An open carry observation

[Oldsalt66]

We have no vehicle safety inspections in New Mexico (Albuquerque has emissions testing) and there is no real difference between rates of NM vehicles being involved in equipment-related accidents and those of states with rigorous inspections. Sometimes following the herd simply means you in more excrement.

We sure kill bushel baskets of pedestrians with motor vehicles, though.

Neither do we have any vehicle inspections in Florida.

It's almost as bad a situation for public safety as Y2K turned out to be.

 

[MelvinWalker]

New Jersey still insists on the absurdity that that to allow people to fill their own cars with gasoline somehow represents a significant public safety issue.

Perfect analogy...I wish I could give this two likes.

 

[ladder13]

The attempts to foment controversy over Florida's having become one of the roughly 94% or so of states that now recognize the right to choose to open carry, is reminiscent of the contrived controversy that arises whenever it's been proposed that folks in New Jersey be allowed to pump their own gasoline, and although since the State of Washington finally caved and allows people to pump their own gas; leaving New Jersey as the only state where self service at the gas pumps is prohibited, New Jersey still insists on the absurdity that that to allow people to fill their own cars with gasoline somehow represents a significant public safety issue.

46 allow in some form OC. FL will be 47.

As far as Jersey, they once had cheap gas, no longer.

 

[Terry G]

terry,we do not get the v a free, we paid for it. some of us in blood...

I hear you, I'm on 70% Service Connected, and it sure wasn't free. I should have said I paid nothing in dollars.

 

[Law-dog]

Greetings Friend!
Hope all is well over your way.
Over here my adult daughter hurt her knee and it looks like she's got to get it x-rayed, but no reason to worry yet. Just because they grow up, you can't stop fretting over 'em.
_____________________________________-
You said open carry is stupid, and similar sentiment has been expressed every time the subject comes up.
"Draw attention to themselves" ,
"Incessant",
"Poor judgement",
"Hard heads"
It is no skin off my nose, but if you want to persuade this is not the way to do it. I suppose the Open Carry Disciples can be here as long as they stay in the closet. Anyway, at your request I am out of it for this thread and for a while.
Again as I have said before I always appreciate your contribution RQ.
Best to you!
BrianD

Clint Smith in his training programs long ago gets credit for the one liner, "open carry is stupid", I think he says it on a video with Bill Wilson at Wilson Combat too. But that is based on his jobs in which he was involved dealing with bad guys routinely. Maybe 20 years ago where it was common.

Four law enforcement agencies, much undercover and plain clothes I do not open carry very often. It depends on where I am. I once worked as a police officer in a city that had the highest incident rate in our state. We had a 1% biker club HQ there and we had all night bars and sleazy strip clubs open to 5 am. When you walked in because of a fight or call, you always worried about your gun because you were pushing your way through the crowd. Every one in the aisle would be within 1 foot of you. And everyone breathed on you. Of course we were in uniform and the hand was always on the gun.

I once was in a bar as a customer and an officer was attacked for no reason. When the officer fought back, another guy grabbed for the officer's gun in an open holster. I was close and knocked him down, saving the officer. I later met the officer who was thankful of course, it happens quick.

When I am in Wyoming, I do not fear much risk, except for bears and Moose and wolves close by are scary at night, crime is low there and just not many bad guys live up there. So, if outside I might open carry or not, but really is there is one state where you do not need to carry for fear of other humans, Wyoming would be it. I cannot think of a place I have been in Wyoming where you walk close to people anyway.

So I agree, nobody seems to care when you carry or not in Wyoming. Kind of like carrying wire pliers or a Leatherman tool on your belt. You seldom need them, but carry them anyway.

 

[Law-dog]

In Florida, it's simple... We will all have to pay Personal Income Tax if open carry is ever adopted. It decays tourism, which is why we don't pay income tax. Tourists don't want to see non-LEOS carrying a hog-leg while their kids worship the Imaginary Rodent. The Leg always brings it up, and it always gets voted down. Solid planning.

Apparently you have not studied the effects of gun permits, permit less carry and open carry and it's effects on people in those states. Travel or tourism had NEVER been shown to affect tourism, not in any state. I became a CWW instructor in 1996 just before the law took effect. The anti gun people went nuts saying there would be gunfights in the street etc, blood knee deep they said. I was a bogus claim. In 2019, we went to Constitutional Carry. Same thing, there would be blood in the street, did not happen. Our tourism steadily increased every year and continues to clime. Not many open carry and it is not a big deal.

Crime trends down, it is a blessing. On the other hand we know that people avoid cities with high crime and limit their travel there. Most of those cities have limited gun carry rights.

You fear or tourism loss makes no sense what soever. Where are they gonna go? Texas beaches? Everybody carries in Texas. Alabama beaches? Same thing.

Florida draws people because of the nice beaches, fishing, and warm winters. It will always draw people, some of them will bring their own guns, I do and I stay on a military base. On the military base I stay in an RV, they have a policy. If you carry on base, you must leave your guns inside your car or RV. Military people from all over the country vacation in Florida, even us retired ones.

There is just zero evidence that open carry legislation deters tourism in any state. Not sure where you got that but it is just something somebody made up that opposed the law. I do not like to see open carry, but it is no big deal. Anyone who is suddenly fearful has other mental issues to deal with.