[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

You're putting your thoughts into a criminal's head - it doesn't work that way. Someone who would be a criminal doesn't see things the same way you do.

Does a weapon on the hip of a senior citizen look like a deterrent or an opportunity?
Does a weapon make an individual look tough and a hard target or does it make them look overconfident and worth challenging?

And you're also putting thoughts into a criminal's head - it doesn't work that way...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by maggie1

This could become a slippery slope for those who will now purchase a firearm and end up shooting themselves or a family member by accident. Don't forget to contact your insurance agent for an add-on to your policy, because if you accidentally shoot someone who didn't deserve to be killed, or even if they did, you'll be in a heap of trouble financially.

Don't get me wrong, I am not against gun ownership, but unless there is training involved where the gun owner is placed under stress, the heart is beating at 100+ bpm, there's shortness of breath, and the sweat is running down your face, then it's best not to carry a firearm. Just regular target practice won't get it.

The average person might think they know what to do when faced with a life-and-death situation involving a firearm, but believe me, they don't. However, I also understand the axiom of it being better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Lots of things to think about, but training needs to be a big part of the equation before strapping on.

Why would this change in the law send anyone down your imaginary "slippery slope"? Why would this change in the law entice anyone to purchase a firearm if they didn't already have one? Permitless concealed carry was already legal...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Ptmcbriz

Concealed carry has several advantages. Open carry has no advantages compared to concealed carry. Thereby, there is only one reason to open carry vs concealed. Ego. That aspect immediately makes the person irresponsible since you know they had the choice to go the concealed route and didn’t choose it. By default, if I see an open carry in my vicinity, I would immediately be walking in the opposite direction. Can’t trust their judgment skills.

That may be your own ego talking, projecting your thoughts on others.

Concealed carry can be quite uncomfortable. Finding the correct/comfortable holster is a challenge. For some, open carry is better.

[cherylncliff]

Originally Posted by Rocksnap

I’m liking Florida more and more.
Floridas AG is telling law enforcement that open carry is the law of the land, after the state supreme court decision last week, stemming from a state lower court ruling that the states open carry ban was unconstitutional.
Of course there are common sense restrictions on where you cannot open carry. But this is a step in the right direction.
Side note. It’s been 17,396 days of a loaded firearm in my dwelling. Another successful day of zero discharges. Accidental or otherwise. It’s a win win!
Florida'''s open carry ban overturned: Sheriffs laud decision but caution gun owners to know these restrictions | FOX 35 Orlando

Common sense would be leave your guns at home in a gun safe unless you are going to the range

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by Rango

Open carry may be legal, but don’t I think it’s a good strategy

Oh, I think it’s a deterrent for anyone to try something stupid.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Pennyt

To think that criminals have a second thought about disarming elderly people with firearms is laughable. Crime isn't down in The Villages because "everyone" is armed. Crime is not high in The Villages because younger, lower income people don't live here and therefore there is not as much need for crime. Has nothing to do with the armed population. I heard a policeman say once that the worst thing you can do in a public place is draw a weapon during a crime - when the police arrive all they see are people holding weapons and they don't know by looking who is the criminal. You could easily be shot for holding a weapon. Too many people have been killed in shootings in America due to our glorification of guns.

Unfortunately, you have no idea as to what actual training teaches those who choose to carry a weapon. None of what you said was accurate.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

If open carry made people invincible, LEOs would never be shot. It's a fantasy to think you are Wyatt Earp and will get the bad guys. I am happy to see so many common sense responses to this post, so many seeing the foolishness of open carry.

Who, on this thread made any such claim?

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

Oh, I think it’s a deterrent for anyone to try something stupid.

Like walking into a crowded restaurant with a gun on your hip? Scare people into getting a table faster?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Road-Runner

When we originally moved to Florida 7 years ago, I was working in downtown Jacksonville. Everyone there was still talking about a news story that just happened where someone concealed carrying in a restaurant moved in such a way to pull up his shirt temporarily exposing his inside the waste pistol to another patron. For this he was arrested and charged with a weapons related felony since there was no open carry. This was ludicrous at the time but Jacksonville's overzealous anti-gun DA prosecuted the poor guy regardless.

What was the outcome of said prosecution?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

What really bothers me is why would anyone want to be in a situation where you take another person's life? I can understand protecting others' and your life but I get an impression that some people are just itching to be in a gunfight.

That may just be your own thoughts of what you would do if armed...

Personally, I found that I'm a much calmer person when carrying. The LAST thing I want to do is get involved in a confrontation...

I did meet a lady who had a concealed gun license but she had been the victim of domestic violence and was afraid her ex would track her down. Lots of violence is related to domestic abuse situations. And these are very tricky even for professionals in law enforcement. State Resources: Florida | WomensLaw.org Attention Required! | Cloudflare

Was she "itching to be in a gunfight"?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Effects of Concealed-Carry Laws on Violent Crime | RAND

Seems to be inconclusive on those statistics.

Did we read the same report?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Critical thinking is important too, as well as understanding that correlation does not prove causation.

Guns are illegal in high crime areas.
Guns are legal in low crime areas.
Open carry laws are most common in low crime areas.

Guns and open carry laws do not make areas safer; safer areas make open carry laws and guns possible.

Correlation does not prove causation...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

Win win for who? Can someone carry an unconcealed gun into McDonalds and order a Big Mac? If somone carries an unconcealed gun, how do you know they are not there to rob the establishment? Welcome to Floriduh!

How do you know that ANYBODY walking into McDonalds isn't there to rob the establishment?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

How come government buildings restrict the 2nd ammendment? Open carry is allowed in the supermarket.... whoops!

Because they're hypocrites?

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Unfortunately, you have no idea as to what actual training teaches those who choose to carry a weapon. None of what you said was accurate.

Actual training is no longer required to carry in Florida. As for the statement, it all looks quite accurate.