Guns and polling stations...

[awalker1829]

I’ve been watching the discussions on this topic on other forums with interest. Some of the posts are “interesting” and food for thought as to why some people make others nervous about the presence of guns at polling stations.

Arizona state law prohibits carrying guns in the exclusion zone around ALL POLLING STATIONS-75 feet by law. If the polling station is at a location where guns are prohibited by state or federal law, the gun exclusion zone becomes the property line (or further if the polling station is at a school). There are NO EXCEPTIONS except for on duty law enforcement. If a person takes the mandatory class for a concealed weapons permit, the instructors make it very clear to the students that the state takes violations of the law very seriously and that if you decide to test things, you’re going to get very bad results. It seems like every election, there’s a news story about some idiot getting arrested for violating the law.

[ffuries]

I’ve been watching the discussions on this topic on other forums with interest. Some of the posts are “interesting” and food for thought as to why some people make others nervous about the presence of guns at polling stations.

Arizona state law prohibits carrying guns in the exclusion zone around ALL POLLING STATIONS-75 feet by law. If the polling station is at a location where guns are prohibited by state or federal law, the gun exclusion zone becomes the property line (or further if the polling station is at a school). There are NO EXCEPTIONS except for on duty law enforcement. If a person takes the mandatory class for a concealed weapons permit, the instructors make it very clear to the students that the state takes violations of the law very seriously and that if you decide to test things, you’re going to get very bad results. It seems like every election, there’s a news story about some idiot getting arrested for violating the law.

Never fails to amaze me how, with extremely clear written guidance, people do this stupid shit. They fall into several categories. They.........

A) Are dumb as shit
B) Don't think the law applies to them
C) Think the rules/laws violates their gun/carry rights
D) Are trying to cause trouble

Then there is this, 99% of the gun owners are responsible and follow the rules, but all it takes is one idiot to make us all look bad. The same idiot claims his/her gun rights are being infringed on and tries to sue the county/state. Again making the responsible gun owners look bad.

I wish there was a way to ID idiots like this before they get guns and exterminate them......

[entropy]

There used to be-they were called mental institutions and such. They were all emptied on the 70's and many of the former occupants subsequently ran for, and won office.

[awalker1829]

Arizona is an interesting state when it comes to guns and the law. Historically it was very restrictive as far as carrying guns in towns and carrying concealed weapons were concerned. It wasn’t until the late 1980s or early 1990s that concealed carry for citizens was permitted here. While attitudes on concealed carry have changed here, I believe that a majority of the law abiding gun owners recognize that there are some places where guns have no place and that the polling station is one of those few places.

While I understand the frustrations that many fellow gun owners feel, I am concerned about the militia movement and that they are doing a disservice to law abiding gun owners by doing stupid things. We have made many advances in enhancing our Second Amendment rights, advances that may be put at risk if they act stupidly and turn significant public opinion against us.

[ffuries]

Arizona is an interesting state when it comes to guns and the law. Historically it was very restrictive as far as carrying guns in towns and carrying concealed weapons were concerned. It wasn’t until the late 1980s or early 1990s that concealed carry for citizens was permitted here. While attitudes on concealed carry have changed here, I believe that a majority of the law abiding gun owners recognize that there are some places where guns have no place and that the polling station is one of those few places.

While I understand the frustrations that many fellow gun owners feel, I am concerned about the militia movement and that they are doing a disservice to law abiding gun owners by doing stupid things. We have made many advances in enhancing our Second Amendment rights, advances that may be put at risk if they act stupidly and turn significant public opinion against us.

Militia groups scare me in the sense that they take open carry to an extreme. We are gun owners are lumped into the same category as them.

Then there is when a State allows open carry after an State Emergency, like after Hurricane Michael here. I can't count how many times I saw people with their Swiss Army Knife ARs out and about. As for me I just had my pistol in a holster out of sight, felt no need to draw attention to myself......

[awalker1829]

Militia groups scare me in the sense that they take open carry to an extreme. We are gun owners are lumped into the same category as them.

Then there is when a State allows open carry after an State Emergency, like after Hurricane Michael here. I can't count how many times I saw people with their Swiss Army Knife ARs out and about. As for me I just had my pistol in a holster out of sight, felt no need to draw attention to myself......

No need to draw unnecessary attention. Let those folks draw the attention away from you. I have an AR pretty much just for having one. It's the basic M4 configuration. I don't even thing I've shot it this year-too many pistols that are much more useful. If I need something more than the pistol for close quarters defense, that's a job for the M1 carbine. Smaller, less scary and makes a bigger hole in the target. Say what you want, but Arizona militias haven't been drawing much attention from anyone lately.

[SA1911a1]

Arizona is an interesting state when it comes to guns and the law. Historically it was very restrictive as far as carrying guns in towns and carrying concealed weapons were concerned. It wasn’t until the late 1980s or early 1990s that concealed carry for citizens was permitted here. While attitudes on concealed carry have changed here, I believe that a majority of the law abiding gun owners recognize that there are some places where guns have no place and that the polling station is one of those few places.

While I understand the frustrations that many fellow gun owners feel, I am concerned about the militia movement and that they are doing a disservice to law abiding gun owners by doing stupid things. We have made many advances in enhancing our Second Amendment rights, advances that may be put at risk if they act stupidly and turn significant public opinion against us.

I do not recall when Florida allowed concealed carry, it must have been in the 80s. When I was growing up, the local sheriff could issue a "gun toter's permit" to folks he thought were worthy. Usually mature white men with money. Just about all of the old tobacco farmers carried guns. Those permits were only valid in the county that they were issued.

When I went to vote I left my gun in the car and parked outside of the "exclusion zone." As it turned out, I didn't need to shoot anyone. ;)

[ffuries]

Arizona is an interesting state when it comes to guns and the law. Historically it was very restrictive as far as carrying guns in towns and carrying concealed weapons were concerned. It wasn’t until the late 1980s or early 1990s that concealed carry for citizens was permitted here. While attitudes on concealed carry have changed here, I believe that a majority of the law abiding gun owners recognize that there are some places where guns have no place and that the polling station is one of those few places.

While I understand the frustrations that many fellow gun owners feel, I am concerned about the militia movement and that they are doing a disservice to law abiding gun owners by doing stupid things. We have made many advances in enhancing our Second Amendment rights, advances that may be put at risk if they act stupidly and turn significant public opinion against us.

I do not recall when Florida allowed concealed carry, it must have been in the 80s. When I was growing up, the local sheriff could issue a "gun toter's permit" to folks he thought were worthy. Usually mature white men with money. Just about all of the old tobacco farmers carried guns. Those permits were only valid in the county that they were issued.

When I went to vote I left my gun in the car and parked outside of the "exclusion zone." As it turned out, I didn't need to shoot anyone. ;)

Well after I saw you in your "Get-up" here, there wasn't really anywhere for you to conceal a weapon without it being seen.........

[qz2026]

Our communist government in Michigan, specifically the SOS, wrote a ban on firearms within 100 feet of a poling place. A judge just blocked that ban. The SOS are scurrying to appeal Nothing worse than liberal women in leadership positions. This is what you get. And recently our state Supreme Court threw out our governess's Covid executive orders... Things are looking up here.

[awalker1829]

Here the restriction is codified in state law. I could research it to see how long it’s been that way, but don’t feel like it. It’s not a big deal here.