# Guns as Ubiquitous Accessories Open Carry Movement By Elsa Blaine | Published 2008-06-09 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/packing-in-plain-sight-open-carry-movement References: [latimes](http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-opencarry7-2008jun07,0,849912.story) & [opencarry.org](http://opencarry.org/) Again, I find myself stunned by what I didn't know. According to an article in the [L.A. Times](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/regent-santa-monica-beach) a number of gun owners in the U.S., "are part of a fledgling movement to make a firearm as common an accessory as an iPod. Called 'open carry' by its supporters, the movement has attracted grandparents, graduate students and lifelong gun enthusiasts." 28-year-old Kevin Jensen from Utah has always carried his weapon in a holster under his clothing, “then one evening he stumbled across a site that urged gun owners to do something revolutionary: Carry your gun openly for the world to see as you go about your business.” It seems that, “In most states there's no law against that,” notes the Times. “Jensen thought about it and decided to give it a try. A couple of days later, his gun was visible, hanging from a black holster strapped around his hip as he walked into a Costco. His heart raced as he ordered a Polish dog at the counter. No one called the police. No one stopped him.” Maybe I am totally naive, but I find this just astounding! Is this for real? If it is, women can seek inspiration here: ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 40% | Activity: 31% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Regional](https://www.trendhunter.com/regional) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Open Carry Style:** An emerging trend where gun owners are carrying their firearms openly as a fashion statement, creating opportunities for new holster and apparel designs. - **Mainstream Firearm Fashion:** The rise of open carry could lead to greater acceptance of guns as a fashion accessory, paving the way for firearms to become a legitimate fashion item in the near future. - **Gun Culture Normalization:** As open carry becomes more widespread, it could lead to the normalization of gun culture in society, making firearms more socially acceptable and impacting various industries. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Gun Holster:** Companies that manufacture gun holsters have an opportunity to design new products specifically tailored to open carry styling. - **Fashion:** The rise of open carry could lead to partnerships between fashion designers and firearm manufacturers, creating opportunities for unique and innovative products. - **Social Activism:** Open carry could become a new form of social activism, with groups advocating for gun rights and normalizing firearms in society. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Anti-Gun Water Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antigun-water-toys-jayhayspray20-promotes-change-in-societys-relationship-w.md) - [Firearm Policy Mapping](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/no-gun-zones-map-tool.md) - [Leather Taco Holsters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-bellt.md) - [Women-Specific Weighted Vests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weighted-vests.md) - [Police Filming Awareness Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/get-real-movement.md) - [Empowerment Beauty Kit Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/empowerment-beauty-kit.md) - [Pursemaker-Backed Blind Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/montana-west.md) - [Viral Political Campaign Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/harris-walz.md) - [Contemporary Military Fashion Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ukrainian-brand-rbtnk.md)