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

This the state cannot do; for most of American history, states banned concealed carry but permitted open carry.

From Los Angeles Times

Although disclaiming any such intent, the federal court here required a “historical twin” — that is, previous legislation that banned open carry.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Open carry is legal in Nevada but it is a shall-issue state — meaning that an applicant must pass basic requirements to obtain a concealed carry permit, which are issued at the county level, according to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Open carry of firearms is legal in the Tar Heel State without a permit, but a person must be 18 with no felony convictions to do so.

From Los Angeles Times