Gun Law Opinion Poll

[willywonka]

I wanted to ask the folks here about this. A simple yes or no will do, but comments are certainly welcomed.

As a newbie to firearms, there are some legal aspects I hadn't considered, much of which ticks me off looking at the maps at opencarry.org, but I wanted to ask everyone's view on this.

1) Should we as citizens have the right to openly carry in any state?
2) Should we as citizens have the right to conceal carry?
3) If you carry in your car, should it be required to be kept in your glovebox?
4) Should every state in the union recognize your conceal carry permit (universal reciprocity)?
5) Should it be legal to carry (conceal or open) in a place that serves alcohol?
6) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in airports?
7) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in government buildings, including schools and colleges?
8) Should it be legal to own or purchase automatic weapons?
9) Should convicted felons who have served their time, be legally allowed to own a firearm?

And here's a hell of a question...

10) Would you be in favor of Constitutional carry (no permit required to carry) in exchange that every firearm be registered?

[johnlives4christ]

Originally Posted by willywonka

I wanted to ask the folks here about this. A simple yes or no will do, but comments are certainly welcomed.

As a newbie to firearms, there are some legal aspects I hadn't considered, much of which ticks me off looking at the maps at opencarry.org, but I wanted to ask everyone's view on this.

i'll play i reckon. gun laws frustrate me as well. to be fair though, i think you should answer your own questions too

1) Should we as citizens have the right to openly carry in any state?
yes. anywhere we wish to go

2) Should we as citizens have the right to conceal carry?
yes. their should be no licenses

3) If you carry in your car, should it be required to be kept in your glovebox?
no. it should be legal in any place of the vehicle

4) Should every state in the union recognize your conceal carry permit (universal reciprocity)?
yes. but i think we should not be required to have licenses

5) Should it be legal to carry (conceal or open) in a place that serves alcohol?
yes. while it is unwise to drink and carry a firearm, criminals do not follow the law. the law could be changed that it is reckless or wanton endangerment for those that drink and carry at the same time. what if i was going to pick up a friend at a bar? or for a meeting

6) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in airports?
yes. but it should be up to the airlines if you can carry on the plane since its private property. the airlines should provide safe storage for guns checked in when boarding the plane however if they wish not to allow you to carry

7) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in government buildings, including schools and colleges?
yes. only private business should have the right to bar firearms from their premises

8) Should it be legal to own or purchase automatic weapons?
yes. automatic weapons are not any more dangerous then semi autos. if anything they waste ammo

9) Should convicted felons who have served their time, be legally allowed to own a firearm?
yes. once their debt is paid to society all their rights should be reinstated

And here's a hell of a question...

10) Would you be in favor of Constitutional carry (no permit required to carry) in exchange that every firearm be registered? HELL NO.

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by willywonka

I wanted to ask the folks here about this. A simple yes or no will do, but comments are certainly welcomed.

As a newbie to firearms, there are some legal aspects I hadn't considered, much of which ticks me off looking at the maps at opencarry.org, but I wanted to ask everyone's view on this.

1) Should we as citizens have the right to openly carry in any state?
2) Should we as citizens have the right to conceal carry?
3) If you carry in your car, should it be required to be kept in your glovebox?
4) Should every state in the union recognize your conceal carry permit (universal reciprocity)?
5) Should it be legal to carry (conceal or open) in a place that serves alcohol?
6) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in airports?
7) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in government buildings, including schools and colleges?
8) Should it be legal to own or purchase automatic weapons?
9) Should convicted felons who have served their time, be legally allowed to own a firearm?

And here's a hell of a question...

10) Would you be in favor of Constitutional carry (no permit required to carry) in exchange that every firearm be registered?

1)Yes
2)Yes
3)No
4)Yes - if there is going to even be a permit system because the 2nd Amendment does not say one needs a permit
5)Yes, but you should be 100% responsible if you become drunk and do something illegal
6)Yes
7)Yes, but you should check your gun in courtrooms
8)Yes, and they should not be required to be registered
9)Yes
10)No, because no firearm should have to be registered. History has shown us that registration is a slippery slope to confiscation

[carver]

I'm lazy this morning, so I'll just say that Hogger, and John, I agree with both of you.

[Danwin22]

I can see why there is so much debate on this issue.

If all people were sensible and responsible the answer would be to let anyone own a gun.

But, there are many whacky people out there who would pull a gun on you if you looked at them wrong.

Florida has some pretty easy gun rules but I don't see the crime rate being any worse than states like NY that have the ultra-restrictive Sullivan Law or perhaps Illinois that wants to do away with guns.

Someone needs to do a study of states with restrictive gun laws and compare with states with non-restrictive gun laws and see which has the highest crime rate.

I think Ronald Reagan had the right approach, let people own guns but if you use them in a crime an automatic 10-15 years should be added to the jail time.

That way you don't penalize people for simply owning a gun, only punish people who misuse them.

[rentalguy1]

1) Should we as citizens have the right to openly carry in any state?

Yes. The Constitution doesn't say anything about crossing state lines, and any infringement by any state is illegal.

2) Should we as citizens have the right to conceal carry?

Yes. The constitution says nothing about concealment.

3) If you carry in your car, should it be required to be kept in your glovebox?

No. If it is in your glovebox then it is not accessible. That is plain stupid. Hang on Mr. Carjacker while I retrieve my protection from the glovebox.

4) Should every state in the union recognize your conceal carry permit (universal reciprocity)?

Yes, but more specifically there should not be any carry permits. We should not have to pay the state in order to exercise a Constitutional right.

5) Should it be legal to carry (conceal or open) in a place that serves alcohol?

Yes. I say this, because the mere consumption of any alcohol while armed, legally or not, is against the law. Also, many states already allow this, and there is not one iota of information that eludes to the notion that shootings have increased because of it.

6) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in airports?

Yes. There are bad guys at airports, too. BG's in the parking lots waiting to mug you, or worse, and terrorists inside the airports waiting to board planes.

7) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in government buildings, including schools and colleges?

Yes. There are bad guys in these places as well. Sure there is usually armed law enforcement officers there, but they cannot follow every citizen to and from their vehicle and ensure their safety.

8) Should it be legal to own or purchase automatic weapons?

Yes. The Constitution does not make a distinction. The whole reason the 2nd Amendment exists is to keep a tyrannical government in check. They have automatic weapons, therefore the people should have them, too.

9) Should convicted felons who have served their time, be legally allowed to own a firearm?

Yes and no. If it was a non-violent crime, then yes, I don't see a problem with it. If it was a violent crime, then no, because the likelihood of recidivism is high. I know that the latter can and will obtain a gun illegally, but I would rather they commit a crime with a illegal gun than a legal one. If they purchased a gun legally and used it in a crime it would just add fuel to the anti's fire.

10) Would you be in favor of Constitutional carry (no permit required to carry) in exchange that every firearm be registered?[/QUOTE]

No. Hell no! Nowhere in the Constitution is it said that the government needs to know everything about each of us. The government is already too intrusive. Through all the registrations that we already must submit to in order to live our lives, they already know way more about us than I am comfortable with.

[rentalguy1]

Originally Posted by Danwin22

Someone needs to do a study of states with restrictive gun laws and compare with states with non-restrictive gun laws and see which has the highest crime rate.

It's been done numerous times. Everywhere that gun laws have been relaxed, ALL crimes go down. Everywhere that has very restrictive gun laws, the crime rates, especially violent crimes, are much higher. I say they get what they deserve.

[pickenup]

My answers stem from the foundation of this country.
Anyone who can read.....understands.

The right of the people to keep AND BEAR ARMS, shall not be infringed.

[willywonka]

I agree that to be fair, I should answer this myself. I just didn't want to start off the thread with my answers. I figured I might bias a result.

1) Should we as citizens have the right to openly carry in any state?

Absolutely! In Washington, DC too!

2) Should we as citizens have the right to conceal carry?

Absolutely, in Washington, DC too!

3) If you carry in your car, should it be required to be kept in your glovebox?

My own state of VA requires this, or it be clearly visible. I'm opposed to both. Does anyone know if you're allowed to conceal carry on your person in a car if you have a permit?

4) Should every state in the union recognize your conceal carry permit (universal reciprocity)?

Absolutely! In principle, I'm opposed to the requirement to obtain a permit.

5) Should it be legal to carry (conceal or open) in a place that serves alcohol?

This is where I'm iffy on. I don't think it's a good idea to use a firearm if you're intoxicated in any way, but you should be able to carry wherever you like with very few exceptions. So the place doesn't matter to me so much as if you're drunk. It makes sense to me that if it's a crime to drive while drunk, it should be a crime to use a firearm while drunk. Of course, then you run into the problem of say you have some beers at home and someone tries to break into your house. Not an easy thing to sort out in my mind.

6) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in airports?

Absolutely! I think you should probably have to check your gun in with your checked luggage, and have it unloaded. I'm no pilot, but a discharge on a plane I would think would be bad news. In those cases, I think everyone should be armed with non-lethal weapons like tasers in case some terrorist gets a funny idea.

7) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in government buildings, including schools and colleges?

Absolutely! I can understand them requiring you to check your gun in a court. I also think we should have the right to carry concealed on private property.

8) Should it be legal to own or purchase automatic weapons?

Yes. But I agree. I think autos are a waste of ammo.

9) Should convicted felons who have served their time, be legally allowed to own a firearm?

Yes. If they have served their time, and are off of parole or probation or whatever, then they should have that right restored to them.

And here's a hell of a question...

10) Would you be in favor of Constitutional carry (no permit required to carry) in exchange that every firearm be registered?

Hell no. But if we could get rid of all firearm regulations in exchange for registration, with it being perfectly clear that confiscation is not to happen under any circumstances for law abiding citizens? I think I'd be willing to make that deal.

[steve666]

Originally Posted by rentalguy1

1) Should we as citizens have the right to openly carry in any state?

Yes. The Constitution doesn't say anything about crossing state lines, and any infringement by any state is illegal.

2) Should we as citizens have the right to conceal carry?

Yes. The constitution says nothing about concealment.

3) If you carry in your car, should it be required to be kept in your glovebox?

No. If it is in your glovebox then it is not accessible. That is plain stupid. Hang on Mr. Carjacker while I retrieve my protection from the glovebox.

4) Should every state in the union recognize your conceal carry permit (universal reciprocity)?

Yes, but more specifically there should not be any carry permits. We should not have to pay the state in order to exercise a Constitutional right.

5) Should it be legal to carry (conceal or open) in a place that serves alcohol?

Yes. I say this, because the mere consumption of any alcohol while armed, legally or not, is against the law. Also, many states already allow this, and there is not one iota of information that eludes to the notion that shootings have increased because of it.

6) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in airports?

Yes. There are bad guys at airports, too. BG's in the parking lots waiting to mug you, or worse, and terrorists inside the airports waiting to board planes.

7) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in government buildings, including schools and colleges?

Yes. There are bad guys in these places as well. Sure there is usually armed law enforcement officers there, but they cannot follow every citizen to and from their vehicle and ensure their safety.

8) Should it be legal to own or purchase automatic weapons?

Yes. The Constitution does not make a distinction. The whole reason the 2nd Amendment exists is to keep a tyrannical government in check. They have automatic weapons, therefore the people should have them, too.

9) Should convicted felons who have served their time, be legally allowed to own a firearm?

Yes and no. If it was a non-violent crime, then yes, I don't see a problem with it. If it was a violent crime, then no, because the likelihood of recidivism is high. I know that the latter can and will obtain a gun illegally, but I would rather they commit a crime with a illegal gun than a legal one. If they purchased a gun legally and used it in a crime it would just add fuel to the anti's fire.

10) Would you be in favor of Constitutional carry (no permit required to carry) in exchange that every firearm be registered?

No. Hell no! Nowhere in the Constitution is it said that the government needs to know everything about each of us. The government is already too intrusive. Through all the registrations that we already must submit to in order to live our lives, they already know way more about us than I am comfortable with.[/QUOTE]

What he said!!!

[ghrit]

An interesting twist, maybe. Remove all gov't supplied security details from all dot gov personnel (too expensive, you see, ms Botox face.) Betcha that would get the Congress moving towards rescinding all the stupid laws, since they would be stuck with them as well. I MIGHT allow an exception to that if/when we get a real president.

[johnlives4christ]

it might vary from state to state. but in kentucky with a ccw license you can conceal in your vehicle or put it under the seat or wherever. it's basically a license to conceal anywhere except schools courtroom and government buildings.

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by ghrit

An interesting twist, maybe. Remove all gov't supplied security details from all dot gov personnel (too expensive, you see, ms Botox face.) Betcha that would get the Congress moving towards rescinding all the stupid laws, since they would be stuck with them as well. I MIGHT allow an exception to that if/when we get a real president.

Funny thing is that the most outspoken anti-gun activists always have a large entourage of security armed with guns.

[Alpo]

Is that a Tennessee law that says drinking while carrying a gun is illegal, or is that your opinion that drinking while carrying SHOULD be illegal? Because your blanket statement is wrong. It is not illegal in Florida to drink while carrying. It is not illegal in Georgia to drink while carrying. It is not illegal in Alabama to drink while carrying. Probably it's not illegal most places to drink while carrying, but I know about those three states.

[tim.sr]

[QUOTE=willywonka;689249]I wanted to ask the folks here about this. A simple yes or no will do, but comments are certainly welcomed.

As a newbie to firearms, there are some legal aspects I hadn't considered, much of which ticks me off looking at the maps at opencarry.org, but I wanted to ask everyone's view on this.

1) Should we as citizens have the right to openly carry in any state? YES
2) Should we as citizens have the right to conceal carry? YES
3) If you carry in your car, should it be required to be kept in your glovebox? NO
4) Should every state in the union recognize your conceal carry permit (universal reciprocity)? YES
5) Should it be legal to carry (conceal or open) in a place that serves alcohol? YES
6) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in airports? YES
7) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in government buildings, including schools and colleges? YES
8) Should it be legal to own or purchase automatic weapons? YES
9) Should convicted felons who have served their time, be legally allowed to own a firearm? NO NO!

And here's a hell of a question...

10) Would you be in favor of Constitutional carry (no permit required to carry) in exchange that every firearm be registered? THE ONE YOU CARRY THEN YES

[millwright]

WW, re: Your Questions....

Every American citizen already has the "Rights" you questioned.........They're our birthright ! What exists are manifold artificial restrictions for political purposes upon that Right. In some circumstances perhaps justifyable, in most, IMNSHO, not !

re: Your last question......

Absolutely not ! Your concept is self-defeating ! If Government knows who has the arms it can seize them/you at any time in a force majure!! And do not make the mistake "arms" means only firearms ! A sufficiently paranoid government could make any projectile weapon verboten, not to mention knives, canes, staffs, baseball bats, golf clubs....ad infinitum. >MW

[rentalguy1]

Originally Posted by Alpo

Is that a Tennessee law that says drinking while carrying a gun is illegal, or is that your opinion that drinking while carrying SHOULD be illegal? Because your blanket statement is wrong. It is not illegal in Florida to drink while carrying. It is not illegal in Georgia to drink while carrying. It is not illegal in Alabama to drink while carrying. Probably it's not illegal most places to drink while carrying, but I know about those three states.

Yes. I was talking from a standpoint of TN's law, but I find it very hard to believe that you can legally carry a firearm with or without a permit and consume alcohol in any state. Looks like I will be doing some google searching tonight...


Please correct me on the following edits if I am wrong, because I want to know the facts and not spout what I "think." Please provide links so I can read it for myself.

EDIT: From what I have found so far, the FL statutes do not even allow for carrying in a bar, or the portion of any restaurant where alcohol is served. That said, it appears from FL 790.151 that you actually can exercise self defense with a firearm while intoxicated in any location.

2nd EDIT: According to what I am reading on http://www.georgiapacking.org/law.php it appears to be against the law to consume alcohol while in possession of a firearm, although the law is a little vague.

3rd EDIT: Alabama has no specific law regarding guns in bars or carrying while consuming alcohol. The state as a whole relies on public nuisance laws, and each jurisdiction is allowed to create their own specific rules (basically). In other words, you may be perfectly legal to drink while carrying in one county, but not the next.

[Alpo]

Florida law does not allow carrying in a "bar", whether you are drinking or not. Florida law does not allow carrying in the designated "bar" section of a restaraunt, whether you are drinking or not. Florida law does, however, allow you to be in the food section of a restaurant, carrying your gun, and order wine, beer or hard liquor with your meal. Or even instead of your meal. Florida law also allows you to wear your gun into the liquor store to get your booze. You can then drink or not drink as you see fit. Point is, Florida does not put a ban on WHAT you do, but it does ban WHERE you go, while carrying.

Georgia allows me to carry into a bar, as long as I don't drink. However, they don't say a thing about me buying a six pack and drinking it down by the river, while carrying. There is also no prohibition against drinking while carrying, in a place that does not "sell alcohol for the purposes of consumption on the premises". You know, like a private home, or a party or something like that. Again, it's more about WHERE you can be, as apposed to WHAT you can do.

In Virginia you cannot carry a concealed firearm into a place the sells liquor for consumption. If you wish to go into a bar, or a restaurant that sells booze, you have to be carrying openly. I don't know if you can drink or not (been a long time since I was in Virginny), but if you're not going to drink, why are you in the bar?

[Alpo]

As for that Alabama "public nuisance" thing. If I was drunk in public, making an ass out of myself, whether or not I was carrying, I would be a public nuisance. If I was sitting at my table, sipping a little Jack with my friends, even if I was carrying, I don't think they could make a public nuisance charge stick.

[rentalguy1]

Originally Posted by Alpo

In Virginia you cannot carry a concealed firearm into a place the sells liquor for consumption. If you wish to go into a bar, or a restaurant that sells booze, you have to be carrying openly. I don't know if you can drink or not (been a long time since I was in Virginny), but if you're not going to drink, why are you in the bar?

From what I read in the GA statutes, it specifically talks about consuming alcohol while hunting. It doesn't say anything specifically about anything else. In the end, I would hate to be the guy who has had even a single beer and then had to use my firearm in self defense. It doesn't much matter what the law says in that case, you will be looking at jail time, IMHO.

Virginia law actually just changed and closely resembles that if Tennessee now. You can carry concealed with a permit into a bar or restaurant, but you cannot consume alcohol. That applies to any time that you are carrying in both TN and VA. Those are the two that I know the most about, since I live in a border town.

Most of the bars around here serve food of some sort. I have been to bars to eat, and not drink alcohol. I have also went to some sports bars to watch a ball game without drinking. I only drink on rare occasions. The last time I had a couple was when my buddy came back from Afghanistan last August. The first thing I did was take my gun and lock it up in the truck before I took my first sip, and that was in GA. It's just not worth taking the chance to me. I have a leg up on most though, because my wife drinks even less often than I do (maybe twice a year) and she carries also.

[Big Shrek]

Originally Posted by Danwin22

...I think Ronald Reagan had the right approach, let people own guns but if you use them in a crime an automatic 10-15 years should be added to the jail time.

That way you don't penalize people for simply owning a gun, only punish people who misuse them.

Are you truly not aware of 10-20-LIFE, the anti-crook law that Florida has

It passed in 1998, and has had a HUGE effect on violent gun crimes in Florda.
I'd call an over 20% drop effective...

10-20-LIFE
Mandates a minimum 10 year prison term for certain felonies, or attempted felonies in which the offender possesses a firearm or destructive device
Mandates a minimum 20 year prison term when the firearm is discharged
Mandates a minimum 25 years to LIFE if someone is injured or killed
Mandates a minimum 3 year prison term for possession of a firearm by a felon
Mandates that the minimum prison term is to be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed

We still have the Death Penalty...and we USE it, much like Texas.
We just need a Fast Track like Texas has...for those particularly heinous crimes.

[Inthewind1976]

1,2,4,5,6,7,8 - YES
3,10 - NO
9 - Maybe

[Hardballer]

Originally Posted by willywonka

I wanted to ask the folks here about this. A simple yes or no will do, but comments are certainly welcomed.

As a newbie to firearms, there are some legal aspects I hadn't considered, much of which ticks me off looking at the maps at opencarry.org, but I wanted to ask everyone's view on this.

1) Should we as citizens have the right to openly carry in any state? Yes
2) Should we as citizens have the right to conceal carry? Yes
3) If you carry in your car, should it be required to be kept in your glovebox? NO
4) Should every state in the union recognize your conceal carry permit (universal reciprocity)? Yes
5) Should it be legal to carry (conceal or open) in a place that serves alcohol? Yes
6) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in airports? Yes
7) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in government buildings, including schools and colleges? Yes
8) Should it be legal to own or purchase automatic weapons? ~Yes It is legal~.
9) Should convicted felons who have served their time, be legally allowed to own a firearm? Non-violent, Yes

And here's a hell of a question...

10) Would you be in favor of Constitutional carry (no permit required to carry) in exchange that every firearm be registered?No, Hell No!!!

Keep in mind that criminals already have all these rights. Laws like this only serve to shackle the law abiding. Right now, there are enough laws on the books to take care of even the most minor infraction. Stand up and be heard. Take your rights back.

Hardballer out!

[Infidel]

Originally Posted by willywonka

I wanted to ask the folks here about this. A simple yes or no will do, but comments are certainly welcomed.

As a newbie to firearms, there are some legal aspects I hadn't considered, much of which ticks me off looking at the maps at opencarry.org, but I wanted to ask everyone's view on this.

1) Should we as citizens have the right to openly carry in any state?
2) Should we as citizens have the right to conceal carry?
3) If you carry in your car, should it be required to be kept in your glovebox?
4) Should every state in the union recognize your conceal carry permit (universal reciprocity)?
5) Should it be legal to carry (conceal or open) in a place that serves alcohol?
6) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in airports?
7) Should we as citizens have the right to carry in government buildings, including schools and colleges?
8) Should it be legal to own or purchase automatic weapons?
9) Should convicted felons who have served their time, be legally allowed to own a firearm?

And here's a hell of a question...

10) Would you be in favor of Constitutional carry (no permit required to carry) in exchange that every firearm be registered?

1.Yes
2.Yes, btw, you already have the RIGHT for this and #1, it has just been infringed.
3.No, infringement again.
4. yes, but CCWs should not be necessary or required.
5. Yes, once again, infringed.
6. Yes
7.Yes
8. Yes, and it is legal now, after you pay a bunch of money and jump through hoops. But then again, if you can afford a $10,000 MG, you can afford the license. But why should it be only for the wealthy?
9. Depends on the felony?
10. Hell no!!

[oscarmayer]

carry open or carry concealed either way it's our right. carry in a bar no i think it's more prudent to leave your firearm in the car. now my requirments would be yes you need a permit issued by whom ever your local police dept or a federal dept of ????? and whom ever wishes to get a permit must take a 40 hour gun safety class, that also teaches responsible gun ownership. there are far to many people who own guns that shouldn't be allowed to own anything sharper than a popscile stick