I do not understand firearms in America

**Ian Gills** · 10-28-2009, 10:54 AM

I don't understand when you can carry one, what you can carry and how you should do it.

I always figured it would need to be kept locked up at home and not allowed to be taken out, like in England for those farmers that are allowed to own one and use it on their own private land.

But sometimes here I see people in public with them plonked on the bar. And apparently to hide them would be a no-no.

But othertimes they are concealed in a holster.

Sometimes automatics, sometimes not.

It does not make sense.

Can I carry a gun in my hand and walk the street? Or should I tuck it away in a jacket?

A picture speaks a thousand words, so here's a good one explaining my dilemma..

A man at an Obama speech in America...

...apparently legal.

**FloridaOrange** · 10-28-2009, 11:50 AM

State laws vary widely. If you really want to carry you should go to an authorized dealer/instructor.

Luckily for me, in Florida, there is no registration and I can keep it concealed in my car without reprocussions. I can also defend myself and property when I feel the need, other states or cities you have to wait until your life is in danger, that is if it's even legal to have a handgun, registered or not.

**Ian Gills** · 10-28-2009, 12:17 PM

I am beginning to dislike all these State laws. Is there a movement I can join to abolish the States and have the Feds take over everything?

**FloridaOrange** · 10-28-2009, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Ian Gills

I am beginning to dislike all these State laws. Is there a movement I can join to abolish the States and have the Feds take over everything?

That would really be a screwed up place. I would suggest moving to Alaska or Texas and joining their movements to become autonomous (sp) countries.

**FloridaOrange** · 10-28-2009, 12:25 PM

To answer your original question:
http://www.mcsm.org/mdlaw.html

and for giggles...:
Click Here

**Ian Gills** · 10-28-2009, 12:58 PM

Thanks. It must be difficult moving States.

I can envisage situations where:

a) you can't take your handgun with you
b) your wife falls below the age of consent
c) the police in the new place aren't the same as in the old place
d)...and...the next in my series of what I do not understand about America...the liquor laws change!

**Cass** · 10-28-2009, 04:03 PM

Sorry old chap but I think...not sure ...that since you are not an American (or are you

) that you can't get a Conceiled Carry Permit...

If you would like to see first hand what it is like on the inside of American jails then by all means just put one in your hand and wave to people with it as you walk down a side walk...with a nice smile of course...

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-28-2009, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Ian Gills

I am beginning to dislike all these State laws. Is there a movement I can join to abolish the States and have the Feds take over everything?

Yes...its called....move to England

Some driving laws change...plus lots of other things
You need a new drivers license from the new state

**jimbo** · 10-28-2009, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by Ian Gills

Thanks. It must be difficult moving States.

I can envisage situations where:

a) you can't take your handgun with you
b) your wife falls below the age of consent
c) the police in the new place aren't the same as in the old place
d)...and...the next in my series of what I do not understand about America...the liquor laws change!

Yes, all of the above. I know when I was in MO for a few months, you couldn't buy liquor on Sunday, I think, and when I was growing up in MA, NO store but a ********, and what they called the "bread and milk store" could be open on Sunday. And to this day, you cannot pump your own gas.

eidt: I have no idea why my word for a drug store got asterisked out above!

But as our founding fathers knew only too well, the central government doesn't do anything well. There are things like national defense which it MUST do, but beyond that, the more things the fed tries to do, the more screwed up it gets. We are pretty much knee deep in that mode right now, and Jefferson would suggest that it may be time for a little revolution to set things straight.

**FloridaOrange** · 10-29-2009, 04:36 AM

Originally Posted by jimbo

And to this day, you cannot pump your own gas.

You can't pump your own gas in NJ either. Funny thing is, gas is still cheaper in NJ than NY.

That was a good job for high schoolers though. My brother did that while in school and made some pretty good money (for high school).

**Ian Gills** · 10-29-2009, 06:03 AM

I think it's time for a Federal revolution. I'll talk to my DC friends who work for the Government and see if we can extend their reach.

I hate pumping my own gas, so I think everyone should have to wait for the attendant, whether in Alaska or Florida.

**jimbo** · 10-29-2009, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by Ian Gills

. I'll talk to my DC friends who work for the Government .

The people in DC who work for the government are part of the problem....they don't want any solution@!

**Scuba_Dave** · 10-29-2009, 06:34 AM

I forget where I was (travelling) but you weren't allowed to pump your own gas
I was on my MC, no-one puts gas in except me
Poor guy didn't know what to do as I was already pumping the gas
This was back when the recovery systems were not too good & it was PIA to get the pump to put gas in a MC tank