NORTHSTATE, Calif. — A Siskiyou County man has been working to allow the open carry of firearms in California. He won his case, however, it’s more complicated than that.
Self-described Second Amendment advocate Mark Baird of Yreka spoke at the Redding Exchange Club on Thursday. There, he described how he won a two-to-one decision at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that would allow Californians to openly carry firearms. However, the decision has been stayed until the State decides whether to appeal. Baird said he hopes it happens as it could lead to open carry nationally rather than only in California and Hawaii.
“Quite frankly, if they were smart, they’d take the loss on this one. Number one, it only affects two states in the Ninth Circuit. And number two, if I win at the Supreme Court, all 50 states will have constitutional carry. Not a good look for Gavin [Newsom] and his buddies,” said Baird.
Baird said his case is more about liberty than guns.
“The loss of liberty bothers me. I have friends that are buried all over the world in shallow holes, and they gave their lives, their treasure and their sacred honor. What Abraham Lincoln called the last full measure in the cause of liberty. Am I less than they are? Are we less than they are? I say to you, no. This is a fight that has to be won, and if no one else will fight it, I will,” he added.
Currently it’s legal for people to carry a weapon openly in counties with a population of less than 200,000. That’s all of the Northstate except for Butte County. However, Baird said no application forms have ever been issued to allow for it. He added that a right to carry comes with responsibility and county sheriffs can help with that.
“Teach people how to carry responsibly. You don’t have to mandate it, it doesn’t have to be the law. You can just help because you want to see California be better,” said Baird.
For now, Baird is waiting to see if the State appeals the Ninth Circuit ruling.
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