New sheriffs allow more people to carry concealed in California ...

[spin]

Concealed weapons permits jump in Sacramento, El Dorado counties
Published: Friday, Sep. 2, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 1B
Last Modified: Friday, Sep. 2, 2011 - 7:40 am

The number of people with concealed weapon licenses in Sacramento and El Dorado counties has jumped in 2011, following the election of new sheriffs who vowed to make the licenses easier to get.

Sacramento County sheriff's officials issued 739 CCWs – licenses to carry a concealed weapon – as of July 25 this year, more than four times the number issued in all of 2010.

***snip***

Sheriffs in so-called "may-issue states" like California can decide what criteria to use for issuing CCWs to people who pass a state Department of Justice screening.

***snip***

Advocates for CCWs say criminals will think twice about committing misdeeds if they don't know who has a weapon, while gun control boosters fear more concealed weapons will lead to more gun violence.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/02/3879332/concealed-weapons-permits-jump.html#ixzz1WofCK3uV

In Florida, a "shall issue" state, there are currently 843,463 valid concealed weapons permits. Over the 23 years since the Florida Concealed Weapons Permit program started on Oct. 1 1987, 2,031,106 carry permits have been issued. 6,421 of those licenses have been revoked for a variety of reasons, but only 168 were revoked for a crime that utilized a firearm committed after the license was issued. Not all of those crimes involved a shooting as licenses are pulled for carrying a firearm into a prohibited area, brandishing a firearm or threatening a person with a firearm without good reason. source: http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/self_defense.html

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. That illustrates the capricious nature of California gun laws

They have always been fairly easy to get in Kern County as well.

[spin]

2. Should the citizen of one county have more rights than the citizens of another?

If you live in a rural county with fairly low crime, you may get a carry permit if you have a sheriff who is pro RKBA and not racist. But if you live in a some large urban area where crime is prevalent you don't get your carry permit because the sheriff is opposed to everyone who wishes to carry a gun, honest or not.

That's bullshit!

I'm damn glad I live in Florida which is a "shall issue" state not a "may issue" state.

edited for typo

[rl6214]

3. There may be hope for that state yet.

[spin]

4. California will probably move to "shall issue" in five years. (n/t)

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. I would hope so...but the urban centers may try to eliminate the state premption if they do

At least in that one area.

[spin]

6. We had state preemption in Florida but the local elected officials in the urban areas ...

decided to pass their own laws.

This was recently rectified and should be corrected on Oct 1.

Local gun rules coming off the books
By Demorris A. Lee, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Friday, August 19, 2011

***snip***

In 1987, lawmakers passed Florida Statute 790.33, in which the state preempted "the whole field of regulation of firearms and ammunition." But local governments continued to enforce stiffer gun and ammunition laws in an attempt to further regulate gunplay in their cities.

With HB 45, city officials who willfully and knowingly violate the preemption will be personally liable with a fine up to $5,000. A violation also would be grounds for termination or removal from office by the governor. No public funds could be used to defend or reimburse the person for violating the preemption.

A local regulation that violates the state's preemption will be ruled invalid, and a government could be liable for actual damages up to $100,000 and for a plaintiff's attorney fees.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/local-gun-rules-coming-off-the-books/1186714

If you read the article, you will note the obvious bias of the St, Pete Times against concealed carry. I've they had their way, every little town and city in Florida would have its own gun laws and anyone who drove through Florida with a legal concealed weapons would have to have an enormous book that listed all the laws in each county, city and one stop light town. Of course, that would offer tremendous opportunity for some local firearm hating officials to harass the hell out of anyone who had the audacity to carry a legally concealed firearm in THEIR town.

I really appreciate the efforts of a tough little lady named Marion Hammer to insure that Floridians have gun rights. It is also interesting to note that she is a lifelong Democrat.



An interest article about her can be found at:

http://www.floridatrend.com/people_article.asp?cName=People&rName=Florida%20Icons&whatID=1&aID=49217

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. State premeption even exists in California

Frisco and other have tried to ignore it in the past and keep losing. However, they will certainly try again if must issue comes to the fore.

[spin]

8. I like the idea of punishing local officials who ignore state preemption

In Florida that should put an end to such bullshit.

[Remmah2]

9. Good news.

Who'd of thunk.