Open Carry Is Legal in Florida. The Usual Suspects Are Upset

OK, for the record, I don't like Open Carry. But there is a reason it needed to be legal in Florida. (See below) Florida Flap: Newspaper Details Where, Where Not to O.C. - Liberty Park Press

The Tallahassee Democrat has just published a report which explains where one can, and cannot, ,open carry, and in the opening paragraphs, the newspaper—perhaps unintentionally—exposes how some people are reacting. The newspaper quotes a Tallahassee resident who declared, “I just don’t want to get caught in the crossfire over the last jar of peanut butter,” in reaction to the announcement by Publix Supermarkets that the chain will allow open carry in their stores. It’s a response which typifies the squeamish attitude some people have about legally-armed citizens, especially if they openly carry.

People were exercising their right to concealed carry in Publix Supermarkets, but out of sight, out mind or something.

The reason O.C. needed to be legal is that if your firearm was visible for even an instant as you got out of your car, or whatever, you were technically guilty of a crime.

But back to the usual suspects.

“While Second Amendment advocates celebrated the decision,” the newspaper noted, “some residents said it infringes on their right not to be among armed individuals when they sit down to eat, attend a play, or go searching for buy-one-get-one-free specials in crowded grocery store aisles.”

A quick check of the Constitution doesn’t reveal any such specific right.

It is all about 'feelings.' If they can't see the firearm, they think it doesn't exist. But today, you should always assume that there are people armed. Any bad guys in the area are likely to be armed. You shouldn't worry about the law-abiding citizens, but only those bad guys.