I'll be retiring from the PD in the next few years and was checking out other states that I might move to. As part of doing that I have looked into some of the gun laws (don't want to end up in another police state).
I'm surprised at many of the asinine (and unConstitutional) laws that many states have.
In some states you can have a gun but it can't be concealed.
Or it MUST be concealed.
You can carry it in your car but it must be in plain sight.
Or it must be concealed.
In the glove box is okay, but can't be in the console or under the seat.
You can carry in a belt holster but not an ankle holster.
You can carry concealed but it must be exposed in a restaurant.
You can't carry in---
parks,
sporting events,
schools,
government buildings,
highway rest areas (I ride a motorcycle. What do I do, chain it to the bike while I'm in the bathroom?),
banks,
buses,
hospitals,
day care centers,
town meetings,
parades,
etc.
You have to tell cops about it.
What happens when you're with someone who doesn't (and shouldn't) know that you're armed?
As corrupt, malfeasant, and unConstitutional as my state is, we have very simple rules. Carry permits are issued almost exclusively on political grounds but if you do get one you can carry almost anywhere in the state.
The only exception is school property. That is the only restriction. Admittedly, there is no valid reason for such a restriction but at least we only have the one where some states have dozens.
We don't care how you carry it (open or concealed), where it is in your car, what kind of holster you have, etc. You either CAN have a gun or you CAN'T.
Many states have so many "off limits" locations that anyone who doesn't have a car (to keep his gun in while visiting off limits locations) can't even use his permit.
I remember reading a post written by a man with a new carry permit. In documenting a few hours running errands around town he had to take his gun off and leave it in the car a dozen times. This is asinine. What happens with those who walked into town or took public transportation? They have no choice but to either break the (admittedly unConstitutional) law or leave the gun home.
We need a lot less stupid rules written by incompetent and malfeasant politicians and a lot more freedom! As a cop I have NO restrictions on where I can go. Nobody else should have any either!
Sorry this was so long!