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
Joshua GillinThe 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
Patrik JonssonThree more states ban concealed carry but not open carry.—Hank Johnson and Mitch Seabaugh
—often used before another nounHank Johnson and Mitch Seabaughopen 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 
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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
Articles Related to open carry
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 8 Nov. 2024.
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