General Discussion

spin

(17,493 posts)

93. Open carry in public is illegal in Florida with only a few exceptions. ...

Fri Jan 3, 2014, 08:03 PM

Jan 2014

Carrying a rifle in a mall is not one of the exceptions.

If the guy would have been in a Florida mall, most likely he would have arrested and all would have ended peacefully. If he would have unslung his rifle and threatened others it is possible that a person who was legally carrying concealed might have tried to stop him. This may or may not have been wise largely depending on the distance between the two shooters and the skills of both. Hopefully the person with the legal weapon would have been careful to insure that no one else was endangered by his rounds if he fired.

There are over 1,000,000 Florida residents who have valid carry permits but it is difficult to estimate how many carry on a regular basis. I do know quite a few who do.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

273 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Man who carried AR-15 on his back inside mall says charges not warranted [View all] firsttimer Jan 2014 OP

Probably not Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #1

He received the attention , it was just not the attention he was expecting firsttimer Jan 2014 #3

umm. but I think it was to increase attendence... riversedge Jan 2014 #82

i'm glad he was arrested. trueblue2007 Jan 2014 #248

He was 'exercising his rights,' eh? pangaia Jan 2014 #2

I agree he is an idiot but this sort of post is about the same Packerowner740 Jan 2014 #28

+1 Owl Jan 2014 #195

A mental evaluation dang sure is. Just another ignorant bigot with his gun. Hoyt Jan 2014 #4

he may be an idiot ProdigalJunkMail Jan 2014 #26

I've noticed in my short time here that this sort of pistol is normal Packerowner740 Jan 2014 #30

"Pistol"? n/t oneshooter Jan 2014 #115

I don't even know what I originally put anymore Packerowner740 Jan 2014 #167

Look at his website and FB page. Besides, I've never encountered a gun fancier with a AR15 Hoyt Jan 2014 #44

his website is pretty much just an inventory of his sales items in his store ProdigalJunkMail Jan 2014 #85

I guess you missed the "states rights" to discriminate crud. But a lot of gun fanciers Hoyt Jan 2014 #119

This doesn't look so hot jmowreader Jan 2014 #146

In your many experiences with this pintobean Jan 2014 #113

Because they are friggin Tbagger "patriots." You gonna defend them too? Hoyt Jan 2014 #117

I guess you ask them about that, too. pintobean Jan 2014 #120

It's pretty obvious don't you think? Those yellow and confederate flags Hoyt Jan 2014 #124

thank you for succinctly explaining my position ProdigalJunkMail Jan 2014 #148

I can't say that he is a bigot. Pervert, yes. He definitely should have been busted for madinmaryland Jan 2014 #110

Gives Whole New Meaning To The Word "Codpiece". left on green only Jan 2014 #171

That poor man, vt_native Jan 2014 #5

That doesn't even work. Bwahahaha! valerief Jan 2014 #202

"But ... but ... Glenn Beck said I'd be fine." lpbk2713 Jan 2014 #6

If some kid popped a helium ballon he'd shit his pants. TheCowsCameHome Jan 2014 #7

What an idiot. Nt hack89 Jan 2014 #8

Runs a store called Golden Triangle Tactical with a lot of right wing BS on Web sites. Hoyt Jan 2014 #14

I certainly wouldn't go as far as calling him a terrorist firsttimer Jan 2014 #15

How is that not the epitome of terrorism? He wants to force a political position... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #84

I'm very careful in how I use that word firsttimer Jan 2014 #112

I don't go around threatening others over my political beliefs... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #190

Poster child for the FBI and NSA? firsttimer Jan 2014 #237

huh? WTF? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #239

"I think the term is not being used enough" ........ your words firsttimer Jan 2014 #241

Did Occupy do it with weapons...because the ones I was talking about had actual... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #242

You don't have to kill people under the Patriot act, you don't have to use guns or bombs firsttimer Jan 2014 #243

What???? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #245

It's actually not a big leap if you read the act firsttimer Jan 2014 #260

Still shaking my head how you made the jump from this guy VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #244

You made the jump by wanting to use the Patriot Act on a misdemeanor firsttimer Jan 2014 #246

WHEN did I say that? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #247

Exactly what do think that means...... firsttimer Jan 2014 #249

I want him arrested for terrorizing his fellow citizens...what part of that is not VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #250

I understand 100% exactly your thoughts on this. firsttimer Jan 2014 #252

hmmm I don't know about that.... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #254

Yeah , but neither is the Patriot Act very well liked on DU , and it shouldn't be firsttimer Jan 2014 #256

What he is doing SHOULDN'T be a misdemeanor charge... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #251

But that's what it is , if the DA wants to charge him a high crime , let him firsttimer Jan 2014 #255

He is not just playing his stereo too loud in his car disturbing the peace... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #253

I'm glad he was arrested and charged , that's why I posted this thread firsttimer Jan 2014 #257

Well you have to have reason to "trample his gun totin' rights" VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #258

It would have to be a felony firsttimer Jan 2014 #261

Ta da! No joke.... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #262

What do you think you told me something I didn't know firsttimer Jan 2014 #263

when did I bring up the Patriot Act? VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #265

No , That was you with your post firsttimer Jan 2014 #266

Yes terorrism...words have meaning.. VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #267

Oh my god! firsttimer Jan 2014 #268

Have to be proven wrong to tell.... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #269

Well you have to have reason to "trample his gun totin' rights" VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #258

Let's see what laws he actually broke first. Nt hack89 Jan 2014 #16

How about being a fucking public nuisance. You have First Amendment rights, I have First bluestate10 Jan 2014 #21

Could be hack89 Jan 2014 #24

Public nuisance laws are independent of whether the guy had a gun or was pissing off a bluestate10 Jan 2014 #36

he has a gun store Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #38

And is a white wing militia type. Screw him. Hoyt Jan 2014 #50

The only thing to hunt in the store was people. IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #145

Time will tell. Nt hack89 Jan 2014 #51

wonder what would have happened had the guy had a machete in the mall... VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #271

Well at least one DU member would have approved of it. n/t oneshooter Jan 2014 #272

I have the right to free speech. Atman Jan 2014 #60

Sounds like this is a stunt for free advertising. nt delta17 Jan 2014 #209

Could be. Gun fanciers are easily excited by lethal weapons and tactical crud. Hoyt Jan 2014 #220

He keeps that up, one day he's going be twiddling his thumbs in his store tanyev Jan 2014 #9

He should join Al Qaeda Turbineguy Jan 2014 #10

If his description of how he was carrying it is accurate, and if it's legal to carry petronius Jan 2014 #11

I'm sorry but his intension was to freak out and scare people shopping in that mall firsttimer Jan 2014 #13

He will deny it and it is impossible to prove hack89 Jan 2014 #20

H was creating a public nuisance that could have resulted in injury or death. bluestate10 Jan 2014 #25

No, the gun right is the Second Amendment, not the First. nt tblue37 Jan 2014 #35

His claim was that his First Amendment right was infringed on. That is what I was bluestate10 Jan 2014 #57

I see your point. BTW, I think that people should inform mall store or other store wners in tblue37 Jan 2014 #69

"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" are in the Declaration of Independence... jmowreader Jan 2014 #143

Shhhh... Lost_Count Jan 2014 #238

Probably the same amendment that guarantees you beer and travel money jmowreader Jan 2014 #264

If he obeyed the open carry law as it is written hack89 Jan 2014 #43

He infringed on other people's rights to go about their lives without fear. nt bluestate10 Jan 2014 #58

Is that an actual crime? hack89 Jan 2014 #63

You may want to re-read the First Amendment petronius Jan 2014 #52

As I explained, the gun toter is complaining that his First Amendment rights were bluestate10 Jan 2014 #62

Yes, I understand his 1A argument (as I alluded to in my post) petronius Jan 2014 #68

I can't read minds but I was born with common sense firsttimer Jan 2014 #31

Time will tell nt hack89 Jan 2014 #49

Mind-reading is not a valid basis for charges petronius Jan 2014 #22

The creation of imminent, legitimate fear of harm is legitimate reason for charges. nt bluestate10 Jan 2014 #66

No, not really. Carrying a legal item in a safe and legal manner, without any overt petronius Jan 2014 #129

If that is his goal, he did a very poor job of it. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #32

How do you figure that ? people called the police because they were scared firsttimer Jan 2014 #53

I am sure that was their "stated" reason. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #61

By your reasoning, I can drive a tank through the Mall, as long as I didn't knock anything bluestate10 Jan 2014 #71

Except that driving a tank through the mall already has legal and civil restrictions ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #76

"Fear of the presence of firearms is not rational." Even after all the mass shootings? n/t nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #185

Correct. Even after all the mass shootings. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #186

Seems as if quite a few shoppers were afraid for their lives, in this case. nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #187

That part is simple. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #188

Okay, point taken. But I don't blame people, especially nowadays, for seeing a big ol' gun nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #189

Yeah, it might take him three of four seconds to swing it around into firing position. hatrack Jan 2014 #198

legal or not he should be in jail. In a sane country this shit would not be tolerated. bowens43 Jan 2014 #48

I am strongly opposed to the notion of jailing people for 'shit I dislike' petronius Jan 2014 #55

"legal or not he should be in jail." Do you even read this shit before you post it? cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #144

He wasn't carrying it safely in public. It was loaded and only attached by two carbiner clips. haele Jan 2014 #226

"Normal" peple don't carry AR-15's in crowded shopping malls. Historic NY Jan 2014 #12

Well Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #19

Apparently not because look what happened firsttimer Jan 2014 #23

never said he is smart Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #42

it is absolutely being carried in a threatening manner. idiot needs to be in jail. bowens43 Jan 2014 #46

I am opposed to this sort of open carry. Jenoch Jan 2014 #77

It was in a threatening manner - it was at ready for use, not set up for simple transport. haele Jan 2014 #229

A gun strapped to a person's back and upside down Jenoch Jan 2014 #231

Used to calling a magazine a clip. Carried a pistol and an M-16 back in the day on Shore Patrol. haele Jan 2014 #232

I do not thenk anyone is justifying Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #234

I agree with much of what you have to say, Jenoch Jan 2014 #235

Correct on the orange tip, just do not do that Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #233

and since he owns a gun shop, it's reasonable to deduce that he has ready access to a case.. frylock Jan 2014 #126

Like I said, not smart Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #137

He violated the malls rules..... Historic NY Jan 2014 #142

Can you point me to the text in your link where the rules of the mall were discussed? Thanks! n/t cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #147

here mixed up links.. Historic NY Jan 2014 #158

Awesome. Thanks for that. Where is that posted? Clearly, and at the entrance? cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #164

Posting wouldn't matter... sarisataka Jan 2014 #170

Point taken, but I would respectfully argue that mall rules are not the same as laws as they pertain cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #172

Agreed sarisataka Jan 2014 #174

Everyone else in that Mall had a right not to have to deal with that jerk walking around with bluestate10 Jan 2014 #17

Exactly , Imagine the people who saw him approaching the entrance door firsttimer Jan 2014 #18

Imagine if one of them felt threatened JoePhilly Jan 2014 #33

I like to imagine everyone pointing at him and laughing arcane1 Jan 2014 #40

Tween girls at the mall can be dangerous! JoePhilly Jan 2014 #47

Even better! arcane1 Jan 2014 #64

I would imagine this sort of thing would freak everyone out. Packerowner740 Jan 2014 #27

What an asshole Politicalboi Jan 2014 #29

I was thinking something along those lines. lpbk2713 Jan 2014 #37

Another brilliant gun wacko... 99Forever Jan 2014 #34

I hope someone called the cops on him and told them they feared for their lives. Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #39

Thank you for pointing that out firsttimer Jan 2014 #59

the asshole needs to be locked up for a VERY long time bowens43 Jan 2014 #41

Aren't malls LiberalElite Jan 2014 #45

Yes they are private property. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #56

He probably wouldn't have made it through the mall in Florida XRubicon Jan 2014 #54

Meaning that he would have be sidetracked ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #65

Down here all you have to say is you feel threatened XRubicon Jan 2014 #67

That is a common misperception. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #70

I have lived in Florida for 23 years XRubicon Jan 2014 #74

And? ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #80

Where do you live? XRubicon Jan 2014 #86

I live in Seattle, WA. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #88

Why are you afraid? XRubicon Jan 2014 #98

What makes you think I am afraid? ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #105

That's right your not afraid when you carry... XRubicon Jan 2014 #109

Correct. I am also not afraid when I don't carry. The gun is just one of many self defense tools. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #114

I didn't realize Seattle was a combat zone XRubicon Jan 2014 #116

I did not realize that either. Thanks for pointing it out. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #122

You can take the Spock part as a compliment to your calm demeanor XRubicon Jan 2014 #128

I have seen those stats. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #133

So did Zimmerman. Hoyt Jan 2014 #125

My crystal ball is in the shop. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #127

Here's what was on my news tonight when I got home XRubicon Jan 2014 #79

The defendant seems to be able to articulate "reasonable fear". ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #87

If this was rare I may be less concerned XRubicon Jan 2014 #92

It is rare. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #97

Move to South Florida, and bring your gun XRubicon Jan 2014 #99

Open carry in public is illegal in Florida with only a few exceptions. ... spin Jan 2014 #93

I am surely impressed with your understanding of the laws and statistics XRubicon Jan 2014 #96

Which is why we need reasonable gun control laws. ... spin Jan 2014 #134

I wish I had a time machine to help you get back to the 19th century XRubicon Jan 2014 #141

Where did I say that I felt everybody should be armed? ... spin Jan 2014 #157

Man, if I razzed you about quantum physics would you google it to find crap in your favor? XRubicon Jan 2014 #160

It's a commonly held myth that the Wild West was extremely violent. ... spin Jan 2014 #175

I know what I see around me XRubicon Jan 2014 #191

Strange. I live in Florida and yet have not heard of any major incidents ... spin Jan 2014 #192

I see you are working today... XRubicon Jan 2014 #193

I don't "work" anymore. I'm retired. That gives me plenty of time to do research ... spin Jan 2014 #200

Did you see my edit? XRubicon Jan 2014 #201

No, I missed that. ... spin Jan 2014 #206

I don't need research and citations to say what I feel on a message board XRubicon Jan 2014 #207

Invincible ignorance hack89 Jan 2014 #210

Thank you XRubicon Jan 2014 #212

one more thing XRubicon Jan 2014 #213

Cartoons are exciting - the real world has boring facts and complexities. Nt hack89 Jan 2014 #214

ok hack XRubicon Jan 2014 #215

Nice talking to you. Nt hack89 Jan 2014 #216

Hey, no pasted stats about how dingos in austrailia die of car accidents and not guns! XRubicon Jan 2014 #218

You seem a little ...... unsettled hack89 Jan 2014 #222

I know that gun control advocates use emotional arguments to support their cause ... spin Jan 2014 #211

Lies, damn lies, and statistics XRubicon Jan 2014 #219

Ah, an emotional argument. (n/t) spin Jan 2014 #223

Ah... XRubicon Jan 2014 #224

Yup. I'll be here ready to Google facts and statistics looking for someone who can make me ... spin Jan 2014 #225

Publicity stunt for his store. gulliver Jan 2014 #72

Open carry douchebag fail jpak Jan 2014 #73

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #75

But a privately owned mall has a right to ban them, and the police pnwmom Jan 2014 #78

Does that mall have signs up banning guns inside their mall? Jenoch Jan 2014 #83

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #90

True. Management can always ask you to leave for any or no reason. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #91

IMO, he is taking a risk. A person with a legal concealed weapon could easily see this as a AlinPA Jan 2014 #81

That would get the CCW holder arrested for an illegal shooting. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #94

I didn't say that it "meets the bar". I'm talking about a reaction that could take place. AlinPA Jan 2014 #100

Of course, it "could" happen. ManiacJoe Jan 2014 #108

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #103

All of these gun-nuts who want to walk around with weapons (I know it make them feel super) demosincebirth Jan 2014 #89

Good thing it wasn't a toy gun that looked like a real one. NBachers Jan 2014 #95

No doubt etherealtruth Jan 2014 #101

I notice the dot on your map. I lived in Kalamazoo and environs for a few years. NBachers Jan 2014 #104

Heck if I know etherealtruth Jan 2014 #106

Well, we've got to find out who made up these generic state avatars and get to the bottom of this. NBachers Jan 2014 #123

Liklely right wing infiltration! n/t etherealtruth Jan 2014 #135

It appears to me to be the state capital. Lansing. Kaleva Jan 2014 #118

correct Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #132

Duh ... yeah, that's right where it is etherealtruth Jan 2014 #136

Yup- and the New York avatar is right at Albany NBachers Jan 2014 #138

Clearly, I am not on to anything etherealtruth Jan 2014 #139

Lansing Michigan, state capital city. NYC_SKP Jan 2014 #165

Thank you, Derek. TheCowsCameHome Jan 2014 #102

This mall is 20 miles from my house. SCUBANOW Jan 2014 #107

Okay firsttimer Jan 2014 #121

He and I went to the academy together. SCUBANOW Jan 2014 #161

I'm sure you did firsttimer Jan 2014 #177

Join the military, dumbass. nt madinmaryland Jan 2014 #111

How do you know he isn't a Veteran? cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #149

I didn't think that a Veteran needed to prove that he was a tough guy madinmaryland Jan 2014 #150

Shall I ask the question again, or will we agree you don't know one way or the other? cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #151

Can I assume from your questions that you actually support this person's right to madinmaryland Jan 2014 #152

defllect much, just answer the question Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #153

I don't recall you asking me a question or even ever talking to you, so I have no madinmaryland Jan 2014 #155

was not my question Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #159

As long as I can assume you don't know the definition of indecent exposure... sure. cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #154

I've said it before and I will say it again... madinmaryland Jan 2014 #156

Women partake in Open Carry gun event Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #162

Um... I don't know what your "is the same as" has to do with the definition of indecent exposure. cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #169

I guess you don't get it. Oh well. madinmaryland Jan 2014 #173

What I GET is that there is this emotional thing that leads you to equate cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #176

Thank you. That's all I needed to see as you have proven everything I was told. nt madinmaryland Jan 2014 #178

Is there a reason you don't give us "everything" you were told? cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #180

Wow. Mighty defensive there, my friend. Everything ok? madinmaryland Jan 2014 #181

I have bodies I need to hide... I'm sorry if I get defensive. I get that way sometimes. cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #182

I'm not sure if Shirley understands you... madinmaryland Jan 2014 #183

Manana. cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #184

+1 Owl Jan 2014 #196

Neither do you so his request is fine. Get it? n-t Logical Jan 2014 #163

No, but feel free to explain it to me in terms a dufus like me can understand. cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #166

Oh for Christ's sake bonzaga Jan 2014 #130

Looks like a mall ninja type. ileus Jan 2014 #131

He owns a "tactical" gun store. Kind that appeals to gun culture. And His websites promote Hoyt Jan 2014 #197

Makes him unfit to have ANY guns. Nutcase on display on point Jan 2014 #140

what a fucking coward Skittles Jan 2014 #168

Maybe not charges. May civil commitment. nt Deep13 Jan 2014 #179

How would anyone know that this guy isn't going to whip that gun around and start blasting away? Sheldon Cooper Jan 2014 #194

Gun humpers want billh58 Jan 2014 #199

CCW holders are Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #204

CCW holders know the law Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #203

If I saw that asshole walking through the mall, I would be out the door and on the phone to 911 Sheldon Cooper Jan 2014 #205

You cannot be serious. Kingofalldems Jan 2014 #217

Yes I am Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #227

They study the law closely so as not to miss opportunity to shoot someone just like Zman. Hoyt Jan 2014 #221

I love your answers Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #230

Why don't you spend your time learning how to live without a friggin gun, Hoyt Jan 2014 #236

I dont carry Duckhunter935 Jan 2014 #240

#lookadouche dionysus Jan 2014 #208

Obviously, that's why he's a Gun-Nut . orpupilofnature57 Jan 2014 #228

And now thousands of people have heard of Golden Triangle Tactical Recursion Jan 2014 #270

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Triangle_%28Texas%29 oneshooter Jan 2014 #273