Should Law Abiding Citizens Be Issued Concealed Carry Permits?

Many elected officials seem to have forgotten that when they took their oath of office they swore to uphold, defend and protect the Constitution of the United States.  The last time I read the U.S. Constitution, it still contained the Bill of Rights, including the 2nd Amendment.  These same elected officials also seem to have forgotten that when this nation declared its independence, the founding fathers stated that our creator gave us certain inalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; which I believe includes citizen’s and their family’s safety.

There are many other elected officials who act as though they believe only they are trustworthy and law abiding citizens; that law abiding citizens must look to them for their quality of life and their protection from violence.  In other words, these elected officials do not trust those law abiding citizens, the very people who built this nation, and whose sons, daughters, husbands and wives have served in our armed forces to guarantee the freedoms and rights our founding fathers intended for all citizens, past, present and future to hold and enjoy.

Law enforcement will admit that even if a law enforcement officer was assigned to every city block and every rural area, they could not guarantee the safety of those they are sworn to protect and serve.

Currently, 40 states have “Right to Carry” laws (RTC) and 36 states have “Shall Issue” laws pertaining to the right of their law abiding citizens to have Concealed Carry Permits (CCW).  Many predicted enactment of such laws would cause violence and crime to soar.  This has not been the case.  States where “Shall Issue” laws exist follow certain criteria which must be met prior to issuing such permits.  Persons not eligible for the license include, but are not limited to the following:

• Convicted felons.
• Persons who have had restraining orders issued against them.
• Minors.
• Persons with mental illness and/or psychological problems that would prohibit them from functioning without medication.
• Persons who have been convicted of the manufacture, sales or distribution of illegal substance(s).
• Those who have a history of numerous encounters with law enforcement.
• Plus a few others.

Those who; apply for a concealed carry permit must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the laws pertaining to the use of lethal force and competency with their firearm.  And, they must pass a law enforcement background check to verify the statements contained within their application.

Once the above criteria have been met, the applicant must be issued the permit.  The issuance is based on these criteria and these criteria only, not on the whim of some bureaucrat.  There are also rules which must be adhered to by those persons who have qualified for and obtained a CCW permit.  For example, if a person who has been issued a CCW permit is arrested and convicted for driving under the influence (DUI), that persons permit, is immediately revoked.

Many “Politically Correct” officials will raise the shrill alarm that such action is nothing less than creating an armed camp in our neighborhoods.  But historically this is an untrue belief with no basis in fact.

I believe we should glean the knowledge and experience from the thirty-six states with “Shall Issue’ laws and follow suit.  The history of the thirty-six “Shall Issue” states proves that issuance of CCW permits helps protect citizens and actually prevents crime.  In my over thirty years of law enforcement experience, I have encountered many individuals with concealed carry permits.  I have never had a bad experience with any of these citizens.  I have, however, arrested numerous criminals illegally carrying concealed firearms.  None of the criminals would have been eligible to legally carry a concealed firearm – their only purpose was to prey on law abiding citizens who had not been granted the right to carry a concealed firearm.