It's funny that you bring that up. I'm not sure if your defending me or pitting a battle against me
However; our ELECTED county judge does sign our permits, but our Sheriff's department enforces the laws as well as other law enforcement agencies. It's funny too because the place where you get your permit from has an ELECTED Sheriff.
I didn't realize how messed up the process was until I went to apply for my permit. The other crappy thing is when I apply for an amendment I have to fill out more paperwork at the Sheriff's office (which is inside the county jail), and then have them send the paperwork to the judge for 'approval', he signs off on it then it is mailed back to me within 2 weeks usually.
I only raised this question because at our CCW course (an NRA sanctioned event) I did not understand the reasoning behind our instructors telling us "if you do carry, make sure it IS concealed", I see now that it was to be taken with a wink and a nod. Basically giving the people the right to carry the weapon everywhere as long as they are not brandishing.
The other thing is that there is only things stated about brandishing, but technically open carrying on a hip holster is not brandishing because it is not perceived as a threatening gesture to just be carrying a firearm on your hip. This upsets me because I see 'undercover' LEOs carrying their weapon with NO badge present, so I do not know who this individual is.
Also the other problem with these 'rules' is that when hunting, who carries concealed? If I'm hunting deer with my .44 mag, how can I conceal that? I wouldn't be able to take a shot off before the deer saw me rustling my clothes to pull out my weapon. But that goes to the "if a tree fell in the forest would anyone hear it? And would it have really fallen?" (or if a man spoke in the forest would he have lied even though no one heard it?).
I think our State's laws are very vague, but of course the state gets their money for our permits. Overall it cost me $150+ for the whole process, when all was said in done. Each time I want an amendment it's like $3-$4.
It makes me upset, the system we have, but it isn't that bad compared to California? hah.
So all anyone is facing is the suspension or revocation of their pistol permit if carrying 'outside the restrictions'? That is what I got from your quote.
But after all is said and argued if someone is truly carrying concealed, no one will know. Don't ask, Don't tell?
I know for a fact 'unrestricted' permits are impossible to come-by in my county unless you know the judge personally or have done him/her a favor or his family or some 'scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' bull crap.
My father is fortunate to have a unrestricted permit which allows him to carry anywhere allowed to by LAW (not choice). So he can carry around town, and such. But I find it ridiculous that one word on a piece of paper determines your right to carry for self defense. And because of that, if you were to put down 'self-defense' as your reason for an unrestricted permit you would most likely become immediately declined.
New Judge = New 'rules', and it's unfortunate that second amendment rights are held by the you know what by an elected official with no real choice in doing the delegation of pistol permits because it is part of his elected official duties.
This is not a 'moral' debacle for me, I was just curious in the opinions of others on the matter. I was hoping for more responses in the discussion nature, rather then "we need to shut this post down", "he's trying to frame us", because that is what has been posted.
I did not require a reply to the post, I did not require your names be on the poll results, no one NEEDED to participate in the poll. I would not have cried myself to sleep because no one voted or replied.
Musketeer - Thank you for the informative reply rather than aiding the flame war.