Mother Lode Poll In Favor Bearing Arms

The article “Suspect Allegedly Pulls Knife In Sonora” was the source for the poll question this week. Several of the more than 30 comments related to the use of a gun if a similar situation occurred. The comments were in regard to the right, need, and ability of a person to defend themselves with a gun.

According to californiaconcealedcarry.com a license to carry a concealed firearm on your person in public is subject to restrictions placed upon it by statute and the issuing (sheriff) department in California. A person is allowed to keep a firearm in their home and at their place of business without a permit.

To obtain a carry concealed weapon permit, or CCW, the requirements are you must be a legal resident, at least 21 years of age, have “Good Cause” and good moral character.

You must articulate a situation or circumstances whereby the sheriff’s department can determine you have a need, to carry a concealed firearm. In 1977 this decision was rendered By Attorney General Evelle J. Younger to define Good Cause:

‘the issuing authority must determine whether the threat to the applicant (or other causal situation) is as real as the applicant asserts (e.g., is there a clear and present danger to the applicant, his spouse, his family or his employees)? Finally, if the danger is manifest, the authority should determine whether that danger cannot be significantly alleviated by alternative means of security and whether in fact can be lawfully mitigated by the applicant’s obtaining a concealed weapon license.’

The poll question read: If you were pushed down by a person you refused to give money to and they brandished a knife, would you…  35% voted to “Use a gun.” 28% would get away, 20% said other defense and 14% voted to brandish a gun.

Poll Questions are informal and located on several myMotherLode.com webpages including the center column of the home page. To further discuss gun control and related issues visit myMotherLode.com’s Forums.