In Maine, we can carry open or concealed without a permit. Since they changed the law to allow concealed carry without a permit, it has become fairly uncommon to see someone carrying a handgun because most people prefer to carry concealed, but a lot of people carry. Why make a spectacle of yourself? In southern Maine, where all the liberals live, someone would be likely to call the police if they saw someone with a handgun, probably because they like to make things uncomfortable for those who carry but, north of Bangor, few people would think very much about it, except maybe to wonder why they chose to open carry rather than conceal their weapon. I don't really worry much about needing a gun here in Maine, though. Where having a gun would make me feel more comfortable would be when I am traveling out of state, but then I'd have to worry about gun permit laws in each state that I go through. Maine has agreements with some other New England states that will honor a Maine carry permit, but I still couldn't travel from here to Virginia without going through a state where it would be against the law, at least not unless I went way out of my way. I would expect that in the typical church service north of Bangor, there would be a good chance that someone there would be packing, although you wouldn't know it unless there was a reason to pull it out. Concealed carry holsters are really pretty good at concealing.
The concealing holsters need to better for the ladies @Ken Anderson. Now believe it or not, that is a money making idea, but I’m not a designer.
This "carry" business has unlimited numbers of interpretations and possible situations/resolutions. Massad Ayoob explored them all. Really intuitive reading for any considering arming themselves and even those already armed. For example, as Ken points out, openly carrying a handgun, while a "macho" thing to some, is stupid unless it's the only way allowed. Picture being alone somewhere, your holster and gun clearly visible to a guy behind you bent on having a gun......what do you think he could do? Furthermore, if a criminal has marked you as his next victim, and he senses only he and the intended victim are present, he sees your holstered gun, and before you begin to realize what's happening, he robs you after he has shot you, and guess what he steals first? One may carry a hidden firearm for the rest of his born days, and very likely never once experience any need to pull it out. But, that one in a million chance, should it become reality, presents one with the horrible reality of the need to shoot an assailant. Frank
Ok, update of the shooter.........he attended a church festival five days before he done the shooting. His in-laws, who he had an ongoing dispute with, attended this church. I really felt, as did the local sheriff, that he knew this church.
Yes, he knew that church...that was stated right away I think. How could he not, it's a very small town. Also, he taught a bible study class there once awhile ago. All the carnage and his MIL wasn't even in church that day!
Interesting about the bible study. Didn't know about that. Thing is, nobody, but his MIL's friend brought it up about him and this church. IOW, nobody that goes to that church recognized his face on the news? Odd, to me. But, also found out that he escaped from an institution the Air Force was holding him in, while waiting for his court martial. He was found in El Paso, Texas and returned.
That bible study was just one or two classes, he became an atheist or was even one then, I don't know. Seems he had anger issues going back a few years....he should NOT have been sold a gun in my opinion. Maybe now gun shops will look deeper and what should go on someone's record will...it's important.