Note: please note that this issue overview should (a) contain links to additional information on this topic that is focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (b) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items. See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you.
By James Dowling-Healey
Goal Statement one sentence that further defines the topic
- To begin to understand the complexity of open carry policy and the policy options that states face.
Policy Options / Model Programs specific policies or program models, grouped by type, that are profiled
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Open carry is the right to carry a weapon (usually a firearm) openly. The alternative is conceal carry, the ability to carry a weapon hidden.
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Gun rights are fiercely protected by gun rights advocates. The open carry movement is not usually considered part of the main gun rights movement.
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States should continue to be allowed to decide whether they want to let people carry openly but states must make sure their residents know the rules. A common concern with open carry is that it will panic people; this can be reduced with proper gun policy education (people have even been arrested because 911 operators did not know whether open carry was legal or not).
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Some wory that open carry will lead to insurrection but the FBI has suggested that those who carry their guns openly are less likely to be criminals.
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Two options exist for open carry-
1 Increasing the rights of people to open carry as a means of safety and exercising their rights or
2 Banning open carry in the hopes that stopping open gun carrying will prevent the likelihood of gun violence.
Ultimately it is a decision that must be made by the states after long consideration and gun education.
Local/State/National Information additional information on this topic at the local, state, national, global level
Illinois
- Legislation about open carry varies by state. For example: The recent attempts to make Oklahoma an open carry state failed when Governor Bard Henry vetoed a bill (House bill 3354) that would have made open carry legal in Oklahoma
- In California assembly bill 1934, a bill to ban open carry in public places in California, is being fought bitterfly by people who favor open carry.
Glossary of Terms key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue
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Open Carry: The ability to legally carry a weapon openly.
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Concealed Carry: The ability to carry a concealed weapon.
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State's rights: The rights of the states to make decisions about how to make laws on issues in their states.
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Gun rights: An umbrella term for people to have guns, protected by the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
- The Second Amendment to Constitution of the United States: The amendment that people cite when saying they have the right to have guns. "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Bibliography
- Pierce, John. Why 'Open Carry' Gun Laws Work Second Amendment or no, law-abiding citizens have the right to go about their business. US News and World Report 15 Apr., 2010. 15 May, 2010. http://www.usnews.com/articles/opinion/2010/04/15/why-open-carry-gun-laws-work.html/
- Mahoney, Edmund H. Support is growing for openly carried weapons. Hartford Courant. 18 Apr., 2010. 15 May, 2010. http://articles.courant.com/2010-04-18/news/hc-open-carry-guns-0418.artapr18_1_gun-owners-gun-laws-permits
- Leinwand, Donna. Four States, among last holdouts, eye open-carry gun laws. USA Today. 11 Feb., 2010. 15 May, 2010. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-02-11-guns_N.htm
- Open Carry.com.
- Bill of Rights Transcript. 17 Dec. 1791. 15 May, 2010. http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html
- Growing Opposition to AB 1934. Halfway to Concord. 11 May, 2010. 18 May, 2010. http://www.halfwaytoconcord.com/growing-opposition-to-ab-1934/
- Hoberock, Barbard. Henry vetoes open-carry, health care opt out. Tulsa World. 14 May, 2010. 17 May 2010. http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=12&articleid=20100514_12_0_OKLAHO511907&allcom=1
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