Opinion by Phillip Evans
Florida – -(AmmoLand.com)- Michael Taylor, a fishing enthusiast and a member of Florida Carry, was accosted by police for about the fourth or fifth time, for doing a lawful activity. See the video above.
That activity was peacefully carrying a holstered pistol and slung rifle out in the open while fishing (or going to or from), which is specifically permitted under state law.
State law in facts specifies you may carry your firearms openly in this manner even WITHOUT a license to carry (CWP in Florida) when doing certain activities such as fishing, hunting, target shooting, or camping, or traveling to or from. The traveling part can be on foot, as state law does not make any restrictions on the type of travel.
Apparently guilty until proven innocent is the standard in Florida as the police pressed Michael to prove he was fishing, and tried to intimidate him by claiming his fishing rod was dry. I guess it would be pretty dry if you walk a mile back to your car in the hot Florida sun. Oh, but there was a wet spot on it, but the officer refused to touch it when offered.
Michael had police point guns at him during another open carry fishing incident. One slip of the finger and he could have been DRT (dead right there), for doing nothing but wearing firearms and holding a fishing pole.
Things like this will keep happening until Florida politicians get their heads out of their sink-holes regarding the liberty of open carry. Police are people too, and if they are the only ones permitted by law to carry openly, they can get a little jealous when a citizen takes advantage of a limited provision in the law to do the same.
Open Carry needs to be DECRIMINALIZED wherever one can lawfully carry firearms, regardless of fishing or not. Republicans who refuse to do so are merely lip-servicers of the U.S. Constitution and the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
To keep up with Florida Carry news and events join their Facebook group for free here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FLopencarry/
And call and write your Representative and Senator in the Florida Legislature to demand the free exercise of your rights back.
About Phillip Evans:
The author is a self-defense rights advocate and member of the NRA, GeorgiaCarry.org, and FloridaCarry.org, and posts at PursuitOfPatriotism.Blogspot.
Was he carrying an ISI flag? I carry a gun open or concealed in Wyoming but never a flag along with it?
Obviously this guy was baiting the cops and out to cause trouble! He was asked for his full name, but that was too much, then he is trying to explain to the cops there job. Sounds like he wants to be arrested.
Sounds like this guy is out waving a flag strapped with a rifle with the excuse of fishing. Ass crack we don’t need YOU helping the a2. Dude shut your cocksuck
Unfortunately the way this law will be fixed will be to make it illegal to open carry. Have you ever seen it go another way? It would be much better to not push it like this guy did just to make a point. The point is it’s easier to make it illegal then to make sure every officer knows exactly what the lay is. Politicians are a lazy bunch ya know.
This is pure harrassment. “I don’t believe you were fishing.” What the cop “believes” has nothing to do with it unless he can prove it. Taylor offered to prove that he was fishing multiple times and by multiple means, all of which the officer rejected. “Open Carry needs to be DECRIMINALIZED wherever one can lawfully carry firearms,” should read “Open Carry needs to be decriminalized in the United States because it is lawful under the Constitution & 2nd Amendment.” After all, the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Would I do what Taylor was doing? Possibly, as a… Read more »
It’s not enough to get mad; this won’t stop until we THE PEOPLE make it stop. Contact your representatives and fire them if they don’t listen.
There is a difference between provoking and protesting our rights to open carry fire arms doing it by yourself seems to me provoking a response from the public and police. Because they don’t know what you’re doing. In all fairness you should apply for a conceal carry permit and avoid the attention positive or negative what it would be. Protesting the right to open carry with a group of people with the same agenda seems safer for everyone people and police. There is good and bad people including police we just need to be more vigilant and be more aware… Read more »
If he was fishing for a cop then he caught one. Caring around a rifle in public in a busy public area warrants investigation as to the circumstances for such display. Every one has rights. The people in the park have a right to not be scared by a person openly displaying a firearm while there kids play. Or be in fear of what the mental statues of the person caring the firearm. That is why law enforcement ware uniforms Or display badges when openly caring firearms in public. All peoples rights should be upheld. No fixing stupid. Walk into… Read more »
The cop was just doing his job! I am totally for the 2nd amendment but, sometimes, police officers are caught in the middle of these arguments & they’re innocent also.
Hello everyone, look, I realize that this might just be me being kinda dense, but where is this video? Thank you.
Some damn libatard call the dispatcher, dispatcher tells the Sargent of the call, so he has a couple of his boys go out and find the scary black guy with a gun .the cops are doing what the boss tells them all knowing that the damn libatard is hiding somewhere recording the cops and the scary black guy with gun and the cops have to play this stupid game.
Good Lord, the spelling and just a basic grasp of the language of the land in some of these comments….! I hope the Leftist opposition doesn’t lurk on Ammoland (except it seems from some posts, a few do). I wish some people who post here would try to write and spell a tad more cohesively.