.
You don’t want to be the focus of “ a man with a gun “ 911 call.
Especially in a place like Illinois.

RanchRoper said:

Knives are legal but a great big Bowie hanging from your belt might invite unwanted attention in the mall.

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My grandfather had lots of good advice, one was about knives. He said don't worry about someone with a big knife since they're mostly for show and most don't know how to use them. The majority end up rusting away in a garage or shed. But, the person with a small knife is a heckuva a lot more likely to cut you. And cut you multiple times. Be careful around people with short knives. I've worked Baylor ER, and he was right.

Eterry said:

In Texas it is legal to carry a long arm in public areas, city ordinance not withstanding. I strongly discourage it.

It's already been said, but Just Because You CAN Do Something Doesn't Mean You SHOULD Do It.

You legally can drive a horse drawn wagon on a 4 lane road in Texas... but driving it on the shoulder is a better idea.

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now tell them darn bicyclists that!!!!!

Brokennock said:

Most (by a dramatic amount) of concealed firearms carriers lack any real practical training,,,, and this would include retaining the sidearm when some thug with a degree from criminal College decides he wants to take it.

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This is why I shoot USPSA on the weekends that I'm not off galavanting around the countryside to N-SSA matches. Going to add IDPA once a few paychecks get things sorted out. May sound 'off', but have seriously considered adding an unmentionable ML to the loadout. First, was going to trim the barrel to be even with the forearm since they're exempt from NFA-34 restrictions to shorten up so that its right beside me between the seat & console.

I do home health part time and get sent to areas that could be a set for a zombie movie. There are dead people walking around with tombstones in their eyes pushing shopping carts full of stuffz. Coming up on women refueling at QT, trying to get money from them. A short short .50" carbine with unmentionable ignition of unmentionable white&hot propellant with a generic optic sight would be a great comfort if one of those situations go south. And they're generic/cheap enough that I won't cry if it is lost in an evidence locker.

Grenadier1758 said:

When in Illinois, my muzzle loading firearms are in a case. I'm not about to carry a modern forearm in Illinois.

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I avoid IL like the plague.
I know a guy ( an EMT ) that was crossing southern IL on the way to a primitive rendezvous ( in
Ohio, I think ) that was stopped for speeding by a County Deputy. Things went okay until the deputy noticed a tomahawk in the back seat on top of a bedroll and some 1750’s clothing. Deputy made him get out of the car at gunpoint, threw him up against the car, patted him down, searched the car, then lectured him for about 15 minutes on how that tomahawk/hatchet was not good for anything but killing people, and that he was considering arresting him and taking him to jail.
After the butt-chewing, the Deputy grudgingly decided to let him go, but the EMT said it was such an unnerving experience it ruined the whole rendezvous for him.
Guess what-he will never drive through IL again either.

Get this, a slingshot is considered a dangerous weapon in NJ and considered a 4th degree felony; and you have to have a real good reason to be carrying one. &@#$%$@*&^$ crazy!

smoothshooter said:

I avoid IL like the plague.
I know a guy ( an EMT ) that was crossing southern IL on the way to a primitive rendezvous ( in
Ohio, I think ) that was stopped for speeding by a County Deputy. Things went okay until the deputy noticed a tomahawk in the back seat on top of a bedroll and some 1750’s clothing. Deputy made him get out of the car at gunpoint, threw him up against the car, patted him down, searched the car, then lectured him for about 15 minutes on how that tomahawk/hatchet was not good for anything but killing people, and that he was considering arresting him and taking him to jail.
After the butt-chewing, the Deputy grudgingly decided to let him go, but the EMT said it was such an unnerving experience it ruined the whole rendezvous for him.
Guess what-he will never drive through IL again either.

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Sounds like your buddy shoulda pulled a Mel Gibson. The mountain men had to worry about hostile Indians stealing their possibles, and We gotta deal with these A Holes trying to steal our guns (and apparently tomahawks).

Very interesting reading. Here in backwards Mississippi and Louisiana we have open carry of course, but you rarely see it. However both states consider your car/truck an extension of your home, no restrictions on carrying there either and most do.

mikesto44 said:

A while ago I was shopping at Aldies in Northern Michigan. Their was a shopper walking along with two exposed 1911s in holsters on his side.
No one payed him any attention at all. Southern Michigan they would have had swat teams, ATF the city and Sheriff's department surrounding the place.
Any business that doesn't allow firearms for protection. I refuse to shop their.

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I’ve noticed lately that more businesses are beginning to ask patrons not to open carrying of firearms on their premises but they do not prohibit concealed carry of firearms. Frankly, I understand this. They want to support people’s constitutional rights but they also don’t want to deal with hysterical customers, who think there is about to be a mass shooting in the business, several times each day, or have the same customers call police to their business by reporting “man with a gun”.
I do agree with the philosophy of refusing to patronize any business or organization that is anti-gun but I don’t include those that ask patrons to avoid open carry in their business among them.

Mrg5 said:

they also don’t want to deal with hysterical customers, who think there is about to be a mass shooting in the business, several times each day, or have the same customers call police to their business by reporting “man with a gun”.

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I agree. Personally, I believe the open carrying (in most cases) is ostentatious and unnecessary. In a small rural town with a lot of hunters, ranchers and farmers it is more common and acceptable.

In the winter I often carry on the belt. My holster sticks out from under my coat a bit but I'm not overly concerned. I don't believe anyone has ever noticed. In the summer I use an ankle holster and carry a J frame smith. Never had the urge to open carry a flintlock!

Trouble is alot of the arresting officers (and the judges) don't really know the law that well. Did you hear about the UT student being arrested for having his muskets on campus?He was to give a demonstration and stored them in his dorm. Laurel Hall at University of Tennessee, I think.He spent a night in jail for bringing "firearms" on campus.

Mrg5 said:

I’ve noticed lately that more businesses are beginning to ask patrons not to open carrying of firearms on their premises but they do not prohibit concealed carry of firearms. Frankly, I understand this. They want to support people’s constitutional rights but they also don’t want to deal with hysterical customers, who think there is about to be a mass shooting in the business, several times each day, or have the same customers call police to their business by reporting “man with a gun”.
I do agree with the philosophy of refusing to patronize any business or organization that is anti-gun but I don’t include those that ask patrons to avoid open carry in their business among them.

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Maybe if more people openly carried their firearms, we wouldn’t have this hysteria, and your average citizens would understand that guns are not evil. I think that’s where the problem is. We have kept our guns hidden as if they are evil, horrifying, objects that are to be kept hidden away in shame, and must never be seen by the public eye. No wonder we have so many morons trying to take our guns.

Eutycus said:

Trouble is alot of the arresting officers (and the judges) don't really know the law that well. Did you hear about the UT student being arrested for having his muskets on campus?He was to give a demonstration and stored them in his dorm. Laurel Hall at University of Tennessee, I think.He spent a night in jail for bringing "firearms" on campus.

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I don't have the details but he was a freshman.I was wrong about the demonstration, this student is is into reenacting and merely stored his muskets there. His name is Brandon Dowd.

Rangefogger said:

Maybe if more people openly carried their firearms, we wouldn’t have this hysteria, and your average citizens would understand that guns are not evil. I think that’s where the problem is. We have kept our guns hidden as if they are evil, horrifying, objects that are to be kept hidden away in shame, and must never be seen by the public eye. No wonder we have so many morons trying to take our guns.

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I agree, even though I personally see no need to open carry, it should not get the shock and awe response it does. Maybe on the subconscious level we’ve all fallen prey to the propaganda to some degree.

It's no secret that no matter what sort of gun you carry openly you will be one of the first to be taken out.From a flintlock to a semi-automatic pistol on your hip the carrier becomes the prime target.If "Mr. Bad guy" walks up behind you and puts a bullet in your head what good are you?You are no longer a good guy with a gun, you're dead and no longer a factor.So why bring attention to yourself? Stay alive and be of some help.