Those words familiar to anyone entering Flagler County public buildings–“No weapons, or items that may be used as weapons, are permitted in this facility”–are about to come down from most of the doors where they’re stenciled, including for the majority of the county government building in Bunnell. That means people legally carrying weapons may still carry them into county commission offices, the offices of constitutional officers such as the tax collector, the property appraiser and the supervisor of elections.
Guns were also prohibited in county parks. No longer. Guns may be taken into any county, city or state park, though state hunting regulations still apply. County code also imposed a little-known 48-hour waiting period between the purchase and delivery of a handgun from any local shop. That local provision will be erased, but only because it conflicts with state regulation, which is slightly stricter: the state requires a three-day waiting period. On the other hand, the county may not outdo the state with a longer waiting period, should it decided to do so in the future, even though the state Constitution since 1998 explicitly allows counties to require a criminal record check and a waiting period of up to five days in connection with the sale of a weapon.
The Flagler County County Commission this evening is expected to approve the repeal of many of its own county code provisions regulating firearms. The commission has no choice–and no right to stand its ground, even if it wanted to.
Last year the Florida Legislature passed a so-called pre-emption law that reserves to the state all rights to regulate–or not regulate–guns, conversely prohibiting county and city governments from doing so. That includes laws pertaining to the purchase, sale, transfer, taxation, manufacture, ownership, possession, storage and transportation of guns. “Any such existing ordinances, rules or regulations are hereby declared null and void,” the Legislature decreed. It imposed a $5,000 fine on any public official or administrative head who knowingly violates the law.
“Even assuming hypothetically that the Legislature would allow us to keep our county code provisions, county law enforcement is not going to charge a violator with a county code violation but rather with a violation of state statute. Thus, our code provisions do not aid local law enforcement,” a background analysis for Flagler county commissioners states–though clearly local police had the authority to forbid possession of firearms in county and city parks, and now no longer do. (Palm Coast repealed its own gun-related ordinances last year.)
There are exceptions. Weapons are still barred from the county courthouse. They’re still barred on public school properties, including any common ares shared by county government and the school board, as in the lobby of the Government Services Building in Bunnell. So while the prohibition on carrying guns will be taken down from all other entrance doors to that building, it will remain at the main entrance, opposite the war memorial. While people are allowed to carry guns in the offices of the tax collector on the first floor or the property appraiser on the second, they are, in fact, not allowed to walk through the lobby that takes them to those offices–unless they find a different way in. They could carry weapons on the third floor, in the portion of the floor where the county and Bunnell have offices, but not in the portion where the school board has its offices, Al Hadeed, the county attorney, said.
“All the common areas coming out of that downstairs lobbyare deemed by the school board to be school board administration building space because school board offices are accessible from it,” Hadeed said. “So they deem that to be their space. Now, the entrance to the permitting office, the entrance to the supervisor of elections, the stenciling is coming down, there’s a work order that’s been put in to take that out.”
Another exception: weapons may not be brought in to county commission meetings.
Commissioners this evening will also repeal a page of restrictions that applied to the Flagler County Airport. But there, in effect, the changes will be almost invisible because, Flagler County Airport Roy Sieger said, there never was a prohibition on, say, concealed weapons, as long as the individual carrying the firearm has a permit. “Our rule really never said that you cannot bring a weapon on the airport at all,” Sieger said, noting that those who would carry weapons do so legally and responsibly.
“We’ve never had a problem with weapons on this airport,” he said, “and in my three years being a director here, we’ve never seen a weapon on this airport, other than to take care of our nuisance wildlife.” Or when law enforcement is on the premises.
The 2011 law isn’t actually new: a version of it has been on the books since 1987. (When Miami passed an ordinance in 2000 requiring a locking device on all firearms, the coty was sued under the state’s preemption law, which includes no such provision. Miami lost the case.) Despite that case, local governments have regulated or considered regulating firearms in a variety of ways, including measures that would prohibit concealed carry permit holders from lawfully carrying their firearms on municipal or county property or ban high-capacity ammunition clips, according to a legislative analysis surrounding the new law. The 2011 law reasserts the state’s authority, but also specifies prohibition of local regulations regarding weapons or ammunition storage (a detail the 1987 law had not addressed).
The 2011 bill passed the Florida House on April 26, 2011, by an 85-33 vote, and the Senate two days later, 30-8.
Preemption doesn’t mean permissiveness. Here are some prohibitions still in effect, as summarized in documents presented to commissioners this evening:
Discharging Firearm in Public. Regulated by Florida Statute Section 790.15. A person may not knowingly discharge a firearm in any public place or on the right-of-way of any paved public road, highway, or street, or over any right-of-way of any paved public road, highway, or street or over any occupied properties. This does not apply to a person who is lawfully defending life or property or performing official public duties requiring the discharge of a firearm or to a person discharging a firearm on public roads or properties expressly approved for hunting by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or
Division of Forestry.
Open Carrying of Weapons. Regulated by Florida Statute Section 790.053. Prohibits any person from openly carrying a firearm, unless otherwise allowed by Section 790.25, and prohibits person licensed to carry a concealed firearm from intentionally displaying firearm in an angry or threatening manner.
Improper Exhibition of Dangerous Weapons or Firearms. Regulated by Florida Statute Section 790.10. Prohibits any person from exhibiting weapon or firearm in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner, unless in necessary self defense, as in this Palm Coast example last month.
Purchase and Delivery of Handguns. Mandatory Waiting Period. Regulated by Florida Statute Section 790.0655. Mandatory three-day waiting period between purchase and the delivery’ at retail of any handgun. This does not apply to trade-ins, or to handguns purchased by a holder of a concealed weapons permit.
Concealed Weapon Exceptions. Regulated by Florida Statute Section 790.06. Authorizes the issuance of a license to carry concealed firearms in public except in those locations enumerated in the statute, such as police stations, jails, courthouses, polling places, meetings of governing bodies, schools, professional athletic events, airport passenger terminals, and school administration offices.
Authorized Emergency Measures. Regulated by Florida Statute Section 870.044. Upon declaration of a state of emergency by the Sheriff or designated city official, per Section 870.043, the sale of ammunition or a firearm or the intentional possession of a firearm in a public place are prohibited.
Breach of the Peace. Regulated by Florida Statute Section 877.03. Whoever commits such acts as are of a nature to affect the peace and quiet of persons who may witness them, or engages in brawling or fighting, or engages in such conduct as to constitute a breach of the peace or disorderly conduct is guilty of a misdemeanor.
The 2011 Preemption Bill
Florida Guns and Firearms Preemption Bill text
Sad Times says
What on earth is the matter with everyone??? These are crazier times than I had realized….. how does anyone feel safe anymore in any of our public buildings? How do I go about “taking care of business” that requires me to enter a public building.. to pay a tax, etc.?
Heavens, I worry about even going to a grocery store….. as a year ago, as I was walking out of Publix… I saw a man with a gun at his waist… going in. I literally ran to my car.
My big question…. how are we citizens protected against an agitated drug-enhanced or alcohol-enhanced gunman…. who decides to use his/her “lawful gun?” I just wish the gun-lovers could honestly answer that question!
Johnny Taxpayer says
And a vague stenciling on a county door somehow makes you feel safer?
I’m not really a gun-lover but your scenario, as presented, is simply not possible. There is no such thing as “an agitated drug-enhanced or alcohol-enhanced gunman…. who decides to use his/her “lawful gun?” because conceal and carry law specifically outlaws with extremely strict penalties the consumption of any type of alcohol or narcotics while carrying your weapon. In fact it go so far as to prohibit entry while carrying, into an establishment that serves alcohol. So frankly, in your scenario the gun is no longer “lawful”…
What I find very ironic is that people fail to recognize the fact that people with conceal and carry permits are probably the most law abiding citizens you’ll meet. But yet the more gun regulation the “safer” you feel, as if the bad guys are automatically stopped from committing crimes with guns because the law says they can’t bring their gun into the public building.
Rich7553 says
Indeed. According to the DOACS Licensing Division database, over 2 million licenses have been issued since 1987. Of those, only 0.0076% of those license have been revoked for a crime involving a firearm, and only 0.3% have been revoked for any reason whatsoever. In contrast, the FDLE database shows that 2% of Florida’s law enforcement officers (not including corrections or parole officers) have had their LE credentials revoked due to “moral code violations” (code MCV), which is the LE equivalent of a felony, many of those avoiding criminal convictions and jail.
David says
@ Sad Times – you are jumping way to far to conclusion. So you may now carry a weapon into a public facilities, does not mean what you think. You sill must have all the permits and concealed weapon training as required by law. Have you ever tried to obtained a concealed weapon permit ? Trust me it is a very difficult permit to achieve. Besides most of the people that own a gun, including myself, are the most law abiding citizens that I know.
just a thought says
Actually David, getting a permit is very easy. I know. I have one. All you have to do is fill out an application. Get a passport photo. Get fingerprinted and mail it in with your check. That is it. Period. The State then does a background investigation and if that is clear they mail you a license. Very easy.
Rich7553 says
You forgot the training certification that is also required. You also forgot to mention that any felony, misdemeanor domestic violence, evidence of habitual drug use, or someone adjudicated mentally deficient are ineligible. It’s not quite as simple as you assert.
Rich7553 says
@Sad Times – “My big question…. how are we citizens protected against an agitated drug-enhanced or alcohol-enhanced gunman…. who decides to use his/her “lawful gun?” I just wish the gun-lovers could honestly answer that question!”
I’d be happy to. Your personal protection is your own responsibility. The courts have repeatedly ruled that law enforcement has no duty to protect any individual. If you call 911 and they don’t respond, you cannot sue them. See Warren v. District of Columbia for reference.
So given that fact, exactly what would YOU do to protect yourself? Lawful gun owners/carriers have taken that court ruling and decided if no one in law enforcement is legally bound to protect them or their loved ones, they will be prepared for when and if the unthinkable happens, and their lives are in imminent danger.
I would suggest you do something about your fear of guns. I don’t know where you were when you saw the gentleman going into Publix with a firearm at his waist. Open carry is unlawful in Florida, except for a very few specific circumstances. Perhaps you saw a plain clothes officer. Armed guards also carry openly when on duty. But nonetheless, a properly holstered firearm has never hurt anyone. The gun you see isn’t the one you need worry about. A 2006 FBI study reported that criminals do not use holsters, nor do they carry openly.
You worry about a drug-enhanced or alcohol-enhanced gunman, yet you ignore a drug-enhanced or alcohol-enhanced driver piloting a several thousand pound projectile, capable of killing many more people at a single time than a firearm ever could. Why is that? It’s amazing you ever leave your home.
Anonymous says
Well said S/O officer
DavidT says
Did the man with the gun on his belt threaten you in any way? Was he acting strange or acting out violently? Or was he, more likely, just going about his business, like you were? The act of carrying a handgun, while not for everyone, is simply the act of taking responsibility for you own safety, done by those who understand the the police A) can’t be everywhere to protect everyone and B) have no obligation to protect any individual anyway. Criminals, by the very definition of the word, will ignore laws and rules meant to control their action, so banning firearms anywhere only affects the law-abiding who are not a threat to you in any case. For good examples of this you need only to look at the school shootings and the Fort Hood shooting. Those took place in areas “protected” by these signs, and you can see how well they worked.On the other side of the coin, back in the sixties there was a shooting at a Texas college. The shooter was pinned into one corner of the tower by a civilian with a privately owned firearms, while the police climbed up to permanently stop the shooting. This was before people wanted guns banned everywhere, Which result would you like if you were caught in such a sutuation?
R Section Mack says
“My big question…. how are we citizens protected against an agitated drug-enhanced or alcohol-enhanced gunman…. who decides to use his/her “lawful gun?” I just wish the gun-lovers could honestly answer that question”
How do you protect yourself from this same person when he/she is driving a car? Carrying a knife? Baseball bat? Mase? Tazer?
It’s not the instrument, it’s the individual. Make all the laws you want, but unless individuals accept responsibility for themselves and follow the law, it’s not worth the paper it’s printed on.
Need proof? We have laws against drugs. How’s that been working? About as well as prohibition did 90 years ago. Speed limit? Run red lights?
BinkeyI says
So my neighbor in Sawmill Estates can continue with his target practice in his backyard?
Rich7553 says
So long as he is doing it safely, and his projectiles do not leave his property, yes.
question says
Welcome to the United States of the Idiot National Rifle Association Members!
They’re paying for all this.
Emile says
I believe the Great State of Florida has finally gone certifiably insane. I wonder if the residents can take their guns with them to the Asylum?
Is this what Republicans like former presidential press secretary Jim Brady would want?
anon says
I’m sure criminals will respect others if we pass laws making drug possession/sales, murder, and rape illegal.
tulip says
This is absolutely scary and disgusting news! And the fact that the BOCC have no say in this? There have been way to many shootings here in Flagler County now! Now that the bans have been lifted, these morons who shoot to get rid of someone they don’t like are now even freer to do so. Welcome to Columbine.
Our State Legislature is a bunch of imbeciles.
Rich7553 says
Exactly who has been doing those shootings you mention? Licensed concealed carriers? I think not. Out of over two million licenses issued since 1987, a grand total of 168 have been revoked for a crime involving a firearm, not necessarily a shooting. That’s 0.0076% or about 1 in 12,500.
It’s not the licensed concealed carrier you need to be concerned with. And here’s something to think about. How many criminals carrying illegally have passed by that no guns sign without even giving it a second thought? Do you think even one looked at the sign and thought, “hey, I’m not allowed to bring my gun in here”?
John Boy says
Your statistics on License Gun Owner arrests pretty much parallels the same numbers as Voter Fraud, any coincidence? The same fools who support Stand our Ground also support Voter Suppression.
Beginning to see a trend, Reich Wing Religious Ideologues with Racist Leanings.
NortonSmitty says
Somebody check if Zimmerman’s permit has been canceled. I’m betting no.
Rich7553 says
No, it hasn’t. Upon being charged with a felony, Zimmerman’s permit has been suspended by DOACS. Depending on the outcome of the trial, it will either be reinstated or revoked per §790.06 Florida Statutes.
Gia says
America adore violence, murder, rape, drug etc.
Justin says
Some people are so ignorant! Lets outlaw cars at Publix!
TC says
Why the exemption to BOCC meetings? Where is the law that supports Hadeeds claim? Not a court and not a school board area.
If this has been the law, why was the window art put on the doors so recently, and who was responsible for this ?
Is the courthouse exempt, or just court rooms?
[Florida statute 790.06(12)(a) outlines the prohibitions on carrying a concealed weapon in certain places as follows:
(12)(a) A license issued under this section does not authorize any person to openly carry a handgun or carry a concealed weapon or firearm into:
1. Any place of nuisance as defined in s. 823.05;
2. Any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station;
3. Any detention facility, prison, or jail;
4. Any courthouse;
5. Any courtroom, except that nothing in this section would preclude a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon in his or her courtroom;
6. Any polling place;
7. Any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special district;
8. Any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof;
9. Any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms;
10. Any elementary or secondary school facility or administration building;
11. Any career center;
12. Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to such purpose;
13. Any college or university facility unless the licensee is a registered student, employee, or faculty member of such college or university and the weapon is a stun gun or nonlethal electric weapon or device designed solely for defensive purposes and the weapon does not fire a dart or projectile;
14. The inside of the passenger terminal and sterile area of any airport, provided that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal, which firearm is encased for shipment for purposes of checking such firearm as baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft; or
15. Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law.
–FL]
Rich7553 says
@TC – Per §790.06 Florida Statutes, a licensed concealed carrier is prohibited from carrying a firearm in a courthouse, courtrooms, or at any meeting of a governing body (among other places/events).
Ben Dover says
Where do I go to get my license, only one way to protect yourself these days is to own a gun of your own , like the saying goes , never bring a knife to a gun fight. don`t worry I`ve just been finger printed and back round check by the FBI for my security license , might just as well be an armed security guard
Rich7553 says
Ben, everything you need to know is here: http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/index.html
Mario says
I am so sick and tired of having gun lobbyists and in particular, the NRA, literally rule our Country. We do not need any more guns! We do not need, nor want, anyone carrying a firearm into a public place and certainly not into a public park. This has gotten way out-of-control! A firearm should be kept at home, locked in a secure manner and only used in dire circumstances where there is no other way to defend yourself. We have gotten to the point where it is OK to kill another human being just because we “feel” threatened. This is insane! We, as a society, have taken an huge leap backwards and it disappoints me greatly, Stand-Your-Ground laws must be changed to protect the innocent victims from these gun toting lunatics! I am concerned for the safety of myself and my family. Florida has become the worst violator of properly protecting it’s citizens against violent crimes under Christ’s rule.
DavidT says
So all “dire circumstances” occur at home, with enough warning so you can open the locked safe to retrieve your gun? Do you only put your seat belt on when you see an accident about to occur that involves you? Many attacks, if not most, occur away from home, where you would have people disarmed. Since criminals would not obey these signs and laws anymore that they do those against robbery, rape and murder, how do they (signs and laws) help? And the government has no duty to protect any citizen against the criminals, only to preserve peace and order in general. You, and only you, are responsible for your own safety, and since criminals do exist a firearm is one of the best ways to protect yourself.
Rich7553 says
“We do not need any more guns! We do not need, nor want, anyone carrying a firearm into a public place and certainly not into a public park. ”
Who is “we”? Have you got a mouse in your pocket? How about speaking for yourself.
“This has gotten way out-of-control! A firearm should be kept at home, locked in a secure manner and only used in dire circumstances where there is no other way to defend yourself. ”
Tell me, where do most violent crimes occur – in the home or outside of it?
“We have gotten to the point where it is OK to kill another human being just because we “feel” threatened. This is insane! ”
It’s also incorrect. No law gives one the authority to kill simply because they feel threatened. Perhaps you should read the statutes and not the unqualified opinions of the gun control crowd before you comment.
“We, as a society, have taken an huge leap backwards and it disappoints me greatly,”
Cry me a river. The FBI reports both murder and violent crime at their lowest since the early 1960s and it continues to drop. In the twenty years between the 1990 and 2010 Florida census, the population grew by 43% and yet the violent crime rate dropped by 50%.
“Stand-Your-Ground laws must be changed to protect the innocent victims from these gun toting lunatics!”
Don’t attack one and you won’t have anything to worry about. Innocent victims? Like who?
“I am concerned for the safety of myself and my family.”
Yeah, you’re so concerned about licensed concealed carriers and don’t think twice about the violent criminals who carry illegally and who would kill you and your family without so much as blinking.
“Florida has become the worst violator of properly protecting it’s citizens against violent crimes under Christ’s rule.”
Gee, I hate to break this to you, but multiple courts up to and including the Supreme Court have ruled over the last three decades that law enforcement has no duty to protect any individual. Your protection is your responsibility.
BinkeyI, Well, carrying it without a holster that protects the trigger from being accidentally pressed is often a self-correcting problem. If you’re talking about carrying it openly, there are only a few circumstances in which that is lawful – at one’s home or place of business; which fishing, camping, hunting, and going to or coming from those activities; at a shooting range and while going to or coming from the range, and some others. Reference §790.25(3) Florida Statutes.
BinkeyI says
@rich
My neighbor is careful and following the law then. Thanks.
Just thinking can I carry my gun in a holster? Ya know like the old west had?
Rich7553 says
BinkeyI, Well, carrying it without a holster that protects the trigger from being accidentally pressed is often a self-correcting problem. If you’re talking about carrying it openly, there are only a few circumstances in which that is lawful – at one’s home or place of business; which fishing, camping, hunting, and going to or coming from those activities; at a shooting range and while going to or coming from the range, and some others. Reference §790.25(3) Florida Statutes.
Outsider says
I have been a concealed carry permit holder for five plus years. I’m sure the guy you saw at Publix isn’t the only one in the store with a firearm. If it really bothers all of you that much, then feel free to move back to your safe havens of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, etc., where noone is EVER victimized by a criminal with a firearm. Or hey, Chicago has some of the toughest gun laws in the country…..how many people were shot there on recent holiday weekend. Go google it and get back to me.
Lefty Loon says
The best place for a gun is in the possession of the person who wants to exercise their right to protect their life and the lives of others who might be harmed by a criminal. The police are rarely in time to stop criminals. The first persons on the crime scene are the perpetrator and the victim. The police are always last unless there is a sting operation underway. Our forefathers made sure the government recognized our right to life and they provided clear explicit text in the Constitution to cover all those governed by it’s laws. This is what liberty means. It is the freedom to keep my life anyway I choose when someone else is trying to take it illegally. Some of the comments on this thread seem subversive and inaccurate. I won’t give up my right because of wimps, cowards, or the like. Try and take from me what is not yours and suffer for it.
A Freetinker in Palm Coast says
Contrary to the opinion of many – including the majority of the U. S. Supreme Court – the Second Amendment does not allow an individual – by himself – “the right to keep and bear arms.” This conclusion can only be reached if the first 13 words of that amendment are completely ignored.
This 2nd amendment originally recognized that in the early days of these [independent but] united States of America, a “militia [as] being necessary . . . [for the protection of ] a free[and independent] state.” This protection was against the efforts of what some feared was becoming a strong centralized federal government. (It must be remembered that in these early days, this country was designated as being “the united [lower case ‘u’] States of America.”) Thus “the rights of the people to keep and bear arms” was relegated to the rights of a militia, i.e., a locally organized armed group. This amendment does not relegate “the right to keep and bear arms” to an individual absent of, or outside of, an organized militia.
Suspect says
I seen several post with really good references to prove points. Does anyone know if there is research yet on the attitude of gun carriers when being confronted. I’m not a gun owner or carrier, but i think having a gun might empower people to act differently than they would without a gun. Again i don’t know this to be true, but i can’t imagine a person with a gun running from danger. I know society has created a culture of fearless people but at the end of the day if no one walks away from a fight, then we’ve acted irresponsibly. Maybe if we spent more time developing conflict resolution skills we could talk and address issues in a more civil manner.
Rich7553 says
It is unlawful to use a firearm for any reason other than to prevent imminent great bodily injury or death, and to stop or prevent a forcible felony. One cannot lawfully use a firearm to gain leverage in an argument, win a fight, influence a decision, or any other reason. To be honest with you, I’m a firearms instructor. I know hundreds of concealed carriers, and I have yet to meet one who is anxious to pull the trigger on someone, and without a single exception, dread the day they might actually have to. The “hero” or “vigilante” concept is a myth for the most part. In any group of people, there are exceptions. However if those exceptions were substantial, it would be reflected in license revocation and arrest statistics.
AuntieMadder says
“Maybe if we spent more time developing conflict resolution skills we could talk and address issues in a more civil manner.”
No amount of conflict resolution training, strong communications skills, heart-to-heart talks, or singing Kumbaya while skipping hand-in-hand would have any effect upon, as examples
– the armed robber who kills the convenience store clerk;
– the bank robber who kills the security guard, the teller, and a bank customer who spooked him when he tried to flee the bank lobby;
– the monster who brutally raped the jogger he’d dragged into the ditch from the trail and then strangled the life out of her, thus eliminating the only witness to the crimes he’d just committed;
– the ex who “walked right through that restraining order” and through her front door to force her to watch as he killed her two kids, then killed her and, finally, turned his gun upon himself.
tulip says
From what I read and hear, I think if someone has a gun and is having an argument or fight with someone and angry feelings start getting out of control, the person with the gun just shoots the other without a second thought, whereas that person might just walk away or throw something to relieve the tension if he didn’t have a gun. It’s too easy to just aim and shoot.
I’m not saying that guns should be banned, but there are places where they should be banned and our gun obssesive lobbyists have convinced our illustrious state legislators to give some unstable people more places to have a gun and possibly do some damage.
Rich7553 says
Tulip, when what you’ve heard is promulgated by the gun control lobby, it will invariably paint those who own or carry guns in the worst light possible. Indeed, there are instances of what you describe, but those are what we refer to as criminals, not law-abiding gun owners and carriers.
With regards to gun-free zones, you have stated that there are some people who will just shoot someone else. What makes you think that person will refrain from doing so simply because there is a sign or a law that prohibits it? Gun-free zones are unarmed victim zones. Did the gun-free zones at Columbine or Virginia Tech stop the shootings? They did not. They merely emboldened the attackers because they knew no one would be likely to stop them.
An unstable person will carry a weapon wherever they wish, regardless of a sign or a law. According to a DOJ survey, state and federal prisoners fear armed citizens more than police officers.
Outsider says
Actually Tulip, when I am carrying a concealed weapon, I avoid altercations at all cost. I would never use it to settle an argument; that’s absurd.
NortonSmitty says
That’s the main reason I quit carrying.
John Boy says
I carry but I cancelled my NRA Membership today. After seeing Wyane LaPerrie on several show, he proved to me once and for all that he is a money grubbing, ignorant bigot who has been taking over a $1,000,000. a year from the NRA Members.
NortonSmitty says
I got a Lifetime Membership from my Dad’s buddy when I was twelve. I cancelled it when they pussied out and walked back the Jackbooted Thugs recruiting campaign after Waco and Ruby Ridge. Not that I agreed with the message that the 2nd amendment was intended to arm the citizens to fight the tyranny of their own Government. Heaven forbid!
But if you start to talk that “Blood of Patriots in Defense of Liberty” talk to sell memberships and then fold up like a five dollar suitcase at the first sign of pressure from the political Powers that Be, your just a scamming no good group of nutless hucksters selling your mailing list to the highest bidder who needs access to a large database of mean spirited, paranoid, insecure, racist, undereducated f…
And I decided that wasn’t me. Hell, I’m overejucated,! I got me a High School Degree!
Carolyn says
I, along with my whole family and husbands family have been around guns since children. My father was a policemen, there was always a gun in the house. My husband and family were hunters and had 50 areas of land which they all got together as families and hunted and had family gatherings. Guns were taught to children and grownups that they were not toys and children were shown the devastation & danger in guns. We all did target shooting and had family picnics and fun together. Getting older most of the families got gun permits and are all law binding citizens. Most of us do have concelled weapons permits. We do not brag about it and you would never know we are carrying .We belong to gun clubs and that is our hobby along with many other people. We do not find we have to carry the guns in all places where it has always been against the law to do so, parks, government buildings, etc., And we will continue to do that.
I myself do not think people should be carrying in all places, because there would be no way in which you know who is a law binding citizen and who is not.!!
The way the country has become there may not always be a policemen near by when needed. You have to know how to protect yourself and when the time is right to have a gun and use it. It is not the wild west we are living in. For people who do not want to carry a gun they should take classes on how to protect themselves in certain circumstances. Or buy MACE.
I do not want my rights taken away from me or my family. A right is a law that has been given to individuals that want certain things, we have fought along time to get that right. Maybe there should be more things done when buying, and learning how and where to use guns. “THEY ARE NOT TOYS”
The way you have to take lessons and pass tests for driving there should be that for gun owners too. There is a class and test, but I think it should be more extensive class and test.
The new law in Florida about being able to protect yourself while in your home is great, You have to know if someone brakes into your home they are not stopping by for the time of day.” PROTECT YOURSELF”
that’s my Comment
Mark says
If everyone carried a gun, no one would get out of control.
Phillip Evans says
Well, here it is 2017. Have the predictions of the fear and panic peddlers come to pass yet? No?
Well then, looks like liberty is not such a bad thing after all.
Now if Florida could only stop infringing on our open carry rights.
PursuitOfPatriotism.blogspot.com
Lazaruis says
I think everyone should assume someone is concealed carrying a weapon now a days and should not think we are a bunch of sheep waiting to be slaughtered.
An armed society is a polite society.!