Bill introduced to ban open carry of handguns in California

[jpak]

http://www.caivn.org/article/2011/02/14/bill-introduced-ban-open-carry-handguns-california

What's that you say? You didn't even know open carry was legal in California? Why yes it is. The gun must be in clear view at all times and be unloaded. You may also legally carry ammo on a clip next to the holstered gun. You don't need a license.

In a move either brave or foolhardy, State Assembly member Anthony Portantino has introduced a bill, AB 144, which would ban open carry in California. It's a given he will be hearing from lots of concerned folks about this, most especially from pro-gun organizations and lobbyists. I hope he's ready.

He says California law enforcement officers have told him they spend too much time investigating calls by people that someone is carrying a gun. This is a justifiable concern, but perhaps this occurs primarily because most Californians don't know open carry is legal. In states like Arizona and Utah where open carry is more common and everyone knows what the law is, I've yet to hear police complaining about having to answer such calls. He also asks "Do you really need to be armed to buy a latte or a cheeseburger?" This seems, um, a loaded question to me. One answer is who knows? Another answer is that carrying a gun is a constitutionally protected right, or so some say.

Rather than venture into that minefield of controversy, let's look at the states where open carry is legal. There are about twelve states that permit open carry of a loaded handgun and several more allow open carry of an unloaded gun, all without a permit (Gun laws are always in flux and exact counts of states are difficult). Most, but not all, of these states are in the West, with others being in the mid-Atlantic and the South. Vermont is an outlier. It is in New England and has practically no gun laws. Concealed carry of a loaded gun is legal without a license.

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[Taverner]

1. Stupid, stupid, stupid...

Someone hasn't been reading the studies

[IntravenousDemilo]

2. Quite frankly, if people wish to carry guns with them, I'd prefer them to be out in the open.

That way I can see who's carrying and either refuse them admittance or avoid them altogether.

[rrneck]

3. Oh good.

Lets codify ignorance.

:banghead:

[X_Digger]

4. Hah, in your rush to post as many topics as you can..

.. you neglected to actually read everything you were linking to..

Sometimes, when people argue, the real issue is about something else. Perhaps the gun debate is really more about how much power the states and federal government should be allowed to wield. Assembly member Portantino is well-meaning and genuinely concerned. However, just maybe, carrying handguns is no big deal, and should be treated as such by everyone, and then we can all calm down.

[jpak]

7. Ha ha ha - Bill introduced to ban open carry in California

ha ha ha ha ha

YUP

[X_Digger]

9. Which may lead to 'shall issue' concealed carry. Good job! n/t

[jpak]

10. Dream on

yup

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

16. Trends seems to suggest otherwise.

[Katya Mullethov]

17. I sense a pattern developing

[jpak]

18. And trends can go the other way - once the public gets fed up with open carry

and 30 round magazines

things will change

yup

[GreenStormCloud]

19. 43 states have some form of open carry.

It hasn't been a problem for them. There hasn't been a serious public outcry, only a few handwringers from the local Brady group.

[rrneck]

24. It probably will go the other way

in about a half a century. Enjoy your wait.

[speltwon]

25. What is there to get fed up with?

Crime has been dropping for decades... Murder has been dropping for decades. In San Diego the murder rate is the lowest it's been in 43 yrs. Accidental/unintentional shootings have also dropped.

We have far more people carrying openly or concealed than at any point. And we see less crime, less violent crime, and fewer accidental shootings. As for the complaint about police wasting their time responding to man with a gun calls, I know a dispatcher up here in my open carry state, and they tell people who call their agency about open carriers that it's legal and they do not send an officer unless the person is actually doing something suspicious or criminal. Police shouldn't respond just because somebody calls. If somebody calls the cops because a man is standing with a shirt that says "republicans suck" and he is offended would they send an officer? no. Similarly, just because some people don't like open carry, and/or don't realize it's legal is no reason for the police to respond.

[GreenStormCloud]

5. Virginia allows open carry of loaded handguns.

Only seven states completely forbid the open carry of guns. (Hunting excepted)

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[petronius]

6. Shall-issue CCW licenses, without unjustifiable barriers, would seem an appropriate compromise to me

[X_Digger]

8. Heads will explode if that's the ultimate outcome. n/t

[msongs]

11. 100% of gun crime victims are victimized by someone carrying a gun nt

[mediator]

12. Most of whom are illegally carrying. Just pass more laws and all will be well.

It's pretty clear that 100% of crime victims are victimized by someone committing a crime. Are you a tautologicphile?

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

15. 100% of gun crime victims are victimized by people who don't follow laws.

I'm guessing this new additional law won't dissuade any criminals from carrying guns or committing crime.
Stupid law.

[rrneck]

20. I applaud your grasp of the obvious. nt

[oneshooter]

21. You do know that to OC in California

The weapon must be UNLOADED!

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas

[PavePusher]

22. Durrrr.... n/t

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

14. Ohio has legal open carry with no permits... it's never been a big deal here.

Regardless, I have a concealed carry permit as well so I dont worry about attire inadvertantly coverivering (illegaly concealing) my pistol

[PavePusher]

23. And this is almost as certain to be "shot down" as happened last year. n/t