The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a restrictive gun control law. They should make a decision this summer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/op...endment&st=nyt

As for carrying a gun openly, but unloaded, I was not aware of the legal aspects.

I'm all for the 2nd Amendment, but unless you're an on-duty cop or FBI agent, open (un-concealed) carry is VERY tacky, and looks very retarded.
I have no problem with cops harassing these open-carry guys, because I seriously doubt these guys are showing off their guns for "constitutional" purposes. They're just looking to show off, plain and simple. "OOOh, look at me, I'm a cowboy, I've got a big bad gun in my cowboy holster, look at me everyone!" What a bunch of losers. I would never EVER carry any of my pistols like that.

I'm not so concerned about looking tacky or retarded, but I am concerned about getting shot by a LEO.

I agree.....probably trying to compensate for the shortness of the gun barrel in the other holster

Geez...Could you imagine a trip to the bank? I would think the possibility of being drawn down on by police would make this practice more dangerous than being mugged by a long shot.

Isn't the object here to increase your safety?

That said, I'd sure like the right as a stable law abiding citizen with a history of community service to carry a concealed weapon on some occasions for protection.

Wow, it's weird, based on our previous conversations you all know I'm for stricter gun control laws.

But I don't agree with you on this one, or the law.

Here is what I think,
1) If you are allowed to open carry, I think you should be allowed to open carry and be loaded. -

2) I am for open carry laws. - Let's just say for example, there is a disaster, a hurricane, an earthquake, etc. A situation where there is some serious degree of law-less-ness. I think you should be able to open carry a loaded gun without the fear of going to jail for possession of a weapon. Even if you don't have a CCW permit.
- Also, what about people who work in industries where they have to carry a lot of valuable's on them, cash, jewels, etc.

There are also times that as a photographer, I am taking pictures in areas that are packed with very serious and disturbed drug addicts and persons who should be institutionalized for psychological disorders. They harass, attack, spit, at people downtown all the time. I have been attacked a couple of times. If I were allowed to open carry legally, and if it were ok with the models, assistants, stylists, I was working with, - I would open carry on certain shoots.

I think open carry is the best deterrent there is.

Of course with any law, some people are destined to take it to far, Dirty Harry style. But I don't see the reason why it's better for society to have the weapons concealed. - I think if you have proper training, go through lots of tests and clear strict channels, you should be allowed to do both.

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"When two people agree on everything, one of them is not necessary" - Arliss

While there are laws against carrying loaded firearms in public, there are none that say you can not carry an unloaded weapon. So there is no law actually saying that it is legal to carry a firearm openly. Its just that there is no law against it that exists.


The thing is it takes a lot of paperwork, reviews and extensive background checks to get a CCW license. Applicants are screened thoroughly and need approval by the city, county and state. A large number of applicants get turned down. Even when they do get one, they have very strict rules that they must abide by. The reason for the concealment is so they don't alarm the public.

Open carry allows anyone who owns a registered firearm to do so without going through a detailed screening process. The background check you go through to buy a firearm is not as extensive as ones for a CCW Permit nor do they need approval by state and government officials.

What you are suggesting is a definite recipe for disaster. Lets say what you're saying is considered legal. So what happens when someone spits on you or attacks or verbally abuses you and they are unarmed? Are you going to pull out your gun and shoot them ? I should hope not, but how about that hot headed guy with a short temper?? The laws for use of deadly force are very detailed. You're talking about the wild west here.

I just think these guys are crazy because they're willing to get put in handcuffs and risk getting shot, all to prove a point.

I made the mistake of reading the first page of posts on that link you provided. I could go no further. Those guys are all a bunch of friggin' yahoos and they're all asking for major problems.

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Exactly what I'm trying to say. I mean, if you lived in montana or out in the sticks where the population of your town is like.. 100 you might have better chances of getting away with it, but living in a major metropolitan area and doing this is a big mistake. These guys are trying to have organized open carry gatherings, and pass out fliers, wtf ??