this is polite and firm..right?
Dear senators:
I am very disappointed with the outcome of SB234. I have traveled to many open carry states (Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Michigan) and have also open carried in many of those states. I have not once had a problem with perception, or making someone nervous. I have been seen by law enforcement, and never had an encounter, and I have never had police called on me. Likewise, I have carried myself as I normally do, wearing nice clothes, smile on my face, and going about my business. Wearing a gun openly on my hip does not change my demeanor outwardly (or inwardly for that matter, other than I know I am still able to protect myself).
I am disappointed that open carry was not passed this year in Florida, and I am also disappointed in those of you who have voted for this amended version of SB234. We must always remember that criminals have complete disregard for the law. The only ones that laws "hurt" are those willing to submit to them. In this free country, this republic, the United States of America, we are not supposed to be subjected to "what the government wills or thinks best". In 43 of the 50 states in the USA, open carry is perfectly legal: 29 states do not require a license to open carry, only 14 states require a license to open carry, and only 7 states ban open carry. Justice Antonin Scalia had this to say about the entire Second Amendment; "We find that they guarantee the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation." Openly carrying my firearm does not turn me into a "gunslinger", or a person with criminal intent. There are many things in day to day life that may offend other people, but that is the result and the greatness of living in a free republic! (I find that the responsibility of carrying a concealed firearm in Florida is actually a testament to those law abiding citizens who have submitted to the firearm laws of Florida for the past 23 years.)
I am sure many of you have concealed weapons permits, and may understand the inconvenience of the hot weather in Florida while carrying concealed. Carrying openly allows a more comfortable means to carry our Constitutionally protected firearm for self defense. Carrying openly does not change our mindset from responsible to irresponsible. By not allowing the citizens of Florida to open carry a firearm, there may arise a situation where one is unable to carry their firearm for protection. Open carry creates an atmosphere that was intended at our country's founding: we are free, and able to protect ourselves and our fellow citizens if the need arises. It also allows the opportunity for those who would like to use a more comfortable holster, and still be able to dress how they normally do. I currently have 2 holsters that I can not use in Florida based on this law; even the amended SB234 doesn't help fix that inconvenience.
I hope that in future situations, you all will look not to the emotional or political side of open carry, but the lawful, and Constitutional side, which completely protects our actions: Restore open carry to the state of Florida!
If you can not be counted on in future situations to do this, then I will be making my vote elsewhere, as well as telling others to do the same.