Soccer Mom and Open Carry of a Firearm
ByA Pennsylvania soccer mom recently had her permit restored after it was wrongfully revoked after she exercised her rights under Pennsylvania law and the US Constitution.
Melenie Hain carried a sidearm in plain view for personal protection when she attended her child’s soccer game on September 11, 2008. Even though Hain did absolutely nothing illegal, the local sheriff revoked her concealed carry permit because some people were offended. When revoking the permit, the sheriff cited Pennsylvania law that prohibits someone who is likely to be a threat from having a concealed weapons permit. Yet, no evidence suggests that Hain is anything other than a loving mom and wife of a law enforcement officer.
The judge who returned Hain’s concealed weapon permit suggested that by carrying a firearm in plain view, Hain was somehow impolite, saying “I have a fear … manners are being replaced by insensitivity and rudeness.”
Open carry of a firearm in Pennsylvania is legal. No permits or other government control exist to prohibit a law abiding citizens from carrying a sidearm for personal protection in an open, non-concealed manner. In fact, by revoking Hain’s permit, the sheriff made open carry the only way Hain could carry a sidearm.
No allegations ever surfaced that Hain did anything wrong. Fortunately, the judge followed the law, not his personal feelings onwhat constitutes rude behavior, and restored Hain’s permit.
If you want more information on open carry, check out the OpenCarry.org website and the Pensylvania Open Carry website.
4 Comments
November 10th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Wow! That’s fantastic. I have come to the conclusion that ALL states should be like Pennsylvania; no restrictions whatsoever (why bother with criminals? By definition, they are going to do whatever they want anyway, aren’t they?) At the very least, there should be no restriction or licensing for concealed carry. If everyone knew that everyone was potentially packing, maybe a lot of people would act differently. And if they get themselves into trouble (while carrying) by their own actions, then let them suffer the consequences. But isn’t the basis of our law supposed to be, Innocent until proven guilty? In other words, you are a law abiding citizen able to carry, until proven otherwise. It SHOULD be a right, and not a privilege, especially one you have to pay for.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Does North Carolina recognize Virginia concealed carry permits.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:14 am
Warner,
According to http://www.HandgunLaw.us, yes they do. However, I strongly suggest that you go to their website review the restrictions, and confirm the information with the links they provide before exercising your rights in North Carolina.
Thanks for stopping by,
Richard
July 27th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
If you are a citizen of Virginia, yes. If you are a citizen of NC with a Va. Non-res CHP, then no.