Regarding open carry making you a target, chances are the criminal is going to go away and look for an easier target. Especially if more than one person is carrying in an open manner. Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of criminals like being alive, and therefore try to pick the weakest appearing targets they can find
Sandman, I am not contradicting you,you are correct to a point, but most hardened criminals, the ones that wouldnt care if they take anothers life, are not going to give you a warning and would make you the first target, how many times do you see and read about police being killed, they knew the cops had pistols on their side!. It comes down to suprise tatics really, unless you notice odd behavior on their point, and ready yourself for the threat, they will strike only after checking their surrondings to see if they will be able to get away with it!. Now ifthey see a pistol on you, and you are the only one tostand in their way, and they see an opertunity to get away with it, they will attack you first, and probably be able to overcome you and kill you with your own weapon!, it has happened many times in the past!, which is also the same reason for constant practice!. In your own mind you need to think about what you would do if someone cassualy walks up in front of you and assults you, how fast do you think you can react to that!, nine times out of ten, you wouldnt be able to react fast enough to walk away un-injured if not dead!, those are slim odds!. That is why concealled is a better method of carry compared to open!, if he dont see it he wont know its there!, and not see you as an immediate threat!.