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• open carry
  open carry

  noun

  the practice of publicly carrying a gun or other weapon that is fully or partially visible.
• open-carry
  open-carry

  verb (used with or without object)

  to openly carry a gun or other weapon in public.

open carry

¹ American  

[oh-puhn kar-ee] / ˈoʊ pən ˈkær i /

noun

1. the practice of publicly carrying a gun or other weapon that is fully or partially visible.

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open-carry ² American  

[oh-puhn-kar-ee] / ˈoʊ pənˈkær i /

verb (used with or without object)

open-carried, open-carrying

1. to openly carry a gun or other weapon in public.

   He open-carried a pistol to his daughter’s school.

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Etymology

Origin of open carry¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Origin of open-carry²

First recorded in 1985–90; open ( def. ) + carry ( def. )

Example Sentences

“The historical record makes unmistakably plain that open carry is part of this Nation’s history and tradition,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2026

Instead, lawmakers relaxed regulations, including allowing the open carry of handguns without a license or training.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2023

One successful change added language explicitly stating that the open carry of a weapon “does not give a law enforcement officer reasonable suspicion or probable cause to search, detain, or arrest the person.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2023

While gun interceptions have increased nationwide, Mr. Fitz said, the trend was particularly notable in “parts of the country where open carry and concealed weapons permits are higher,” especially in Southern states.

From New York Times • Dec. 17, 2022

"De cellar door is open, carry it all in and put it in de back part and nobody ain't never going to know how long it has been in dar."

From The Lock and Key Library The most interesting stories of all nations: American by Hawthorne, Julian