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Open carry law in california

2K views 26 replies 11 participants last post by  EMTchad 
#1 ·
Hi everyone. I recently learned that I can actually open carry a firearm as long as it is not loaded, but can also keep my loaded magazines in my Mag pouch on the side. What do you guys think of this?
 
#2 ·
Don't know what other guys think, but I don't see anything good coming from this. A firearm is just a hunk of metal (or polymer) unless it is loaded. In a SHTF situation, it is unknown how long you have to load a weapon. If you're carrying out in the open, you would most certainly be looked at as a first target to a BG. Will you have enough time to give behind cover and do a combat load? But, that is the way my brain works.
 
#4 ·
Especially when you got a SA loaded, to nice of a gun to carry. If you shoot somebody with it the police are going to take it for about 2-4 weeks and shoot it, get dirty, and mark on it so they can make sure you haven't killed anybody else with it. Just get a smaller and cheaper pistol and stick it in your pocket.
 
#5 ·
I live in rural Kentucky and I open carry quite often. When I want to hide my handgun, I can and do, but there are times when I enjoy open carry. Thats just me. I would never do it in a larger city, or any type of city for that matter. But when I am just running to the gas station, it doesnt bother me to have my handgun in the open.
 
#6 ·
You will frighten people.
They will dial 911.
You will interact with law enforcement.
It's anyone's guess from there.
You might want a good attorney on retainer.

Some light reading regarding a local incident:
Wisconsin Carry, Inc: Press release regarding Madison 5 Culvers Incident

For immediate release:

Last fall five Wisconsin Carry members were peacefully enjoying dinner at a
Madison area Culvers restaurant. Like thousands of Wisconsin residents, they
carry a sidearm for self-defense as a daily practice in the only manner
currently provided by Wisconsin law. After a 911 caller inquired as to the
legality of open-carry, Madison police arrived en masse and illegally demanded
identification from all five. Two members who politely declined to provide ID
were wrongfully cited for obstruction of justice. (Wisconsin, a free state, does
not require you produce identification when you have done nothing wrong.) Those
citations were rescinded 2 days later and all 5 were mailed citations for
disorderly conduct despite no evidence of a disturbance. Details of that initial
incident are available on Wisconsin Carry's website Welcome to Wisconsin Carry, Inc..
Click on the "Sept. 23rd 2010" blog heading for details including the audio of
the 911 call.

Wisconsin Carry filed a federal civil lawsuit against the City of Madison and
Police Chief Noble Wray on September 29, 2010. That lawsuit can be viewed here:
http://www.wisconsincarry.org/pdf/Ma...nComplaint.pdf

Wisconsin Carry also retained, on behalf of our members, notable defense
attorney Chris Van Wagner, principal of the Madison law firm Van Wagner & Wood
Wisconsin Attorney - Successful Criminal DUI Defense Attorneys - Drunk Driving Defense Lawyers - Sex Rape Sexual Assault Lawyer - Drug Possession Penalties - Murder Homicide Laws - Criminal Appeals Attorneys - Best Defense Lawyers - Madison WI 53703 to contest the wrongfully issued disorderly
conduct citations.

Today, Wisconsin Carry is pleased to announce that Attorney Van Wagner has
informed us that all of the charges against the "Madison 5" have been dismissed.
According to Attorney Van Wagner "The Madison City Attorney agreed after a full
review of the police investigation and 911 call that there was absolutely no
disturbance created by our members and that the disorderly conduct citations
were inappropriate". Van Wagner also added that "The ONLY disturbance created
on that Saturday evening was by a mass of uniformed Madison police officers and
squads arriving to investigate law-abiding citizens having dinner"

Questions about this incident and subsequent actions by Wisconsin Carry and our
attorney may be directed to Wisconsin Carry or Attorney Chris Van Wagner.
Wisconsin Carry will shortly be filing a second civil lawsuit against Madison
Police Chief Noble Wray and the City of Madison to obtain damages on behalf of
our members for their wrongful detainment and costs associated with disposing of
the citations.

Wisconsin Carry, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation
and advancement of the ability of law-abiding Wisconsin residents to legally
carry in the manner of their choosing (open or concealed).

Carry On,

Nik Clark
Chairman/President - Wisconsin Carry, Inc.
nik@wisconsincarry.org
Welcome to Wisconsin Carry, Inc.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I don't think it's a good idea to open carry, especially in California. The entire State is full of hanky stomping, squeamish liberals. They only approve of confrontation when they're sticking it to Joe Citizen.

I sometimes open carry when I go camping. Other than that, I'm just another face in the crowd. ;)

BTW:

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Contact members of the Senate Appropriations Committee TODAY to OPPOSE AB 144!

Unfortunately, the California Senate Public Safety Committee sided with the anti-gun extremists and passed Assembly Bill 144, the open carry ban bill, by a 4 to 2 vote yesterday. This bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

It is crucial that you call AND e-mail members of the Senate Appropriation Committee TODAY and urge them not to fall for the rhetoric anti-gun extremists are touting about the open carrying of a firearm causing more violence. Contact information for members of the Senate Appropriations Committee can be found below.

There are currently only six states that do not allow for the open carrying of a firearm. California is the ONLY state considering banning open carry. In fact, many states are considering legislation to loosen the restrictions on gun owners by allowing law-abiding citizens to carry a firearm without a permit.

Do anti-gun activists really think that criminals will stop committing crimes if law-abiding citizens can no longer openly carry a firearm? Crimes are not being committed by law-abiding individuals who openly carry an unloaded firearm in California.

Introduced by anti-gun Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-44), AB 144 would change the state’s gun laws and prohibit law-abiding citizens from carrying an unloaded handgun openly.

Please forward this alert to your family, friends and fellow gun owners asking them to also call members of the Senate Appropriations Committee to OPPOSE AB 144.

Help stop anti-gun activists from chipping away at our Second Amendment rights in California by calling and e-mailing the Senate Appropriations Committee TODAY.
 
#8 ·
Open carry can bring a lot of headaches your way. "Unloaded" open carry would translate to constant headaches with very little gained in the process.

Try diligently to get a concealed carry license. I know California is extremely difficult to deal with in that regard...but I'd speculate that if you are in fact an active EMT by profession, that would at least give you an inside track as it falls within the broad scope of "Homeland Security". That's an avenue that should be researched if you are (or will be) working in the EMS field.
 
#10 ·
I think california has always been against anything to do with firearms. I fear tht california is a lost cause
I understand the feeling and many times I get discouraged, but we have actually made some progress. If the best we can do is hold the line, so be it. But we can't give up, we are in the right.
 
#12 ·
I understand the need to exercise our rights. However, unloaded open carry seems like more hassle than it's worth for the trouble involved. Should it be legal? Yes. Is it a sensible thing to do? Not so much.

It's probably better to carry a framing hammer because you don't have to take the time to load it.
 
#13 ·
CA357 said:
I understand the need to exercise our rights. However, unloaded open carry seems like more hassle than it's worth for the trouble involved. Should it be legal? Yes. Is it a sensible thing to do? Not so much.

It's probably better to carry a framing hammer because you don't have to take the time to load it.
Hey i know sum people tht should only b able to carry a framing hammer
 
#14 ·
I love a good framing hammer, but I prefer a rigging axe. :D



You can see it on the wall here:

 
#15 ·
You all make perfect sense. And yeah i wouldnt be open carrying for no reason, maybe if I went camping or something that's pretty much it. I strongly believe we have all the rights to protect ourselves, and let us get a Ccp. I'm am active EMT and an FTO for downtown Los angeles. Sometimes these people here go nuts on us jus because we are wearing uniforms and look like LEO... it gets bad sometimes.
 
#17 ·
I remember, when hurrican Andrew ravaged Dade County, Florida, that initially the National Guard troops, patrolling the streets were armed with unloaded ARs.

The crooks took some of the guns from the troops.

An open carry, empty gun, is a gun store for a crook. With a little luck, when a gang takes it from you they won't pistol whip you with it.
 
#21 ·
EMTchad said:
You all make perfect sense. And yeah i wouldnt be open carrying for no reason, maybe if I went camping or something that's pretty much it. I strongly believe we have all the rights to protect ourselves, and let us get a Ccp. I'm am active EMT and an FTO for downtown Los angeles. Sometimes these people here go nuts on us jus because we are wearing uniforms and look like LEO... it gets bad sometimes.
I think you should carry open and loaded as an EMT in LA, that's a bad place. In Texas our fire marshals, coroners, and crime scene investigators carry open and loaded on duty. I live in San Antonio and I think our EMTs should do the same cause we got stupid people all over the city.
 
#22 ·
MrWray said:
<img src="http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=32559"/>

I was given this as a gift, i think it could inflict sum damage....but back to the topic, there will always b those types of people tht want the attention because they feel "cool". I carry to protect myself and my family not to look like a badass
Well put. I am a LEO and I carry concealed off duty. I don't want anybody to know I have a gun until I catch you doing something you shouldn't be doing.
 
#23 ·
AznZOhAn said:
Well put. I am a LEO and I carry concealed off duty. I don't want anybody to know I have a gun until I catch you doing something you shouldn't be doing.
A brother in blue.. I am taking a break from LE at the moment but im also a CLEET certified officer. I was a deputy sheriff,K9 handler and SRT team leader for the county tht i live in for many years. Sheriff's changed and ilost some of my partners so i had an opportunity to make a lil more money.BUT its only temporary, being a cop is in my blood and its wat i am so i will b wearing a badge again before long. Much respect to u brother, stay safe out there
 
#24 ·
Yeah azn, I should be allowed Ccp for doing what I do in downtown Los angeles. Also for what i do because people love to take advantage of us because we are not armed. But I also think people beg for attention when they OC in California. I see a bunch of these rejected lookin early 20's who can't get any carrying and recording all day. It's almost pathetic.. It is pathetic.
 
#25 ·
MrWray said:
A brother in blue.. I am taking a break from LE at the moment but im also a CLEET certified officer. I was a deputy sheriff,K9 handler and SRT team leader for the county tht i live in for many years. Sheriff's changed and ilost some of my partners so i had an opportunity to make a lil more money.BUT its only temporary, being a cop is in my blood and its wat i am so i will b wearing a badge again before long. Much respect to u brother, stay safe out there
Thank you sir and you do the same. I love being LE, I had an op to make more doing other things but it's in my blood too brother.
 
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