Spring Break
Gun enthusiast attempts to repeal open-carry ban
Jack Willems
Issue date: 10/20/08 Section: News
Crain also does not believe in the self-defense argument, he said.
"It could lead to who has the biggest gun and the fastest hand," Crain said.
Firing at other people is not something gun owners do lightly because the penalties for murder would dissuade them, Martin said. Furthermore, the state already allows people to carry concealed weapons, and how the gun is carried will not affect how the person carrying it behaves, Martin said.
"Concealed carry is half of my rights," Martin said. "I want all of my rights."
Gun enthusiasts at regional shooting ranges and gun shops have a variety of different views on the issue. While open carry would mean that criminals would know if their target had a weapon, it would also make it easier to take a gun from someone, said Will Clipps, who works at Ozark Sportsman Supplies.
The open carry of guns seems reasonable because it is no less dangerous than the concealed carry of guns, said Jon Hodoway, an area man who regularly participates in shooting competitions.
Jeff Meckley, another gun enthusiast, believes open carry should be allowed anywhere except schools, bars and airports, though he also thinks that there should be a background check on anyone who wants to buy a gun, he said.
"There are a lot of crazies out there," Meckley said.
Martin's petition needs signatures to succeed, and so far he has 482. Martin is not looking to get the petition on any ballot; rather he is hoping it will attract the attention of the state legislature, he said.
Arkansas is one of six states with a complete ban on the open carry of handguns.
"Originally, I assumed that only about six states would allow the open carry of handguns, and that we would be one of them," Martin said. "To the contrary, it was the other way around."
Those interested in signing Martin's petition can find it online at http://www.petitiononline.com/ARPFOCOH/petition.html.
"It could lead to who has the biggest gun and the fastest hand," Crain said.
Firing at other people is not something gun owners do lightly because the penalties for murder would dissuade them, Martin said. Furthermore, the state already allows people to carry concealed weapons, and how the gun is carried will not affect how the person carrying it behaves, Martin said.
"Concealed carry is half of my rights," Martin said. "I want all of my rights."
Gun enthusiasts at regional shooting ranges and gun shops have a variety of different views on the issue. While open carry would mean that criminals would know if their target had a weapon, it would also make it easier to take a gun from someone, said Will Clipps, who works at Ozark Sportsman Supplies.
The open carry of guns seems reasonable because it is no less dangerous than the concealed carry of guns, said Jon Hodoway, an area man who regularly participates in shooting competitions.
Jeff Meckley, another gun enthusiast, believes open carry should be allowed anywhere except schools, bars and airports, though he also thinks that there should be a background check on anyone who wants to buy a gun, he said.
"There are a lot of crazies out there," Meckley said.
Martin's petition needs signatures to succeed, and so far he has 482. Martin is not looking to get the petition on any ballot; rather he is hoping it will attract the attention of the state legislature, he said.
Arkansas is one of six states with a complete ban on the open carry of handguns.
"Originally, I assumed that only about six states would allow the open carry of handguns, and that we would be one of them," Martin said. "To the contrary, it was the other way around."
Those interested in signing Martin's petition can find it online at http://www.petitiononline.com/ARPFOCOH/petition.html.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Mike Stollenwerk
posted 10/20/08 @ 7:55 AM CST
It sure is kinda weird when folks can open carry handguns without any license in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Raleigh, Milwaukee, and Seattle - but not Arkansas. (Continued…)
George Lyon
posted 10/20/08 @ 9:04 AM CST
If the right to bear arms means anything, it means that a citizen should be able to have a holstered firearm available to protect himself or herself. Whether that is openly carried or concealed should be a matter of personal choice. (Continued…)
Ron Williams
posted 10/20/08 @ 6:57 PM CST
A majority of the States of the Union allow open carry of firearms. It seems odd that "the government" would say, "sure, hide it, thats OK, but don't carry it openly". (Continued…)
Bob Burton
posted 10/21/08 @ 1:00 AM CST
We have rights in this Country to decide for ourselves, let's start using these rights!
Lynn Vickers
posted 10/21/08 @ 5:05 AM CST
Only 6 states in the Union have laws that forbid open carry.The rest have either open carry or concealed carry or some combination. How many of those state have reverted to 'the old west'? Also, if you check the statistics of the cities in the 'old west' you will find lower crime rates than we have now. (Continued…)
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