Holy Frappachino Batman! California!!!

[stevie_d_64]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sca ... y_id=51902" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Packing heat at Starbucks for all the world to see

"Open carry" supporter at a Starbucks in Cupertino (Courtesy of KTVU)

In a report highlighting the "open carry" gun movement, KTVU's Lloyd LaCuesta interviewed locals who are hanging out in public, packing heat and exerting their Second Amendment right for all the world to see.

Advocates across the country are picnicking together, going to zoos, going to church and picking up trash. Most notably, supporters protested Obama this past summer. In the Bay area, David Julian, 27, and others are hanging out at a Cupertino Starbucks, sipping their Venti coffees with guns holstered to their hips.

Supporters, who appear to come from all backgrounds, also say they're toting firearms to educate others about guns and their constitutional right. They're doing it protect themselves. And they can do it legally, as Julian demonstrated in his YouTube video below, which shows two Santa Clara deputies checking Julian's gun.

You can openly carry a firearm in California, but as KTVU and the Los Angeles Times explain, the gun must be unloaded and holstered. The ammunition cannot be attached to the gun, said Sunnyvale Police Capt. Doug Moretto. Other rules include:


-- The weapon can be inspected, but there can be no search for the gun's serial number. The open carrier cannot be within 1,000 feet of a school, on the grounds of a college or university, or in government buildings or secure areas of airports (KTVU).

-- People with drug or violent crime convictions or mental disorders cannot open carry (KTVU).

-- In cities within the state, publicly displayed guns must not be loaded. In unincorporated areas, loaded guns can be carried openly unless a local ordinance prohibits it. (LA Times)

But U.S. laws vary across the U.S. The Times cites Utah's "two step" regulation.

Of course the open carry issue raises several concerns. Officers interviewed by KTVU point out that there's no telling if the gun is loaded and that a tense situation could turn violent.

[stevie_d_64]

By the way, there appears to be some videos imbedded in the link that might be interesting to view...

I thought this was a fairly decent article as well...

But who would have thought (of all places)??? California???

[stevie_d_64]

-- People with drug or violent crime convictions or mental disorders cannot open carry (KTVU). (or violent criminal intent -- Stevie-D)

Of course the open carry issue raises several concerns. Officers interviewed by KTVU point out that there's no telling if the gun is loaded and that a tense situation could turn violent.

There is also no telling that if a (deadly force) criminal act instigated against someone who is carrying a firearm for lawful self-defensive purposes would create a "tense" situation...But they had better be suspicious of anyone in a situation like this, because the people around might get "freaked" out because they see a gun! [That last part of the comment, I made, was paraphrased from the officers comment made in the video in the linked article]

I should probably not be so sarcastic, some people might not like it...

[Abraham]

What purpose do unloaded pistols serve?

California allows their residents to open carry unloaded pistols sounds like a cruel joke to me.

Am I missing something?

[dicion]

What purpose do unloaded pistols serve?

California allows their residents to open carry unloaded pistols sounds like a cruel joke to me.

Am I missing something?

I guess you can carry a magazine on another pocket?

Reduces your 'getting a loaded gun' time from "Run to the house" to 5 seconds to Load & Rack?

Better than no gun?
But I agree, it's dumb.

Also..

Officers interviewed by KTVU point out that there's no telling if the gun is loaded and that a tense situation could turn violent.

Those officers should be removed from the force, as they obviously don't know rule #1 of Gun Safety, and should not be carrying one themselves.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Open carry is allowed for unloaded guns?

Move along - there's nothing to see here.

I prefer concealed and loaded with one in the pipe, thank you.
It would take me less time to draw and fire, then to draw,
retrieve the mag, load, rack, and fire.

SIA