Just wondering are you guys against CCP's because they cost money? Would you prefer them not to cost money and be more like voter registration?
A few have asked how does not having a ccp get weapons off the street. First let me say that my background is law enforcement. I've been on and made every kind of traffic stop there is. Seen every kind of situation there is to be seen. I'd also like to say I'm not against open carry or people having weapons. I believe in everyone's second amendment rights as much as anyone out there. That being said I believe in CCPs. As far as how it gets weapons off the street it is very simple. Criminal + weapon - ccp = criminal - weapon. Some of you have said so what ...criminals don't follow the law anyway. To that point I ask why have laws then? I know murder, theft, rape is wrong so why have laws if criminals don't follow them??? Why have any laws at all? Others have said well it's my right why should I be regulated or have laws restricting my right to bear arms. Whether you want to believe this or not there is no right that you have that is unregulated or doesn't have laws for and against it, not one that isn't restricted. Freedom of speech? Nope can't shout fire in a theater etc etc etc. Right to vote...got to register. Right to be free from warrantless search and seizure in your own home? Sure unless there are exigent circumstances or there is a public safety issue then that can be thrown out the window. Should defending your own home be the same as carrying a weapon out in public? Is the defense of your home the same as the defense of your car? Is driving a right? Just throwing some thoughts out there. As I've said I've seen this law work. I've seen it get guns of the street. If a ccp not being free is what is motivating you then I have no problem with that. Heck if it could be free I'd be all for it(I pay for it just like you) but there still needs to be the law requiring it.
We may have to just agree to disagree and we also may need to get this thread back on Rolando as its seems it has been hijacked.
While I can understand a law enforcement officer's position on CCP and the myriad of reasons for those opinions, I cannot shake the fact that the founding documents of this country said explicitly not to do it. There were just 10 amendments to begin with, so I would imagine out of the whole of social structure considered in their creation those ten blinking red lights would be the ones we didn't continually try to mess with. My opinion.
Shouldn't law enforcement be able to determine from a database quickly and accurately whether someone has a felony or a mental illness that would preclude them from being able to possess a firearm in public? Especially since the only reason that a law enforcement officer would be determining the ability to possess a firearm is in the case that someone was detained and identity was being confirmed anyway. The issue there is a crumbling reporting system for either of the issues at hand, especially mental illness since the support system for those afflicted with mental issues has only gotten worse in the past thirty years. That's where the focus should be, an accurate and easily accessed database in the field for officers. Better tools equal a better carpenter, all other factors being equal.
That said, until there is National Reciprocity, I will continue to pay the toll. I will follow the law to the letter whether I agree with it or not.