Posted on 12/28/2015 6:48:39 AM PST by Jed Eckert
On January 1, 2016, Texas will become the next state to allow licensed citizens to openly carry a handgun, this after Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill into law earlier this year that would allow Texans to open carry.
As is case with most similar laws, open carry in Texas will have some restrictions, as private businesses will have the right to ban people from flashing their weapon within their individual places of business.
Florida is right behind Texas.
The father and son legislative duo of Sen. Don Gaetz (R) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) have both sponsored open carry bills in their respective legislative chambers within the Florida legislature.
"Junior" Gaetz has seen his HB163 bill pass its first House committee, while papa Gaetz's SB300 bill has also made it through the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee.
Expect Florida to become the next state after Texas to allow concealed carry license holders to openly carry.
Yeeehawwwww!!!!
All too often the chiefs are imported from some liberal hell hole. (Case in point, Police Chief Mike Chitwood, Daytona Beach P.D. A real piece of work from Philadelphia.)
Comments are appreciated.
I kind of like the ad running showing a “Star Wars” cantina where the young couple enters, and all the “Star Wars” characters turn to them, the music stopping, then the young woman shows her light saber, and the festivities resume.
I don’t even know what the ad is supposed to be selling.
—> Florida May Soon Allow Licensed Gun Owners To Open Carry <—
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I’m pretty sure the law already reads that way in Georgia.
I would say ,hoorah! And keep an eye out for who opposes it. By “who opposes it”, I mean those who claim to be “Conservatives”, or wolves in sheep’s clothing. By their deeds, you shall know them.
Big-city police chiefs are almost always political hacks. I ignore what they have to say. But sheriffs, especially rural sheriffs, are another story. Their opinions carry weight with me.
The last I heard, the Florida Sheriffs Association have agreed to be neutral on this issue. They’ve asked for a few changes to the law as it is written. They want to be able to change the standard required for questioning someone open carrying to allow them to question someone if they have a reasonable suspicion. They also want protection from lawsuits stemming from stopping someone who is open carrying.
I’m all for it. I would like to be able to carry OWB, but covered by a t-shirt. I live in an area that’s had a couple of bear attacks and open carry would allow me to carry a large frame revolver when I’m walking my dogs or hiking. Two years ago I was walking my dog on a dirt road near my house when a bear came out of the woods and started following me. It followed me for about a half mile before it walked back into the woods.
Subway, post-Jared.
Tell the idiots to check Virginia stats where open carry has been legal for years FOR ALL GUN OWNERS who can legally own (not felons).
Yeah, it’s so dangerous, we’ve had hundreds of incidents because of open carry.
NOT!!!!
JUST THE OPPOSITE!
I sure do hope that Florida passes open carry this year. I can’t wait to upsize my carry gun from single stack to double stack and move it from the IWB to the extremely comfortable pancake holster.
Can’t imagine why cops would be opposed to open carry. First, if I were a cop I would rather know (seeing it) that someone was carrying a weapon, than guessing. Second, they already have to be licensed to carry. So those opposed are wackos opposed to second amendment rights in the first place.
So if they pass open carry in Florida, does it mean it wouldn’t be legal to conceal carry anymore? Will gun owners still need a “permit”.
It will probably become legal, and also very foolish.
Open carry may address some people’s perceived need be seen as powerful or fear-creating, or perhaps, (and this is a stretch,) liberty-respecting.
However, as a self-defense tactic, it is the worst thing one can do.
The open-carrier has just telegraphed his defense capabilities and strategy to the enemy. The open-carrier has simply said “shoot me first.” Forget about all the Rambo BS about how, after a previously concealed gun carrying perp is going to show his weapon, announce a robbery, and then be outdrawn by some open carrier, since the perp will already his his weapon out!
180 Gr of hollow pointed lead beats rock, paper, scissors every time.
Secondly, the open carrier has given up the element of surprise. If I’m ever in a robbery w/possible hostages situation, (again) I’m going to be the most meek, compliant, shuffling man there, until I have a complete tactical picture, have tried to ident all the perps known and unknown associates, have the sight-lines down, have looked for other friendly concealed carriers, etc.
I will have also had the time to answer the questions; does this perp deserve dying? because if I draw, I’m going to shoot to kill him Where are the bullet backstops, can I get a closer, better line of fire if I move a little.
Finally, If I’m seriously outgunned, I can blind dial 911 on my pocketed smartphone by memory, and wait for taxpayer provided reinforcements.
Open carry denies me all these options. It also almost guarantees the open carrier will be shot, because what 2015 Amish perp is going to leave a crime scene with an armed man standing there?
Military and self defense training: Surprise is your best friend.
In a current armed street conflict, other than Amish gang v. Amish gang, the open carrier will die bravely, and quickly!
Then look at the success in Maryland where virtually no one may carry. Crime is down in all sectors. No wait, they have a few more days to beat the all time Baltimore murder record.
Maryland needs to become shall issue and open carry.
The last bill I saw was that concealed carry is still permitted and open carry will be for people with a CCW.
I love it.
One more comment. Open carry is fine when hunting, etc, but I would suggest that 99% of us who are CCW carriers here are more worried about Da Boys than we are the bears.
I carry my KARR .40 and an exra long mag for one reason; to ensure I never win second place in a gun fight forced upon me.
I would expect this in the “retirement zones” of south florida which is a nyc (s)brain trust(/s)
Yup...a larger carry piece for sure.
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