Still illegal pretty much everywhere in Florida to open carry, they just don’t require a permit for concealed carry. You’ve been allowed to carry in your vehicle without a permit for as long as I’ve been alive, so long as the proper steps were followed.
I don't carry one. I don't need to because I don't get into situations that warrant needing one. Have you actually tried to use a firearm while driving? Secondly, if I know a driver is going postal, God bless him because I'm driving a 3500 lb weapon of mass destruction and he's not going to like what I do to his vehicle and most likely they will lose their weapon in the process. Lastly, I'm not going to stop to let someone get a bead on me. I'm driving straight to the nearest policeman and said driver can deal with the full wrath of an Alabama policeman and his posse.
Sounds good but you have no idea what can happen to you in an instant until it happens - and then it’s too late. in CC class they make the point that it’s about 3 seconds and about 3 feet. There’s precious little time to think and react. Even to the point that your weapon should have one in the chamber at all times. 2 seconds to draw and rack the slide is a big chunk of the available time you have at your disposal. FWIW, your 3500 pound vehicle will have a hard time moving a 5000 pound F-150 pickup very far. Never overestimate your position.
It’s a nice philosophy that you won’t get into situations needing a gun. In reality – things such as stoplights and traffic jams create the exact situation where a crackhead has a perfect bead on you. Before I retired, I was required to travel into the most crime ridden portion of North Jacksonville daily, and I carried in my car as a precaution. Now that I am retired in my small town at the beach, I no longer encounter situations where I feel the need to carry in my car. My gun has been firmly planted in my bedroom in case of a home invasion, which is highly unlikely in my residential town. The need for access to a gun should be situational.
Read my post where the shoot out happened at a stop light. We couldnt go anywhere without ramming everyone nut really didnt want to draw attention anyway. We work all over though and there are places we prefer having a gun. You dont need one until you do.
Me? I don't discuss with people I don't know whether I own firearms or not, whether I carry or not. I recommend that to most people that own firearms. What is accomplished by show-boating that you own a gun? Signalling? Am I properly credentialed if I do? Yup. I don't practice enough - and believe me, competence under stress only happens with dedicated, purposeful, realistic training - to feel really competent in the 3 seconds/3 feet scenario. Carrying a side arm without training in both the skill and the will is often dangerous to more than the bad guy. What I always carry is Situational Awareness. Bugs the Mrs at times but she's often glad for it even in mildly sketchy situations. I think putting decals on a car that tells others anything about a firearm is unwise. I live in a part of the world where it's not at all uncommon for people to do so. You might assume a Ranger decal means I am carrying. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Like the folks in my subdivision...I have a very good idea who probably does and does not. But the element of "I don't want to risk getting get shot there." is what we want people with ill intent to consider before they come here. I am fortunate to have been well-trained in my youth enough to disabuse me of the notion that possessing a firearm equals my safety. The will and the forethought are the ante. Proper employment of it is the winning hand. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk!
Curious - a purposeful exchange going on here, and then this post talking about “showboating” about owning a gun. Who is doing that? We are all anonymous posters discussing the pros and cons of carrying a firearm. Nobody here knows whether or not I’m carrying because nobody here knows who I am. Thank you for your service sir, but I think your comments are just a bit misdirected.
Im fairly proficient with a rifle or shotgun, shooting dove is a fun sport. Im terrible with a handgun as there was just no usefulness growing up.
That comment was not at all directed at anyone. I am often unartful in my prose. I just think firearms are an intensely personal matter, and should be kept close. I had no intent of calling out anyone.
I knew a guy that told everyone he was getting his ccs, then told everyone when he got it, then told everyone what gun he was carrying… Too many people like him. I think is the kind of guy gatorranger was referring too. Everyone needs to be comfortable and familiar with their own choice of personal defense. Situational awareness, cCW, big dog, attack cow, throwing stars, etc.. Each to his own. And every choice has downsides and upsides to be weighed. Me.. I like the big dog and mad cow attack.. Followed by the shotgun and throwing stars.
There are some really good things to be discussed around this topic. It can be informative and beneficial, because it’s easy to find misunderstanding. Example: the concealed carry classes I have attended focus not so much on how to handle your weapon as much as when to go to it, and when not to. Some really interesting scenarios can be discussed. Primary focus - what gives me my maximum chance of survival? Good stuff - especially when the only football-related thing to talk about is our cornerback who’s in trouble for something involving a firearm
I don’t like any distinguishing marks on any of my vehicles. No stickers, no lifts, no flashy wheels. Tint and possibly some more aggressive tires as I spend a lot of time off pavement, but I see 20 cars that could easily be confused with mine every time I leave the house. My truck is slightly unique, as it’s blacked out and has a topper, but there’s about 6 very similar ones within a few miles of my house. I often see three in one parking lot, must be company trucks and bossman has similar taste. I get texts from people all the time asking if I just drove by them. Nope, just my decoys!
Most memorable thing any instructor ever told me was that if you have the option to flee, flee. If there is not a direct threat to you or one of your loved ones and you can get out of there, gtfo. Even a justified shoot can bankrupt you and potentially ruin your life as you knew it. You do not want to go through it unless it’s absolutely necessary. Let the folks paid to protect and serve protect everyone else.
