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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Colorado in 2022 banned the open carry of firearms — but not concealed weapons — at polls. Morgan Lee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2024 Although open carry is legal in Texas, guns are not allowed within 100 feet of polling places. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Nov. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for open carry 

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 23 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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