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February 08, 2009 08:49 PM CST
Why Do I Want the Right to Open Carry?
by Steve Jones
Author: .
2037 Reads
I have been asked quite a bit lately why I want open carry legalized in Arkansas. People are almost always taken aback when I first propose this possibility to them, but they usually open their minds when I give my reasons. Following are my thoughts and beliefs on the Second Amendment and open carry legislation in Arkansas.
It is my God-given right to protect myself and my family. This right was acknowledged by our country’s founders and written into the Constitution as the Second Amendment. My individual right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment is strengthened by the Declaration of Rights in the Arkansas Constitution. This declaration says, “The citizens of this State shall have the right to keep and bear arms, for their common defense. “ Both these Federal and State governments give me the right to bear arms (not hide them, but bear them) under these Constitutions. Citizens of Arkansas should consider the right to keep and bear arms as a basic right, one which is as important to our government’s foundation as the right to free speech or religion. This is why I feel it is my right to open carry, not a privilege. My rights in these United States give me the ability to be armed at any time unless I have committed crimes and I have lost those rights. The state government does not have the authority to infringe upon these rights.
Arkansas Firearm laws need to be cleaned up; they need a drastic change. Current Arkansas code is very difficult to understand. Law enforcement officers cannot make decisions on most firearm carry laws because they are so vague. Open carry legislation will accomplish the goal of restoring citizens’ Second Amendment rights and allowing law enforcement officers to interpret the law and enforce it. If open carry were legalized, I wouldn’t have to worry about law enforcement officers’ understanding of the law and whether I would be detained when I am not breaking the law. Officers would understand citizens’ rights to bear arms. The “Journey” section of the firearm code would not ever come into play again. Open carry would be legal in all places a firearm is allowed in Arkansas. A handgun would be legal in a vehicle, a place where Arkansans spend a large part of their time. Hunters would be able to have self-defense options regardless of the type of hunting weapon they are using.
People who will open carry in Arkansas will be normal law-abiding citizens. Studies have shown criminals don’t strap on holsters and carry firearms in public. I believe if a person has made it to 18 years of age without losing his right to be armed, then the person should have the right to open carry. When more of these normal Arkansans are carrying in public, other citizens will become educated. They will lose their mis-guided fear of firearms. They will realize firearms don’t make people go crazy. In Arkansas today, children are learning firearms are bad. Open carry will change how children perceive firearms. They will see the kind, elderly gentleman who lives down the street carrying on their hip in Walmart. They will see the nice lady who lives next door wearing a Glock in her holster, walking around the block. Children will see this, and see bad things don’t happen simply because someone has a gun. The myths and lies perpetuated to kids will dissolve.
Currently, the only way a citizen can legally carry a firearm in Arkansas is to conceal carry with a permit. This sometimes is too uncomfortable to do in southern heat. Often, a permit holder will leave their firearm at home instead of trying to conceal when it is hot and humid. Open carry would, for instance, allow people of Arkansas to carry in a holster while in shorts and a tight t-shirt. No longer would a jacket be required to cover a firearm. If I am driving a lot, carrying open could be more comfortable and also allow quicker access to my firearm. If desired (and this is what I would like to do in certain situations), I would be able to both open carry and conceal carry. Also, some situations would require open carry rather than concealed. I should be allowed the choice to open carry, conceal carry or not carry at all. I should never be required to be disarmed unless I am breaking the law.
Ease of draw is something open carry will bring. A person is able to draw a firearm quicker from open carry than concealed carry under stressful conditions. As I mentioned above, drawing a firearm when in a vehicle would be tremendously faster from an open carry than if it were concealed. Also, open carry would allow citizens to carry larger firearms than can be carried while concealed.
Opponents of open carry use ridiculous arguments against it. They say it will return us to the days of the Wild West and the streets will become a bloodbath. These same tired statements were thrown about in the mid 1990’s when concealed carry became law. It doesn’t happen, and the opponents can’t find any facts to prove it happens. Forty-four states in the United States allow open carry in some fashion, and none of these states have become the places the opponents describe. Open carry is allowed in states such as Virginia, Vermont, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. There are no shootouts in the streets. What is found is exactly what I have provided above; law-abiding citizens are simply exercising their rights. The only problems which arise are when non-educated gunaphobics call 911 because a man is carrying a gun. These incidents usually end when the citizen who is open carrying is found not committing a crime. The Wild, Wild West “movie scene” which opponents try to put on the screen for you just isn’t the truth. It doesn’t happen. In fact, history buffs will tell you; there weren’t that many shootouts in the American west, anyway! It is a fabrication to sell more movies.
Other people say, “Just any person shouldn’t be allowed to open carry”. I vehemently disagree with that statement. Our Second Amendment rights don’t say only certain persons can bear arms. Our First Amendment rights don’t say only certain persons can speak freely. Our First Amendment rights don’t say only certain persons have religious rights. Our Constitution was written for every person of these United States, no matter who they are. Citizens can lose these rights by committing crimes, but we should not infringe upon any right simply because we don’t believe they deserve them or they haven’t passed any tests or training. We travel in dangerous territory when we infringe upon rights simply for “feel good” status.
Arkansans should have the right to open carry. It is our fundamental right given to us by the United States Constitution and by the Arkansas Constitution. The current laws should be changed.
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Category: Why Support Open Carry?
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