[Jared McLaughlin]

People have different opinions on the subject of open carry. I started because it was annoying trying to conceal a full size pistol in the summer months, and didn't seem to be worth the effort if open carry was legal anyway.

The general affect in the past six months or so has been extremely minimal. Occasionally people glance, nobody ever questions. One time a guy rounded up his kids and ran out of the gas station. One time someone at the range told me it wasn't legal.

Tonight was the most interesting to me, from a percieved hassle perspective. I have a pretty set routine that I don't vary from much, which doesn't include very crowded places. Tonight I went to the mall to do some shopping. For those of you in the area, I was at Century III. I'm not even sure anyone noticed at all. I've walked by LEO's a few times, and they didn't even seem to notice. I wonder if they just knew the law and weren't concerned.

Basically, I'm starting to feel as if all these concerns about open carry are exagerated. I definitely think it's worthwhile just for the comfort factor. I don't think I'd like to live anywhere it's not legal, really. There's something that's a bit nice about what I do every day, as naturally as carrying a wallet, not being something I feel concerned about people noticing.

I've rambled on because I'm tired. To the point, I really thought a mall, with it's security people, might ask me to leave. Now I'm tempted to treat the mall to my money just a little more often.