Your views on guns.
 

I was watching (drumroll, don't kill me I just was watching it) American Chopper (BOOM!) and the guys from Red Jacket built a shotgun for Mikey, and when he was shooting he got hurt (he got a cut on his finger while charging the gun), so I tought, can anyone just get a licence to carry a gun? Like, do they give them away at the drugstores?

I mean, I know it's a good idea to have a gun, for you own protection, I think in Mexico it should be allowed too, you know, with some limitations, like getting a licence to carry a gun and stuff like that.

But, what do you have to do to get a licence? It seems to me that it's too easy. With all those shootings and stuff, can really anyone get a licence? Or a gun without it?

Don't flame, just discuss.

The laws are different all over this country. In my state (California) you need to pass a background check to purchase a gun from a dealer. There is a ten day waiting period before you can take possession of the gun. That lets you have the gun in your home.

To be able to transport the gun to the range, vacation, etc. it needs to be locked up in the trunk (unloaded) or in a lock box if inside the cab of a truck or car. The ammo needs to be separate from the gun.

Open carry for handguns was just stopped recently here (you used to be able to carry a gun in the open as long as it wasn't loaded). I believe rifles and shotguns can still open carry, but again must be unloaded, so they're basically a club at that point. To be able to carry the handgun (concealed) on your body requires a separate license. Not all states or counties allow concealed carry. Here you have to make an appointment with the sheriffs dept., show reasonable cause for needing the gun on your person, pass a local and FBI background check including Livescan of your fingerprints, and then pass a 16 hour safety and licensing course, with both written and actual shooting tests. Costs $400 or so for everything.

The entire process can take 9 months or longer depending on how far backed up they are, and if they are accepting applications at all.

In California if you're a felon, have a restraining order or domestic violence in your past you will not be allowed to purchase a gun (legally).

"I believe rifles and shotguns can still open carry, but again must be unloaded"

I was talking about guns with with an LA county Sheriff we race with and he told me, it is NOT allowed anymore in Ca

How do you know Mikey had a license?
Most states require a class and a shooting range test before issuing a license to carry permit. You can read under the shall issues title the requirements here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceal..._United_States

The local range just told me a couple months ago that it was still legal in my county (Sacramento), but I'd opt for law enforcement over their opinion. Maybe it's not a state-wide deal.

In Tennessee, you need to pass a background check to purchase a handgun, or certain rifles. I think a shotgun can be purchased without a check, but I could be wrong.

To carry a firearm, whether open or concealed, you must take a class and pass a proficiency test. You cannot carry in anyplace whose primary business is the selling of alcohol, or in anyplace properly marked.

Criminals, of course, ignore all these laws.

Sorry Mex Man --- but the reason MEXICO is so F'd up with drug gangs etc killing off entire towns --- is because there's no citizens that can defend themselves....

The best defense is a great offense.... and in America --- the citizens would be kicking those sorry drug gangs asses if they came into town guns blazing...

Here in Georgia, it takes about 3 weeks to get your carry permit, and roughly $50.00. We can conceal, or carry the weapon in open site in our vehicles.
I own many weapons of all types, from handguns to assault rifles, and own many thousand rounds of ammunition. I live in a VERY rural part of the state, and get the opportunity to shoot often, WITH my son who is nine. I never bring a gun into my home without him looking at it, and me showing him how it works and operates. My son knows very well how to handle and shoot my handguns and small caliber rifles, and he is very aware that if he ever wants to shoot, all he has to do is ask, and WE will shoot. Of course everything is in a gun safe, with the exception of one 9mm, just in case somebody who just made a very bad choice decides to enter my home in the incorrect fashion. I am a gun safety nazi, and I believe that training kids correctly is a must, because I was trained correctly as a child.
This thread will probably open a can of worms.
My opinion of a "license" is that it will keep an honest person who wants to be on the right side of the law in check, and of course the criminal in this case, couldn't care less about licenses, or laws.

Just need 3 brave men GW!!! :guns:

Mexxy ---


I have a conceal carry permit in my home state of Washington -- and a CC permit for Utah -- which has more "reciprocal" agreements with other states I go thru....

I've signed up for a 4 day tactical hand gun class the week after SEMA... and I belong to the Seattle Police Athletic Academy -- which has a range for all manor of guns.

Not everyone is an irresponsible murderer just because they have guns and ammo...

Senior mex, just protect yourself and carry a bow and arrow. Two deter thieves have a machete on your hip.

Without proper training a gun will just be used to kill you.

Some CA cities have already put a ban on open carry long guns.

ive got my conceal and carry, but do not carry. just when I travel.

Forgive if I'm reading too much into this, but I think you may be asking two seperate questions. Based on the context of the first part of the statement above, you seem to be asking if you need a license to exercise ownership. But you also ask about carrying a gun, which is an entirely seperate entity than just owning a gun. Most of the replies you have received so far are about carrying a firearm on your person, either concealed or open, which has a whole different set of requirements from simply owning a firearm of any sort.

I hope this is said in jest.

I agree with Greg, a large part of Mexico's issues start with a society that is not permitted to protect itself. It is like lambs at a slaughter.

what part? Some sections of mexico are very rough. A person carrying is an easy target for hardened criminals. Even cops can get disarmed in a scuffle.

Bow and arrows a nice, cheap and quiet.

Machette, yeah that was tongue and cheek. But no one usually messes with a guy and a machette.

Hey Vince, I am in the middle of wyoming, In the middle of a reservation, If you need some more Bows and Arrows I can get you some. I traded mine in for a Ar-15 it's easier to pull back.

Not anymore... Actually they won't mess with anoyne else anymore...

The real question here (sorry if I didn't make myself clear) is, what does it take to get a licence to own/carry (because now I know its two different cases)? Is it neccesary some kind of background check, like, psychological, economic and/or social? I mean, you guys check all that stuff to a potential cookie buyer, why not for guns (if that were the case)?

Anyway, I'm getting a slingshot.

The real problem here in Mexico (as I know because I live in the most dangerous area of the country) is that the authority wont even do their jobs, nor they're able to. Also, it's like watching try to slay a Komodo Dragon with a paperclip.

Owning a gun and carrying a gun are two separate issues in the eyes of the law. Also, keep in mind that certain states within the US have more strict laws. Off the top of my head, they are, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and there are probably a few more that I am missing. The rest of the country has less restrictive laws.

If you buy a gun from any FFL (federal firearms license) dealer they will run a background check. The background checks are handled by the FBI and tap into various state and federal databases to determine if you are a convicted felon (prior hardcore criminal). If you have never been convicted of a felony, then you are able to purchase the gun. Some states have a waiting period, so you can't walk out with the gun same day. Most states do not, and you can walk out with a firearm in as long as it takes to run the background check (usually less than an hour). There are no other tests or requirements to own a firearm. The more restrictive states that I mentioned above, have other requirements, but I can't get into the details, because I choose to avoid those states if at all possible.

In order to carry a gun, loaded, on your person, most states require a permit. Arizona (and maybe another state) have what is called "constitutional carry." In other words, as long as you can legally own a gun (see above) then you can carry it on your person. There may be subtle distinctions as to whether the gun is in plain sights or concealed. Again, this varies by state. I live in TN, so I can break down exactly what the las is here. In order to carry a handgun, loaded, on my person or in my vehicle, I need a permit. In order to get a permit there is a required 8 hour class that covers basic firearm safety and some range time. Once the class is taken, you have to get fingerprinted, and then you can apply for a permit. As long as you are not a felon, have met the classroom requirement, and paid a fee (I think it is about $100), then you will be issued a carry permit. In TN you can carry open or concealed.

If you want to know the details of the carry laws in all the states, you can browse this website:

http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_ca...city_maps.html

You will see that some states are "shall issue" while others are "may issue" and Illinois is the only state that "will not issue," but that is about to change.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Andrew

Here in Washington state it was as easy as filling out paperwork at the courthouse getting finger printed and waiting. Just under $60.00 and about 3 weeks later I had my cpl.

I've since learned that owning and operating firearms is a lot like hot rods, it's not cheap and you have to have more than one.

It's legal to open carry in my state, I've tried it and didn't like the attention. Concealed in general public for this guy.

:action-smiley-027:
Dan

When you have to get a "permit", it ceases to be a right. The 2nd amendment is your permit. Carry on. :)

June 9th!!! :guns: of coarse no one here in IL thinks the law makers will get it done on time :flag2:

If they follow California's rules you'll still be a long ways from actually getting a permit. In my county it can take 9-12 months total.

Carrying a gun whether concealed or in the open is not all it is cracked up to be.

Definitely not for everyone.

I am not sure what that means, but there is certainly a lot of training that needs to happen when taking on the responsibility of having one on your person.

Andrew

It can bu uncomfortable, and it requires keeping an eye out for the signs and and places where you are not allowed to carry.

There is also the issue of practice, and keeping the weapon clean.

I'm sure if you are ever approved for the permit in Il they will know what time you go to bed at night, what you ate for breakfast how you drive your car and on and on and on...... It's not going to be easy that's for sure. I will apply for one when they pass the law, not because I want to carry a gun everywhere I go. But because I want to see what they are going to say, the most I have ever done wrong is a few speeding tickets. So will see, I'm sure IL will end up in contempt of the court order anyway.....

Yes I agree Greg, I don't think that if I'm running to the store to get some bread and cookies that I need to carry my Glock! But on the other hand if I'm going to do a deal on a car (insert Craig's List or eBay here) and I'm not sure who I'm dealing with and have cash on hand, well I'll feel a lot safer with some protection!

Yes lots of training needs to go into not only carrying a gun but also owning a gun or guns.

True, there are times when it is very nice to have a gun but most often it is more of a burden. 90% of the time, mine is in the safe.

Even though I have my conceal and carry permit, I really don't have a desire to carry one around for some reason. some people do, but just seems like a hassle to me. I do like to shoot them though!!

Just because someone has a CC permit - doesn't mean they're walking around the mall with a weapon on their hip.

Personally -- I leave my guns locked up... but if I'm on a road trip - where I expect to be sleeping in weird roadside places -- or perhaps be broken down somewhere - I want my handgun "handy" somewhere. That means somewhere not out in the open or on my hip - unless I felt it was needed. If you're going to have a gun - not out in the open - then you need to have a CC in most states.

If anyone's been paying attention to what happened in my state, its a good reason, if you're going to get a CCW, to get it in a state other than your own, that offer reciprocity in your state and many others.

Turns out our state govenor worked with the state police and DMV to collect data on all MO CCW holders and shared that info with federal agencies.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...7144d526e.html

This is the exact reason why I have an out of state permit, which is still legal in Mo. At the time your MO CCW was separate and not tied to your drivers license. Now that is not the case, if you have a CCW its tagged right on there. Tell me what does driving have to do with owning/carrying a gun?

Our governor was actually subpoenaed over the whole deal, this was a law he signed and has blatantly broke it... but that's how it goes when you have to ask for permission for rights. They are compromised.

Tony, you're probably already on a bunch of "lists." LOL

Andrew

You should have been living in Los Angeles in the late 80's early 90's.
I find it funny when there is a school shooting it is a big deal. But when kids get killed every day to gun fire in major cities, that is not really news.

According to the FBI statistics, there are roughly 33,000 organized gangs in the United States with over 1.4 million members. They are responsible for 4,000 murders each year and 48% of all violent crime in America can be directly traced to gangs. By 2015 it is expected that the number of gang members will almost double to 2.5 million. We don't seem to be doing a very good job at kicking their asses.

GR...what's the point you want to make? You seem to be holding back on saying something bigger. What is it?

Sadly it's not on the news. In my eyes these are signs of where political policy hasn't worked and those who made them don't want to be held accountable. These types of things should be on the news and the reasons for them happening should be examined and fixed. Change just the the sake of change isn't a good thing and sadly that's the way many of so called leaders think these days. Criminals can't be controlled by laws (laws with no real punishment) only good law abiding people can be controlled that way. There is a simple answer, but it's not very popular.

yeah, this isn't the wild west and we arent cowboys anymore.

I remember when I was in Oakland, there was a rumor that gang members were keen on printing and would target them to access guns.

Well -- I think my broader point was missed.



In Mexico -- entire towns have been overrun with drug gangs - the citizens that try to intervene are gunned down or they just leave town.


What we have in America is gangs or gang bangers that are - for the most part - in certain areas of a town. They manage - nightly - to kill each other. But they're not taking over entire towns as they have been able to do in Mexico. The citizens are NOT armed in Mexico. I think - and it's purely MHO - that it can't happen - or can't happen as easily here because of the citizens that just might put up a fight if push came to shove.

Greg, I agree that what is happening in Mexico would probably never happen in the United States, but in those "certain areas" of a town where gang bangers have taken over there are still citizens who live trapped like prisoners in their own homes. For those people, they are living in Mexico.

In Oakland California last year, a one year old, a three old, a five year old and two nine year old children all died of gunshot wounds. Oakland had 11 different shooting incidents where more than 100 rounds were fired on city streets. In one of those incidents more than 170 rounds were fired from 5 different weapons. The only victims were an innocent lady driving to work who was killed and an innocent man waiting at the bus stop. For those people and the families of those innocent children, they are also living in Mexico.

The only point I am trying to make is something that most people overlook when they speak of citizen's arming themselves. If you take every city, county and state where carrying a firearm is permitted whether open or concealed, less than 12% of those citizens eligible in the entire United States actually apply for a permit. I would be willing to bet that of those 12%, more than half of those people do not carry a firearm 100% of the time. Also of those 12%, I am sure there is a small percentage who would either never use it if confronted with a situation or who would use wrong. (George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin)

In California George did it by the book, at least as far as the shooting part if you believe Trayvon was on top of George and hitting his head on the ground. Here if an unarmed guy is attacking you, you cannot pull your gun and shoot him. Now if he has you on the ground and picks up a brick to smash your head in (or is pounding your head into the concrete) THEN you can draw your weapon and shoot. I guess they assume that because the guy is unarmed he won't knock you out before grabbing an object to smash you with........ :lostmarbles: You have to wait until the instant before he kills or mains you to pull the gun.

Now if you're 80 years old, or if he has a weapon of some sort all that changes. If you're a normal able-bodied person you have to take a few punches I guess and hope he quits or doesn't incapacitate you.