They Carry Guns

[MrSparkle]

Just read this posted on another forum. I searched for it here and didn't find it so I hope it's not a repost.

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2009/jul/15/cover/

It’s a beautiful day in Pacific Beach as Nate approaches the bronze pelican statue on the boardwalk. He’s slight and blond, spectacled and clad in jeans and an army-green T-shirt. He squints. The sun’s so bright overhead that he is prompted to spray a fine mist of sunblock over his fair skin to stave off a burn.

I’ve never met Nate before, but I know it’s him (a) because I’ve seen his picture and (b) due to the handgun that sits on a holster against his hip. I’m about to get up from where I’m sitting and introduce myself when someone else beats me to the punch. A scraggly-looking beachgoer, a man of indeterminable age because he is so weather-beaten, approaches.

“What’s that for, bro?” he asks, pointing in the direction of Nate’s gun, a Taurus Tracker .44 Magnum revolver.

Before Nate can answer, the man continues.

“There are surfers at the beach looking to party, and you show up with that? That’s not right. Love life! Be mellow!”

This is when I walk up and introduce myself. The beachgoer looks at me for a moment with wild blue eyes, then looks back at Nate, as Nate is beginning to explain what he will have to reiterate time and time again to concerned and/or interested parties: he is open carrying.

The term “open carrying” refers to one who is in possession of a holstered, unloaded firearm on his or her person, displayed in plain view. Nate begins to explain the legalities of this to the beachgoer when Sean approaches, video camera in tow. In shades, a green shirt with double-breast pockets, green cargo pants, and a Sig Sauer P229 holstered on his hip, Sean looks not unlike a police officer.

The beachgoer does a double take.

“Another one!” he exclaims, as Sean greets us warmly.

The beachgoer, incredulous, excuses himself — with one final stare — to go “get baked.”

Soon we are joined by a third open carrier, Sam, who is Nate’s older brother. He’s a tall fellow in jeans and a T-shirt, and his gun, a Glock 17C 9mm semiautomatic pistol, sits squarely in a black holster, handle well visible against the blue of his shirt.

(continued at the link listed above)

SemiAutoSam, is this you?

 

[Cabin Fever]

From the article:

The nuances of gun laws in California, I find, are difficult. For example, concealed carrying is not legal in San Diego (and all of California) without a permit — that much is abundantly clear — and neither is carrying a loaded gun. Having ammunition situated next to a firearm, however, does not amount to “loaded,” meaning that Nate, Sean, and Sam can carry full magazines on their belts.

So you cannot have it loaded, but you can keep a loaded magazine in your pocket? That is a great loophole!

 

[ItalianBostonian]

Good read, thanks!

 

[rickster58]

I found the article somewhat confusing. So if I understand correctly, in CA they differentiate between Concealed loaded carry (permit required) and open unloaded carry(no permit required). Is that correct?

 

[Dave_W]

Just looked at my Mass LTC-A and it doesn't say 'concealed'.

 

[gerrycaruso]

An unloaded gun is less useful than a knife with no edge. At least you can poke something with a dull knife.

 

[mikem317]

"Are you requesting or demanding?" Yikes. I thought the Fourth Amendment was already incorporated to the states.

 

[Jose]

I found the article somewhat confusing. So if I understand correctly, in CA they differentiate between Concealed loaded carry (permit required) and open unloaded carry(no permit required). Is that correct?

That's exactly how it is in Ohio. I wouldn't be surprised if CA is the same.

Here, in fact, the state supreme court has ruled that the state constitution's right to bear arms clause includes the open carry of firearms but not the concealment of same.

So in Ohio open carry is a right and concealed carry is a privilege. At least legally, though I do not make that distinction.

 

[RI_John]

An unloaded gun is less useful than a knife with no edge. At least you can poke something with a dull knife.

Apparently you've never pistol-whipped anyone!