Thoughts on concealed carry in Pittsburgh? (crime, universities, tax)

[MeinGlanzendMotorrad]

Off-limits places in PA and what makes them off-limits:
1. Court Facilities - PA Title 18, Chapter 9, Subsection 913
2a.*Grounds and buildings of Elementary and Secondary schools(K-12 grades), whether the school is private or public. There is an affirmative defense for "other lawful purposes" however there is no case law determining on what that includes. To be safe, its wiser to assume it does not include our carrying "rights". - PA Title 18, Chapter 9, Subsection 912
2b. Within 1000ft of a school unless you have a license/permit issued by the state in which the school is located - US Title 18, Part I, Chapter 44, Subsection 922(q)
3. Casinos - by regulation Title 58, Part VII, Chapter 465, Subsection 465a.13
4. Certain Department of State buildings - by regulation
5. Places off-limits by Federal Law or regulation, IE: military installations(exceptions for hunting at some bases), Federal Government buildings, after the security check point in airports,etc.
6. Any private property where a landowner, tenant or person so authorized to maintain property has asked you to leave because you are carrying - Title 18, Chapter 35, Subsection 3503
7. Detention facilities, correctional institutes, or mental hospitals - Title 18, Chapter 51, Subsection 5122

Hospitals and colleges are perfectly fine to carry in. Local government buildings are fine to carry in. Courthouses are required to have a lockbox for you to store your firearm in while you're in the building and provide a receipt.

[captaincatfish]

Originally Posted by feanix

My husband was a member of 2 gun ranges in Pittsburgh, came into contact with hundreds if not thousands of gun owners via the ranges, gun bashes, NRA meetings, hunting and safety classes, bullseye/target/skeet shooting/single-action events, and never once did he run across a someone either of us could describe in this manner.

Outside of thugs and criminal element, I'm not sure who views their gun as an extension of their, um, ego. Oh, folks loved their guns and loved to show them off but it was like a car enthusiast. Maybe it gave their ego a bit of a stroke that others seethed with envy, and, sorry, but gun size and ammo is a big deal to them so, yeah, they're going to go on and on about it! It's like having a nice car and not bragging about what makes the car go faster. But we have never heard anyone speak in a manner that threatened another, put anyone in danger, or lost sight of how to behave like a law abiding citizen.

I say this, not because I doubt they exist, but if they came any where near in contact with 99% of the people we hung out with they'd be quickly 'ego'-checked. My husband's group wasn't the type of bite their tongue!

For why people don't use them to help, I agree with what others have posted, and want to add that just because you get a license to carry doesn't mean you can carry freely. IIRC you can't carry a gun into Government/Federal (schools) buildings, hospitals (?), some colleges (if not most), and arguably anywhere no concealed weapon signs are posted. There's a lot of restrictions on where a gun owner can carry. I just wanted to add that to the other thoughts about why it is not used to help. Forgive me if I screwed up any of the info here, I'm working on second hand knowledge that I picked up by association of listening to my husband, though I'm sure someone will correct the info.

And hopefully, that that particular piece of my post you quoted didn't come across as stereotyping a group of people...that's not what I was trying to do...

Thanks for a well-informed response

[feanix]

Originally Posted by MeinGlanzendMotorrad

Hospitals and colleges are perfectly fine to carry in. Local government buildings are fine to carry in. Courthouses are required to have a lockbox for you to store your firearm in while you're in the building and provide a receipt.

Regarding colleges, the college can pursue civil action against you (though I'm not sure what it could be?) or expel you. If you're a student there, getting expelled could be a pretty big deal, but in the grand scheme of things, yes, a minor infraction.

At least 24 states prohibit concealed guns on campuses, and at least 15, including Pennsylvania, leave it up to individual schools, according to Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. CCAC, Pitt, CSU, IUP all have bans weapons on campus IIRC.

BTW, I entirely forgot about that list from that site! It was something I know my husband often referenced! Bah, wished I would have remembered that first!

A bit of a side question, though related. If the hospital has a pyschiatric unit (as many do) does the law apply that you can't carry into the hospital then? (Which may be why I thought hospital?)

[MeinGlanzendMotorrad]

Sure, they can expel you. But you're not breaking the law.

And I imagine it would only apply to the Psychiatric Ward, not the whole hospital.

(As a side note, I was the Campus Leader at IUP for SCCC for two years, I'm familiar with the policies. I still carried on campus every day that I was there.)

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by MeinGlanzendMotorrad

I was the Campus Leader at IUP for SCCC for two years, I'm familiar with the policies. I still carried on campus every day that I was there.

What are you so afraid of?

[Copanut]

I've been on this planet for over 50 years and have never felt the need to "carry", especially in college.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by Copanut

I've been on this planet for over 50 years and have never felt the need to "carry", especially in college.

+1. It has not occurred to me on any day of my life that it would be a better day, or a better life, if I only had a gun.

[Sideblinded]

"Outside of thugs and criminal element, I'm not sure who views their gun as an extension of their, um, ego. Oh, folks loved their guns and loved to show them off but it was like a car enthusiast. Maybe it gave their ego a bit of a stroke that others seethed with envy, and, sorry, but gun size and ammo is a big deal to them so, yeah, they're going to go on and on about it! It's like having a nice car and not bragging about what makes the car go faster. But we have never heard anyone speak in a manner that
threatened another, put anyone in danger, or lost sight of how to behave like a law abiding citizen."

---------------

Some of us are fluent in teapotty scare tactic lingo. Thugs are democrats. I am a "thug" that is not a bully nor do I own a gun. I have no problem with people owning guns for hunting. I am uncomfortable with handguns on every level, however It is legal to own one, so all I can say is I think they should stay inside. I respect the constitution and I would never abort your legal rights.

Defend semi-automatic & automatic weapons.

Gabriel Gifford should be enough to say enough.

[Sideblinded]

Originally Posted by jay5835

+1. It has not occurred to me on any day of my life that it would be a better day, or a better life, if I only had a gun.

Bravo

[h_curtis]

Originally Posted by MeinGlanzendMotorrad

Sure, they can expel you. But you're not breaking the law.

If you enter a college as a student, you have to abide by their laws. Therefore, you ARE breaking the law and you will be thrown out. That would be the punishment. It might not be a federal, state or even local law, but the institution has its own law that needs to be followed or there will be a punishment.

Carrying in a college is pretty silly. We are talking about a more educated class of people that are looking to the future with bright eyes most of the time. Not people walking around scared to death and feel they need to carry a gun. If you aren't into the drug scene, I really don't feel the need for a gun. In the home is not a bad idea however. A shotgun does there trick IMHO.