living here in Hawaii, I have zero experience with either option
wondering what you guys would prefer
theoretically speaking, i would prefer to conceal carry.
i wouldn't want someone walking up and taking my handgun
also i dont like advertising that i'm armed.
but drawing from open would be quicker, but i would still prefer to keep my weapon concealed from the public.

what do you guys think?

also, would open carry require a special permit?

Like many states you should have the option to do both. Since I am moving soon and will be able to finally carry,  If I am walking in the woods or doing stuff out of town I will open carry. But maybe just going out to dinner or in town i will concealed carry just to avoid the attention. For example it is virtually impossible to concealed carry something like my 7-1/2" super redhawk.

Also since hawaii is always hot as hell year round, concealing a large handgun becomes harder because of the type of wardrobe worn around here. Open carry allows you to carry a larger weapon. I suspect that WHEN hawaii gets its act together and people can carry there will be a big run on guns like the ruger LCP, the "infant" glock and the P3AT just because they are much easier to carry with hot weather clothing.

I really doubt hawaii will have open carry only. The spineless law makers around here would not want to have people walking around hawaii openly carrying a firearm. This is not Montana and the large population of tourists that come here from asia who are not used to seeing people with firearms may be alarmed. My input is if you are scared, stay home. This is America and this is one of the great things we still have that you don't!!  I suspect they would require concealed carry and possibly even penalize the "privilege" if you are caught with a firearm unconcealed.

If I had to choose one I'd say conceal.

Ideally, both. But if I have to choose, then concealed.

open carry all the way Yo! Fo Lyphe!


Playing devil's advocate - But that is one example of what our lawmakers and most of our population would argue. We would de evolve into that sad state of an ill society. Forget about legalizing a narcotic, lessening the positive impacts of long established organizations like churches...if we empower the population we would end up like that. 

Open carry tends to draw negative attention with some lawfully armed citizens being engaged by police because some "concerned citizen made a call of a person with a Gun". I'd prefer both as well, living on the B.I and enjoy hiking, hunting and fishing during these activities I would choose open carry. If I was in a populated area I'd consider both depending on where I am going. I think everyone knows if/when Hawaii is forced to become "shall issue" state lawmakers will exhaust all efforts to making conceal carry the only option.

I'm a fan of full-sized guns.  And I'm a fan of board shorts and t-shirts.  So, de-facto, I have chosen open carry. 

As a practical matter, with the cities growing like mold on a rotting peach, I prefer concealed carry and that's what I voted.  When I was still mobile, however, I would open carry all day long up in the mountains and mountain towns, stopping in restaurants and bait shops and all.  I also used to carry openly in the towns around the Pawnee National Grasslands.  Nary a glance, and you'd see others packing openly.

In Colorado, Concealed Carry Permit or not, there is an exception allowing concealed carry while actually and legally involved in the act of hunting.

Reminds me of the oft-told story of the fretting woman up in a mountain town who called the police on seeing a man with a gun (MWAG).

"Officer, officer, there's a man with a gun walking down the street!"

"Yes, Ma'am, what's he doing that's illegal?"

"Well, he's got a gun!"

"I understand that Ma'am, but what's he doing that's illegal?"

I sure hope you guys get concealed carry soon. 

It's a matter of a Civil Right that's been trampled on by your legislators --the very people who should be most concerned about protecting those Civil Rights.

Terry, 230RN

Open carry in Waianae, concealed everywhere else.

Open carry in Waianae, concealed everywhere else.

Whoa big fella what you trying to say about Waianae? May I ask what area you live in?

Open carry in Waianae, concealed everywhere else.

More like open carry in Kalihi and Waipahu lol

Open carry in Waianae, concealed everywhere else.

I second that. Lol. Jk. I would prefer open because it more comfortable but like others have said i wouldnt want people starring at me because im carrying a gun, so i would conceal

As others have said, I would prefer, and believe we're entitled to, both.
 Since at this point in time that won't happen, I've chosen open carry. The reason being that, IMO, the only way we're going to get people to be less fearful of people carrying firearms is for them to see people carrying firearms. The main reason people are scared is because the government has conditioned them to think of firearms in a negative light, seeing law abiding citizens carrying all the time would, in most cases, show them that there is nothing to fear from legally carried firearms, in short they would become desensitized. I think it would help reverse the brainwashing that's been carried on for the last 50 years.

But hey, I'll take what I can get! 

As others have said, I would prefer, and believe we're entitled to, both.
 Since at this point in time that won't happen, I've chosen open carry. The reason being that, IMO, the only way we're going to get people to be less fearful of people carrying firearms is for them to see people carrying firearms. The main reason people are scared is because the government has conditioned them to think of firearms in a negative light, seeing law abiding citizens carrying all the time would, in most cases, show them that there is nothing to fear from legally carried firearms, in short they would become desensitized. I think it would help reverse the brainwashing that's been carried on for the last 50 years.

But hey, I'll take what I can get! 

+1   

If we only have open carry, I'm sure brandishing in public crimes will skyrocket.  Then we'll be right back at square 1 again.

If we only have open carry, I'm sure brandishing in public crimes will skyrocket.  Then we'll be right back at square 1 again.

Just curious, do you think that would be due to an ill informed public (i.e. fear of firearms) reporting brandishing because they 'see' a firearm on the hip of an individual or do you suggest that actual brandishing would be more likely from open carry than concealed carry? If the former then none of the reports of brandishing would be justified. If the later, I am just not sure brandishing would be more likely to happen just because of being open carry on the hip; I would hope any way.

You are correct though, we certainly do not want to give any question in being allowed to bear arms outside of the home whether it be concealed or open carry to antis. They have enough of their crazy made up stuff going for them already. It is crazy to me we even have to think like that being stated clearly in the second amendment about our right to 'keep and bear arms'.

Of course all the above is contingent on shall issue and not exceptional need concealed/open carry in Hawaii. I sure hope this continues in the favorable disposition it carries for us now all the way to the end…shall issue. Sorry if this diverted to far off the OP topic.

I like both options. 

IMO the negative stigma associated with open carry is due to most people not being used to seeing it.  Much like the world of technology, over time most of the general public with accept it and not bat an eye.

Voted concealed carry.   Too much tourists who come from unfree gunless societies and libs in Hawaii that would freak out with open carry.

Open carry tends to draw negative attention with some lawfully armed citizens being engaged by police because some "concerned citizen made a call of a person with a Gun". I'd prefer both as well, living on the B.I and enjoy hiking, hunting and fishing during these activities I would choose open carry. If I was in a populated area I'd consider both depending on where I am going. I think everyone knows if/when Hawaii is forced to become "shall issue" state lawmakers will exhaust all efforts to making conceal carry the only option.

These are my thoughts as well.  I wouldn't mind being able to hike around and enjoy the outdoors with a rifle slung on my back, but seeing as most of time is spent at work amongst the general population, if I had to choose one or the other I'd prefer concealed carry. 

Here are some things to think about:

Concealed Carry:
+: Provides a tactical advantage. Bad guy can't see your gun.
-: Provides a tactical disadvantage. You must draw from concealment.
+: You do not draw attention to yourself, generally.  i.e. "He's got a gun!"  No matter what we think, people will report another 'strange' person with a gun.  Cops will likely investigate, as they should, and it may be a hassle for you.
+: Businesses can't really do anything about you carrying concealed.  If you go in where there is a 'no gun' sign, well, concealed means concealed.  All that can really be done is asking that you leave.
-: Clothing can be a PITA. You have to "dress" for concealed carry.  You have to buy special clothes sometimes for it (depending on how you carry / what size gun).

Open Carry:
+: Quicker on the draw.
+: Can be utilized with almost all clothing.
-: Draws attention to you, and may remove your ability to decide on intervening or not.  Example: You are in a bank, and someone robs it.  If robber sees your gun - you have no choice but to become part of the incident.
-: Requires retention holsters.  This is just a fact for safe carry; when I can come up and snatch your gun out of your holster - you are just f-cked, plain and simple! 
+: Allows for carry of all sizes of firearms.
-: Frequent police contact.