Perhaps some people might wonder why anyone would bother getting a permit if none is required. One reason I've heard is to enjoy the reciprocity offered by neighboring states. If a guy does permitless concealed carry in Arizona, he couldn't legally carry his gun in other states which require permits.Since July 29, 2010, people 21 and older have been able to carry a concealed weapon without a permit in Arizona except in bars and restaurants that sell alcohol. Although the law does not require permits in most cases, some people still apply for them. A new law tweaks the permitting process by reducing some of the requirements for instructors and permit-holders.
What Arizona is doing with this law is lowering the quality of the average permit holder, who, when travelling to other states, is lowering the quality of the concealed carry gun owners there. Do you think that's a good idea? Wouldn't common sense demand an increase in qualifications rather than a decrease?
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
"Since July 29, 2010, people 21 and older have been able to carry a concealed weapon without a permit in Arizona except in bars and restaurants that sell alcohol."
ReplyDeleteI suspect that the people who want to carry concealed weapons will look at that last bit as "bad law" and ignore it when they think they can do so with impunity. Oh, noes, you say, that won't happen? Please check out the number of people talking on cellphones or, worse, texting while driving. But then cellphone users don't have the "Four Rules" to work with.
Here in Oregon, the extremist Oregon Firearms Federation wrote a bill to allow conceal carry licenses to be recognized from other states (they currently are not). It is pretty evident that the bill has failed. This is mainly due to the reason you raised: Other states have ridiculously low standards (or no standards, in the case of AZ), allowing any yahoo with no training at all to carry a firearm, endangering anyone around them. Here in Oregon, the standards are too low, but at least we have some!
ReplyDelete"One reason I've heard is to enjoy the reciprocity offered by neighboring states."
ReplyDeleteBingo. I have a CCW in CA, Fl, and Utah. Those 3 cover 40+ states. CA was hard to get but i'm white, volunteer with the local Sheriff's campaign, and am able to grease the wheels via donations (like other 'may' issue states). Fl and Utah are shall issue. Collectively they are expensive but necessary since I travel that much for work and play.
If you want some national standard for CCW with more rigorous standards to start, many people would be on board. Just be ready for such standards to drop as little misuse occurs (as is the case in states like Aw which have seen little misuse). At some point the country will get to national reciprocity, but how that will look is pure speculation :)
"Wouldn't common sense demand an increase in qualifications rather than a decrease?"
In the world of common sense gun rights, it shouldn't be harder for the average person to carry a firearm then it is for the criminals who already do. AZ among a host of other states recognize and embrace that principal.
BTW - You can now apply for a CCW in AZ online. I have no need but for non residents its $60
Anonymous, proud to be part of the problem.
ReplyDelete