Openly carrying gun not a crime

The Columbus Dispatch ^ | March 30, 2008 | Bill Bush

[raynearhood]

Growing up in the NE part of Canton there was a nice old man that lived in our neighborhood that had been robbed at gunpoint at a corner store only two buildings away from my house. Now, the neighborhood I grew up in was not a bad neighborhood at the time (mid-80’s to early-90’s), and this was an isolated incident. (The neighborhood started going to hell about three years after I moved out)

The robbery spooked the old man, and from that point on he carried a .38 Special in a holster whenever he walked the nearly three blocks from his house to the store. The store owner allowed him to carry it in the store. Police had no problem with it, either.

Another old man carried a walking stick in one hand and a 12 guage across his back on his daily walks.

My whole neighborhood learned early on that even though there was no concealed carry law, openly carrying a weapon in Ohio was perfectly legal.

[stompk]

” it also revealed that Gales did not know it was legal for Turner to carry a gun openly”

ignorance of the law is no excuse ! /s

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

While it is no longer common knowledge as it should be, there is what could be called “Old West” gun culture, which is how to be openly armed in public in a manner to reduce apprehension and misunderstandings.

More than anything else, it is a set of common sense behavior, such as do not casually brandish your weapon, and avoid making sudden motions that look like you are drawing your weapon. I imagine there was a variant to this when people commonly carried swords as well.

Even living in the southwest, where it is more common for people to openly carry, guns do attract the eye and call for instant value judgments about who is carrying them. And not just for the guns’ sake.

You automatically ask yourself in rapid succession: “Undercover cop? Biker? Criminal? Type gun? Behavior? Activity? Location? Threat?” A spur of the moment judgment call.

Yes, it is a right to carry a gun in public, and a good one. Though I like the extra advantage that comes from having a concealed weapon as well. Why advertise?

[buccaneer81]

I am less certain of the wisdom, if not legality, of a minor carrying a weapon under the same circumstances in which an adult can. A 14 year old walking around town with a rifle is a little scary. Maybe I am missing something. In the woods, hunting, yeah. On a subway, I might avoid the yout.

I agree. And it would certainly seem to expose the parents to a great deal of liability should an incident take place.

[Misterioso]

So basically you posted this to bash law enforcement officers.

Law enforcement officers are armed public employees with the power to use deadly force. Therefore, it is in the interest of public safety that they follow the law as they enforce it. Pointing out a transgression of the law by a policeman is not "bashing."

[piytar]

As a police officer, we also have the right to protect ourselves from the public.

So it's your position that you have the right to draw down on a bank security guard just because he is carrying openly? Or a regular Joe doing the same? How about a 14 year old in a field who is deer or duck hunting?

If you answered "yes" to any of these, I REALLY hope that you aren't a police officer in Ohio, because if you are, you are a walking lawsuit and/or tragedy waiting to happen...

[edcoil]

In OC California, we have 3.2 million people with only 1,200 CCW’s. Our last sheriff "retired" because of corruption. Only those that "donated" to his campaign or wife's charity got a ccw.

[thecabal]

However, the courts have ruled that you are under no obligation to protect me as a member of the public.

[Poser]

“As a police officer, we also have the right to protect ourselves from the public.”

True. What exactly in this article leads you to believe the officer needed to protect himself from the citizen?

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

I have what may be a stupid question. If you carry it in a see-through handbag or a clear plastic raincoat, is it concealed or open?

[upsdriver]

"The first thing we need to address: This man has a gun," Weiner said. "We're going to pull our guns.

Because in a police state, only the police are allowed to have guns.

[buccaneer81]

I have what may be a stupid question. If you carry it in a see-through handbag or a clear plastic raincoat, is it concealed or open?

That is an EXCELLENT question. I have no idea, but am willing to bet that a prosecutor would charge you with carrying concealed if you didn't have a permit.

[thile44]

i gues now we will see printed on the doors “to serve and protect (ourselves from) the public”

[RandallFlagg]

We don’t have laws against open carry in Colorado, either.
They snuck in ordinances to cover that.

[KJC1]

Imagine! LEOs who don't know the law! I'm shocked! Shocked I tell you! /s

You can twist all you want, but tell me how this comment is about one, singular law enforcement officer. Own up to your own comment, it's right there for everyone to see. Heck, even if you pretend it isn't there, it's still there. LOL.

[Past Your Eyes]

Good post; good story. I wonder how many people are smacking themselves in the forehead going “DOH”.

[karnage]

Yep.
And: Kings is mostly rapscallions.

[Past Your Eyes]

I was going to get plates for my farm tractors at the state facility. I know some states don’t require them but here in NH, we do. Or so I thought. The lady at the counter told me that I really didn’t need plates for my tractors.
Well then, says I, why does everybody seem to have them?
Her answer, because it’s easier than getting hassled by cops who don’t know the law.
Good answer, thought I. They only cost a few bucks anyway.

[PhilCollins]

No government should pass laws that ban or allow concealed carry rights. Because of the 2nd Amendment, it’s obvious that every American has the right to carry guns.

[BIGLOOK]

When I was a kid in upstate NY, I hunted woodchucks for farmers in the summer and hunted game in the fall. When out and short of shells, I'd head off to the store on the highway for more. The rule was unloaded and breech open when carrying on the roadways. If a State Trooper or County Sheriff saw me on the road or at the store, he might check me out but most times they knew me and passed on by. Holstered handguns could also be worn if not concealed without drawing much attention as long as the paperwork was ok.