Florida Open Carry bill

[J_Clark_USMC]

Senator Greg Evers has filed a bill in the Senate to allow CCW holders to open carry. It also changes some of the provisions about where we are allowed to carry.

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/index.cfm?Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&Tab=session&BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&BillNum=0234&Chamber=Senate&Year=2011#BillText

 

[Mainsail]

I'm not going to read all that right now, but my opinion is that the best open carry laws are a lack of laws prohibiting it.

 

[sansone]

ok good start.. I recently called my local sheriff and asked if my holstered pistol is legal if partially visible (when motorcycling).. They said the county deputies won't be troubled but the state police can ticket me for "open carry".. I was slightly confused and decided not to ride the motorcycle to my buddies shooting property. Yes I have cc permit but open-carry is ilegal in FL,, it seems that flapping cloething can partially reveal a cc pistol momentarily

 

[StogieC]

examiner.com - Florida legislature takes up firearms carry reform

Florida legislature takes up firearms carry reform

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-orlando/florida-legislature-takes-up-firearms-carry-reform

Florida Senator Greg Evers is sponsoring legislation to reform many of Florida’s highly restrictive handgun carry and purchasing laws. If passed in its current form, SB-234 will legalize many activities already lawful in other states. (note: I wrote this article and consent to it being republished here.)

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

my opinion is that the best open carry laws are a lack of laws prohibiting it.

I would agree in a less litigious society, but sadly we need laws to continue guaranteeing us our rights.

If there is a state law in place like the preemptive measures some states have passed prohibiting local jurisdictions from passing gun control stricter than the state laws, then those laws must be repealed before some mini-dictator can trample all over your rights.

Florida revising their laws to allow OC is a great thing.

KR

 

[Mainsail]

I would agree in a less litigious society, but sadly we need laws to continue guaranteeing us our rights.

We have that, its called Article 1 section 24 of the Washington State Constitution:

"The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired..."

It takes a lot more to change a Constitutional Amendment than it does to change the current whim of a handful of legislators.

 

[Justo]

As a 30 year old veteran going back to college to get a degree I support this bill for the change to allow CWL holders to carry guns on collage and university campuses. To me the open carry is just a great extra.

-Justo

 

[dogrunner]

We have a nearly identical provision in Florida's Constitution, Mainsail, BUT there is attached thereto the statement that the MANNER of bearing may be regulated.............go figure!

Anyway, I doubt with the number of NY's & NJ immigrants that total unlicensed carry is possible at this time.......remember that Janet Reno was the primary pusher for the abolition of open carry when the ccw reform act went into effect in '87........She and the liberal S/Fla. press, aided by a bunch of fools that were strutting around Miami with Buscadero rigs, hyped the Legislature into carte blanche prohibiting most OC.

You gotta remember that this was hot on the heels of the reform issue and unlicensed OC was part and parcel to that bill.........prior to that it WAS licensed, but those County issued licenses were only good in the particular Co. of issue........if the environment then was as it is now that prohibition would not have happened, but again, recall that Florida was on the cutting edge of the nationwide CCW reform & a lotta talk was of 'blood in the streets'.........like I said, the Buscadero types DID NOT help!

 

[Japle]

Good start.

First we allow CCW holders to open carry.
Second, we find no “blood in the streets” and recognize that the right extends to all citizens.

 

[MagnumDweeb]

I'm a Florida native and I want open carry. I just want to know if we get it can I opt for an exposed shoulder holster instead of a hip holster. I don't see why we can't have the same rights as those folks in the other 43 states. I just want to carry my Ruger P345 in a comfortable manner and not worry about getting busted for it.

 

[harmon rabb]

Anyway, I doubt with the number of NY's & NJ immigrants that total unlicensed carry is possible at this time

They don't matter. Have you taken a look at the legislative makeup of Florida at the moment? Republican supermajority in the house and senate, republican (and very pro gun republicans at that) executive branch. There has probably never been an easier time in the state's history to pass pro-gun bills into law. Constitutional carry could pass without too much issue.

That said, I really don't care a whole lot about constitutional carry. I didn't mind having to spend an evening taking a course to get my florida CWP, and we grant reciprocity to CWP's from most states. Hell, we'll issue non-resident CWP's, so if you live in a no-issue state, you can be legal to carry when you're in Florida.

I care more about CWP holders being able to open carry if they so desire.

 

[AL Ranger]

Alabama has always been an Open Carry state. Our state supreme court ended that discussion in 1840 when they ruled that the state could limit concealed carry but because of the state constitution they wrote "...we incline to the opinion that the Legislature cannot inhibit the citizen from bearing arms openly, because it [State Contitution] authorizes him to bear them for the purposes of defending himself and the State, and it is only when carried openly, that they can be effeciently used for defence."

Feel free to use Alabama as proof that open carry by LAC is not a problem. You can add the other 42 states that recognize open carry as well. Florida is surrounded by Open Carry states and there isn't a problem. Our only problem is that it hasn't been done here for so long that most people and LEOs just assume it is illegal or have been told the same thing by ignorant sources. You can check out our website and the one in Georgia for more info or help on the topic.