Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Is you is or is you ain’t my open carry state?

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


In my article on open carry, I mentioned the confusion we residents of Arkansas have over whether open carry is legal in our state or not.  I also said that I was unwilling to be a test case on that question.  But others have offered themselves up, particularly one Richard Chambless, a resident of Bald Knob who carried his handgun openly in a holster and got arrested and ultimately found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for doing so.

But what a difference a few days can make.  On the 28th of August 2015, our state attorney general, Leslie Rutledge, issued an opinion that indeed, Act 746 of 2013 does allow people to carry a handgun openly and without benefit of license, so long as they have no unlawful intention for carrying.  I’d like to have her sit in on a few sessions of my composition class, since the opinion drifts around the topic, but then, the law itself could use editing for simplicity and clarity.

So where does this leave us, other than needing to read Strunk and White again?  The latest report says Chambless intends to appeal his conviction, and the chief of police in Bald Knob, Erek Balentine, wants local businesses to put up signs prohibiting guns on their premises on the belief that carrying a gun into a store may alarm other customers.  Anyone carrying a concealed firearm must still have a license to be on the good side of the law.

And so it goes.  The Roman philosopher and lawyer Cicero quotes the saying, the more laws, the less justice, in his book, On Duties, and this concept is instructive.

Rules, regulations, and laws possess the arithmetical powers of addition and multiplication.  Or at least their makers grant them those abilities.  Cicero’s argument was that unscrupulous agents of government may use poorly written laws to achieve their own bad ends.  He cites as an example a general who agreed to a truce with an enemy for thirty days, then sent his soldiers out to ravage the land at night on the grounds that the period between sunset and sunrise hadn’t been specified.  Another example of twisting the text of a law is the joke about the man who murders his parents, then begs the mercy of the court because he’s an orphan.

We can draw from this the idea a couple of points.  On principle, laws ought to be written so that ordinary people can understand them.  If the legislature intends to permit open carry without a license, then say so:

The open carry of weapons without a license is allowed for all lawful purposes, including self-defense.

But the qualifications for serving in the Arkansas House or Senate do not include demonstrating the ability to write clearly, and thus it’s left to us voters to decide the quality of writing we will tolerate from our elected representatives.

And that’s the broad lesson here.  When we accept or even demand more laws—greater in number and in scope—we’re at fault for the lessening of justice.  It’s up to us to send our own clear messages to the people we elect that they serve us.  They hold power on our behalf.  The first duty of all in public office is to defend the exercise of rights, even of those that aren’t always popular.  The next duty after that is to recognize that not everything has to be controlled by a law.

But I’ve been called an idealist before, and Richard Chambless still awaits justice.

The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the position of Guns.com.

The post Is you is or is you ain’t my open carry state? appeared first on Guns.com.


Source: http://www.guns.com/2015/09/08/is-you-is-or-is-you-aint-my-open-carry-state/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.