Guns, laws, etc

I'd rather Congress stayed out of it. It's a state matter. Believe it or not, there is no federal requirement that drivers licenses be honored from one state to the next.

When riding in the hills I either have my 44 mag revolver or my 454 Casull revolver. Which I carry depends on where I am going to be riding. I also have a 45-70 in my scabbard at all times when riding and some pepper spray tied on the front of the saddle. I use a shoulder holster for the revolvers for ease of reach and convenience. Sometimes they are concealed by my coat and sometimes they are not, it just depends on the weather. I do not need a concealed carry permit, but that also means that I cannot carry a concealed weapon across state lines. I can get a concealed carry permit if I choose though. I have taken the course and only need to send in my application and the money for the permit.

I have always though a good defense gun would be the Taurus Judge (shoots the 45 LC and/or the .410) or the Taurus Raging Judge (which shoots the 45 LC, 454 Casull, or the 410 ga shot shell). Not a typical concealed carry weapon of choice, but one that would cover most needs in the home and afield. This would also be a good choice should one beconme stranded in the mountains for the night, hurt or lost.

I have never shot from my horse and would prefer not to have to. Horses have great senses and I put a lot of trust and faith in the way my horse reacts while on a trail thick with brush limiting my view. When in these conditions, I whistle, sing or talk to my horse to make plenty of noise. I almost always ride and hunt solo. Like I mentioned before, it just takes common sense while afield. Some people have trained their horses for that, and that is a good thing, even if you never have to shoot from them. A horse is a living breathing creature and will react to sudden loud noise regardless. I choose not to put myself in that situation. This is why I also carry pepper spray, shoots a fog out to 30 feet. One must be aware of the air flow when choosing to use pepper spray or bear spray though. That stuff is just nasty.

You might be suprised! I have shot off of several different horses and none of them had much reaction. My steady grey horses doesn't even flinch as long as I turn him sideways to what I'm shooting.

[quote=Celeste;1382160]
The law is the same in Utah. If you are a concealed carrier, you can not carry open. You can be charged with brandishing a firearm. However, if you're not a concealed carrier, you can carry open. In this state it's almost better to not have a permit. In this state, you can also carry a concealed, loaded weapon in your car. It's the same law that applies to a house.

The problem with open carry is that it limits an individual to only being able to defend themself if the weather is nice. Try open carry when it is -20 without a heavy coat on. Try open carry when you go hunting first thing in the morning when it is in the teens and by mid-day it is 70. By having a coat on you are now carrying concealed. Like everything, there are draw backs and the way the laws are written, they can make a completely innocent person into a criminal.

I agree, elky. That's why I'm a concealed carrier. I can also carry while archery hunting and running my hounds on bears and lions. Which, otherwise, I couldn't even have a firearm in my camp......

Though our carry permits are called "concealed carry permits" by locals including law enforcement officers, my actual permit says "carry permit". It does not specify concealed or not concealed.

That's the way the Tennessee permit is, a handgun carry permit....and allows for concealed or open carry.

I'm another happy .44mag user.....I've seen bears in the Cohutta's darn near as big as my horse....I carried a .38 up until then and realized I didn't have enough gun.

Mildot, I understand your concerns. I'm still trying to figure out if a federal requirement is a good thing or not.

I do not think it is a good thing. I live in one of the few states that do not require a permit to carry a gun, concealed or otherwise. The 2nd Amendment is my permit to carry as it should be in all the states. That is the law which prohibits government regulating our right to keep and bear arms. Simple as that. It would therefore be wrong that I would then be required to have a permit to protect myself. How ridiculous for anyone to think it is fine for the government to give you permission, by way of a permit, to protect yourself. It says nothing of the like in the Constitution. Look at all the stupid laws on the books where in some states you may carry, but will go to prison for shooting someone that is threatening your life or the life of a family member. Look at the state laws that where you are not allowed to protect yourself, your family or your property. This is just wrong and this country needs to go back to its roots and follow the Constitution. If someone chooses not to arm themselves, so be it, that would be their choice, not the government’s decision. By requiring permits for reciprocity, the bill undermines efforts at the state level to pass constitutional carry (i.e., Vermont or Wyoming style carry). It forces Vermont and Wyoming residents (who do not need a permit to carry) to either obtain an out-of-state permit or to push their state to pass a more restrictive concealed carry law than it now enjoys.