A question for handgun owners.

gajinoz

gajinoz

Joined
Sep 2, 2003
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This is just a purely curiosity question. Here in Oz handgun ownership is highly restricted and, apart from LEO/Security guard type people, virtually nobody is allowed to carry one around with them, so I'm just a little curious about the carrying practices in the US where, as far as I can tell, most states allow you to carry them more or less anywhere.

What I want to know is, for those of you who regularly cary a handgun, do you carry it more or less everywhere you go, or only if you're likely to be in particular places where you think you might need it?
 
I don't carry one because it's uncomfortable and I don't feel threatened where I go. I do keep one in the glove box of my car. Not at all uncomfortable there.
 
gajinoz,

Check here for a wealth of info:
http://www.packing.org/

I've carried for about 4 yrs. now and definitely don't subscribe to the theory of only carrying "where I feel threatened"! A lot of folks at Luby's Cafeteria didn't feel threatened until that blue Ford pickup came through the window and George Hennard opened up. See link below if you're not familiar with the incident.
http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/nation/guns/part2/gunside1.html

Take care.
Larry S.
 
I have a conceal carry permit for my handgun and although I don't carry that often, I do carry when I travel throughout the state. Most times I carry it because I want to find a public range somewhere near where I am going so I can squeeze off a few rounds.

Places off limits while carrying are Court Houses & Primary and Secondary Schools and their Property. This is according to the PA conceal carry website. I would also think that airports would be a big one on that list.
 
GADGETS & GEAR!!! :mad:
 
gajinoz said:
in the US where, as far as I can tell, most states allow you to carry them more or less anywhere.
Click to expand...

:D
AFAIK every state requires some kind of special permit, usually called a CCW permit, to carry "anywhere".
"Anywhere" doesn't usually include places like courts and airports.
Getting a CCW is straightforward in some states, almost impossible in others (unless you "know someone").
For now, I don't own a proper defensive gun and do not carry concealed.
Another nice web site on these issues is www.thehighroad.org .
 
I keep one in my vehicle...because I can. It is good to have along when I want to practice and my dog loves to chase after the bullets (Chesapeake Bay Retriever). I have never needed one for self defense, but it's there if I need it.

My first dissertation advisor was from Oz and we corrupted him totally. He was carrying a .41mag Ruger Blackhawk in the field and shooting beer bottles with the best of them before long. He had never been around guns or explosives in Oz. He was really impressed with my .243 hunting rifle. We even took him out to a quarry to witness several hundred sticks of 75% Atlas Power Primer set off 5000 Lbs of Prell and crack about 6000 tons of limestone (I had another friend who was a liscensed powder man). He said he never knew all of the fun he missed in Oz.

In New Mexico you can carry an unconcealed gun in public with no permit. You need a CCW to carry it hidden. You can also carry a concealed gun in your car without a permit "to protect your person and posessions or those of another person."
 
Getting a concealed carry weapons permit in Southern California is just short of impossible. Some of the more rural portions of california are more relaxed but SoCal is difficult.
 
I would never intentionally go somewhere I thought I would need a gun to survive so, how would I decide when to leave it at home or take it with me?

I carry my pocket knife and a hidden pistol (when and where legal) like I carry my billfold, wear shoes, get dressed, etc. I can't predict when I will need my pocket knife so I carry it all the time (when and where legal), the same goes for my pistol.

It's time for me to get my CCL renewed in Arizona, USA. Other then ~$50 and two days of my time, it's pretty easy to get a LEGAL permit to carry concealed. Open carry is a whole different issue and although it is uncommon, I ocassionally see open carry cocked and locked 1911's at Wal-Mart - it's great to live in a free state like Arizona!
 
I had a CCW in Florida, but didn't carry my Sig all that often because I couldn't have it at work (chemical plant) nor at the junior college I was attending at night. I rode a motorcycle, so had no way to lock the pistol up when I was at work, and 6 months out of the year it's a pain in the ass to wear enough clothing to conceal a pistol. Were I living there again, though, I would probably get one so I could carry whatever knife I wanted to with no legal issues.

Does anyone else think that carry laws should not be up to the individual states?

Johnniet... every state is different, but there is one (and only one) where you don't have to have a license to carry a concealed firearm: Vermont.

http://www.packing.org/state/index.jsp/vermont
 
FoxholeAtheist said:
Does anyone else think that carry laws should not be up to the individual states?

Johnniet... every state is different, but there is one (and only one) where you don't have to have a license to carry a concealed firearm: Vermont.

http://www.packing.org/state/index.jsp/vermont
Click to expand...

Negative, no license is required for concealed carry in Alaska either. Concealed carry is legal in many states, if you are out in the woods. And of course legal anytime (as far as I know) you are on private property with the permission of the land owner/manager.

State laws will always vary, as they should. States rights are fundamentally important in this country. If you don't like your states government you have three choices change it, accept it, or leave it.
 
I have a CCW for Virginia and carry my gun on a regular basis. When it isn't phycially on me, it stays in a safe in the car. That's when I go to bars, the courthouse, or anyplace else that frowns on concealed carry.
 
Washington is a "shall issue" state, which most people think is a good thing, I don't.

If you're going to let people carry concealed, and have no requirements for the permit other than the requirements to own a gun in the first place, why charge $50 for a permit? Makes no sense.

They should either let people carry without a permit, or provide some training in the legalities of the use of deadly force and a range session with an instructor, so you get a service for the fee.

I carry whenever I leave the house.
 
OK, another question if you don't mind.

For those of you who prefer to carry a concealed weapon all or most of the time, what do you do on really hot days when you don't want to be wearing coats and such that might hide the weapon?
 
Being a military LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) for 21 years now, NOT carrying kinda puts me through withdrawal. I carry pretty much all the time.

Now with HR 218 legislation having been signed by the President, I can carry all over without question.

BTW: HR 218 is primarily designed to put trained personnel into the public protection racket (in the event of terrorist activity) without the taxpayers having to pay for a new agency.

I for one am happy for it.

Too bad it scares the sheeple.

Ed
 
gajinoz said:
OK, another question if you don't mind.

For those of you who prefer to carry a concealed weapon all or most of the time, what do you do on really hot days when you don't want to be wearing coats and such that might hide the weapon?
Click to expand...

Carry in shorts is pretty easy. Also use a gunny sack/fanny pack or the Maxpedition Fatboy is pretty handy in that regard.

Ed

An aside: Most states have individual laws depending on the views of their constitution and more importantly the legislators. Some states have no requirements (which is kinda scary in a way) and some require training and proof of proficiency as well as a smattering of legal responsibility as well.
 
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