By the way, how is it that you are allowed to carry a gun where you live? I don't own a gun but I would like to get a revolver for protection at home. I don't really want a gun around, but not having one had me feeling pretty helpless when I had some man trying to open my door at 3 am - twice.
I can't speak for semp, but in Georgia, it's simple. Now, Ga. has passed the 'Constitutional carry law' which says you can carry openly without a permit. Personally, I think that is BS and here's why. In order to get my weapons carry permit, it used to be called a 'concealed weapons permit,' I had to be finger printed and my name and finger prints were run through the GCIC (Georgia Criminal Information Center) and the NCIC (National Criminal Information Center). In addition, the weapons carry permits are for five years, but.... If you are arrested on a felony charge, the local Sheriff will come get all of your guns. If you are listed as the 'assailant' in a domestic violence protection order, the Sheriff will come get your guns.
So, what the permit means to me is that, when a LEO sees my permit, he knows I'm clean. Squeaky clean.
In Georgia, then, you don't need a permit to open carry, but if you do have a permit, it gives any LEO you encounter a good reference on your behavior.
As for California, well, IMHO California is wacko. If you want to carry a pistol, talk to your local Sheriff's Office. Yeah, I get it that it's probably different in your county than it is in mine. We have one red light and a population of 5000 +/- and I went to high school with the Sheriff.
Internet research could probably answer most of your questions, but talking to someone live will save you lots of time.
