AK is constitutional carry, which is certainly nice, but beyond that, they have a couple annoying restrictions. They require officer notification, prohibit carry in domestic violence shelters and bars. Restaurant carry is restricted to concealed. By comparison, Colorado has none of those restrictions.
Best state gun laws?
- Thread starter boxjeff
- Start date
Constitutional Carry is my yardstick.
All other states, IMO, fall behind AK, AZ, VT, and WY due to that single issue.
As far as the restrictions in AK a previous poster mentioned, I can deal with that in exchange for a fundamental acknowledgement of my God-given rights. None of the cops in AK really care that you have a gun, it just sets their mind at ease when you're up front about things from the get-go. I don't agree with guns in bars either, and since all the DV shelters I've volunteered at were heavily populated by hearty, armed volunteers, I'm on-board with that one too.
All other states, IMO, fall behind AK, AZ, VT, and WY due to that single issue.
As far as the restrictions in AK a previous poster mentioned, I can deal with that in exchange for a fundamental acknowledgement of my God-given rights. None of the cops in AK really care that you have a gun, it just sets their mind at ease when you're up front about things from the get-go. I don't agree with guns in bars either, and since all the DV shelters I've volunteered at were heavily populated by hearty, armed volunteers, I'm on-board with that one too.
+1 Sgt.Fathead!!!
Rag on Texas if you like; the gun laws here do have a number of flaws. But coming from CA, it's like landing in paradise ... Six months after I arrived, hauling the one gun I owned in the Golden State, I had my CHL, owned half a dozen handguns and was free to protect myself and my wife almost everywhere we might go ... things have improved since then; vehicle carry is now legal for all, Castle Doctrine is the law of the land ... it may not be perfect, but it sure beats what some of our brothers and sisters here have to endure ...
Good luck to Illinois in 2012!!
Rag on Texas if you like; the gun laws here do have a number of flaws. But coming from CA, it's like landing in paradise ... Six months after I arrived, hauling the one gun I owned in the Golden State, I had my CHL, owned half a dozen handguns and was free to protect myself and my wife almost everywhere we might go ... things have improved since then; vehicle carry is now legal for all, Castle Doctrine is the law of the land ... it may not be perfect, but it sure beats what some of our brothers and sisters here have to endure ...
Good luck to Illinois in 2012!!
checkmyswag
New member
Will not do this.
Because...
I left this.
IMO, concluding that states that permit "open carry" or "constitutional carry" have the best gun laws misses the point. Open carry, even in those states that permit it, is practiced by a very small portion of the population, and is generally looked upon as slightly aberrant behavior even among those who support it. Even though I support the premise of open carry in general, I don’t feel its prohibition in states such as Texas has any practical impact on the right to keep and bear arms, provided there is a mechanism that permits concealed carry. With a license from Texas, one can carry legally in more than 30 other states. So-called "constitutional carry", which seems to be the current ne plus ultra of gun rights, only works when you're in your home state. Try declaring your constitutional right to carry in a state where it isn't recognized and see what happens. Until "constitutional carry" is recognized in all states and by the federal government, I'd have to conclude that states which provide for "shall issue" permits and have reciprocity with many other states have the best gun laws.
In Kansas, we were a 4, but moved to about a 2, and we're trying our best to get to 0.
You can carry anywhere that is not posted, except the Governors mansion. Of course, most courts and county courthouses post, but DA's are allowed to carry anyway if approved by the Court Judges.
Open carry, is beginning to improve with our Capital City approving open carry in it. Most of the state you can open carry, but the problem is cities can restrict open carry, which we hope to eliminate. The larger cities are more liberal and still have open carry banned, except.... state law essentially exempts a CC permit holder.
We are shall issue, no requirement to report, and no limit on the number of guns you can carry.
You can carry anywhere that is not posted, except the Governors mansion. Of course, most courts and county courthouses post, but DA's are allowed to carry anyway if approved by the Court Judges.
Open carry, is beginning to improve with our Capital City approving open carry in it. Most of the state you can open carry, but the problem is cities can restrict open carry, which we hope to eliminate. The larger cities are more liberal and still have open carry banned, except.... state law essentially exempts a CC permit holder.
We are shall issue, no requirement to report, and no limit on the number of guns you can carry.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
Hardly. Texas requires training, they require a qualification course of fire not only to GET a carry permit but also every time you renew, and they don't allow open carry -- even if you have a permit. Heck, Pennsylvania is far better than Texas.boxjeff said:
The three best are Vermont (no permit required -- period), Alaska (no permit required -- period), and Arizona (no permit required -- period).
checkmyswag
New member
Re: TX...the libertarian side of me doesn't like having to do training. But the pragmatic side of me thinks training is good. Did I "need" it? No, but I did learn from it. Did some in the class really need training? Yes, and considering they are going to be carrying a handgun around me, im glad they got the training and hope they get more.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
Whoa!Peetzakilla said:
What about all the posts by people in upstate NY who have been issued "range only" permits because the judge doesn't believe in unrestricted carry? There have even been threads about people in upstate NY who have had unrestricted carry permits for many years, but upon renewal it suddenly became restricted (target only).
And don't forget, any gun you plan to carry has to be specifically listed on the permit.
That's not "virtually no restrictions" in my book.
Quite true, and I agree completely. But the question for THIS thread was not which states' gun/carry laws are constitutional, it was which states' laws are best.jgcoastie said:
Aguila Blanca
Staff
Pragmatism is fine, but the 2nd Amendment does not say anything about " ... the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed if you successfully complete a prescribed course of qualification fire." As jgcoastie has posted a few posts above, a requirement for training or qualification before being allowed to exercise the RKBA is prima facie unconstitutional.checkmyswag said:
checkmyswag
New member
Aguila Blanca,
I know, that's why I'm torn. I like the idea that I don't need training, but the young woman in my CHL class who didn't know how her 38 worked and the 40ish year old woman in my class who didn't know when her semi-auto gun was loaded or not, NEEDED training. Could/should they have got it from somewhere other than the state? Certainly, but that wouldn't be likely to happen.
It's not just women either, several guys in the class needed some time at the range, shots all over the target, not comfortable with the weapons.
I know, that's why I'm torn. I like the idea that I don't need training, but the young woman in my CHL class who didn't know how her 38 worked and the 40ish year old woman in my class who didn't know when her semi-auto gun was loaded or not, NEEDED training. Could/should they have got it from somewhere other than the state? Certainly, but that wouldn't be likely to happen.
It's not just women either, several guys in the class needed some time at the range, shots all over the target, not comfortable with the weapons.
Wow, this surprisese on how many people chime in and don't know what they're talking about. I can't say for any other states, but the few I read about Florida everyone was wrong about one thing or all. "Coastie". Regs for Florida from me, an LEO.
Open carry- not unless you want to go to jail.
Concealed carry. Yes, but must have a valid CCW.
Carry in the car. Yes, as long as its not readily accessible. Meaning if you a pistol in a snapped holster, Being a button holster, Blackhawk, galco, any kind of holster like that you can leave the gun laying on the seat if you want loaded and ready to roll. If its in a sleeve holster, or in no holster than it has to be in a box, bag(not a plastic bag), glove box, console etc.. There's no such thing as the 3, 4, or 5 step process everyone talkes about. 1 step, that's it.
Can not carry into a school, church, any federal, state, county or city building, place of nuesence being concerts, strip clubs, stadium events so and so forth.
Can you carry in a restaurant with a bar, yes. As long as you are not in physical contact of the bar meaning sitting down at or leaning against. Can you go to a bar only. No, that's considered a place of Nuesence.
Best advise i can give any one who needs to know a states gun laws should look up that states gun statutes or if going to be visiting to just give that local dept a call and ask them.
Open carry- not unless you want to go to jail.
Concealed carry. Yes, but must have a valid CCW.
Carry in the car. Yes, as long as its not readily accessible. Meaning if you a pistol in a snapped holster, Being a button holster, Blackhawk, galco, any kind of holster like that you can leave the gun laying on the seat if you want loaded and ready to roll. If its in a sleeve holster, or in no holster than it has to be in a box, bag(not a plastic bag), glove box, console etc.. There's no such thing as the 3, 4, or 5 step process everyone talkes about. 1 step, that's it.
Can not carry into a school, church, any federal, state, county or city building, place of nuesence being concerts, strip clubs, stadium events so and so forth.
Can you carry in a restaurant with a bar, yes. As long as you are not in physical contact of the bar meaning sitting down at or leaning against. Can you go to a bar only. No, that's considered a place of Nuesence.
Best advise i can give any one who needs to know a states gun laws should look up that states gun statutes or if going to be visiting to just give that local dept a call and ask them.
oneounceload
Moderator
Take Las Vegas out of the equation and NV is also up there with UT, ID, NM, and AZ
I could walk into a drug store, buy a gun, ammo, alcohol, and scrip narcotics at one time with no waiting, no hassles and go about my business. Older cowboys were asked not to wear their SAA's in the casinos because the hammer spurs would tear the vinyl seating in the booths, otherwise, no big deal
I could walk into a drug store, buy a gun, ammo, alcohol, and scrip narcotics at one time with no waiting, no hassles and go about my business. Older cowboys were asked not to wear their SAA's in the casinos because the hammer spurs would tear the vinyl seating in the booths, otherwise, no big deal
frigate88 said:
#1 - The fact that you're a LEO doesn't convince me of anything other than the fact that you wear a badge and gun on a regular basis. Well over half the LEO's I've met in the Lower 48 (including FL) don't know their own state gun laws as well as any given member of TFL.
#2 - Read my post again before you try to tell me I'm wrong, and then proceed to regurgitate what I wrote.
me said:
frigate88 said:
#3 - I did look it up. (EDIT: It seems like car carry in a holster leaves a bit of a grey area. The definition of "securely encased" says a holster is sufficient, but "not available for immediate use" kinda throws a wrench as to where you can have the holster. Seems like there's a wide berth of interpretation available to the LEO that you may or may not encounter. So, to err on the side of caution, put it in the center console, which was what I put in my original post on the subject. Unless you have a CWP, then it doesn't matter.)
FL 290.25 (excerpt)
Notwithstanding subsection (2), it is lawful and is not a violation of s. 790.01 for a person 18 years of age or older to possess a concealed firearm or other weapon for self-defense or other lawful purpose within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license, if the firearm or other weapon is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use.
Definitions FL790.001 (excerpt)
(16) “Readily accessible for immediate use” means that a firearm or other weapon is carried on the person or within such close proximity and in such a manner that it can be retrieved and used as easily and quickly as if carried on the person.
(17) “Securely encased” means in a glove compartment, whether or not locked; snapped in a holster; in a gun case, whether or not locked; in a zippered gun case; or in a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.
I'll leave it up to the lawyers of Florida to determine if "not readily accessible for immediate use" is considered "any kind of holster like that you can leave the gun laying on the seat if you want loaded and ready to roll".
#4 - As far as asking LEO's what the law is, see my #1 in this post.
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Had a potential new member to our gun range tell me he was stopped by a deputy sheriff and was told that in his car the handgun "MUST BE" in a snapped holster. Just goes to show that as stated LE is ignorant to there own states gun laws here in FLA. Gun could be in a Tupperware container on the seat next to you and all the is needed to be legal is the cover needs to on the container and snapped down/secured.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
This leads me to ask for clarification, as I have a FL non-resident permit. I usually carry in an OWB, open top (no thumb strap) belt scabbard. Are you saying that I can't wear that holster while driving -- unless I unholster the weapon and stash it in the glovebox or other container?
Coastie,
You are correct. I was on the wrong side. I did miss read your comment and confused them with the others. But, a car is considered an extension of your home " a Conveyance " to a point. You may have that weapon concealed in your vehicle, but not on your person. You can NOT conceal your weapon on you in you vehicle with out a ccw. Period. If you do not believe this. Hide your CCW on a traffic stop and find out the hard way. Also, it's not the fact that most Leo's are ingnorant to their gun laws, " even though some are, I admit that", it's the fact that the state changes the statutes seeming like every few months on what's considered readily accessible and their gun laws as well. As for you, I'm guessing your in the coast guard with a name like costie and multiple locations of residency. Meaning you are somewhat of a federal officer your self. But I hold the respect of fellow officers and do not knock on them, even though in my opinion 99% of costies are fu**ing idiots in the first place being that I have more than a few experiences dealing with these morons as I hold my unlimited masters license and still do and was a master captain before I retired and joined law enforcement.
To Aquila
As long as your states CCW permit abides with floridas you may conceal your weapon any way you please.
You are correct. I was on the wrong side. I did miss read your comment and confused them with the others. But, a car is considered an extension of your home " a Conveyance " to a point. You may have that weapon concealed in your vehicle, but not on your person. You can NOT conceal your weapon on you in you vehicle with out a ccw. Period. If you do not believe this. Hide your CCW on a traffic stop and find out the hard way. Also, it's not the fact that most Leo's are ingnorant to their gun laws, " even though some are, I admit that", it's the fact that the state changes the statutes seeming like every few months on what's considered readily accessible and their gun laws as well. As for you, I'm guessing your in the coast guard with a name like costie and multiple locations of residency. Meaning you are somewhat of a federal officer your self. But I hold the respect of fellow officers and do not knock on them, even though in my opinion 99% of costies are fu**ing idiots in the first place being that I have more than a few experiences dealing with these morons as I hold my unlimited masters license and still do and was a master captain before I retired and joined law enforcement.
To Aquila
As long as your states CCW permit abides with floridas you may conceal your weapon any way you please.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
This is where pragmatism fails, and strict construction holds the day. IMHO it is hypocritical for anyone (you, me, ANYONE) to say, "Most other people need training, but I don't." The problem with that is, who decides how much training is enough? Who decides HOW safe a person must be to be allowed to carry a handgun? Remember the mantra of the old Louis L'Amour gunfighters -- "There's always someone out there who's faster." The same applies to training. No matter how much training you get, there's always someone who has more -- and who thinks the amount you have isn't enough.checkmyswag said:
Once you start down that path, you are on the proverbial slippery slope. I think it would be great if every gun owner had training, and if every gun owner would practice regularly. I'm an NRA certified handgun instructor -- it might bring me some business if more people would seek out training.
I am also a direct descendant of one of the old dudes who created our Constitution. I read the 2nd Amendment, and I don't see anything about training. I DO see something about "shall not be infringed," and I know what the word "infringe" means. It means to limit, to restrict. So we have a Constitutional RIGHT to keep and bear arms. Bottom line, any requirement for training before the nanny state allows us to exercise that right IS an infringement.