Constitutional Carry: Navigating the Open vs. Concealed Debate
- Hootey Cline
- Feb 5
- 6 min read
From the Bench: A gunsmith's perspective on carry rights and responsibilities
By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company
Originally published June 14, 2019 | Updated July 1, 2025
As someone who works with firearms daily and holds an FFL, I find myself in an interesting position when discussing Constitutional Carry. I'm still learning about the various perspectives on this topic, and I'll admit my views have evolved over the years. What I can share are some observations from behind the counter and thoughts on how these policies affect both gun owners and the broader community.
Understanding Constitutional Carry
The Basic Framework
Constitutional Carry, at its core, allows individuals to carry firearms without a government-issued permit, provided they meet federal eligibility requirements:
Age requirements:
18 years old: Long guns (rifles and shotguns)
21 years old: Handguns
Eligibility: Must be a non-prohibited person under federal law with valid state identification
The Constitutional Foundation
The term "Constitutional Carry" stems from the belief that the Second Amendment already provides the legal framework for carrying arms. As I understand it, the amendment serves as a restriction on government power rather than a grant of rights to citizens.
Current landscape: As of 2025, over 25 states have enacted some form of Constitutional Carry legislation - a significant increase from the 16 states projected in the original 2019 article.
The Open vs. Concealed Carry Discussion
My Personal Perspective (Still Evolving)
I'll be honest - I have mixed feelings about open carry, and my thoughts continue to develop as I learn more about different perspectives and real-world experiences.
Open carry considerations:
Tactical concerns: From a defensive standpoint, I personally prefer the element of surprise that concealed carry provides
Situational awareness: Open carry does let me identify who else is armed in a given situation
Constitutional rights: Despite my personal preferences, I believe people should have the choice
Concealed carry advantages (in my view):
Public comfort: Generally makes both gun owners and non-owners more comfortable
Reduced confrontation: Less likely to escalate tense situations
Tactical advantage: Maintains the element of surprise in defensive scenarios
The Training Question
This is where I find myself wrestling with competing principles:
The importance of training: Gun fights are among the most stressful situations anyone can face. Proper training can mean the difference between life and death.
The constitutional concern: If the Second Amendment restricts government infringement, where does that leave mandatory training requirements?
My current thinking: Training should be strongly encouraged and easily accessible, but I'm still learning about whether government mandates align with constitutional principles.
Constitutional Foundations and Modern Application
Understanding the Second Amendment
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
From my study of this amendment and conversations with constitutional scholars, I've come to understand it as:
A restriction on government: The amendment limits what government can do, not what rights it grants
Individual rights: The right to self-preservation is inherent, not government-granted Due process protection: Rights can only be revoked through proper legal procedures
Restoration principle: Even those who lose their rights through due process should have pathways to restoration when appropriate.
Professional Observations from the FFL Perspective
Background Check Reality
As someone who processes background checks regularly, I have some insights into the current system:
What works:
Identity verification: Much harder to fake a background check than an ID
Prohibited person screening: System catches many individuals who shouldn't have firearms
Instant processing: Most checks complete within minutes
System challenges:
Incomplete records: Not all disqualifying information makes it into the system
Reporting failures: Some agencies don't properly report disqualifying events
Technology misconceptions: People assume the process is "too easy" because it's fast
The Scale Challenge
Registration reality: With over 400 million legally owned firearms in the United States, the practical challenges of any comprehensive registration system are enormous.
Government capacity: Federal and state agencies lack the resources for comprehensive enforcement of complex registration schemes.
Modern Developments Since 2019
Legislative Changes
Expansion of Constitutional Carry: More states have adopted these laws, creating a patchwork of regulations across state lines.
Federal considerations: Various federal proposals have been introduced, though none have become law.
Court decisions: Several significant court cases have clarified aspects of carry rights.
Training Evolution
Accessibility improvements: More training options available, including online components
Quality standards: Industry has developed better standardization for defensive training
Cost reductions: Competition has made training more affordable
Practical Considerations for Gun Owners
Regardless of Legal Framework
Personal responsibility: Legal permission doesn't equal adequate preparation Ongoing education: Laws, techniques, and best practices continue to evolve Insurance considerations: Liability coverage becomes more important with expanded carry rights
Interstate Travel
Reciprocity complexities: Constitutional Carry doesn't solve the problem of traveling between states with different laws
Research requirements: Gun owners must still understand laws in states they visit Federal property: Federal restrictions still apply regardless of state law
Community Impact Observations
Public Perception
Through customer conversations and community interactions, I've observed:
Media influence: Coverage often doesn't reflect the reality of everyday gun owners Desensitization potential: Communities with long-standing open carry traditions seem more comfortable with visible firearms
Individual variation: People's comfort levels vary widely, often based on personal experience
Practical Effects
Crime deterrence: Some evidence suggests that criminals consider armed citizens in their planning
Emergency response: Armed citizens have intervened in some critical situations Training motivation: Some people pursue training more seriously when carrying regularly
Questions I'm Still Pondering
Societal Adaptation
Should we normalize open carry? Would widespread open carry lead to healthy desensitization or create other problems?
Training balance: How do we encourage proper training without creating barriers to constitutional rights?
Community standards: Should local communities have input on carry norms, or should this be purely individual choice?
Practical Implementation
Law enforcement interaction: How do we ensure positive interactions between police and lawfully armed citizens?
Business rights: How do we balance individual carry rights with property owners' preferences?
Education needs: What's the best way to educate both gun owners and non-gun owners about these laws?
The Blue Coat Arms Company Perspective
Our Role in the Community
As an FFL holder and gunsmith, I see our responsibility as:
Education: Helping customers understand both rights and responsibilities
Training support: Connecting people with quality training resources
Legal compliance: Ensuring all transfers meet federal and state requirements Community bridge-building: Fostering positive relationships between gun owners and the broader community
Services We Provide
Legal consultation: Helping customers understand applicable laws
Training recommendations: Connecting people with quality instructors
Equipment selection: Helping choose appropriate carry firearms and accessories Maintenance support: Keeping carry firearms in reliable condition
Looking Forward
Continued Learning
This topic continues to evolve, and I'm committed to learning from:
Legal developments: Court decisions and legislative changes
Training innovations: New methods and technologies
Community feedback: Real-world experiences from gun owners and non-owners alike
Professional development: Ongoing education in firearms law and policy
Building Bridges
What I've learned: Most people, regardless of their position on gun rights, want the same things - safety, security, and respect for individual rights.
Common ground: Focus on shared values like personal responsibility, proper training, and community safety.
Final Thoughts: Rights and Responsibilities
After years of working in this field and countless conversations with customers from all walks of life, I've learned that Constitutional Carry isn't just about legal permissions - it's about the balance between individual rights and community responsibilities.
My current understanding:
Rights are important: The Second Amendment provides meaningful protection for individual liberty
Training matters: Legal permission doesn't equal adequate preparation
Community counts: How we exercise our rights affects how others view them
Dialogue helps: Honest conversations between different perspectives build understanding
The ongoing challenge: How do we protect constitutional rights while encouraging responsible behavior and maintaining community harmony?
I don't claim to have all the answers, and I suspect I'll continue learning and refining my views as this landscape evolves. What I do know is that respectful dialogue, proper training, and personal responsibility will be essential regardless of what legal framework we operate under.
No matter your era, we got your six - whether you're navigating Constitutional Carry laws or traditional permit systems, the fundamentals of safe, responsible firearm ownership remain constant.
Questions about carry laws, training recommendations, or firearm selection for personal defense? Blue Coat Arms Company offers consultation and services to help you navigate these complex topics responsibly. Contact us at 217-416-5962 or BlueCoatArms@gmail.com.
Comments