Open Carry in Florida

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110107/NEWS01/101070319/1006/Group+wants+to+bring+concealed+weapons+into+open




Group wants to bring concealed weapons into open

BY KAUSTUV BASU • FLORIDA TODAY • JANUARY 7, 2011



A movement to let Floridians openly carry their handguns in a holster makes its first stop in Brevard with a rally in Melbourne on Saturday.



The gathering at the city's Front Street Park is billed as a fishing event where participants are encouraged to openly carry handguns in holsters, something outlined as allowable under state law.

Similar events were organized last year in Daytona Beach, Orlando and Tampa. Supporters say Florida is one of a few states to ban "open carry" of handguns and want to change the state law.

According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, 34 states allow open carry without a permit while 12 states require a permit to open carry.

Four states, including Florida, prohibit open carry.

The rally comes at a time when the National Rifle Association is backing legislation that would permit residents with concealed-carry permits to wear their guns openly.

"We are correcting a problem that has existed for a while. We want to address that issue," said Marion Hammer, past president of the NRA and current Florida lobbyist for the organization.

Hammer said the bill under consideration is simply common sense.

"You are carrying a gun and it can become exposed. There is a very fine line there. This has created problems in the past," Hammer said about the bill that would let concealed carry permit holders carry their guns in public view.

In 1987, the state banned open carrying of handguns, the same year the concealed carry law went into effect.

Sean Caranna, a Volusia County resident who heads Florida Open Carry, said the NRA-backed legislation is the first step toward their ultimate goal: Unrestricted open carrying of handguns.

"We would like to decriminalize something that is legal in most other states. Florida has put up a barrier to that," Caranna said.

"People don't care. A gun in a holster is not a threat," he said.

Peter Alvarez, 32, of Melbourne plans to be at Saturday's event.

"The way society is now, the ability to open carry would make me feel a little more comfortable," he said. You know, gang members do not ask for anyone's permission to carry guns."

Brian Malte, state legislative director for the Brady Campaign, said open carrying could be troublesome.

"Open carrying of loaded guns is problematic for public safety and for law enforcement," he said. "It is frightening to see people carrying loaded weapons in urban and suburban environments."

Contact Basu at 321-242-3724 or kbasu@floridatoday.com.