Thread: Open or Conceal Carry?

Originally Posted by Wallaroo

The map refer to concealed carry, does it not? Amazing that so many states were banning that just a few years back, and thereby violating the 2nd amendment.

That's not accurate. The congress and states can certainly legislate the manner in which you have the right to bear arms. They can't constitutionally forbid you from carrying at all (unless you've had that right removed by criminal conviction), but they can legislate whether you have to carry your weapon concealed or open or whether they allow both. They can also legislate what would constitute reckless endangerment with a weapon as well.

"shall not be infringed" doesn't mean total gun-toting anarchy. It just means if you want to own and carry a gun, you can ... provided you do it in accordance with local laws.

Originally Posted by Disillusioned_1

That's not accurate. The congress and states can certainly legislate the manner in which you have the right to bear arms. They can't constitutionally forbid you from carrying at all (unless you've had that right removed by criminal conviction), but they can legislate whether you have to carry your weapon concealed or open or whether they allow both. They can also legislate what would constitute reckless endangerment with a weapon as well.

"shall not be infringed" doesn't mean total gun-toting anarchy. It just means if you want to own and carry a gun, you can ... provided you do it in accordance with local laws.

Actually, "shall not be infringed" DOES mean what you term as "total gun-toting anarchy". Once the current law suits are finished, you're very likely going to have to get used to the general public being armed anytime, anyplace it damn well pleases.

Originally Posted by timj219

I live in upstate NY. I've actually been looking into this lately becasue I'm considering a revolver for home defense and I'm leaning toward a ruger sp101 or S&W m640 centennial frame because they are suitable for concealed carry.
In my county the pistol permit is always granted unless you have criminal or mental health issues and even then you can apparently appeal if your'e turned donw. The concealed carry is not a seperate license but a removal of restrictions from your permit which, by default, only allows possession of a loaded uncased small arm in the home or business you are protecting or at a range. The decision is made by a county judge and from what I'm hearing most requests are approved. The license is $115 plus the cost of a safety class, it lasts for llife, and I don't think there's any extra charge for adding additional small arms.

I'd favor a semi automatic unless you're a very good shot.

I was going to make a similar statement to Eric's before noticing his. I will point out that I'm of the opinion that while every adult who is not under the care of someone who prevents them from owning a gun (convicts within the penal system, mentally disabled under family care or in a group home, etc.) should be allowed to carry them open or concealed in every city and state. I do, however, feel there are specific places where the general public should be prohibited from carrying (courthouses, schools, etc.).

Originally Posted by daddio

I'd favor a semi automatic unless you're a very good shot.

Not being much of a gun person (I own one which I've never had the opportunity to shoot and haven't shot anything since childhood) my understanding was that revolvers were better for people unfamiliar with handguns. I know that's why my father (who is an experienced shooter) bought my mother a 38 special.

Originally Posted by Porras

Not being much of a gun person (I own one which I've never had the opportunity to shoot and haven't shot anything since childhood) my understanding was that revolvers were better for people unfamiliar with handguns. I know that's why my father (who is an experienced shooter) bought my mother a 38 special.

Do you own your gun for protection? If so, you should really go to the range for some practice! I've shot everything from pistols to shotguns to rifles all my life but I still go practice at the local indoor range every couple of months.

Concealed carry for me. If, God forbid, I ever have to use it defensively I don't want to give away the element of surprise.

Matt

Originally Posted by EricOKC

Once the current law suits are finished, you're very likely going to have to get used to the general public being armed anytime, anyplace it damn well pleases.

I'm not sure what you mean since its pretty much that way right now.

Originally Posted by Disillusioned_1

I'm not sure what you mean since its pretty much that way right now.

Not yet it isn't.

Originally Posted by EricOKC

Not yet it isn't.

Most of my friends are gun owners. Of those gun owners, most carry regularly...

Personally, I favor open carry. I prefer to know where the threat is. I've lived in open carry stated and had a Connecticut concealed carry permit. In New Mexico, I never once needed to move towards my gun, though in Connecticut I twice have had to reach for my weapon to thwart a potential robbery. In both cases, the sight of my .44 was enough to discourage my opponent.
The whole argument is meaningless anyway. Those who would use a gun to commit a crime are not about to apply for any permit and if you make it harder for law abiding citizens to protect themselves, you only make work safer for the criminal. How about enforcing the gun laws on the books already?

Originally Posted by Ernie S.

Personally, I favor open carry. I prefer to know where the threat is. I've lived in open carry stated and had a Connecticut concealed carry permit. In New Mexico, I never once needed to move towards my gun, though in Connecticut I twice have had to reach for my weapon to thwart a potential robbery. In both cases, the sight of my .44 was enough to discourage my opponent.
The whole argument is meaningless anyway. Those who would use a gun to commit a crime are not about to apply for any permit and if you make it harder for law abiding citizens to protect themselves, you only make work safer for the criminal. How about enforcing the gun laws on the books already?

The problem is that the anti-gun folks don't comprehend that if criminals cared about laws in the first place, they wouldn't be criminals. Instead, they advocate taking away the guns or imposing new laws on otherwise law-abiding citizens. I've never understand why it's so difficult for them to understand...

It's almost as if they want it to be easier for criminals to practice their own version of wealth redistribution.