Florida residents

[Hkmp5sd]

I t should be obvious to anyone with basic reading comprehension skills

One would think that applies to the 2nd Amendment too. IMO, paying the fee for a CCW or going the extra step to ensure my actions are not interpreted to be illegal, is worth it. I agree completely that it should not be needed. However, getting handcuffed, sitting in jail, potential lawyer fees, etc, while the district attorney sorts out whether or not my handgun was being transported legally is worse. Lots of "innocent" people get arrested.

 

[.45FMJoe]

The NRA course is accepted I think. I took the 2 hour course at the Tampa gun show at the fairgrounds and the certificate said NRA on it.

The area is pretty cool actually. I like it here. Don't patronize Suicide Sports (shooting sports) on Dale Mabry Hwy...bunch of a$$ gremlins. I go across the bridge to Largo and shoot at Knights.

You do not have to inform a cop if you are carrying, but you might want to. When he runs your license it will come back to him that you have a permit. Then he might get a little irked you weren't honest with him. Gun shops? We don't have no steeenkin' gun shops. Seriously, the last "real" gun shop closed. The gun show at teh fairgrounds comes around 4 times a year and I haven't missed a show in like 2 years (I'm only 22 and only been into guns for 2 years). However, Evan at on point firearms is the nicest guy and gives the BEST prices on anything. We just discovered him and are in the process of buying 4 new pistols from him. Myself and 2 friends bought G32's w/ night sights for $505 + tax each and my dad just bought a .40 CZ-Rami for $425 + tax. That's not haggling. His price on the new SiG GSR is $835 SS or Nitron...Evan is a helluva nice guy. I really enjoy browsing and drooling though, so I do that at the gunshows and then call Evan for a real deal.

 

[DDGator]

Whew, lots of stuff to comment on...

I live in Clearwater. Cops has never taped in Clearwater. There were some episodes taped in Hillsborough County -- the adjoining county (Tampa). Clearwater is pretty low crime for the most part.

Your CCW class instructor must certify that you have safely discharged a firearm. Anyone who took the course without firing a single round probably got a false certification from the instructor. The group that does the gunshows satisifies the requirement by going to a range and shooting one shot from a revolver. You don't have to hit the target -- you just have to discharge it "safely". Don't point it at anyone and you pass.

I carry in my glove box all the time. I have a CWP, but it shouldn't matter. The statute is very clear and I disagree that most cops don't understand it. They have statute books and can read. In your center console or glove box is fine -- jammed between or under the seat (and not snapped in a holster or zipped in a case) and you will have a problem.

Also -- having a CWP is not necessarily a cure all if you are carrying otherwise illegally in your vehicle. What if you have a passenger in the front without a CWP that could access the weapon? Potential trouble.

Ray Jay is a great company and Florida is a great state.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

(Scratch that. I screwed up.)

 

[joab]

Your CCW class instructor must certify that you have safely discharged a firearm

This is what I understood when I originally decided to get the permit ( bribe the state into allowing me to exercise my rights) However I have taken 2 classes about 2 years apart and both were the same, 2 videos a 5 minute lecture and no guns.

I asked another shop that I was considering going to if it mattered what type of gun I brought they said not to bring any I wouldn't need to shoot, I was intrigued so I asked another same answer.same answer

Of all my permitted friends I am the only one that has had this experience but they have had their permits for awhile. Have the rules changed maybe, I can't see the state relaxing it's stndards but then Fla is all about the money.But I can't see this many shops violateing the rules either.

One place was kinda small but the 2 I asked were major gun store and range combo stores in the area. The other shop I took my previous class at does alot of police and security training classes.

Do you have a link to the rules that you decribe. I don't disbelieve you But i woud like to know why I alone have never fired a shot at these classes. Am I ugly, do I smell bad or do I just have the look of a natural born shooter? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[joab]

One would think that applies to the 2nd Amendment too

There is room to debate on the term "regulated militia" not even all pro 2A people agree on the exact definition of this. Thats why establishing the intent of the framers is so important.

But this sentance---(A person traveling by private conveyance when the weapon is securely encased or in a public conveyance when the weapon is securely encased and not in the person's manual possession) clearly seperates the 2 forms of travel by the word or and by repeating securely encased and expanding on it to include not in manuel possession. There's not even a comma to confuse the issue.
Roughly the equivilant of " all boys wearing jeans line up on the right and all girls wearing dresses line up on the left. Does it mean that girls wearing jeans should go to the right or that boys wearing dresses should go to San Francisco?(I know a long way to go for a punch line, but I'm finally in a good mood) No, it means exactly what it says. A seperate set of instructions for each group.

IMO, paying the fee for a CCW or going the extra step to ensure my actions are not interpreted to be illegal, is worth it.

Some people simply cannot afford it. That was my problem back in '87.
If a cop misinterprets my legal action for illegal actions and feels he needs to arrest or unduly harass me, then he should do what he feels is necessary. I won't complain. I can use the settlement money to go to law school and become one of those pro 2A lawyers I hear about but never seem to see when a clear self defense case goes to court.

The area is pretty cool actually. I like it here. Don't patronize Suicide Sports (shooting sports) on Dale Mabry Hwy...bunch of a$$ gremlins. I go across the bridge to Largo and shoot at Knights.

I agree there are much better places to go to on Dale Mabry, when you get there you'll see what I mean, if they havn't been closed down there like they have in Seminole County.

 

[DDGator]

Joab,

Here is an excerpt from Florida Statutes 790.06, dealing with concealed weapon permits:


A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any of the courses or classes; or an affidavit from the instructor, school, club, organization, or group that conducted or taught said course or class attesting to the completion of the course or class by the applicant; or a copy of any document which shows completion of the course or class or evidences participation in firearms competition shall constitute evidence of qualification under this paragraph; any person who conducts a course pursuant to subparagraph 2., subparagraph 3., or subparagraph 7., or who, as an instructor, attests to the completion of such courses, must maintain records certifying that he or she observed the student safely handle and *discharge* the firearm;


I did not include the whole statute -- its all available on line (http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/index.cfm?Mode=ViewStatutes&Submenu=-1).

However, this is consistent with what my instructor told me. He had to observe me "safely handle and discharge" a firearm. The one shot we fired in the course was designed to meet the barest requirements of the statute. If they did not have to do that -- they wouldn't take the time or expense--he was quite clear about that.

Ultimately though, it is probably a problem for your instructor if it ever becomes an issue -- not for you.

 

[joab]

That answers it ,thanks. I would ask a friend of a friend, who rcently started teaching this class, but like you said It's not gonna come back on me, and I don't agree with the whoile licensing thing anyway.