Florida nears 1 million permits for concealed weapons

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/florida-nears-1-million-permits-concealed-weapons-225319939.html

By Michael Peltier | Reuters – 9 hrs ago

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (Reuters) - The number of active concealed weapons licenses in Florida, already home to more owners of such registered weapons than any other U.S. state, is expected to reach the 1 million mark next week, a state official said on Wednesday.

Applications for the permits in the state of 19.1 million people have doubled since 2007. Only 0.3 percent of the more than 2 million total permits issued since 1987 have been revoked, said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

"Floridians who are obtaining these licenses are obtaining them for the right reason and are using them in an appropriate way," Putnam said.

The state processed more criminal background checks for firearm purchases on Black Friday, the busy shopping day that follows Thanksgiving, than any single other day in the state's history, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey said.

Florida has been a bastion for gun owners, with some of the most expansive laws on the books regarding who can carry weapons and when they can be used.

A state law that can make it difficult to prosecute shooters who claim self-defense has come under scrutiny following the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in February.

George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, faces second-degree murder charges in the 17-year-old's killing. Zimmerman's attorneys have said his actions were legal under the state's Stand Your Ground law, which allows the use of deadly force by someone who feels his life is in danger.

Former National Rifle Association President Marion Hammer said a spike in gun sales since 2007 is due to concerns by gun owners that Democratic President Barack Obama would push for stricter federal gun laws.

She said the increase in the number of owners of licensed concealed weapons is a positive sign because of the additional training required.

"The number of gun owners is up and crime is down," Hammer said. "Criminals commit crimes, but they aren't stupid. They don't want to get shot."

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Criminals aren't stupid?

[lostinblue 1,989]

Gun sales going through the roof.The kenyan is doing his part in helping the economy.Mabe people don't feel safe in florida anymore. Seems half the state is in forclosure or at least underwater. Squatters moving in and everything. People feel a need to protect themselves.A friend has rental property in florida and she is shocked by the number of vacant $300,000 homes in her neighborhood.Only takes a few vacant homes with squatters and no one wants to buy in that area.If you want to buy some crack it is just down the street.Tenants want a Doberman but the insurance rates will go out of sight.Most companies will drop coverage if you have one . What do you do to protect yourself when the banks will not throw the squatters out and a lot of bad traffic is in the neighborhood 24/7?Tenants daughter was walking down the street and a car pulled up and wanted to know if she was willing to make some "quick" money. CC all the way .

[decocker 7,198]

Gun sales going through the roof.The kenyan is doing his part in helping the economy.Mabe people don't feel safe in florida anymore. Seems half the state is in forclosure or at least underwater. Squatters moving in and everything. People feel a need to protect themselves.A friend has rental property in florida and she is shocked by the number of vacant $300,000 homes in her neighborhood.Only takes a few vacant homes with squatters and no one wants to buy in that area.If you want to buy some crack it is just down the street.Tenants want a Doberman but the insurance rates will go out of sight.Most companies will drop coverage if you have one . What do you do to protect yourself when the banks will not throw the squatters out and a lot of bad traffic is in the neighborhood 24/7?Tenants daughter was walking down the street and a car pulled up and wanted to know if she was willing to make some "quick" money. CC all the way .

the vacant home thing is a result of the housing bust (in the works way before obama got into office) and not at all confined to florida. why is she shocked at the number of ridiculously overpriced empty homes in now sh*tty neighborhoods? she should get out more, revise her poor investments...

Edited December 13, 2012 by val erie

[JohnR! 5,495]

A friend has rental property in florida and she is shocked by the number of vacant $300,000 homes in her neighborhood.

What do you do to protect yourself when the banks will not throw the squatters out and a lot of bad traffic is in the neighborhood 24/7?

Your friend made a bad investment. She probably bought a rental place to make some extra money at a time when the prices were overinflated and on top of that she bought in an area where many others bought for speculation or to flip properties. There are risks with all investments, especially with real estate and new developments. She should consider selling the property and looking for something in a more established area in the same city.

Edited December 13, 2012 by Gegel

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

the vacant home thing is a result of the housing bust (in the works way before obama got into office) and not at all confined to florida. why is she shocked at the number of ridiculously overpriced empty homes in now sh*tty neighborhoods? she should get out more, revise her poor investments...

Brilliant! Banks foreclose on a houses in your neighborhood, drug dealers and squatters take over...don't protect yourself, just flee the area ASAP! Let the criminals take over your neighborhood. And if they take over your new neighborhood just flee once again.

[decocker 7,198]

Brilliant! Banks foreclose on a houses in your neighborhood, drug dealers and squatters take over...don't protect yourself, just flee the area ASAP! Let the criminals take over your neighborhood. And if they take over your new neighborhood just flee once again.

what the hell are you talking about? i was saying that the trend wasn't specific to florida. i have no issues with gun ownership.

and word to the wise..if the banks have foreclosed on the majority of homes in a neighborhood, the real criminals have already taken over, well before any squatter or dealer takes one step into the community...