I certainly mean no disrespect here.
HCJtractor - 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.
I have to ask what makes you think without all the training, fees and open carry there is a problem? I'm not trying to argue, I just want to hear the statistics of what you fear will happen.
> And most of the public, including me, don't believe in open carry.
So? In the past, most people believed slavery was proper and just also. There are thousands of things in our history that the majority believed was proper and just that we freely admit was wrong from the start.
> It's no different than getting a drivers license.
I didn't realize driving a car was a Right under the constitution.
> 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.
And yet I am far more likely to die in a car accident driven by a legally licensed driver than being shot by a concealed carry permit holder. I'm just saying your apparent unreasonable fear is possibly the real problem.
> 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.
I understand your fear. But there seemed to be more than a few idiots in this incident that were a reason to be in fear. Not just the lady with the gun in her hand. There are many, many laws, local, city, state and federal that were being ignored.
> 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.
Again, autos driven by licensed drivers kill far more people.
> 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.
It seems you are unfamiliar with Jim Crow laws. Every Tom, Dick and Harry are only able to get canceled carry permits in certain areas with certain demographics.. If you are a minority, you are less likely to be able to get a CCP. In many places, it's the guys and woman in uniform that are the ones that are dangerous to the public.
> 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.
And you feel qualified to speak for all cyclists in all areas of the country? Why should someone quit doing something they love just because the environmental danger has increased?
> 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.
Isn't this the idea of a concealed carry permit? Do you really think that you know everything they carry?
> But if a woman insists on riding alone in remote places
Like a man
> (or wants to walk down dark alleys at night alone)
Like a man
> then by all means, carry a weapon.....if she is legally licensed and skillful.
I'm sure they feel better to having a man's permission.
> But I still say the greatest dangers encountered cycling won't be reduced at all by having a weapon in your jersey pocket.
I would say the same thing about driving or walking down the street.
> But it's wiser to not put yourself in situations that could be unsafe.
Yet it is not always us putting us in danger. Do you only carry your CC weapon when expecting danger?
> If you ride remote areas (and those are the best) ride with friends.
Best of course if possible.
> Carry a cell phone.
To a point, a little bit of a ridiculous recommendation. When you need your CC weapon, do you first pull out your phone and call someone?
> It would be very rare that carrying a weapon would be worth the trouble.
Yet you have a CCL and you have the right to carry where you want and yet you feel qualified to tell others that they don't have the same right to choose for themselves.
> As much as I love my many rifles, shotguns and handguns, you never see me carry one when on my bike
And according to your Rights, you can make that choice. Personally, I feel everyone should have that right to choose. And no women who feels the need should ever be judged by any man.
But then again, I may be wrong.
