I'm more and more tempted to head to Virginia every day. Maryland is pratically a communist state when it comes to gun control.
Openly carrying firearms is an effective deterrent against mugging; criminals are looking for an easy mark, and someone who openly carries is NOT an easy mark. I would personally prefer concealed carry to open carry, simply because it reduces the level of tension you may have to deal with every day. Although it is your right to carry, being respectful of people who are afraid of guns is never a bad thing.