Packing heat: The case for the open carrying of weapons

OFF THE WIRE
Monday July 26, 2010
Anita Roman reporting

According to the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, each and every American citizen has the right to keep and bare arms.

And in Nevada, a person can carry a loaded or unloaded firearm without a permit as long as that weapon is fully exposed. This is referred to as “open carrying.”

Now, there’s a group gaining a lot of attention just by simply following the law.

You may not expect to see armed individuals make their way through the crowded Las Vegas Strip on a Saturday night.

Tim Farrell, however, is part of this group.

“Most people either don't notice or stare but, generally, 99 percent of the comments we receive are positive. A lot of people say thanks for carrying, thanks for standing up for my rights.”

Although the group doesn’t have a name or affiliation, Farrell explains that it does have a purpose.

“It's really for public awareness. Most everyone here open carries daily, everywhere they go. The grocery store, the mall, everywhere they go they are open carrying.”

But while openly carrying a weapon is not against the law, one expert says the practice could frighten tourists. And that's where problems arise.

Gun expert Bob Irwin says there are places where people are not allowed to openly carry guns, such as schools, airports, and jails.

“People see guns on occasion and get upset. ‘Oh my god, there is somebody carrying a gun.’ And they then call the police thinking that the person is committing a crime.”

However, there is no specific law that says anyone cannot openly carry, which is why Farrell says it’s important for people to exercise their rights.

“Don’t be afraid of the repercussions, of police and citizens alike. The only thing that we can do is educate. Once it becomes more and more common, hopefully, there will be less and less encounters, less and less negatives thoughts about it.”

For now, Farrell and his group will continue to meet and carry their weapons out in the open with the hope that more people will come to understand what they are doing and why.

Farrell says last June he had an encounter with police in which he filed a complaint. As a result, Metro Police was required to conduct a mandatory re-training session for their officers regarding Nevada’s open carry law.