I hear y’all on the surprise factor. And there is a deterrent value as well… especially for those of us who are older and a more inviting target.
If I were a 25 yr old 6’ gym-rat of a guy, I’d probably feel differently. But I’m a 5’6" near-60 no longer athletic woman who looks like somebody’s grandmother. I’m far more likely to end up on the menu than a lot of folks because of things I can do nothing about. Granted, I walk my best dont-mess-with-me walk, but showing I have teeth before someone picks me for their target has value.
Will it be an advantage in every situation? Nope, so I don’t open carry in every situation, and sometimes you have to choose what the majority of your day looks like, and it’s not all ideal. Just like every other thing you do.
How to choose? If I’m already in the mini mart when the bad guy walks in, perhaps OC isn’t an advantage. But perhaps when I’m at the gas pump in that same mini mart’s parking lot and the bad guy is choosing who’s car to jack, it is. How to choose… can’t have both at the same time, just have to consider and pick.