Open Carry In Lancaster

[Johannes_Paulsen]

And Soberbyker will be thrilled to see that the man is packing a Kahr...

[NineseveN]

Forwarded to me via e-mail on a discussion list:



Recent summary from the Lancaster New Era: Editor's note: Last
week's story on openly carrying handguns in public has generated
comments from around the nation. Here is a sampling. It should be
noted that it is illegal to open-carry in a vehicle in
Pennsylvania unless you have a license to carry a firearm. Also,
Park City Center has a policy against customers carrying weapons
on mall property.

Outdoors Editor, New Era:

First, I absolutely respect and defend an individual's right to
own and carry/use firearms as long as it is done in a legal and
RESPONSIBLE manner.

While the individual showcased in your article certainly seems
confident in the way he chooses to wear his weapon and obviously
believes that making his weapon visible leaves no doubt of his
ability (or 'implied' ability as a man is no more 'armed' just
because he OWNS a gun than he is a musician just because he owns
a piano) to defend himself, I cannot believe someone in this day
and age would willfully invite the scrutiny and potential
liability in carrying a weapon like this.

We are fortunate to live in a very gun-friendly state (thank you
to all the hunters out there of which I am not one). We are
surrounded by states that have all but done away with reasonable
gun ownership and carry laws.

Let's not mess things up by prompting new gun legislation because
a few want to take advantage of a loophole when really there is
no need to.

Pay the fee, fill out the forms and carry your weapon and permit
(preferably concealed) in a secure holster. Add to that some
relevant, basic firearms training and you will be much better off
all around especially ifyou are unfortunate enough to have to use
your weapon to defend yourself someday.

Dale Stewart
Lancaster


Outdoors Editor, New Era:

I just wanted to thank you for the great article you wrote on
"Packing Heat in Plain view".

I've had police hassle me when carrying openly, but since it's
not illegal, they cannot charge me with violating any law.

However, I HAVE known folks get charged with disorderly conduct
for doing so. They beat the charge in court, but still, it's
money spent forno good reason.

It's always nice to see a pro-gun rights article in an
increasingly rights-restrictive time.

Jay Bell
Gilbertsville, Pa.


Outdoors Editor, New Era:

I would like to thank you for a well-written article on gun
owners/carriers. It is good to see some positive publicity for
gun owners. I am glad to see reporters writing about citizens
that have chosen to protect themselves and their families. As we
have seen, police cannot be everywhere and it is up to a citizen
to protect themselves.

Keith Coleman
Erie, Pa.


Outdoors Editor, New Era:

Thank you for the article in Tuesday's New Era, "Packing heat in
plain view.

" It showed that all gun-carrying people are not fanatics, just
good, law-abiding citizens that wish to be safe. We need more
articles like thisto help protect our rights.

Joan Asso
Lancaster


Outdoors Editor, New Era:

You have provided Lancaster County with the information that they
can walk around with handguns in a holster on their hip.

Most of us would qualify by law. I would qualify by law. I'm a
scary-looking guy as it is. Now I know I can be a scary-looking
guy walking around with a gun.

Now just imagine a bunch of scary-looking people walking around
Lancaster with guns. Is that the society of the future that you
envision for Lancaster County? What a public service you have
provided!

Fortunately, few people read newspapers anymore especially the
Outdoors section. If people died from handgun violence because of
your column's information,would that bother you at all?

Frank Spring
Lancaster


Outdoors Editor, New Era:

Thanks you for such a good and non-biased article on an issue
that many people should know about. I live in the city of
Lancaster and I have a license to carry a firearm. I have
considered open carry but was concerned with the reaction of the
general public and of the authorities.

I am 55 years old with two grown children. I did not grow up in a
gun family nor as a hunter. I do believe in the Second Amendment
and the right of self defense. I do not believe 100 percent that
just anyone should be able to own just any gun and that there
should be a system to help both protect our rights but also to
help screen out those that are not legally or mentally allowed to
own and carry a weapon.

Wayne Weiderman
Lancaster



Outdoors Editor, New Era:

Thank you for writing this article! I live in Berks County and I,
too, open carry. I appreciate a journalist who is willing to
challenge the stereotype of armed citizens as either criminals or
paranoid, camouflage-wearing, anti-government rednecks. While I
do admit to wearing camouflage on occasion, I am not paranoid and
I believe firmly in the rule of law.

Steve Custer
Temple, Pa.


Outdoors Editor, New Era:

Thanks for the great gun-rights piece. I have my concealed permit
and never realized it was legal to open carry here as well.

I don't carry most of the time, but when I'm deep in the woods
hiking with my wife, you can bet I'll be packin!

It was great to read someone in the paper mention Virginia Tech
specifically banning guns on campus and proclaiming everyone
"safer" as a result.

Jesse Rothacker
Manheim



Outdoors Editor, New Era:

Thanks for writing the article. It wasvery informative as I have
only lived a few months in Pennsylvania and was unaware of open
carry.

Isabel Lyman

Manheirm Township

[ursavus.elemensis]

I respectfully do not think that openly carrying a gun makes any sense in most situations. If it did make any sense at all, you'd see off-duty cops openly carrying, and you never see that kind of thing.

[Pa. Patriot]

I respectfully do not think that openly carrying a gun makes any sense in most situations. If it did make any sense at all, you'd see off-duty cops openly carrying, and you never see that kind of thing.

My opinion is that your opinion (respectively) is very poorly thought out. There are many reasons why open carry "makes sense". Not for all occasions, but they are there.

And I know one LEO that does carry open frequently while off duty and can recall at least one two others that I have seen. This is in addition to the growing number of citizens carrying open.

[RoyJackson]

The article on open carry was terrific. I also e-mailed the writer and thanked him for such a good story.
Now, I carry 99% of the time...mostly a .38 in my pocket because that's the most convenient for me.
However, when I want to carry OWB, I wear a sports jacket (summer or winter weight, depending upon the temperature.
To me, this works well. It's easy access to the gun but doesn't exhibit I'm carrying.
Since open carry is legal, if my handgun shows when I flip my jacket back (grabbing my wallet, for example), it's no big deal.

[Pa. Patriot]

That's the best article I have read in a while about carrying, period! I have some reservations about open carrying where I live due to the local PD. The only time I do is when I'm getting ready to go to the range.

I'm in Mountain Top too and have been OC'ing more and more frequently.
What reservations do you have about the local PD? I am an FFL and know some of the locals but have not had the pleasure, that I can recall, of having any of the mtn top LEO see me OC'ing. I'd be interested in your info and concerns. Feel free to PM me if you prefer.

[Ghost001]

Sorry, this should have been a PM.

[whoshisface]

I respectfully do not think that openly carrying a gun makes any sense in most situations. If it did make any sense at all, you'd see off-duty cops openly carrying, and you never see that kind of thing.

I respectfully think you're wrong.