Hunting is a treasured American pastime, not only because hunters go out in hopes of bringing home game meat, but also because time spent in the field can be such an enriching experience. Whether it’s enjoying the sunrise, sunset, or the hours of peace and quiet spent leaning up against a tree or sitting in a blind, hunting has so much to offer.
Gun owners sometimes carry in areas that might seem surprising to those outside the firearms world. In fact, before 2021 was even halfway over, there were 14 arrests reported at Disney World because guests had been carrying their guns even though it’s prohibited in the park. Why do people carry guns in areas they aren’t allowed? Reasons vary, but some of the ways people carry, and the locations where they are carried, are definitely unexpected. These are just a few of them.
On May 17, 2021, Governor Henry McMaster signed Act No. 66 into law, the Open Carry with Training Act. That law became effective on August 15, 2021. Anyone who has a valid Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) issued by the State of South Carolina, (or any other U.S. state with which South Carolina enjoys reciprocity), may now openly or concealed carry their handgun or a concealable weapon (a firearm having a length of less than twelve inches measure along its greatest dimension).
The options for how and where to store your firearms can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, there are some people who feel storing a firearm requires little to no thought. We disagree; all guns should be stored safely and in accordance with local laws at all times.
The number of states declaring themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries is on the rise. This means a question being asked with increasing frequency is coming to the forefront: Is the decision to make states “sanctuaries” legally binding, or does it only do lip service to the gun rights community at large?
Recently, President Biden announced his new strategy to combat the rise of gun violence in the United States. This plan seeks to make federal funds available to local law enforcement, school programs, and programs designed to help former prisoners reintegrate into their communities after serving their sentences.
Permitless carry, also known as constitutional carry, is becoming much more common in the United States. Twenty-one states have now passed some form of permitless carry, and given the overall expansion of carry rights over the last 40 years, it’s not unreasonable to imagine a future where one might be able to carry in almost any state without ever having to complete a firearm licensing or permitting course.
Floridians with a Concealed Weapon and Firearm License (CWFL) no longer need to consider whether a religious institution either 1) operates a school on the property where services are held, or 2) holds services on rented or leased school property.
A recent trend you might have noticed is of states passing laws that make them Second Amendment sanctuaries. The idea behind those laws is that local law enforcement or governmental agencies won’t be allowed to enforce federal gun laws that are stricter than state and local laws.
The decision to still obtain a carry permit in a permitless carry state will, of course, be highly dependent on the specific individual, their priorities, and their lifestyle. In many states, the permitting process is not exactly user-friendly. However, it is important to understand that IF your state legalizes permitless carry, whether open, concealed, or both, there are many reasons you will want to go through the permitting process. While this list certainly isn’t exhaustive, it should provide an excellent place to start thinking about what you want to do if you live in a constitutional carry state.
