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Increasing Awareness, Interest, Support and Participation.

swatpamike

Regular Member
Joined
May 6, 2011
Messages
23
Location
Saint Petersburg Florida
First of all let me say that I am new to the forum and only found it by accident while searching the internet for open carry laws for Florida.

I attended my first Open Carry fishing event in Tampa yesterday, June 11, and met some like minded individuals, chatted about firearms and caught a couple of fish. All and all not a bad way to spend a few hours on a Saturday morning.

Let me also say that had I just been out on a Saturday morning fishing trip and noticed 4 or 5 guys with guns on their hips I would have had no idea why they were at the pier in the first place. Only 1 of the 5 had a Florida Open Carry shirt and there was no banner or any other indication as to why these 4 or 5 guys with guns were all fishing together on a Saturday morning. Being a supporter of our 2nd Amendment Rights I most likely would have walked up to ask what was going on. In the time I was there I did not notice anyone asking about why we were there and I find that this is contrary to the reasons why we meet in the first place. Please don't get me wrong I am in no way critical of the members I met on Saturday I am only suggesting better ways to promote our group and our cause.

When an Open Carry event is scheduled we SHOULD have at least a banner, t-shirts, buttons and fliers that will give passerbys some indication of why we are there. To do otherwise wastes any chance to educate the general public to our cause.

Inevitably the subject turned to how we could attract more people to our events and spread awareness of our cause. Many suggestions were talked about but the most interesting one was setting up a table at the next local gun show to pass out literature and educating people about the open carry laws, or lack thereof, in Florida. The local gun show is the obvious place to start recruiting supporters as almost all the people at the shows will be supporters of gun rights.

Setting up a table at a local gun show should not be a problem as I feel that we would be welcome by the show organizers. Someone has taken the time to design a logo for Florida Open Carry and I am sure there is a flier in PDF format that has information on our cause and ways to contact the group. Below is a listing of the next few months of Florida gun shows. I don't see why we could not have a table or at least members at 1 or 2 of these shows.

June 18-19 St. Augustine National Guard Armory
190 San Marco Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32084
www.guntradergunshows.com
352-339-4780
info@guntradergunshows.com

June 25-26 Cocoa Expo Center
500 Friday Road Cocoa FL 32926
www.guntradergunshows.com
352-339-4780
info@guntradergunshows.com

July 2-3 West Palm Beach at the South Florida Fairgrounds
Sports Show Specialists
www.flgunshows.com
321-777-7455

July 9-10 Melbourne Auditorium 625 E Hibiscus Blvd
Sports Show Specialists
www.flgunshows.com
321-777-7455

July 16-17 Palmetto Suncoast Gun Show
1 Haben Blvd
Palmetto FL, 3342

For a complete list of Florida guns shows please check this link out.

www.gunshows-usa.com/florida_gun_shows.htm


I have the weekend of July 16-17 off and have not problem attending the show both days and will even check out getting a table. I will need a banner, signs, and fliers.

If anyone else has ideas please feel free to post them.

We are all working toward the same goal so it is best that we work together.

Cheers

Mike
 
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~*'Phoenix'*~

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
538
Location
Florida
At our Fort Lauderdale fishing trip we had an info booth set up with pins, flyers, legal info booklets, a banner, and one or two people other there to talk with people, it was right next to the walkway for the dock, so everyone passed by it to go fishing. Lots of people stopped, many learned about OC fishing for the first time, including an off-duty officer, there were no problems and we got to talk to quite a few people.
 

77zach

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2007
Messages
2,913
Location
Marion County, FL
Great ideas. Getting people to care is important. Right now, we're a little more popular than NORML: http://norml.org/

But not that much.

Many people feel about OC the same way they feel about cannabis. It's beyond evil and outrageous that it is illegal, but because I don't like it, I don't lose sleep over it.
 

77zach

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2007
Messages
2,913
Location
Marion County, FL
At our Fort Lauderdale fishing trip we had an info booth set up with pins, flyers, legal info booklets, a banner, and one or two people other there to talk with people, it was right next to the walkway for the dock, so everyone passed by it to go fishing. Lots of people stopped, many learned about OC fishing for the first time, including an off-duty officer, there were no problems and we got to talk to quite a few people.

You should have invited Bogdanoff.
 

ixtow

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
5,038
Location
Suwannee County, FL
or maybe her 19 year old daughter who got arrested the next day for burglary and drug possession? (find it on the florida open carry facebook group if you want)

So intertwined the BS is... As useful as dirt is, this particular clump suggests that the War on Drugs is anything more than a war on people. Just like the War on Guns, it's actually a war on freedom.

Can one, in good conscience, promote one freedom by leveraging the destruction of another?

No Knock warrants aren't just for Cocaine Dealers anymore.... How'd that happen?
 

~*'Phoenix'*~

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
538
Location
Florida
Can one, in good conscience, promote one freedom by leveraging the destruction of another?

Not really, no. Not saying she should've gotten arrested for having oxycodone, the burlary was more important. Just making a point that the Senators keep working so hard to keep and expand 'tougher laws' on drugs and guns, and look which group of people keeps going out of their way to abide by their stupid and evil laws?

No Knock warrants aren't just for Cocaine Dealers anymore.... How'd that happen?
People were stupid and want 'tougher laws' on drugs (and guns...) because they're scared after hearing "drug-related gang shooting in X neighborhood," which of course wouldn't have happened if there weren't so many laws against them in the first place....
 
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swatpamike

Regular Member
Joined
May 6, 2011
Messages
23
Location
Saint Petersburg Florida
I found a Floirda Open Carry flyer, from the web page, that I can print out so I am set with that.

How do I get ahold of a banner??? If I am going to have a table at a gun show its a must.

Cheers

Mike
 

ixtow

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
5,038
Location
Suwannee County, FL
The problem with the OC fishing 'events' is that they are 2 hours out of the month. This makes them a hard target to hit for people who want to participate, and they have such a short opportunity to be noticed by anyone else.

I've mentioned before that I "OC" a "loaded" 30rd AK mag or a P38 holster. It gives me a chance to discuss the stupidities of current law when people ask about them. I'm not pushing politics without a request. It is the other party's query. The AK mag is the best so far. The cops can't get away with saying it is RAS/PC of a concealed AK.... Really? I can barely conceal my P-3AT, did I stuff an AK-47 down my pants, or am I just REALLY happy to see you? It also doesn't go unnoticed. If what you're doing to raise awareness is unnoticed, what good is it? How can "unnoticed" and "raising awareness" work together?

The P38 holster usually draws the question "What's in there?" and I can reply "Too bad Florida Law leaves you wondering, in most other states you'd already know." It, unfortunately, doesn't get noticed as much as the AK mag. It is the manliest man purse of all time tho...

I do this every day and I don't need to fit it into any schedule. I'm willing to bet I've had more conversations about how stupid it is to ban OC, than these events have created in total. Nobody knows about them. It's too small a moment in time and what they do carry is mostly unnoticed. Just like so many OCers in other states aren't noticed carrying their conventional little handguns.

If I had an extra mag for my Kel Tec, I'd "OC" it. But, would anyone notice that little thing? I tried it with my 1911 mags, which are much lager. Nobody noticed. How can I "raise awareness" if nobody notices? It isn't about being obnoxious, it's about being effective.

Carry something that encourages people to ask questions every day. If you're not willing to make that effort yourself, then you fit in with the rest of the Floridians that don't care they've lost a Right. If you're not making the effort every day, then you're not making an effort at all. Put yourself out there and be ready to answer the questions. If you can't be so slightly inconvenienced as to have a few 30 second conversations in a day, you clearly don't give a rat's ass about OC. If talking to a stranger about the rights that you've both lost is just too much hassle, is OC something you really care about? Are you just posting messages on the Internet where we can all blow each other about how bad it is here? Do something useful! Inconvenience yourself with a few seconds of your day to support that Right you claim you want back. Lift your pinky finger just a little bit. Make a tiny effort to do something about it. Running our own candidates, writing to politicians, etc... These are all stepping around the real issue. You have to have votes on your side. Votes are people, and we each get only one. Getting as many of those as possible can be achieved only one way. So do it!

Even a gun show is one weekend in one place. Granted, the gun owners of this state are their own worst enemy when it comes to OC. Elitism and being an "only one" is a very deeply entrenched neurosis here. In general, not just gun matters, we have one of the worst and most corrupt state governments in the country. It is a reflection of the people, who very well like it that way.
 
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77zach

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2007
Messages
2,913
Location
Marion County, FL
I've mentioned before that I "OC" a "loaded" 30rd AK mag or a P38 holster.

One could also carry an AK or any other long gun racked to the back window of a vehicle if the tint wasn't too dark. It would probably get stolen eventually. Could put a cheap shotgun in there.
 
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77zach

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2007
Messages
2,913
Location
Marion County, FL
I have this slight feeling that the people on this forum just want to brandish their hand guns. Ask yourself is this really about opencarry or is this about "Oh I have a gun don't mess with me" type of thing?.

Definition of brandish: "Wave or flourish (something, esp. a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement".

Brandishing thus defined is illegal per 790.10 Fl statutes. I want others to see my properly holstered handgun and think nothing of it. That would mean we live in a freer society. If somebody sees the gun and thinks " he has a gun, don't mess with him". Well, then I guess you just made the best argument for OC ! Only a person with a view to commit a crime would logically be afraid of my visible handgun. If somebody sees you in your uniform and suddenly sprints in the other direction that guy probably has something to hide.
 
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77zach

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2007
Messages
2,913
Location
Marion County, FL
I also don't believe open carry should be for everyone regardless if you have a "CCW" or not. If it was up to me, I would establish a license open carry instead of this conceal crap. I personaly hate not knowing who has and who dosen't have a side arm around me. Again if it was up to me, I would establish open carry permits but instead of sitting in a classroom for a stupied one hour, I would have the people applying for a permit, pass at least a 8-10 hour firearm safty and training course. Thats just my opinion, but I had already spoken to Rich but that.

I don't believe everyone should open carry. But I don't believe the state should have the power to require licensing or training for peaceful adults to carry a firearm, whether openly or concealed, as in vermont or arizona or wyoming or alaska. I say the more training the better, just don't make it a requirement. The rights of free humans aside, there is no sense in licensing. Criminals don't really open carry. If you are ever attacked by a man with a gun, it will be by surprise, out of concealment. If he's willing to take your life, he ain't gonna worry about the license.
 

77zach

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2007
Messages
2,913
Location
Marion County, FL
I understand where your coming from. I to dont believe the state should require anything in order to carry a firearm. I say it should be a requirement due to the large amount of different people in Florida. In this large amount of people you have many different type of cultures. My point is that there is a lot of crazy people in south Florida and Vermont for example has no where near the amount of population we have here, much less the crazy people.

There are crazy people everywhere, all the time. The crazier the times, the more important it is for good people to be able to defend themselves and others without impediment.
 

77zach

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2007
Messages
2,913
Location
Marion County, FL
I hope you never have to use your firearm. Its something you will never forget if you ever do.

I certainly hope so too. The population is exceedingly well armed. This drives the chances of having to use one way down. Forcing your way into someone's home or even vehicle around here is a good way to get killed.
 
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ADulay

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2008
Messages
512
Location
Punta Gorda, Florida, USA
I have this slight feeling that the people on this forum just want to brandish their hand guns. Ask yourself is this really about opencarry or is this about "Oh I have a gun don't mess with me" type of thing?.

Nope, no brandishing for me.

I just want to get the word out, painfully slowly, person by person, and maybe, sometime down the road we just might get Constitutional Carry in this state.

Until such time, I'll open carry on the motorcycle every single day (I fish a lot) and answer any questions that get tossed my way.

This month looks very good for fishing the beaches at Boca Grande all afternoon.

Every little bit helps but right now, the end is nowhere in sight.

AD
 

Badger Johnson

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
1,213
Location
USA
So intertwined the BS is... As useful as dirt is, this particular clump suggests that the War on Drugs is anything more than a war on people. Just like the War on Guns, it's actually a war on freedom.

Can one, in good conscience, promote one freedom by leveraging the destruction of another?

This is very astute reasoning, imo, and I agree completely. You don't make yourself look good by making some other poor sap appear badly.

This group is great in that respect - we ascend and rise above. Don't get me wrong, it's hard not to pull the 'neener-neener' card, but ethical behavior and freedom is worth fighting for here. Thanks for posting that reply.
 

Badger Johnson

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
1,213
Location
USA
I also don't believe open carry should be for everyone regardless if you have a "CCW" or not.

Not for everyone based on what facts? Please give cites and real world examples and links to back up this 'belief' you have. Otherwise, why say it?

If it was up to me, I would establish a license open carry instead of this conceal crap.

Only attitudes are 'crap'. Some people may want to conceal, though I think OC is more uh, 'open'. Why stand in the way of an honest civilian/citizen who has jumped through the appropriate hoops?
I personaly hate not knowing who has and who dosen't have a side arm around me. Again if it was up to me, I would establish open carry permits but instead of sitting in a classroom for a stupied one hour, I would have the people applying for a permit, pass at least a 8-10 hour firearm safty and training course. Thats just my opinion, but I had already spoken to Rich but that.

I don't find any basis for having that opinion. Just as you don't need to know how to spell to get your point across, few people need a 10 hour class, during which they'll zone off at some point anyway.

Thanks for your thoughts on the matter.
 

~*'Phoenix'*~

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
538
Location
Florida
I have myself taught three friends (never-held-a-gun-in-their-life types) everything important about gun safety and use in less than 2 hours, and brought them all to the range. In 3 hours, I would've taught them everything else about carrying and fed/state laws.
This is where training and safety learning belong - in the home, friend to friend, parent to child. No one should have to get training because their parents, and failing them, their friends, should have taught them. Sure, it's good that we have established standards for safety and use to go by, but professional classes and training aren't necessary (though they should be available for those who can't find armed friends, or want to advance their skills beyond the basics) for your average person to comprehend and safely use and carry a firearm.
 
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