Everyone should exercise their 2nd amendment right. Personal security isn't something we should take lightly. If you do get one it is very much worth your time to take classes and spend some time at a range learning to use it effectively.
Well if I do get one, as I am not allowed to drive (Epilepsy) and California does not allow either open or concealed carry, it would be kind of hard for me to go to a range...
Hello AliceWonder,
I perked up when I saw your post.
I also have epilepsy (almost my entire life).
Like you I presently live in California (hard to say how long that will still be the case, but at present, that's where I am).
I am allowed to drive being as my epilepsy is controlled by medication. I am fortunate in that respect, I suppose. I just got done with a medical review that cleared me again, although the doctors can technically order my license revoked if ever they have a concern. At one time some years ago my license was revoked for medical reasons, but after a very long time of review and an appeals process, I was able to secure the license to drive again. I know, though, that most people with epilepsy can not be cleared to drive after their medical review.
Most of the time if I am going on a long journey then someone else drives or I'll take a bus, but it's good to be cleared to drive.
When it comes to CCW licensing, not being able to drive may be an issue, or it may not. Check with your doctor. For many people with a disability, you're not limited in that regard unless you feel your health conditions make it an issue. I'm part of Disabled Americans for Firearm Rights. You can see that here:
http://www.dafr.org/You mentioned that California doesn't allow open or concealed carry. That's not exactly the case. It's true that in California there is no open carry (they revoked it some years back, including revoking the open carry provision that used to allow people to carry rifles freely around, now the rifle has to be in the case all the time until you get to your range position or are within an area where hunting is allowed).
However, concealed carry is allowed in California. The requirements differ broadly from county to county, but it recently got easier to concealed carry, so it probably makes sense to get your training and get a concealed carry license - even if you don't concealed carry, the training that comes with the license process is worth it. I don't like all the checks that come with it and the questions they ask of everyone as part of the review process, but if you are into getting a good level of training, it's worth it. I am a TKD brown belt and until recently volunteered as an assistant instructor for a local studio, part of what we practiced constantly was gun and knife defense, to be able to disarm attackers with our hands under certain opportune conditions. Training is really important for everyone ~ even if you don't own or carry, get some. Knowledge helps you to survive.
If you are interested in non-lethal carry training check out: The Defenders
http://www.pdws.biz/ (yes, the same as used in "Men Who Stare At Goats") You can get certified to train others in that here:
http://www.pdws.biz/Become_an_Instructor.htmlI can personally attest to the effectiveness of the The Defender tools. In a variety of situations and environments, it is more advantageous than a firearm or a blade. But as with all things, if you do not receive training and engage in regular practice, you will not be prepared to utilize it when you need to.
CAL-FFL is a partner with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) in a lawsuit against the NSA -- for details on this, see:
https://www.eff.org/cases/first-unitarian-church-los-angeles-v-nsaCAL-FFL and Calguns have a guide for those who are interested in training or license for CCW (concealed carry) in California. You need not actually own to be trained, but you can get familiarity with a variety of pistols, which is way, way better than being unfamiliar and untrained. For those, like me, who are in California, I recommend you not only get your CA CCW (which is likely to be specific just to your county), but as well, get the AZ permit which covers a lot of states.
That page is at:
http://www.calgunsfoundation.org/carry/Background:
http://www.calgunsfoundation.org/2014/03/cgf-publishes-new-carry-license-application-resources-faqs/So now to the issue that is more particularly the topic of this thread: bitcoin, and anonymity.
1) Bitcoin. Not like it matters what the law says about it as we'll use it anyway, but it's a relief to know that in California, all decentralized virtual currencies / decentralized virtual currency users don't have to worry about California trying to prosecute us.
Note the passage of AB 129, recently signed by the Governor, which basically was just a law to repeal the State's prior prohibitions on alternativer currences:
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB1292) Anonymity. Do you support bitcoin development, and support anonymity? I do. Anonymity is absolutely vital especially if you live in places like NY State, China, or the Russian Federation - all places that have in the recent passed launched legal assaults on the bitcoin community.
Presently bitcoin is not anonymous. However, you can find out how to use it while masking your IP address, at:
https://twitter.com/BFEduComm/status/491291754055094272And if you want to help encourage both more funding for bitcoin development generally _and_ help support anonymity, weigh in here and let the Foundation know:
https://github.com/pmlaw/The-Bitcoin-Foundation-Legal-Repo/issues/19(If you don't already have a github account, it's easy to sign up for one.)
Thank you
