Open Carry Tips Every Gun Owner Should Know

  • by Admin 1
Open Carry Tips Every Gun Owner Should Know

Jump To:

Open carrying is the practice of carrying your gun in a non-concealed manner, setting this method apart from concealed carrying. While open carrying could potentially save your life, and the lives of those around you in an emergency situation, it is a hotly debated practice, and even illegal in some states.

If you are a gun owner who wishes to open carry in a state where it is legal, it is your responsibility to know your state gun laws forwards & backward and to be a responsible gun owner who respects the power of your weapon. Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding to open carry.

Which states in the U.S. prohibit open carry?

Before you open carry, you need to make sure that your state is an open carry state. Just because your state allows concealed carry, does not mean that it allows open carry. Currently, open carry is illegal in 4 states, plus the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.). These states are:

Having Awareness of Open Carry Law Variances

Even if a state allows open carry, there are often specifics that vary between states. You should see if your state open carry laws enforce the following:

Handgun vs. long gun:

Several states allow the open carry of handguns or long guns, but not both.

Posted areas, schools, & businesses:

Some states allow open carry, but not in posted areas. For example, Denver, Colorado is a posted area, so you can not open carry within city limits. Typically, carrying a gun, either openly or concealed, is illegal on school campuses, and carrying on the premises of a business is up to the discretion of the business owner, regardless of state law.  Make sure that you know if open carry is acceptable when visiting a city or business.

Loaded vs. unloaded: 

Some states allow open carry, but require you to carry an unloaded weapon. In states that allow you to openly carry a loaded weapon, there might be limitations to the amount of ammunition you can carry with you.

    A best practice for lawful open carry is to be very familiar with your state’s gun laws. Reading legalese can sound intimidating, but there are many resources out there that make gun laws accessible and easy to understand. 

    Does my state require an open carry permit or license?

    After learning if you are allowed to open carry in your state, the next step is to determine if you need a permit to open carry. Currently, you can open carry without a permit in 31 states, but openly carried weapons might have to be unloaded. 15 states require some form of license or permit to openly carry a handgun.

    What if I’m traveling across state lines with my gun?

    If you plan on traveling across state lines with your gun in tow, you need to make sure the states you are traveling to & through honor the permit you received from your home state. Even if your home state does not require a permit to open carry, other states do. Your home state will still issue permits on a Shall Issue basis so that you can be law abiding.

    How do you safely open carry your self-defense weapon?

    While it is your right as an American citizen to bear arms, it is your responsibility to yourself and your fellow citizens to learn how to open carry safely and responsibly. Here are some ways to make sure that you comply with open carry best practices:

    1. Use a holster.

    Make sure that you use a holster with a trigger cover. A holster allows you to safely carry your gun while protecting the trigger from accidental discharge or someone else grabbing your gun. You can also consider a form of retention holster. These holsters are designed to thwart a gun grab attempt. In most states, you are required to use a holster (belt or shoulder) to open carry.

    2. Take a gun safety course.

    Even if you live in a state that does not require a permit to open-carry, it is in the best interest of yourself and those around you to educate yourself on how to handle your gun respectfully.

    3. Be respectful of the people around you.

    When you open carry, you will probably draw some looks and whispers. You are almost guaranteed to be seen by someone who does not agree with open carry. If someone confronts you, be respectful of their views, calmly explain your situation, and know when to walk away. Starting a heated argument and getting angry will do nothing to help yourself or your fellow open carriers.

      The main reason that individuals choose to open carry is for self-defense in an emergency situation. Therefore you need to make sure that you are following open carry best practices so that your weapon does not become the cause of an emergency situation.

      To learn more about open carry best practices and in-home concealment options for your gun, contact Liberty Home Concealment.

      Previous     Next
      Back to Articles

      Hanging instructions for the Patriot Wall Shelf

      Factors to consider befor you start

      Installing a Patriot wall shelf can be a very simple project but there are several factors that you need to understand. our shelves have been designed to work with standard pine 2X4 construction that was 16" on center. Because they were designed around the 16" on center pine 2X4 framed walls that is the process for our instructions. Installing the shelves on amy other type of wall is done at your risk. Liberty Home Concealment does not advise you to attempt installing your shelf onto amy other type of wall.

      Understanding what is beneath your walls

      Anytime you are doing work or attaching something to a wall it is wise to have a solid grasp of what lies beneath the surface of your walls. If you are not comfortable with the task of hanging a shelf on your wall perhaps it would be wise to hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor to install the shelf on the wall for you. There are many factors that you should consider prior to beginning yur shelf installation. SAFETY is the first and top priority.

      Safety First

      As a consurmer of Liberty Home Concealment, it is a safe assumption that you are a gun owner. Liberty Home Concealment sincerely hopes that you have a great grasp of the concept of SAFETY FIRST. The installation of our shelves requires several steps and we highly recommend that you have a friend help you with the installation. This is very important as the size and moving parts of the shelves can make the installation very cumbersome and potentially dangerous for a single person to accomplish by themselves. So please, we urge you to get some help. Secondly, proper tools that are in good serviceable condition are a must. Please use your tools in a manner consistent with the manufacturers intended use. Using proper tools can make the installation quick, simple and enjoyable. But most importantly, SAFE. So, save yourself the trouble and use the proper tools.

      CAUTION!!

      Failure to follow and comply with these instructions could result in INJURY and even DEATH!

      Tools that should be considered for a safe proper installation

      Stud finder, Tape measure, Pencil, Level, Electric screw driver, and Safety glasses.

      Step 1

      Confirm your desired wall has adequate support by finding the studs with the stud finder. Also, remove the foam insert until later instruction. Mark your stud locations and transfer those measurement onto your shelf. Drill pilot holes through shelf in marked locations. We recommend using a 1/8" or 3/16" bit for the pilot hole. A hole too big will allow the screw to pull right through the back of the shelf. That would be bad. And unnecessary. Please use the proper drill bit. Depending on your wall you should be able to locate at least two studs to anchor your shelf into for maximum strength. Some walls may even allow for three studs to be anchored into. The shelf MUST use at LEAST (2) pine 2X4 studs and the shelf bracket's to fully support the finished loaded weight.

      Step 2

      With the help of a friend, and using a level and your original measurements hold the shelf in its desired location and transfer the pilot hole locations to the wall. You should be using a minimum of two studs for this step. Each stud receiving (3) screw locations. Two internally, and the other two in the brackets on top. For now, only focus on marking the internal locations. Mark the four internal screw holes. Make sure to hold your shelf nice and level for this step or yur final installation will be crooked.

      Step 3

      With the help of a friend, hold the shelf into its' mounting location. Line up the holes in the shelf with the marks in your wall and your wall anchors, and install the six long wood screws into the wall. Four into two different studs, and two into the wall anchors.

      Step 4

      Installing the shelf brackets to the TOP of your shelf. At this point your shelf is attatched to the wall but it is not ready for any weight. Please DO NOT ADD ANY WEIGHT until you have firmly mounted and anchored your brackets into the top. Have your friend help you support the weight of the shelf until you can get the brackets tightly mounted to the desired location on your wall studs. Again, use two studs. Do not add weight to your shelf either inside, or on top, until both brackets are fully installed. Using the supplied 3/4" screws attach brackets to the top of the shelf and 2 of the longer screws for the stud attachment.

      Step 5

      Unlocking your shelf. Use your magnetic key to locate and unlock the bottom of the shelf. Do this while the shelf is open so you can see what is going on. You may even want ot make two small marks on the bottom of the shelf if it helps you to locate the pickup. It will take a little practice to find the location of the magnetic pick up but you will find it. Make sure you aren't inadvertently trying to unlock the gas damper. Once the location of the lock pickup is located, the magnet will hold itself in place. However, the shelf will not fully disengage the locks until you release the pressure on the locks by lifting the shelf slightly upward with a simple squeeze of your hands. Once you hear the audible clicks of the locks disengaging you can slowly open the shelf allowing the gas damper to lower the shelf to its resting stop.

      Concealment Picture Frame Installation Instructions

      Consider What is Beneath Your Walls

      Anytime you are doing work or attaching something to a wall it is wise to have a solid grasp of what lies beneath the surface of your walls. If you are not comfortable with the task of cutting a hole in a wall perhaps it would be wise to hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor to install this item in the wall for you. There are many factors that you should consider prior to beginning your shelf installation. SAFETY is the first and top priority. CAUTION!! Failure to follow and comply with these instructions could result in INJURY or even DEATH!!

      Recommended Tools

      These tools are not required to install your Liberty Home Concealment picture freame however they will help with the installation process. Stud Finder, tape measure, level, pencil, jigsaw, circular saw, keyhole saw, Sawzall, drill/driver, inspection mirror, flashlight and a second set of hands to help with marking your wall before cutting. These products were designed to work with "standard" 2X4 construction that was framed on 16" centers.

      Step 1

      Acquire all the tools to complete the job. Do not forget about proper personal protective gear.

      Step 2

      Confirm that your wall space is empty!! Failure to do so could result in serious injury or even death!

      Step 3

      Clean your work area around your desired install location. Cover any furniture with a tarp, drop cloth, or painter's plastic to aid in quick easy cleanup.

      Step 4

      Use a stud finder to locate the space between two studs. Confirm that you have 14.5" between the two stud edges before marking and cutting your walls.

      Step 5

      The back box of your picture frame is the size you need to make your hole. Hold picture frame tight against the wall and use your level to ensure frame is sitting level against the wall. On smaller sized picture frames such as 5"X7" and 8"X10" you will fasten to both studs. While holding the picture frame tight against the wall while checking for level and trace around the outside perimeter of the picture frames back box.

      Step 6

      Before cutting the entire wall opening Liberty Home Concealment recommends that you cut a small hole within the area that wil become the full-size hole. This is done to check and confirm your wall is truly clear of obstructions inside the wall such as electrical wiring plumbing. It's much easier to patch a small hole vs repairing a large hole because you got ahead of yourself. Do not skip this step!!

      Step 7

      Once you are sure that there are no obstacles inside your cut area, cut the full rectangle that you have marked previously. Remove drywall cutout away from the wall.

      Step 8

      Slide your new insert/picture frame into the hole you just cut.

      Step 9

      Use the supplied screws to fasten to the stud or studs that run up the sides of the rear of the box. On smaller frames box will only fasten to the stud you biased your hole towards.

      Picture Installation

      1. Lay frame face down on soft surface such as a towel or blanket. 2. Hold firmly and slide picture frame in to the open position. 3. Remove four metal picture retainer clips, if clips are tight use a flat bladed screw driver to wiggle free. 4. Remove wood backer noard and lay picture onto glass. Making sure of proper orientation. 5. Reinstall backer board and 4 retaining clips. 6. Slide picture frame closed and enjoy!

      Wall maunting instructions for Freedom Series Coat Rack

      Recommendation

      Liberty Home Concealmemt does not recommend the use of hollow wall anchors to mount larger items on your walls. While anchors may provide sufficient holding capability, Liberty Home Concealment recommends attaching directly to the studs located inside your wall to ensure the most secure level of attachment.

      Step 1

      Choose the desired location of the item you are wanting to mount your coat rack.

      Step 2

      Once you have your ideal location use a stud finder to locate 2 studs in your wall that will support your coat rack. Mark the location of each stud's center with a pencil. Use a nail to confirm stud has been located.

      Step 3

      Hold product against wall and use level to make sure it is even. Use a friend to help hold level while transferring stud location marks to inside of product to be mounted. Tip: Remember the adage "Measure twice cut once." That same rule applies when making holes in your walls.

      Step 4

      Check that product is plumb and level before securing. Once proper placement is achieve fasten first screw through product and into stud. Re check for level and attach second screw into next stud.

      Step 5

      Step back and admire your handy work. Now get started filling your piece of concealment furniture with all the items you are wanting to keep stored securely out of sight. ENJOY!!

      YOUR CART (0)

      No Products in the Cart