Friday, May 18, 2012
Big Victory in Okla. for Second Amendment rights
Oklahoma's governor signs law respecting law-abiding citizens' rights to "carry arms," as provided in the Second Amendment. This law and the court decision in the preceding post makes me think there might still be some chances to keep Americans the freest people on the planet.
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Open carry vs concealed carry. To gun owners there's really no difference. Being armed is being armed. The concern is how it affects the psyche of law enforcement officials and non-gun owners. Not to mention criminals and crazies knowing who's armed. I'm OK with open carry. Doesn't bother me anymore than seeing a cop openly carrying a weapon. IMHO, Oklahoma's Governor made a good call.
ReplyDelete44: Thanks for the e-mail. I'm OK with both/either, as long as it is reasonably licensed for carry in public places. (I think that a reasonable outside-the-home and property licensing scheme would pass Second Amendment scrutiny) I suspect most criminals will stick with concealed carry as they probably could not get a license and/or value the advantage of surprise. Licensed open carry might also deter some crime. The problem with open-carry is dealing with the neurotics and ideologues who have a knee-jerk reaction against open carry. (These folks are sometimes referred to as "hoplophobes," but I dislike short-hand terms like "hoplophobe",and "homophobe" as shorthand terms are a lazy way of dealing with complex issues)
ReplyDeleteYour reply is much appreciated. I've always believed licensing concealed carry was a stretch of the 2nd Amendment's recognized individual right. Open carry should not be subjected to this same intrusive government control over the bearing of arms. If not a convicted felon, and absent any mental incompetence, there's no justifiable reason to license open carry. And the best part for peace officers is definitely knowing who's armed. I'm sure the laws of etiquette are similar to that of concealed carry. Don't ever pull your weapon unless faced by an actual or perceived threat of bodily harm to self and/or others.
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