Unrestricted Carry

[MarkDido]

One of the things that have always bugged me about my FL CCW is the long list of places I'm not allowed to carry. This includes:

- Any establishment that serves alcohol for consumption on the premesis
- State Parks
- Federal facilities including military bases

and so on

So why is my right to protect my life defined soley by geography?

It's OK for me to be a responsible CCW holder and walk into my local Wal-Mart, Winn-Dixie, or 7-11 with a concealed weapon, but somehow, I'm going to turn into some fanatical gun-wielding maniac if I choose to enter a T.G.I. Fridays, or my local post office?

I would imagine that 99.99% of CCW holders nation-wide are intensely aware of their responsibilities when carrying and are not likely to get "stupid" based solely on their location.

I live in Orlando, and I occasional go to the Exchange at Patrick Air Force Base. So the federal government is basically negating my right to self-defense from the front door of my house, to the main gate of Patrick, which is a distance of about 50 miles, no matter where I might stop in-between.

The proposed legislation to allow retired police officers the right to carry concealed, creates a "favored class" in our society. Retired LEO's are just that, retired, and they shouldn't have a greater "right" to protect themselves than that of the rest of the population.

Truth be known, I would imagine that you average CCW holder trains and practices much more than their LEO counterpart who may only fire their weapon for annual recertification.

 

[tiberius]

So why is my right to protect my life defined soley by geography?

Becasue you're a prole and your government knows what's best for you.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Doubleplus what tiberius said.

 

[Partisan Ranger]

In VA we have similar restrictions, although Gov. Warner did get the idiotic local bans lifted on carrying in state parks.

It always pisses me off that my right to concealed carry is restricted and is usually based upon illogical thought. Why would a criminal care if CCW is prohibited in a government building? What good did that do in NYC a couple weeks ago? Are criminals going to check their guns at the door of a restaurant that serves booze? Heck no, but the law-abiding will leave theirs at home.

 

[AJ Dual]

What would happen if you went to the gate at the A.F.B. and asked to check your weapon? Leavenworth, or just lots of embarassed head-scratching while they ran it up the chain of command?

If that's too ballsy for you, how about a certified letter to the base commander's office asking what the procedure is? Although, tipping your hand prematurely like that just gives them the chance to say, "categorically, NO".

:Scrutiny: Although there has to be some kind of protocol for the occasional non-federal state and municipal LEO's who have business on base? Or does it never happen?

 

[Langenator]

MarkDido wrote:

- Federal facilities including military bases

AndrewWalkowiak wrote:

What would happen if you went to the gate at the A.F.B. and asked to check your weapon? Leavenworth, or just lots of embarassed head-scratching while they ran it up the chain of command?

I'm in the Army, and this is how it's worked at the posts I've been stationed at. Unless you're some sort of LEO on official business (they work the the MPs all the time) you cannot bring any firearms on post if they are not registered with the Provost Marshall's office (the MPs). This applies to both personnel who live both on and off post. Concealed firearms of any sort are not allowed, and this is prominently posted at all the gates.

I carry concealed all the time, except when I'm in uniform. If I'm going on post, I remove the magazine from the pistol and lock both in the glove compartment before I get to the gate. I take them back out when I leave. Easy enough.

 

[AJ Dual]

So technically if you were willing to undergo the hassle, you could register with the Provost Marshall, and have the MP's lock up your CCW while you were there, then check it back out to you as you left?

 

[Drjones]

It's OK for me to be a responsible CCW holder and walk into my local Wal-Mart, Winn-Dixie, or 7-11 with a concealed weapon, but somehow, I'm going to turn into some fanatical gun-wielding maniac if I choose to enter a T.G.I. Fridays, or my local post office?

According to some people, yes.

 

[synoptic]

If you asked them at the gate if they could check it there isn't really anything they could do except say "no" and not let you on base. It really depends on the post what they will do. I have lived on posts where they will even check out the keys to their range so you can take your personal guns out to shoot, and it seems some (although I haven't personally experienced tis) have had to leave their personal weapons behind when living on post. It's worth a shot, just may not be worth the 50 mile drive back home to store it.

 

[Langenator]

So technically if you were willing to undergo the hassle, you could register with the Provost Marshall, and have the MP's lock up your CCW while you were there, then check it back out to you as you left?

Maybe. Or, you can unload it, and keep it locked up in your vehicle (trunk, glove box) which is what I do.

All of the above supposes that you're able to get a permit to get on post in the first place. If you're not in the military, retired, or a base employee, that can be tough.

At least at the stateside posts I've been at (Ft Lewis, Ft Benning, Ft Leavenworth) personnel who live on post, whether in the barracks or in family housing, are required to register their weapons and to store them in their unit's arms room. I've always lived off post, at least since I've owned firearms, so it's never been an issue for me.