Legal to open carry a pistol on a bicycle in your state?

[Rock knocker]

Michigan doesn't consider a bicycle a vehicle.

Michigan Bicycle Law
The traffic laws which apply to operators of vehicles also apply to operators of bicycles. Is the open carry restriction in the traffic code or another section? Does it say "vehicles and bicycles" or just "vehicles"?

Yea that.

I think quicksand farmer sleuthed this one out. Where did the OP get the "legal" (?) opinion he's quoting?

 

[edkemper]

First off, flipping someone off is a sure way to beg for a confrontation. But that coming from an old codger that has learned better.

One the other hand, a gun is the only thing I can think of that would trump 2 guys in a truck that stopped in front of me with baseball bats. A gun is the great equalizer for the redneck that feels a woman is the perfect victim.

Open carry when riding I would shay away from. However, carrying it concealed is in my opinion always a good thing in that rare case when someone is looking to do you harm. Won't help if they want to drive over you from behind however I'm betting that is the exception when a confrontation occurs.

I live in an open carry state. But only on my property or the occasional hot weather am I ever exposed. Then again, I always carry my ranch rifle openly in my truck. Not in the window but between the seats.

 

[HCJtractor]

Wow. Not being a woman you probably don't have a clue why the need. My daughter was stalked by a loony who by luck ended up dead while my daughter was made to go on a family vacation. He came to the house and tried to get in thinking she was home. He died in his car by an apparent self inflicted wound to the head. When you need a gun you don't get to say "Oh wait while I go get my gun" or "stop or I will call the cops". Millions of kids grew up with guns and are just as safe as those that need professional help.

I have no problem whatsoever with anyone who is capable carrying a concealed weapon. But the original post said the law is too restrictive because it requires a minimal fee, training, and doesn't allow open carry. I disagree. I think for the welfare of the common public, it is wise and prudent to require those who carry weapons in public places to have basic minimal skills, have knowledge of pertinent laws, and have had to prove that. Hence requiring passing a basis CWP course and paying a minimal fee to cover costs of these programs. And most of the public, including me, don't believe in open carry. So it's simple. If you want to carry a weapon, then get training, prove your skill, and buy a permit. It's no different than getting a drivers license. If you're too cheap to pay ($50 in my state) or too lazy to pass a short course, then don't carry in public places where you may endanger me.

I was at a local sporting goods store the other day. A young lady had just purchased a Glock. She was standing at the counter waving it around, pointing the muzzle in my face and at others standing there, talking and laughing. Her finger was on the trigger. Finally a gentleman asked her to please not point her gun at him. She was indignant and loudly said, "why? It's unloaded!" What an idiot. And she carried that weapon home, and maybe is still carrying it in her purse. That scares me. Both for her safety and for the safety of others. So no, I don't think our laws are too restrictive. Frankly, I think more training should be required before one is allowed to carry a weapon in public places. The recent trend for every Tom Dick and Harry ( and Suzie) to be packing a weapon is a little frightening. But before I get blasted by our gun loving members, let me be clear. If you're mature, trained, capable of safely handling a weapon, and knowledgable about when you can use it, AND willing to prove it to me by taking a short course and paying a small fee to get a permit, then by all means, carry it concealed. My Kahr .380 or my Kimber .45 is usually on my person. And if you're not skilled or licensed, strap your gun on your hip and carry it all you wish in your home or yard. But when you're in public places, either leave it at home, or prove to me and others that you're qualified by earning and paying for a CWP.

And as far as cycling, the day I feel I need to carry a weapon on my bike is the day I going to quit riding. I've been around hundred of cyclists in my life, who collectively have ridden more miles than most of you can imagine. I once rode 300 miles every week, for years. I've had 3 friends killed in cycling accidents, many more injured. It's a dangerous sport, more so if you're not skillful, careless, or unwise. But never, have I nor any of my hundreds of cycling friends, ever been in a situation where a firearm was needed or wished for, at least to my knowledge. A women or anyone riding alone is unwise. If definitely ups the chances of bad things happening. That's a fact.

But if a woman insists on riding alone in remote places ( or wants to walk down dark alleys at night alone) then by all means, carry a weapon.....if she is legally licensed and skillful. But I still say the greatest dangers encountered cycling won't be reduced at all by having a weapon in your jersey pocket.

But it's wiser to not put yourself in situations that could be unsafe. If you ride remote areas (and those are the best) ride with friends. Carry a cell phone. Obey traffic laws. Be courteous and attentive to motorists. Ride single file. Practice your bike handling skills. Keep your equipment in good shape. Don't overlap wheels. Hold your line no matter what . Those are the skills that will protect you from 99.9% of things that could hurt you. It would be very rare that carrying a weapon would be worth the trouble. As much as I love my many rifles, shotguns and handguns, you never see me carry one when on my bike

 

[MikePA]

What are the safety reasons the ladies want to open carry? Just curious since I have my michigan CPL.

Some of them train for distance rides on rural roads with no guys along...sorry...that should be rather obvious.

Come on coobie, of all the places people can ride bikes, e.g., cities, suburbs, bike paths, mountain biking, etc., it should be obvious it was for distance rides on rural roads without guys along. Not as obvious that you're supposed to follow the law, but obvious.

 

[coobie]

Come on coobie, of all the places people can ride bikes, e.g., cities, suburbs, bike paths, mountain biking, etc., it should be obvious it was for distance rides on rural roads without guys along. Not as obvious that you're supposed to follow the law, but obvious.

What was I thinking I should have called Captain Obvious he would have given me the skinny.

 

[MikePA]

What was I thinking I should have called Captain Obvious he would have given me the skinny.

Here's a graphic for future reference.

Remember this each time you feel the urge to ask for additional information that should be obvious. :laughing:

 

[coobie]

Here's a graphic for future reference.

Remember this each time you feel the urge to ask for additional information that should be obvious.

View attachment 415618

Got it thanks.LOL.

 

[dirt ditch]

My :2cents: is help her get her CCP or CPL what ever it's called in your state. Anymore there are so many small pistols and concealed carry products for women that why not carry concealed. One of my wife's job is figuring damage reimbursement for oil exploration. She spends most of her time in rural areas driving around talking to farmers, while walking fields and pastures checking and documenting damage complaints. She is a trusting person and never thought about concealed carry till a few years ago when she was on a job 200 miles from home and talking to a farmers wife. After a couple hours of visiting (like women do) she told the gal she had to head over to another farmers house. The gal told my wife her cellphone number. She said to put it in your phone and call me when you have left his house. Then every time before you go over there call me so I know where you are. She said the guy was considered a predator locally, and make sure you talk to him outside, do not go into his house. After that my wife got her permit along with her own pistols and holsters so depending what she is wearing she is always armed when working. She just does it inconspicuously.

 

[k0ua]

Another vote for just have her get her concealed carry. If she feels the need to carry, and it sounds like she does, then go for it. It solves several problems.

 

[murphy1244]

What if they just shoot you while you stand there. At least with a gun you have a chance. Without you are at the mercy of the criminal and you better hope you can take them.

That is why I would have her get her CC license without the need of Look I got a gun and you better not mess with me.