I had a short conversation with regular "customer" that comes into our shop. He is a deputy with the local county sheriff's office.
We were chatting and he spoke of the duty he had working the college football game this past weekend (FSU vs. Miami).
I managed to slip in a questiont hat started us talking about carrying concealed etc.
I asked him if he found anyone carrying while trying to enter the gates to the stadium. He said he didn't and I mentioned the another city police officer telling me of at least one guy trying to get in with a hidden handgun. I was also told he was legally licensed.
Apparently, you aren't allowed to carry concealed at public sporting events.
Anyway, I asked him just why there was a problem with some one legally carrying at a football game?
His answer was, "Well, if I let "you" in then I have to allow all the others who are carrying legally into the stadium".
I replied, "I understand, but, as long as one is legally licensed then why shouldn't they be allowed to carry?"
He said, "Let's say you get bumped by some drunk fool and he starts yelling and then gets violently offensive, you pull your gun and shoot him".
I replied, "Well, I would rather shoot him than to get my azz beat to a pulp".
He said, "Exactly, and imagine everyone there carrying who gets bumped or gets into a fight pulling their guns in defense".
I replied, "Well, honestly, I believe in the Constitutional right to be armed legally and unless the stadium administration can provide me with my own personal cop or can absolutely guarantee that I will be protected form people ILLEGALLY carrying weapons, then I feel I should be able to carry there".
He went on to say that there are lots of places you cannot carry such as court houses, police stations, BANKS, etc.
I said "I was unaware banks were off limits".
He said, "Anywhere that a No Firearms sign is posted you aren't allowed to carry even if you remain concealed".
I replied, "The signs have no legal power in Florida unless I am found out and asked to leave". I told him I carry inside my bank and most everywhere else I go and I remain "concealed and quiet" about it.
That was when our conversation ended due to a customer coming to the counter.
Ok, flame me for telling a police officer that I carry concealed where ever I go but I have known him quite a while now and he is pretty cool about things. He is just apparently misinformed.