It was an interesting week for gun owners’ rights activists, and this week promises to continue the trend. Last week, the Governor of Arizona signed the legislation that will make that state the third in the nation that allows law-abiding adult citizens to carry loaded, concealed handguns in public without a permit. The law goes into effect this summer, I’m told. (LINK HERE). Vermont has had that system for as long as any living human can remember, and has always had one of the lowest rates of violent crime of any state in the nation – many years, THE lowest. Bad judgment shootings by law-abiding carriers are so infrequent as to be off the radar screen. A few years ago, Alaska followed with what might be an even better system. I say that because Vermont, never having needed a permit system, has none in place, so the Vermont citizen can get no indigenous permit with which to reciprocate when he or she travels to states that recognize other state’s resident permits. Alaska kept its permit system in place, to allow for its citizens to have reciprocity elsewhere. This is the model Arizona is following.
Today the Second Amendment March is scheduled to take place in Washington, DC. I expect it to go peacefully, and therefore be largely ignored by the anti-gun elements of the mainstream media. It would not surprise me at all if the turnout dwarfed that of the Million Man March of anti-gunners a few years ago, whose attendance was a miniscule fraction of their eponymous name/number.
This immediate past weekend saw our friends in the Appleseed Project hold their excellent rifle clinics/history lectures all around the country, in celebration of the anniversary of the events at Concord and Lexington that sparked the American Revolution and the birth of this nation. The date for the peaceful march in Washington was chosen for the same reason. Of course, much of the mainstream media will choose to mention instead that it coincides with such anniversaries as the Branch Davidian debacle in Waco and the terrorist McVeigh’s bombing in Oklahoma City.
My buddy Mike Larney tells me the turnout was huge at the Appleseed he helped teach over the weekend. I couldn’t be at one because I was teaching a deadly force class in Wisconsin, hosted by Chief Bill Meloy at his splendid police headquarters in Saukville. Though LEOs were in attendance, the course was geared mainly for armed citizens, and the classroom was full. Like many chief law enforcement officers in Wisconsin, Chief Meloy is comfortable with the idea that Concealed Carry is expected to soon become law in his state, one of only two that currently ban the practice (the other being Illinois). He sees the teaching of firearms responsibility to law-abiding citizens as a natural part of his agency’s public safety and crime prevention mission.
Our nation needs more top cops like him.
Capt. Ayoob, left, thanks Chief Meloy for his commitment to public safety.
As a citizen and Arizona resident, I’m grateful to our state legislature and governor for signing this bill. I’ve carried openly since I moved here in 1994, and I’m happy I no longer will need to worry about an untucked shirt now moving me from legal to illegal status depending on whether it’s bunched behind my pistol or draped over it.
What pleases me most about the bill is the fact that, although Vermont and Alaska have no-permit concealed carry, this is the first time it’s being implemented in a state with a major population center. The anti-gunners have assured us the streets will run red with blood if Phoenix residents can carry without a permit. When that fails to happen, as it always does when they make their bogus claims in the face of restored gun rights, it is my hope other states will see through the haze of misinformation and restore enhanced carry options to their residents as well.
It is all about money! Tennessee, for example, is moving to very liberal carry laws but will never do away with the requirement for a permit simply because the state sees the permit system as a cash register fed by the $135.00 fee for the permit.
Hi Mas.
As you know I am in favor of the law abiding being able to carry but have trepidation with the law abiding being able to carry without training.
Granted, AK and VT both allow concealed carry without a permit. On paper I support that concept, but I wonder how it will play out in real life now that a state with a major population center has gone to “Constitutional Carry”?
While I doubt that there will be “mass bloodshed in the streets” I do think there will be an increase in so called “gun crimes”, and people using a gun when they shouldn’t. I do hope I’m wrong about that, but time will tell. Maybe it won’t be enough to matter?
I myself have elected to niether support nor oppose “Constitutional Carry” as it places me in a quandry. On the one hand, I support it but on the other I can see some negatives to it. I guess I’m waffling, and not giving humans enough credit for being able to think for themselves.
I can see real positives and minuses to both sides of the equation. I do hope that this “social experiment” proves that I should’ve supported this, but my knowledge of human nature being what it is makes me see the negatives with this pretty easily. As you know I tend to see the worst of the so-called human species on a daily basis and this does color my view of the world.
I’ll be glad when I can retire and go live in a cave on a mountain. If I went to town three times in one year, that would be two times too many.
Take care and stay safe,
Biker
I live in SE Arizona and grew up in some of those major population centers. It is legal to carry openly in the state which requires no training, certifying, etc. What makes concealed carry fundamentally different? Why does covering a weapon with a shirt-tail suddenly make it more dangerous, or make the person suddenly foolhardy or accident prone? We don’t have wild shoot outs in the street involving persons that carry legally owned firearms openly, why should we expect that with legally owned fierarms carried concealed?
I am still waiting for the drunken shoot outs caused by CCW holders being allowed to carry in establishments that serve alcohol.
I predict this will ultimately be one of the biggest pieces of ho-hum legislation to be passed this year. Our state has much larger problems than how we carry our guns.
On the other end of the spectrum is California where the legislature is trying to make unloaded open carry illegal. Getting a CCW in many areas of California is nearly impossible unless you are a celebrity. Also there is no CCW reciprocity in California at all. All this while the state and counties early release criminals from prison and jails due to over crowding. It’s like an all you can eat buffet for criminals here. I may have to move to Arizona or some other truly free state.
Another holiday no-go destination for Ann Pearston, Dr Mick North, et al.
The BBC says, (UK) “Handgun crime ‘up’ despite (1997) ban.” When the reality maybe that UK handgun crime is up because of the ban. The anti-gun crowd got what they wanted in Britain and guess what, except for murder and rape, “Britain has overtaken the US for all major crimes.”
Mas,
Because of your original article about going to Appleseed, I learned about the Appleseed. This weekend, I, and 4 close friends, found ourselves in New Phillie, Oh attending the event. We got to fire a 13 round salute to the patriots who sacrificed so much. While I did not earn my patch this weekend, I will endeavor to keep trying.
This weekend showed me a lot. One of my friends and I have talked about now going on to be instructors. I have planned on going to at least two more events of this worthwhile project. I can’t thank you enough for posting about it.
You can read my experience at http://wwww.angelsfeartotread.com
@Biker
I feel the exact same (although I’m not in AZ). On one hand, I believe there shouldn’t be any restrictions on CCWs, on the other hand a little common sense and training can go a long way. I have no problem with you carrying around me, I’d just like some reassurance you can know how to use that thing you’re carrying.
Granted most of us that carry a firearm for self-defense realize the serious responsibility associated with it. That’s why some of us are here 😉
But all we would need is one guy carrying a Chrome Desert Eagle in the front of his pants loaded with Wolf FMJ ammo to take the law into his own hand. After he wounded several bystanders, he would proudly admit he got all the training he needed from action movies. And of course, the media would say “This is why we need to follow Great Britain’s example and immediately ban guns… the true victim here was the shooter…”
What I would like to see is you go into your Sheriff’s office (or any Law Enforcement office) and you’re given a written test on basic gun safety and the use of deadly force, then you demonstrate basic gun handling skills to an appointed official, and finally complete a simply 20-50 round marksmanship test. If you fail, you can retry in a week or so. Hey it would even create more jobs, maybe our president would include it on a stimulus package… after all he is the gun salesman of the century.
Tim,
That’s a plan I could endorse.
Honestly, in AZ you don’t have any permit system or testing to carry openly, and it’s worked for years. The thing is, since the CCW Permit Revolution took place open carry has decreased in the population centers except for a dedicated few.
Prior to that, with open carry only, the idiots tended to get weeded out quickly. The permit process, as it is now, tends to impart at least some small measure of knowledge to the gun carrier, and I am a fan of imparting knowledge.
I rejoice in the fact that a permit is no longer needed, but fear the possible repercussions. Maybe it’s just me, but I always tend to look at things from a “worst case scenario” and prepare for that. If the worst case happens I’m ready for it, and if not, I can handle whatever happens easily. Even the best of intentions can have unintended consequences.
Take care and stay safe,
Biker
I agree with Biker and Tim. I understand and support the second amendment, but IMHO there are many idiots who do not understand basic gun safety and the laws of the state in which they live. Mas makes a living as an expert witness trying to decipher the actions of some of these people in a court of law and he attempts to explain to juries what is right and within the law.
I lived in AZ in the mid-70’s and open carry was not a big deal. However, in this day and age, I support a basic permit system for concealed carry that teaches local laws and basic safe handgun handling. An AZ resident will need a paid permit to carry in states with reciprocity.
Just the other day, I had a rifle range incident where a man with a .308 main battle rifle called the range cold and as we proceeded downrange with new targets, he carried his rifle forward and starting shooting at the target at point blank range with three rounds. He could not hit it from a rest at 25 yards so he decided to charge it. What kind of idiots are we arming?
Here in Florida, the CCW permit is so easy to get that it is silly. But at least there is a background check, instruction and some limited firing of a .22 LR handgun. People who get permits are less likely than any others to have armed “road rage” or other crazy behavior. At least it is a start.
One thing I hate to hear when anyone talks about supporting rights is “I support x BUT” Usually everything before the “but” is a lie.
None of the rights has a “but” in it. “you are secure in your homes “but” not when the government disagrees” Just doesn’t work.
“Getting a CCW in many areas of California is nearly impossible unless you are a celebrity.”
Kalifornia – the Marie Antoinette dream. The laws you inflict on the peasant overwhelming majority conveniently exempt you, there’s a limitless supply of very-cheap labor from all the illegal aliens (half those in entire U.S. according to INS).
Patrick,
While I support training, your point underscores while I supported the “constitutional carry” bill. This is a RIGHT, no matter the method of carry. Training should be encouraged and made available, and the permit still an option. All of this AZ has done as well. But citizens are supposed to be responsible and as free citizens, the law has no right to curtail their constitutional rights on bearing arms for self defense (arizona state constitutional right that is…. as that is the constitution that “constitutional carry” refers to).
I like what the intro to Tom Gresham’s Guntalk Radio says, “A right is always a right, not a privilege.”
Operating a motor vehicle is a privilege. Keeping and bearing a firearm for self defense is a right. One requires an operator’s permit, the other the permit ought to be optional and the lack thereof never curtailing the basic right.
Just to be clear, and if you read my blog you would know, I support people being responsible and seeking training. I do not support required training. It is good sense to learn about your dangerous weapon, but I do not care for the slippery slope to require anything for a right.
Of course, Patrick and Mr. Robertson are correct and the Second Amendment covers it pretty clearly. It is a right as enumerated in the Bill of Rights. I know that the framers of the Constitution and the later Bill of Rights wanted every citizen to have the ability to keep and bear arms.
I am just frustrated that the lack of skill and knowledge of firearms safety endangers people who take gun safety seriously and reflects badly upon the weapons rights movement. If a person can’t even follow the “Big Four” rules of firearms safety, it makes all of us look bad in the media and in the various legislatures. It is a shame that some people ( especially kids) will die because adults don’t lock up weapons properly and teach their children the NRA “Eddie Eagle” rules. We played the Eddie Eagle video so many times that our kids memorized it. The price of freedom never comes cheap, but I guess we have to tolerate inexcusable adult behavior to allow us to keep and bear arms.
@Fred – While not trying to step on the main part of your message, I think this small correction is important and not such a small point. It isn’t a right because it is enumerated in the BoR. It is protected because of the Bill of Rights. Rights cannot be taken away. The Constitution doesn’t “give” those rights. It protects them.
Unfortunately, gun control advocates, who would never think to ban cars for the irresponsible drivers, will attempt to pass incredible restrictions on guns because of people who use them for crime and through carelessness.
It’s very frustrating to see that Maryland is not included in the states which do not allow CCW. They have never subscribed to the idea and while they do allow, the requirements are such that you are advised NOT to try to get one, lest you be put on a watch list.
Only ones I know who can get through the loophole are bankers, jewelers, and politicians. Even a woman who is in threat of bodily harm has a lot of paperwork and proof to submit before she is allowed to arm herself, and we still have a waiting period for gun purchases.