I agree with you that the open carry thread was closed prematurely, but only because 95% of the information about Florida law and other states' open carry laws was wrong. Perhaps that was why it was closed. I think the reason the information was so faulty is that most people who move to the Villages are ignorant of the laws of both Florida and the states they previously lived in. I do not blame them - it's hard to keep up - and I consider myself a "lay" expert on the subject. I was a moderator for a large web forum in Florida for years until it was combined with another site.
Just to correct a few misconceptions, if I may. You can open carry in Florida WITH A CWL to and from fishing, hunting, and a gun range. If I really wanted to, I could walk or bicycle to and from a gun range while open carrying. Do I recommend it? No. If you look for articles about open carrying on Clearwater's pier (where many people fish) you will see where CPD officers politely stop and ask fisherman who open carry for their permits. Note: The police do have the right to ask if you are open carrying. And another note, you are not required to volunteer you are carrying concealed. As for volunteering - if you really want to know if it's a good idea, ask you local sheriff or CoP. I can tell you this - not all want you to? Why? Because now they are required to waste time verifying you're legit.
As for open carry in other states, I'll give you a example I consider my best. Take Pennsylvania. It's been open carry for decades. You can get a permit if you want to carry concealed. Only Philadelphia requires a permit for open carry. PA law does not prohibit college campus carry. Fact: There has never been a shooting on a college campus by a permit holder. Ever. But almost no one open carries anywhere? Why? Because the police will hassle you. Every time Philly arrests a person open carrying legally, they are sued and have to pay up. Doesn't stop them from arresting people though.
Regarding Hillary. She stated she wants to look at Australia's gun "buyback" program that took place many years ago. It was NOT voluntary, it was required, and if you refused you were arrested. What happened with crime? Up 50%. Note: According to sources, they were not paid fair market value for their guns. And it's extremely difficult for a law-abiding citizen to own a gun now.
As for open carry legislation in Florida, I only have one problem with it - you should be required to use a Level 2 Retention Holster if you are carrying on your hip, so a bad guy doesn't just grab your gun. You would already need a carry permit, but a course in gun retention should also be required. You would get an "open carry" endorsement on your carry permit. Personally, I would still carry concealed, but it would be nice to not need to worry about the wind blowing my shirt up. I know, they changed the law to allow for this, but there are many counties and cities here with gun-hating police forces.
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