Open Carry

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PA Soccer Mom Understands What a Right Is

By Richard on December 30, 2008 3 Comments

Several months ago, I posted about a Pennsylvania woman who had her concealed carry permit revoked and restored by a sheriff after complaints that she was exercising her right to open carry a firearm in public. The woman, Melanie Hain, has suffered a number of personal attacks and threats because she exercised her right.

Recently, Hain agreed to an interview with a Patriot News reporter via e-mail. The full story is worth reading, as Hain articulates her rights very well. From the interview, proof that Hain gets it:

“Like it or not, I do not have to validate myself to the public for my actions…I have come to the conclusion that this is an impossible task. It may sound arrogant, but…the Constitution has guaranteed me a right, and there is nothing more to say about it.”

Amen.

Categories : Open Carry, Second Amendment Issues

Tags : Open Carry, Pennsylvania, second amendment, soccer mom

Soccer Mom and Open Carry of a Firearm

By Richard on October 20, 2008 4 Comments

A 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.

Categories : Open Carry

Tags : Open Carry, second amendment, self defense, soccer mom

GeorgiaCarry.org Succeeds in Restoring Freedoms in Georgia’s Parks

By Richard on February 6, 2008 4 Comments

GeorgiaCarry.org has won again. The cities of Roswell and Sandy Springs, both suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, had to abandon anti-gun ordinances after facing lawsuits filed by the pro-gun rights group, GeorgiaCarry.org. The city ordinances attempted to preempt state law by restricting citizens’ rights to carry firearms in city owned parks.

GeorgiaCarry.org has had a series of successes in other cities and counties as well. Congratulations guys!

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Sandy Springs, Roswell scrap local gun laws
Ordinance would have prevented people from carrying guns in city parks

On the advice of attorneys, the cities of Roswell and Sandy Springs scrapped local ordinances this week that prevent people from carrying guns in city parks.

A lawsuit has successfully challenged firearms bans enacted by several local cities and county governments, said Wendell Willard, the city attorney for Sandy Springs.

In December, the Georgia Court of Appeals found a Coweta County ordinance that restricted firearms, had incorrectly superseded state law.

Counties and municipalities with similar ordinances must now revise their laws, Willard said, because the court determined only the state can regulate where firearms may be carried.

The lawsuit challenging the firearms bans, filed by an organization called GeorgiaCarry.org, also affects ordinances adopted by Fulton County and the cities of Kennesaw, Milton, Atlanta, East Point and Union City.

After hearing from Willard, the Sandy Springs City Council revised its ban Tuesday. The city will allow people to carry guns into parks, but will prohibit their discharge.

Roswell’s City Council on Monday took similar action.