What do you think of this idea?
Starting later this summer, U.S. citizens 21 and older can begin carrying a concealed firearm without a permit in Arizona.
Gov. Jan Brewer signed Senate Bill 1108 into law Friday afternoon. It eliminates the requirement for a concealed-carry weapons permit, but does require gun owners to accurately answer if an officer asks them if they are carrying weapon concealed. It also allows officers to temporarily confiscate a weapon while they are talking to an individual, including during a traffic stop.
“I believe strongly in the individual rights and responsibilities of a free society, and as governor I have pledged a solemn and important oath to protect and defend the Constitution,” Brewer said in a news release. “I believe this legislation not only protects the Second Amendment rights of Arizona citizens, but restores those rights as well.”
“If you want to carry concealed, and you have no criminal history, you are a good guy, you can do it,” bill sponsor Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, has said of his bill. “It’s a freedom that poses no threat to the public.”
One would still have to go through a federal background check in most cases, and you would need a permit to bring a concealed firearm into a restaurant or bar, or to another state. On the flip side
But (Retired Mesa police officer Dan Furbee, who runs permit classes) said what really concerns him is that the new law will allow people who have had no education about Arizona’s laws and no training on the shooting range to carry a concealed gun. The eight-hour class currently required to get a permit includes information on state law and gun safety, as well as requires students to be able to hit a target 14 out of 20 times.
Hmm, he could have a point. But, then, if you chose to carry, you should take the responsibility on yourself to become educated on the law, especially if you are a newbie. I bet if those people who offer permit classes would charge a little less, they would still get some people to enroll.
On the flip side of that, how often does one read about problems with concealed carry in Vermont and Alaska, which have long required no permits? You know it would be national news if people were constantly using concealed handguns in a lawless manner in those two states. As a matter of fact, both states have some of the lowest crime rates in the nation.
What’s your take?
Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU
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AMEN to that. If it is our constitutional right to carry arms, then why should we be asking the government’s permission? I am OK with the background checks and all (we don’t want felons, illegals, etc to be able to arm themselves) and the option of classes.
We all should be able to carry arms in public. Can you image the outroar if the govt’s demand that those in northern alaska not be allowed to carry arms out in the open?
This is all really silly to me.
The constitution “guarantees” the right to bear arms, but yet we have to have a “permit” to do so?
A massive contradiction?
Indeed.
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