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Gun group tours Boise zoo while armed
The Associated Press Edition Date: 07/20/08
BOISE, Idaho — Idaho members of a group that advocates openly carrying handguns in public gathered at Zoo Boise this weekend to tour the area while packing guns on their hips.
The 10 members of OpenCarry.org were allowed into the southwestern Idaho zoo on Saturday after initial confusion at the entrance on whether it was legal to bring an unconcealed handgun into the zoo.
After getting the OK, the group bought tickets and entered through the front gates.
"Coming to the zoo was something we could do together, like any family would," group member Carol Schultz of Nampa told the Idaho Statesman.
Schultz said she's never without her handgun that she keeps in a holster that's attached to a heart-studded belt.
She said she's also gone through the training and background check to qualify for a concealed weapons permit.
"In an ideal society, one of peace and people taking control of their own lives, ideally, you wouldn't need a gun," she said.
Blaine Tewell of Eagle also took part in the visit to Zoo Boise. He said he's in the process of getting a concealed weapons permit, but for now openly carries a weapon in plain sight.
He said he's not a vigilante and doesn't want to chase down criminals, but does want to be able to defend himself.
"When seconds count, police are still minutes away," he said.
Schultz and Tewell said they've never had to use a gun in self-defense. However, they have been asked to leave private property, such as restaurants and stores, when told they were making others nervous with their guns.
"We support peoples' constitutional rights, but we also want to ensure public safety," said Lt. Alan Cavener of the Boise Police Department. "People need to use common sense about where they choose to bring a firearm."
Zoo visitor Laura Greaves of Salem, Ore., said she didn't see why other visitors need to carry guns at the zoo.
Alex Lundgren of Boise also questioned the group's decision to bring firearms into the zoo.
"Legal and appropriate are two different things," he said.
Gun group tours Boise zoo while armed
The Associated Press Edition Date: 07/20/08
BOISE, Idaho — Idaho members of a group that advocates openly carrying handguns in public gathered at Zoo Boise this weekend to tour the area while packing guns on their hips.
The 10 members of OpenCarry.org were allowed into the southwestern Idaho zoo on Saturday after initial confusion at the entrance on whether it was legal to bring an unconcealed handgun into the zoo.
After getting the OK, the group bought tickets and entered through the front gates.
"Coming to the zoo was something we could do together, like any family would," group member Carol Schultz of Nampa told the Idaho Statesman.
Schultz said she's never without her handgun that she keeps in a holster that's attached to a heart-studded belt.
She said she's also gone through the training and background check to qualify for a concealed weapons permit.
"In an ideal society, one of peace and people taking control of their own lives, ideally, you wouldn't need a gun," she said.
Blaine Tewell of Eagle also took part in the visit to Zoo Boise. He said he's in the process of getting a concealed weapons permit, but for now openly carries a weapon in plain sight.
He said he's not a vigilante and doesn't want to chase down criminals, but does want to be able to defend himself.
"When seconds count, police are still minutes away," he said.
Schultz and Tewell said they've never had to use a gun in self-defense. However, they have been asked to leave private property, such as restaurants and stores, when told they were making others nervous with their guns.
"We support peoples' constitutional rights, but we also want to ensure public safety," said Lt. Alan Cavener of the Boise Police Department. "People need to use common sense about where they choose to bring a firearm."
Zoo visitor Laura Greaves of Salem, Ore., said she didn't see why other visitors need to carry guns at the zoo.
Alex Lundgren of Boise also questioned the group's decision to bring firearms into the zoo.
"Legal and appropriate are two different things," he said.