WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COLORADO’S OPEN CARRY LAWS
In Colorado, we love our guns. Fortunately, our state is one of the most reasonable ones out there regarding gun laws. However, any weapons charges resulting from illegal possession or carrying of a firearm are still harshly prosecuted, so it is important to know the law.
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Specifically, you are not permitted to open carry in the following locations:
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Any local business or organization that prohibits firearms, which is denoted on entryway to the premises.
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Kroger, which owns the King Soopers supermarket brand in the Rocky Mountain area, said in a statement that it is "horrified and deeply saddened by the senseless violence" that occurred at their store in Boulder.
"The entire Kroger family offers our thoughts, prayers and support to our associates, customers, and the first responders who so bravely responded to this tragic situation," the company said in the statement that was posted on Twitter.
Somehow this is supposed to have something to do with the need to have a well regulated militia. Fuck, if I saw someone carrying a gun in a grocery store I'd be out of there in a second. It's about time the average citizen woke up. When sales receipts drop people like the Kroger's will take action and then lawmakers will start to respond with some facsimile of concern.
Then don't come to Georgia. While I haven't noticed anyone lately openly carrying in the grocery, store, that's probably because we only go early in the morning. Seeing people openly carry in grocery stores is fairly common here, as well as in most Southern states. I tend to worry more about all the people who carry concealed weapons in the grocery store. I just assume that most men and a good percentage of women here are carrying concealed. I've had female friends try to convince me that I should carry. I've told them time and time again that while I was once taught how to use a gun, I've never felt comfortable using a gun so I don't have one. In fact, I despise them.
Assault weapons were banned once and that worked out quite well. Unfortunately, the ban expired and the Republican Party has it's head so far up the ass of the gun lobby, that despite the fact, that the majority of gun owners want more restrictive gun laws, the Rs aren't open to changing a damn thing. Anyone remember Mitch's recent response when the Dems talked about ending the filibuster? Like a spoiled child, he threatened that if the filibuster ended, he would make sure that everyone in every state would have the right to carry concealed.
Both of the recent shooters in the news bought their guns legally. I do believe that the most recent one did have symptoms of a mental illness, yet there is no mention if he was ever treated for it, despite his family claiming that he was paranoid.
The Christian extremist shooter had no history of criminal activity so he passed his background check as well. Perhaps if we had a waiting period before a gun could be purchased, some of these shooters would calm down and rethink what they were about to do. No, it wouldn't work all the time, but there have been many murders based on an emotional reaction to something that recently happened. I know this country will never stop all gun violence but we should be able to stop some, by making it more difficult to legally purchase a gun. In Georgia, there is no requirement for a background check if you purchase a gun from a private individual. It's commonly referred to as the "gunshow loophole" because it's not unusual for a non licensed gun owner to sell a gun or two at a gun show.
And, let me add that I've known countless gun owners. I'm even married to a liberal who has always owned guns. Most gun owners want stronger gun laws, so it's wrong to assume that all or most gun owners are macho types who feel they are potential heroes with guns. Plus a good percentage of gun owners are females. I once had a very petite supervisor when I lived in SC, who illegally brandished a gun in the face of a man who had scared her. Luckily, the man simply left her alone. It's illegal to brandish a gun at someone. Don't pull out your gun unless you have a reason to use it in self defense. That is rare. There are far more countless accidents and deaths due to gun owners who aren't fit to own guns and/or who are very careless with their guns.
The most recent shooter was playing with his gun in the home of his family. They took the gun away, but unfortunately, they didn't hide it in a place where he couldn't find it. Perhaps if they had tried to get him help for his mental problems, or perhaps if they had taken the gun out of their home and put it somewhere where the young man couldn't get it, lives might have been saved. Oh well. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.....
I've all but given up hope that this will change. I read the Atlanta paper everyday. There is a large rise in gun deaths lately. Why are people killing each other? I have no idea, but guns make it so much easier. The goddamn 2nd amendment really fucked us up. I have a feeling if those who wrote that damn amendment realized what it would lead to, realized the sophisticated killing machines that guns have become etc. they would never have written it. It has to be the biggest mistake in our relic of a constitution. Carrying a musket is one thing. Slinging an automatic weapon over your arm is an entirely different matter, imo.
Let me end with a small bit of humor. A close friend of mine told me that she wanted her husband to get a gun. He's a combat veteran from the hideous Viet Nam War. He keeps refusing to buy a gun. I told her she needs a dog, instead of a gun. She seemed confused. Then I explained that the only time someone tried to break into a home in my neighborhood, a tiny dog scared the intruder away. Dogs are probably a better, much safer way to deter most criminals. More dogs. Less guns.
