Open carry Florida

I am from FL and I would not open carry if I could. I wouldn't object to the law being changed, just not something I would do, I also prefer the element of surprise. I believe the charge for open carry is "reckless display of a firearm" but I may be wrong.

In the early 1980s I knew a man who owned and operated a pawn shop on South Dixie Hwy in Miami. He kept a 1911 strapped to his hip at work. He was inside the store so that was, and is, legal. Two men came into the store and shot him three times without warning and then robbed the place. He survived but was badly injured.

Whether they wouldn't have shot him if he hadn't been wearing the 45 we will never know. I personally think that they shot him to neutralize the potential threat. Some of these criminals have no conscience or common sense and I could well imagine might stalk a fellow who had a gun showing if they wanted it.
 
I am for OC. Actually. As long as you are by law allowed to own a gun. You should be allowed to carry it however you feel fit. Criminals will do what they want so why should it really matter when it comes to law abiding citizens.
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Exactly.

I am from FL and I would not open carry if I could. I wouldn't object to the law being changed, just not something I would do, I also prefer the element of surprise. I believe the charge for open carry is "reckless display of a firearm" but I may be wrong.
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And you agree with the 1st amendment, but only if people whisper controversial things? You must think that newspapers should only print controversial things in micro-small print that can't normally be seen? You think people demonstrating holding signs should have the signs covered, other wise it would be too 1960's Berkley? Obviously not, but what's the difference between those ludicrous examples and only being allowed to carry such that nobody can see the gun? A RIGHT is a RIGHT and the government is expressly forbidden from infringing them --> we the people need to reclaim our government and our inalienable RIGHTS endowed by our Creator. Vote for the person that will stand by that sentiment!
 
I'm with Jimmy10mm.

Wouldn't bother me a bit if open carry was made legal throughout the US. If a persons legal to carry I believe it should be that persons personal choice as to the mode in which they do.

I would still cc.
 
I have visited Arizona, no problem I could see. Felons would still be forbidden.

So, with no shouting! What is the consensus?
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I live in Arizona, and have been here all my life. I've open carried longer than the younger carriers on this board have been alive.

No problems with it at all.

Daryl
 
I've open carried longer than the younger carriers on this board have been alive.
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I've been CCW'ing longer than the younger carries on this board have been alive. :) Open carry option would be nice.
 
It's not going to hurt anything, and I don't see why we should be banning an entire form of 'bearing'. It's not only easy to understand in terms of the 2nd amendment, but I'm going to argue that what someone wears and how they choose to wear it is very much a 1st amendment issue as well. If I have the right to bear a weapon in a certain area, why should I be restricted to a certain way of expression if it's not causing an immediate threat to someone else's life or property?
 
I remember the uphill fight we had getting the "Shall Issue" CCW passed back in the 80's. Getting open carry would be another major fight. Notice that vitually none of the politicians running for office in Florida right now have mentioned gun rights? Seems both the democrats and republicans have reached a "don't ask, don't tell" agreement on the issue.
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really now - with the economy in the toilet, unemployment is one of the highest in the country in some counties, almost as many foreclosed homes as Nevada, this is NOT on the election radar for any politician at this time, nor should it be. We in FL have more to be concerned about at the moment
 
BOTH

I prefer Concealed Carry, but with OPEN carry on the books:
There would be is no legal problem if reaching for something causes my shirt to ride up:
and expose the firearm
and I don't notice it.
.

As far as I know, most states considering Open Carry would not force it as an alternative to Concealed carry.
 
The benefits of open carry to the general population in getting over the "GUNS BAD!!!" knee jerk reaction could be useful. But I personally wouldn't be inclined to ever open carry. I have no desire to be "macho" or browbeat people into the belief that everyone that can legally have a firearm should. I'll have a civil conversation about it as long as it's known I'm not gonna preach or be preached to.

I do find it rather amusing in talking to people that have that guns can only do evil frame of mind, and "they'd feel frighted to be around such people who need to carry a gun" don't seem to realize that they at some point every day down here in Florida are probably within close proximity of someone who is engaged in lawful concealed carry.
 
oneounceload

From that political perspective topics like this are pretty iffy, look how many people vote for someone based on what they say about this single topic. Any group elected on the less significant topics than the major problems are tilting the government towards the inept.

The advantage to California's open carry is that in most counties concealed isn't going to happen for most, there are truly closed counties where it isn't happening for anyone.
 
I'd love to have the option.

But I think there are bigger political fish to fry here, so it will probably be a while.

I did sign the petition and urge others to do the same- small steps lead to bigger strides.
 
From a constitutional standpoint, I'm all for it, but at the same time I think it hurts our cause in the long run. In my capacity as a full-time LEO, I have responded to several 911 calls in reference to someone doing OC in public. No harm was done and no laws were broken, but even so. I'm in N.C., where OC is legal, but the majority of the public seems oblivious to this fact. The hordes of gun-ignorant people are very much put off [if not outright terrified] by the sight of holstered guns. Massad Ayoob [ an expert if ever there was one ], if I read him right, feels likewise. Plus, as has already been mentioned, you may just be asking to get ambushed and killed just so they can get your gun. I personally think CCW is better. Why give away the element of surprise?
 
A couple of things - firstly, I am pro open carry. I do carry openly and see no problem with it. I also think that CC is a better option in almost all circumstances, however, I don't believe in licensing or permitting concealed carry. If you are a lawful gun owner/possessor, you should be allowed to CC. They don't seem to have any trouble with that in Alaska or Vermont.

The only way I could ever consider not supporting OC is if there were unrestricted CC for law abiding citizens exercising their right to keep and bear arms. Rights don't cost money and don't require finger printing or ID cards, you're born with them and you die with them. Even then I'd have to really consider it. I think there are right times and places for OC.

About the "dorks" carrying unloaded weapons. OC in California is only legal with an unloaded firearm. Those guys are doing everything they can to carry lawfully. In a state where CC permits can be hard to come by, depending on your locality, they only have three options if they are denied:
1. Don't carry
2. Carry openly, unloaded
3. Carry illegally

Which one do you suggest for them?

Lastly - about OC shootings. I don't think that it's unreasonable to ask for civilian-only statistics. Uniformed officers are in the business of being in danger. They have a higher probability of getting shot. They also have a higher probability of getting their gun taken away because they are in a higher number of struggles with a higher number of criminals.

Even if we were able to weed out all of the gun grabs and/or shootings of officers who were carrying out their duties, we have to consider that being in uniform may make you a target for a greater variety of thugs. While any "man with the gun" may be a target for a certain breed of criminal, police may additionally be targeted by people who want to "kill cops" etc.

Just my thoughts.
 
I'd say that the uniform of the cop is what's getting the attention of the criminals. A cops uniform is distinctive, and one automatically assumes that s/he's armed, so it's not surprising that criminals would go for them off the bat.

As far as OC for civilians... well, i was OC'ing my 1911 yesterday, and two of the acquaintances I was with didn't even notice until an hour after we met.

Even here, in heat-packing arizona (ironic, no?) I don't think the criminals are actively LOOKING for guns on potential victims. If they're going to shoot you straight away for having a gun, they are most likely to be the type of criminal who's going to shoot you straight away for no reason other than to have no witnesses.

I draw a lot quicker from an open holster than a CC one.
 
Worked for 6 months, 4 hours at night, 5 nights a week (BIG hourly pay!) hi end Jewelry store.

The incidents with Brit tourists had to be seen to be believed! almost cross held up! "He has a gun!" Panic.
Can you imagine them cowering in restaurants! Is it loaded? And I am English.
 
I'm up for it. I do not see this becoming law anytime soon here in FLA. Place of business, home ( personal property ) is about it for now. Neighbors may call in on you for open carry BUT it is legal.
 
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