The practice of open carry, where gun owners openly carry firearms while they go about their daily business, has seen an increase in the United States in recent years (as of 2010), and is a hotly debated topic in gun politics. This has been marked by a number of organized events intended to increase the visibility of open carry and public awareness about the practice. Proponents of open carry point to history and statistics, noting that criminals usually conceal their weapons, in contrast to the law-abiding citizens who display their weapons. Open carry has seen a revival in recent years, but it is not yet clear if this represents just a short-term trend.