Concealed Carry Laws

[bored1]

Does your state have concealed carry laws? The governor here ran on the right to conceal carry but has since back tracked. <What a surprise>Does conceal carry reduce crime?

 

[koalabear]

Does your state have concealed carry laws? yep, with a permit. The governor here ran on the right to conceal carry but has since back tracked. <What a surprise>Does conceal carry reduce crime? no, just surprises the hell out of a mugger.

 

[kotori]

Does your state have concealed carry laws? Yes.
Does conceal carry reduce crime? Was it supposed to? I could never figure out what the point was. It always seemed to me like a good way for the non-criminal to get shot by the police. I thought it was just good lobbying by the Decal makers, who have done a real bang-up (pardon the pun) business with "No Concealed Weapons Allowed" stickers. And what's someone supposed to do when they get to the door with that sticker? There is seldom a place to "check" a weapon.

 

[c.fey]

guns in your pocket

I was married to a cop who carried his piece with him everywhere, even out to dinner. I always felt LESS safe because of it; like if something were to happen, and he started shooting, how the hell would I get our kids and I out of the way fast enough?? Luckily nothing ever happened like that; and of course the law is different for cops; but I don't think anyone should be able to conceal a weapon on their persons.
Just my opinion.

Ta ~ fey (finally got rid of the 'virgin' under my name, whew!!)

 

[Ally C]

Let me figure this one out ...

Why would the concealed carrying of a gun be legalized? It can't be because this is an inalienable [American] right, otherwise no law would be needed; or, rather, that it would be a pan American law. It would be, after all, a fact of life.

Self defence? Perhaps, but this kinda undermines the idea of "the land of the free". You're free to conceal a gun (if and when/where applicable), but others are free to shoot you if they so desire by the same token. Not the sort of 'freedom' I'd want to see or campaign for.

There will always be law-breakers of course, so some might feel extremely uncomfortable without a concealed firearm about their person. This doesn't say much for the law and indeed the power or ability of the various law enforcement agencies, if sectors of the populace are in fear to the point that they feel obliged to carry a concealed firearm. Mind you, I don't have any figures to suggest that there is a 'problem' either way, if anyone does I'd like to see them.

Life is a precious gift, but one that can be all too fleeting without the presence of guns anyway. I suspect that the perceived need felt by some to carry a gun hints at the fact that society is far less civilized than some would have us believe.

It seems to me that the allowance of carrying concealed weapons is an admission of (and acceptance of) the fact that things are pretty messed up ...

Do people need to carry a concealed gun? Who knows? I'm not American (bearing in mind that the thread was intitiated from a US perspective), and I don't think it's prudent or worthwhile to proscribe this or that for a country I've never been to and probably never will. Do people want to carry concealed guns? No doubt some do, but again the question must be asked "Why?"

Whatever your answer is, it'll say more about the state of the nation than I ever could. Over to those in the know ...

 

[cutie pie]

Does your state have concealed carry laws? Yes. For the most part it is fairly easy to obtain a concealed weapon permit. I have had one in the past.

Does conceal carry reduce crime? Personally, I don't think that permitting individuals to carry a gun reduces or increases crime. I would note that I don't recall ever hearing of anyone with a permit being arrested for a firearms violation.

My opinion? Crimes will be committed with guns regardless of any laws. In today's society, if you want something bad enough you can find it. My belief is that the laws should focus on punishing the criminal, and not on controlling the individual.

"The right to bear arms" - this phrase has been debated since the day it was written.

I have carried a gun (due to work hours and work location) in the past. I have done a fair amount of target shooting and am comfortable carrying a gun. I am cognizant of safety issues, and any firearms in my house are under lock and key.

 

[Skibum]

I grew up in a state that allows guns to be carried concealed or openly without restriction. I never bothered with carrying a concealed firearm. If one wants to deter a criminal, I suggest that open carry would be more effective.

 

[RhumbRunner13]

Florida does...

....and reports that I've heard since it's implementation indicate a rather substatial reduction in personal violence crimes.

The permit requires a course be past and a through background check, plus the carrier puts himself at great legal risk if his weapon is used improperly. So, no it is not a bunch of "cowboys"
running around shooting suspects. In fact, I haven't heard of a case of misuse of a carry weapon.

RhumbRunner

 

[Harbinger]

I live in a state that allows concealed carry. Back when it was being debated, there were confidant predictions of zero crime rates or streets running with blood, depending on whom you listened to. After four years it has been shown to have had no significant effect on either crime rates or shootings. I tend to feel that absent an overriding reason, the people's freedom should not be unnecessarily restricted. I think that principle applies to everything.

 

[notenufsx4me]

texas

http://www.ghg.net/fastlaw/gunlaw.html

 

[Wizard]

Does your state have concealed carry laws?..........Yes we carry here in PA and I have since I was 21 ...........
Does conceal carry reduce crime? I read a peice asking the same question and they compaired PA to our sister state OH where last time I looked you can't carry.......We had much lower crime........I don't know if the carry law has anything to do with that but they claim it did.......

I think if your going to rob someone you have to wonder if that person has a gun and could shot back......Myself and my partner at work both carry ....We carry in our back pocket...I never been robed but he has.....They ask for your wallet and you reach around to pull your wallet out and come back around with a gun aimed right in there face instead of a wallet ...........They aren't real ready for that one............ Then you ask them how about there wallet .................

 

[bearlee]

I live in the sister state of Ohio(last post) and we're close to having one, if Gov. Taft signs it into law. Does it reduce crime-studies show it does, although some show it doesn't. Because of my job, I'd feel safer if I could legally be packing.

 

[weathered2]

Florida has been pretty well covered above. The popular opinion in the press is that it has reduced crime due to the uncertainty of whether a criminal was going to run up upon an armed victim. Supposedly that's why the rental car agencies were required to quit installing license tags in a manner that made it obvious that they were rentals and therefore likely to be driven by tourists. I've read alleged quotes by criminals that they try to pick out tourists to decrease the likelyhood of running up onto an armed "local". Then again, it could all be bullshit. There are times I carry one but most times I don't and just take my chances.

 

[Wizard]

Having carried for years and hung out with many cops over the years and going to school for it myself............You notice that folks that carry will tend to walk a certain way, or favor a spot on there body when they lean or bend over.........
Hanging out in bars you would be suprised how many here in PA are carry some sort of handgun..........You just better think they have one and if they don't your ahead of the game.........

 

[Sparky Kronkite]

I just started packin' - but......

it all depends on 'where I am' and 'what I'm doing.'

No I don't - in the state I reside, Virginia - have a license to conceal, but........

You can pack open in Virginnie and it's a little loose here.

I would never conceal in Jew Jersey (but I have carried there) and never in NYC. I mean - you go to jail no questions asked there.

I tend to check the state I might be in - I'm in Atlanta now - no biggie.

Besides - if you know how to conceal and you've got the right tool (small) and aren't an asshole about it (you keep yer fucking mouth shut and obey traffic laws and such) - I mean, who's gonna know.

If you know what yer doing - packin' heat is no big deal. Just don't be stupid about it.

 

[Sparky Kronkite]

PS......

The small of my back is just now getting used to the whole thing.....

Ouch!

 

[Wizard]

When I was younger I would have to have some sort of hand canon with me................357.........45.etc.thing like that now I have learned what Sparky has siad..I alwasy have a semi auto beretta 22 with me..................Nice small fires all the time never jams up..and drive wise never brag to anyone I have it on me........Hell been out with tons and tons of folks that don't like hand guns and they never knew it was with me............

I know folks that make it a point to let there friends know they have it.............It is carry "CONCEALED"....Not show it off and ask to have your ass kicked.............

Anyhow you learn you don't need a big gun to kill someone...........22 will work fine from about 7 yards or less and that about where most shoting are from.............


I do have several other If I feel like taking them with me...the other small ones would be a nice snub nose smith 38 and a smith 380..........nice small frame.......

I still like the hand canons but don't wear them anymore just take them plinking............

The 22 stays with me 24 / 7 in the state........

 

[Ishmael]

Does your state have concealed carry laws? The governor here ran on the right to conceal carry but has since back tracked. <What a surprise>Does conceal carry reduce crime?

Yes we do.

Violent crime has dropped every year since then. (1986) Far more than the rest of the nation as a percentage per capita.

Ishmael

"If you run, you'll only die tired.

 

[SINthysist]

I dunno.

Got a gun-rack in the back window of my truck.

No one seems to say much about it...