[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Excellent points.

One thing mentioned that I think deserves more discussion is the variance in carry permit classes, state-to-state and even within a state. My wife and I were one of the first to get our permits in Minnesota nearly 20 years ago now, and the qualification class was a two-day affair: the first morning was spent discussing firearms in general, intense classroom discussion on the applicable laws, what is and what is not permitted, etc. The second day included a morning of more discussion, then an afternoon at the range where each of us demonstrated proficiency in loading, proper holstering, firing no fewer than 50 rounds from varying distances--all the hands-on stuff that goes with a permit to carry. The class was taught by an ex-cop who really knew his stuff and made sure we not only learned it but could demonstrate the knowledge when it came to actually handling the firearm. Renewals, done every five years there, were much less comprehensive, though in fairness they WERE renewal classes. Still, I felt that more emphasis on the laws, the do's and don'ts, would have been warranted. That, and each of us were only required to fire ten rounds.

Here in Florida we obtained our permits via an instructor who really knew her stuff. The advantage was that it was a class of two people, my wife and myself, so we got a lot of individualized attention and were able to ask a lot of questions. We each fired about 30 rounds, again from varying distances, discussed various situations that we might encounter, etc.

I would really question any "instructor" who only required students to fire one round as one post indicated. Such a class may fulfill the letter of the law but what can you really gain from that? Not much, I'm afraid.

I'm fully in favor of training, but the mandatory classes and what not are a significant financial burden for some.

When I first got my permit in MD, it cost over $500, took two days (I was lucky to find a weekend class, so I did't have to take time off of work)...

Now, I'm lucky that I can afford that (along with the $200, for re-training, every 3 years). But for others, it's a problem...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Rolson08

So that more six-year-olds can find a gun in the nightstand and shoot themselves in the face, or a 3 year finds a gun under the car seat and shoots gramma in the back. Yup, until gun owners are held completely responsible for what happens with their guns, let's just declare "open season"!!

None of that has anything to do with "Constitutional Carry", but I do agree.Those fools should be held responsible. And from what I see, they are...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Boston-Sean

A friend of mine was in an advanced class recently and one of the students was in way over his head. It wasn't long before he was politely kicked out of the class. Turns out he was a video game developer and wanted the experience to help him code how people move while shooting guns.

I took a defensive shooting course years ago and the instructors "invited" on participant to leave. He kept muzzle flashing the others in the class, firing rounds into the ground, and couldn't even load his rifle properly.

They DID offer to have him back for some one-on-one training, as he was woefully unprepared to be a gun owner...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Boston-Sean

The basic firearm safety courses give you what you need to get started. Nothing more. It's up to you to get to the range regularly and ideally get more advanced training as your skills progress. One of the biggest mistakes I see people making is purchasing their first gun with the intention of carrying it.

Buy a full size gun that's comfortable to shoot and easy to clean. Learn to shoot with that and then think about what you need in a carry gun.

Excellent post...

[Kenswing]

Concealed weapons class at Shooters World is $75. If you can afford a firearm and ammo you can probably afford the class.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by ScottGo

And who would run on this campaign? In this state they would LOOSE in a landslide. Unfortunatly it will not change. Already more mass killings (3+people) than days of this year 2-19-23.

"Mass killings" are now 3 people?

Seems they keep changing the definition...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Boston-Sean

There are 25 (maybe 26) states with concealed carry now.

Please list the ones that are like Dodge City or Tombstone.

Take your time. We'll wait.

But we won't hold our breath...

Like I previously said, "The Wild West" was a figment of the imagination of dime store novelists and Hollywood...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

While The Villages has an extremely low crime rate, Florida—including some of the surrounding towns—has a very high rate of violent crimes, one of the highest in the country. I’ve never seen a Villager carrying either open or concealed, but I know a very large percentage of Villagers have guns. If more of them started carrying them, I would feel a bit nervous, but it wouldn’t scare me.

Incorrect. Florida ranks right in the middle (21 out of 50) nationwide...

My home state of MD ranks 11th (mostly due to Baltimore and the DC suburbs). Michigan is 13th. CA ranks 14th. Illinois, 19th.

Crime in the US: All 50 states ranked by murder, violent crime rates

And of course you've never seen a Villager carrying concealed. That's because the gun is "concealed"...

Oh, and "Open Carry" is not legal in FL. Nor will it be legal with constitutional carry...

However, arresting people for illegal concealed carrying of firearms is one of the major ways that law enforcement officers get the Criminal Element off the streets and into prison where they belong, at least for a day or two. There are certainly parts of Florida that will have more gun-carrying criminals on the street if this were passed, and it would be harder to get them off the street. If they want to shoot each other, I don’t care, good riddance, but I don’t want them shooting at the rest of us.

Please explain how passing this law would cause more gun carrying criminals to be on the street and how it would be harder to get gun-carrying criminals off the street. If they are prohibited from owning a gun, they are prohibited from carrying a gun...

The problem is, once arrested, they are typically released within hours...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Sabrina&Bill

I will get to Number 10 GI's post in a minute but just wanted to address the OP's statement about the possibility of Constitutional Carry here in FL, specially, in TV. Personally, in my opinion, I don't think it would make much difference here in TV. I have my FL CCW and never carry while here in TV and only carry when I plan to travel beyond "the bubble". I feel very safe here and have the opinion that there are others, like myself who have made the decision to leave their weapon locked up at home. Again, just my opinion. I always carry pepper spray and a knife with me 100% of the time.
I just wonder about the folks from states like NY where carrying (or ever owning) a gun is near to impossible? I wonder if you obtained your FL CCW and enjoy concealed carrying while in TV?
As for the person I quoted above; what you said really resonated with me. I am in my sixties now, I am not as strong as I once was and nor am I as fast on my feet. These days, I read of too many stories of innocent people walking the street and are robbed of their belongings and then beaten senseless often times left in a coma barely hanging on to life. I don't want that to happen to me (or anyone)! I hope that makes sense to most of you? I try to train as often as I can, usually a class every two years. I also read a lot of articles about justified shoots and questionable ones. I am supporter of the 2nd Amendment and in the same breath, I hope I never have to shoot someone.
I could go on but just want to end up with this final thought; there's a lot of murders/killings taking place all over the US and "yes", a majority of them take place in big cities, and "yes", often times a bullet is used, but not always. I think it's time to just agree that there is a lot of violence in American Culture, for whatever reason. Does it matter if someone is killed by a bullet, a knife, baseball bat, pipe, cars, trucks, bombs etc but there's always more focus when the bullet is used. What about all the serial killers who abduct men, woman and/or children and torture and abuse them till death? My point is, there's a lot of "people" out there who are not right in the head (for lack of a better word). For me, I carry because I refuse to be a victim. I carry to protect myself, my family, and friends.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

One interesting thing might be a quick draw contest set up by age range like 50 to 60 and etc. Not sure how the details would go in order to have complete safety.

Why? "Quick Draw" by it's very nature is not safer than a regular draw. Why add risk?

Just to "show off"?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

I definitely agree. I seem to remember the days before about 1970 when the NRA was a TRUE hunting magazine. Today the NRA is like a "soldiers of fortune" rabid militant organization. I stopped my membership when their magazine and emphasis became on MAN-KILLING weapons. I ALWAYS would shoot at a target with a BULLSEYE - I NEVER shot at a target with some nasty looking dude on it.........that is JUST SICK !!!!!!

What an interesting point of view... I'm surprised you never posted it before...

Oh, and could you explain what the NRA has to do with targets with "some nasty looking dude" on it?

NRA approved classes use standard Bulls-Eye targets like this:



The closest thing you'll see to "some nasty looking dude" is this:

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by RiderOnTheStorm

One of the ,most fundamental aspects of gun safety is control of the firearm, including placing it under lock and key when not being used. Responsible owners do not store them in the nightstand or under the carseat when children are around. Child-related firearm events are very, very rare, probably much less than children dying from ingesting carelessly stored narcotics, setting fires from available matches, or pouring kettles of steaming water on themselves, but they do get much more press. There is no such "open season". Respectfully, your argument might make more sense if not for the bellicose emotion.

Many more children die from swimming pools...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by YeOldeCurmudgeon

This is insanity. Anyone who agrees to this is asking for trouble.

Well, that's certainly an opinion...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI

Because when the NRA or political parties have a convention, they rent the facility where the event is to be held. The owner of the facility is the one that bans firearms, not the renters. In some instances it a city or county law that bans firearms in those buildings.

Exactly...

I wish I had posted than... Oh, wait...

[JRcorvette]

I support Constitutional Carry 100% however I also believe that an individual should have to attend classroom course and understand the Laws. Many people in TV who have a carry permit and carry on occasion are not proficient at shooting and are no really up on the laws. They have not idea what a nightmare they will be in if they shoot someone or even just pull a gun out on someone. This is serious stuff… but everyone has the right to defend themselves and their family and to carry some protection if they choose to. I hope the law will Pass unambiguously!