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RE: NOTE TO ALL

Bill, oh, I don't mind the questions. I enjoy helping people learn about guns, the laws governing guns, and allay their fear of guns.

1. Flying with a gun:
both the law and the specific airline's policies control this. But without exception the firearm MUST BE declared at the ticket counter. Almost all airlines require the gun to be in a locked, metal container and that container usually must be inside the main luggage. Some airlines further require that container to be labeled "gun" or "firearm". I think that is quite foolish since there is already a high degree of probability that the firearm will be stolen. Should a person be discovered with a firearm when passing through the security metal detectors he will likely be in jail in very short order. When I am fling somewhere, I just leave the gun at home. I never fly with a gun.

2. Carrying a gun across state borders:
generally speaking, it is legal to carry a gun from one state to another. But each state has its own gun laws so it is incumbent on the citizen carrying a firearm to know and obey the laws of each state in which he is traveling. Most of the states have laws governing the issuance of "concealed carry" permits. For the most part, no permit is required to "open carry" the firearm, but one must have a permit to conceal it. Most state's governments have established reciprocity agreements with the other several states, to honor the permits issued by the other states. For example, I live in Virginia and have a concealed handgun permit. Virginia has reciprocity agreements with many other states, so in any of those states I can lawfully carry my side arm concealed. If we go to North Carolina for a holiday on the outer banks, the North Carolina authorities will honor my permit to carry my gun concealed because of the reciprocity agreement between the two states.

3. being robbed of the gun:
this fear is often expressed by people who have never carried a gun openly, or by those who are new to the practice of "open carry". However, in reality, this occurrence is extremely rare. In reality, the thug, criminal, brute, etc. is not eager to take a chance on getting killed and therefore is not likely to attempt to take the firearm. They are far more disposed to just wait for an easier (ie: safer) victim. Is it possible? - - sure. Does it happen? - - almost never.

4. discomfort in presence of gun.
Of course there are some people who are uncomfortable in the presence of a "citizen" with a gun. This is referred to as hoplophobia. It has been my experience that very very few people have any negative reaction to the presence of an open carried gun. I have been carrying a gun for years and have only had a couple people that seems to be scared by the presence of the gun. Conversely, many seem to be curious, intrigued, or else completely uninterested one way or the other. I have had many people to ask me about my gun and the legality of carrying it. They generally are genuinely curious and happy to discover that it is perfectly legal. I have actually had several shop keepers to tell me that they feel safer when I am in their store. I have on several occasions jokingly asked for a "safety discount"! They of course politely decline but usually with a smile or chuckle.

There is also the concept that many have that they are afraid of a gun. When a person with a gun is nearby they become rather apprehensive and seek to leave the area. But in reality, I believe, it is not actually the gun which is scaring them, but rather the fact that a person who is not perceived to be an "authority figure" has a gun. Should a police officer be in their vicinity they are not afraid, but he has a gun. Even though he has a gun they are not alarmed and usually actually feel more secure. This is of course because the police officer has gone through a vetting process. So in the final analysis, it is not actually the gun itself that causes the apprehension, but the unknown (but armed) person.

Lastly, here in the U.S. those people who have applied for a permit to carry a concealed gun are investigated by their respective state government and also the U.S.'s FBI. A person will not receive a permit to carry a concealed gun if he/she has ANY serious criminal record. Surprisingly, citizens with permits to carry a concealed gun have a lower crime rate record than even those who are off duty police officers. I suppose that that is because when carrying a firearm, the citizen is cognizant that any misbehaving (while carrying a gun) will likely result in stiffer penalties than he would have otherwise faced. I know that is the case with me. Additionally, carrying the gun gives on a sense of confidence and therefore has a calming effect on one's disposition, leading to a more calm rational deportment.

again Bill, I don't mind the questions. I understand that cultures and views are different. Curiosity is a good thing! (unless you're a cat!!!)
cheers,
roN


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  • RE: NOTE TO ALL - REL54 05:21:54 09/08/11 (2)

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