To: The Arizona State House and The Arizona State Senate
Long Guns Need to be in a carrying case when carried in public in Arizona
Even though hand guns and knives no longer need to be in a holster or knife sheath in the state of Arizona, they still can be concealed in a waistband under a shirt or jacket or in a purse. It is difficult to conceal a rifle. According to Arizona state law, carrying a weapon unconcealed while on foot in a populated area can be construed as reckless display or even assault if someone feels threatened. Therefore, to avoid such situations that occurred on a bus in Tucson, AZ on June 25th, it is only prudent that long guns be carried in a carrying case if the owner is in a populated area.
Why is this important?
I am starting this petition because of the incident on June 25, 2013 in which a young man was photographed carrying a loaded AR-15 rifle on a Tucson Sun-Tran bus. This photo and article appeared on the KVOA TV station web site on June 26th. A man sitting opposite the gun carrying youth felt threatened and told the bus driver. The bus driver stated it was legal. The frightened passenger got off at the next stop. I believe that if one is carrying a long gun on public transportation or in other public areas, the long gun should be in an appropriate carrying case.