excerpts:
Open carry of firearms in the United States is a source of regular debate among Second Amendment advocates. Some people see open carry as a social or political statement, while others merely see it as a convenient way to carry a self defense tool. Depending on who you talk to, you can get anything from zealot-like support to Brady-ish condemnation of exposed carry.
Even if you don’t personally think open carry is a good idea, I believe there are some good reasons to consider it.
I guess when we are talking about carrying a firearm in public, it all comes down to practicality for me. I’m not interested in changing anyone’s mind, and I don’t give a rat’s hiney about social norms. The first time I walked through another person’s brain matter, social norms kinda shifted for me.
The fundamental purpose to a firearm, in my view, is as a self-defense tool. Carrying one means you have a powerful tool should defense of you life be required.
...open carry should be first about self defense. Open carry allows you to comfortably tote a large firearm in a position that is easy to access under stress.
http://www.humanevents.com/2012/07/10/open-carry-thoughts/