For those that carry open...why?
Not being a Smarta$$, honestly just curious.
Short answer - because I can.
Longer answer - I am willing to give up "the element of surprise" for the strategic advantage of sending the criminal to another victim. Criminals want a soft target, and that won't be me. In a street crime, the criminal owns the element of surprise anyway, he is the only one that knows what is about to happen and when he makes his move, you are just reacting at that point.
While I acknowledge the "first to get shot" is a possibility, historically the chances of that happening are closer to -0- than getting struck by lightning or getting hit by a meteorite.
OC/CC/NoC is a very emotional issue and each person needs to do what is right for them. Whichever you choose, I support you.