Open Carrier shot, killed in Las Vegas

In what is the only second open carry related homicide in recent history, an open carrier in downtown Las Vegas was shot on April 23, 2025. At this time, details are few. A man entered a store acting erratcly. A customer was openly carrying inside the store. When the customer grabbed the firearm, the suspect got control of the firearm and shot the (formerly) armed citizen after a struggle.
 
A security guard told the Review-Journal that: “It’s getting worse and worse around here,” Bartley said. “I’ve had knives pulled on me. I watch out for who I confront now. You have to keep your head on a swivel.”
 
Once again, those who hate open carry and like to denigrate the practice based on their own fears and criticism of other armed citizens they consider beneath them will revert to blaming the victim. While questioning equipment and tactical choices is fair, blaming a victim for merely openly carrying is immature and as a vile as blaming a rape victim. Plenty of concealed carriers have been disarmed and even killed when unaware or trying to intervene in a crime.
 
The man criticisms that concealed carry supremacists level on open carriers is a lack of situational awareness and seriousness. These concerns are valid, but seemingly disappear as soon as a gun does behind a shirt. Anyone carrying a firearm in any way needs to be alert, maintain awareness of their surroundings (including who is behind them), use a retention holster that requires significant force and mechanical action to remove the pistol, and have some basic handgun retention training.
 
Open carry is, statistically speaking, a safe practice. Numerically, there have been about equal cases of open and concealed carriers being disarmed. Police officers are disarmed and killed with their own guns FAR more often than private open carriers. It is probably more dangerous to be a police officer with an openly carried gun.
 
Open carry can be done safely if the carrier is smart and prepared. It is an excellent outreach method to support the Second Amendment and firearms carry in general. A citizen who is prepared for
 
As police release more information, we will continue to update the community and analyze the points of failure. To open carry safely:

• Use a retention holster that secure the firearm with a snapping strap or locking system.
• Wear sturdy belt.
• Maintain situational awareness at all times.
• Learn to retain your handgun during an attempted snatching.
  

Open Carry is Not Suicidal - Compiled Stories of Open Carry Snatchings

UPDATE: Suspect Charged With Murder

Review-Journal article

The suspect, Kyle Robert Capucci, is a convicted felon who failed to appear at a court hearing earlier in the day. In 2022, he attempted a robbery and was convicted of drug trafficking.

As for the disarming, the article provides these further details: “After a short interaction with an employee, Capucci lunged for the firearm on the victim’s waist and a struggle ensued. Capucci was eventually able to get the gun away from the victim before shooting him.”

The victim's death is clearly partially the fault of a lax judicial and corrections system that fails to imprison and isolate dangerous people from society.