The issue of gun control has galvanized our nation, with a vocal and bullying minority stomping for little or no restrictions. These Second Amendment absolutists keep pushing for, not just con-cealed weapon permits without sensible restrictions e.g no felo-ny or domestic abuse convictions, no mental illness - but Open Carry.
THE RIGHT TO CARRY AND THE RIGHT TO EXIT
The issue of gun control has galvanized our nation, with a vocal and bullying minority stomping for little or no restrictions. These Second Amendment absolutists keep pushing for, not just con-cealed weapon permits without sensible restrictions e.g no felo-ny or domestic abuse convictions, no mental illness - but Open Carry.
Open Carry refers to the practice of carrying a firearm in public in plain view, as distinguished from concealed carry, where fire-arms cannot be seen by the casual observer. Where Open Carry is allowed, and to add insult to injury, these lunk heads insist on carrying their weapons in places of commerce, worship and even place that serve alcohol by the glass. Because alcohol makes one a more responsible person.
Illinois became the fiftieth state to enact concealed-carry legis-lation. The Illinois law allows concealed guns on private proper-ty and places of work and worship unless property owners post signage that indicates otherwise; it prohibits guns in schools, parks, child care facilities, government buildings, public trans-portation, and establishments where the majority of revenue comes from alcohol sales, among other places. The big picture: it is now perfectly legal to carry a concealed firearm in public everywhere in the country except for Washington, DC and I do not feel safer. On the contrary I feel a real sense of dread and become very uncomfortable when I see anyone, other than a law enforcement officer, carrying a gun in public.
And while Open Carry has never been ruled out as a right under the Second Amendment of our Constitution by any court, in the majority opinion in the case of District of Columbia v. Hel-ler(2008), Justice Antonin Scalia, arguably the most conserva-tive justice, wrote concerning the entirety of the elements of the Second Amendment; “ We find that they guarantee the individ-ual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confronta-tion.” However, Scalia continued [emphasis mine], “Like most rights, the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.
On August 16, 2009, "About a dozen" people were noted by po-lice to be openly carrying firearms at a health care rally across the street from a Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention in the Phoenix Convention Center, where President Barack Obama was giving an address. While the Secret Service was "very much aware" of these individuals, Arizona law does not prohibit open carry. No crimes were committed by these protesters, and no arrests were made. In an interview with Fox News, commenta-tor James Wesley Rawles characterized the Phoenix protesters as “merely exercising a pre-existing right”. When he was asked about open carry, "but...without a permit?" Rawles opined, "We have a permit--it is called the Second Amendment.”
In California, pursuant to Section 12031(e), those carrying a concealed weapon are subject to inspections of their fire arms on demand by police officers. The law, which allowed Californi-ans to openly carry is limited to unloaded guns.
If you are uncomfortable being in the presence of some dude or dudette openly carrying a gun here is a remedy.
Gun crazed individuals have achieved the right to carry, but others must have the absolute right to evacuate any space where they feel fearful or at risk due to the presence of guns.
It has been proposed that every right-to-carry proposal must include a provision allowing anyone: students, workers, or busi-ness patron to to leave any environment where guns are pre-sent - without question or penalty.
- Students should be able to leave any class without penalty if they feel at risk in the presence of armed persons.
- Workers can leave their workplaces without penalty if an
armed person enters - cashiers and clerks, for example, can immediately leave a store.
- Restaurant patrons can leave in mid-meal and settle the bill later. Super market patrons can abandon their carts in mid-isle, if they feel threatened or intimidated in the presence of a per-son openly carrying a firearm.
Attach this as a rider to all right-to-carry bills. Call it "The Right to Carry - Right to Exit" rider.
This rider will force the business community to consider what is a reasonable response for employees and patrons who find themselves threatened, or just uncomfortable, by people openly carrying guns in their presence. No one should be required to remain in the presence of gun toters if they feel they are at risk. It should be incorporated into OSHA and other workplace safety laws.
The letter to the editor of this paper on March 27 chiding Chris Daley for his sensible and on point column on Open Carry, is emblematic of the complete and unwavering opposition to any criticism or proposed restraint on guns in our society. What on earth could possibly be gained by Open Carry when concealed carry is allowed? Oh I get it (and here comes the snark), we can see how macho you are.
Law or not, this is now my personal policy: If I see someone openly packing a gun, I’m exercising my right to leave the area.
Immediately.