open carry

noun

US
: the act or practice of carrying a firearm openly in public or the legal right to do so
In Pennsylvania, open carry is generally allowed without a license, but Philadelphia does require a license.Joshua Gillin
The next frontier for gun-rights advocates is "open carry," epitomized last year by protests in which permitted gun owners carried firearms in plain view at Starbucks coffee shops.Patrik Jonsson
Three more states ban concealed carry but not open carry.Hank Johnson and Mitch Seabaugh
often used before another noun
open carry laws/legislation
compare concealed carry

Examples of open carry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Although Florida may have a GOP supermajority in the legislature, Democratic State Attorney Dave Aronberg, from Palm Beach County, told the outlet that open carry doesn’t have a lot of support in Florida. Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Sep. 2024 Dillon’s other tweak cleared up some confusion around open carry during the meeting of a governing body. Tim Clouser | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 July 2024 Washington almost entirely preempts municipalities from enacting gun control outside of a few areas, such as discharge within city limits and limiting open carry during a municipal meeting. Tim Clouser | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 July 2024 While Republicans pass more laws allowing for the open carry of weapons in our communities, Trump and other Republicans are demanding wider security measures for themselves. Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for open carry 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'open carry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of open carry was in 1984

Dictionary Entries Near open carry

Cite this Entry

“Open carry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20carry. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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