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Gun Reports - News

Bill Seeks to Make Permits and Background Checks Optional

PHOENIX — The Associated Press is reporting that the Arizona legislature is seeking to make Arizona the third state where it is legal to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Bills in the House and the Senate would also eliminate background checks and training classes for people to carry hidden guns.

“All we’re doing is handcuffing good people, restricting their constitutional, God-given right to carry and perhaps their ability to defend their families,” said State Senator Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican sponsoring the bill.

The bill comes a year after Arizona eased restrictions on gun owners, most notably giving people the option of carrying a weapon into a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol unless the establishment has banned firearms.

It also comes amid a national trend of states loosening gun laws. In 2009, states passed 47 laws easing restrictions, more than three times the number of new laws tightening them. Forty-eight states allow people to carry a concealed weapon; all but Alaska and Vermont require a permit.

In Arizona, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit is a misdemeanor. Mr. Pearce’s bill, and an identical one in the House, would make the permit and background check optional. It also would eliminate a required firearms safety class for permit seekers.

Reader Comments

Mr. Pearce’s bill, and an identical one in the House, would make the permit and background check optional.

That's a great idea! Respect the liberties and freedom of all self-controlled, self-reliant citizens, and still allow the sheep to give up their freedom for a Government Approval Stamp. It's a win-win, something-for-everybody kind of bill. Dynamite!

Gaviota

Comment by: Lee W | February 1, 2010

I think this is a GREAT thing if it happens. If you are allowed to have a gun, you should be able to carry it in any manner you choose. On the flip side, those of us who are CCW instructors will have to expand our business or find something else to do! A trade off I for one would welcome in the name of Liberty!

Comment by: M_E_ | February 4, 2010

My wife & I live in Tucson AZ, are both NRA Lifetime members & both have our CCW permits. As I completely support any law/bill that helps protect the law abiding individuals right to unhindered protection for themselves & others, I do see an inherent problem with concealed carry without a permit. First, when I buy a new gun, I fill the required paperwork out but don't need to be run through NICS again since I have my valid permit showing I'm legal. If CCW permits were no longer required under Constitutional Carry, every firearm purchase would still need to be run, swamping the process. Secondly, if I get questioned by an officer, and being a Harley riding tattooed biker I sometimes do, I just inform the officer that I'm carrying & show my CCW. A quick look at it & his demeanor changes (for the better) & I'm on my way. I would think that if CCW permits were no longer required ,the assumed threat level would remain very high until (the officer) Calls in all my info & I come back clean. What if he couldn't contact the dispatcher for any reason? With no required permit, a lot of time, resources & energy would be wasted. I haven't yet read through the whole bill before this comment & maybe I should have & therefore missing something. If I did (miss something) then I apologize for this mindless blithering idiot rantings. Thanks for the ear.

Comment by: PathinAZ | February 4, 2010

I agree with the basic idea of allowing people to carry legally without a permit. The problem I see, since I live close to a state line, is that My Michigan permit allows me to carry in, 37 states and Arizona's allows carry in 34. States like Vermont that don't require permits limit you to that state. Having an option like Alaska gives you the right to carry in other states while allowing those that don't leave the state, the right to carry while there. I really don't see the logic in calling people who decide to get a permit, a sheep giving up their freedon and getting a government approval stamp.

Comment by: alduane | February 4, 2010

As someone who travels with firearms a endeavor I hope to increase as we become more accustomed to retirement I will keep my government issued CHL until a national law is passed that levels the playing field so that I no longer need to travel with books on each states and/or counties laws along with the list of reciprocal states for my license. Don't see that as being a measure of my individuality but I do see the implied insult to be a measure of someone elses.

Comment by: Wood Butcher | February 4, 2010

The answer to the permit/no permit dilemma is to tag everyones drivers license or state ID card with a section that says "cleared for carrying concealed handgun" if they have the appropriate clean criminal background. It would be automatically done when you apply for or renew your licencse whether you want it or not. Even liberal gun haters would have it on their licencse if they have clean records. That way no application/training would be required. The license would not suggest you are carrying, only that you could if want to. Therefore no one would assume you are carrying by mere possesion of such a drivers licencse, because every legal person would have the same thing inscribed on their drivers licencse. Those folks who don't have it would have an incentive to clean up their act and it would provide a little warning to anyone interacting with them that they might have a less than sterling reputation(like the police). I like the convenience of the card and being able to confirm my legality on the spot!

Comment by: ERIC T | February 4, 2010

"I really don't see the logic in calling people who decide to get a permit, a sheep giving up their freedon and getting a government approval stamp."

There's no "logic" to understand. It was a bit of self-deprecation, because I'm an illogical sheep with a permit, while at the same time I believe that permitting is unconstitutional.

If the Union of the several States abided by the US Constitution, this would all be a non-issue on a couple of levels. It would not be illegal to carry a weapon, concealed or unconcealed, anywhere in the USA, and the "privileges and immmunities" clause would cover firearms carry the way it does driver's licenses, marriage licenses, warrants, legal rulings, and contracts. Too bad that honoring the Constitution is in such a state of disrepute these days.

However, I fully support state statute nullification by honest citizens, and if the renewal fees on my CCW are increased, I'm going to tell them to stuff it. My gun works just fine without a piece of paper in my wallet, and I'll just take my chances with civil disobedience.

Gaviota

Comment by: Lee W | February 4, 2010

I'm hoping we get this all worked out before I reach my 70's. Mainly because I won't be able to rely on speed and strength to bail my *ss out of an unpleasant situation. I'll most likely be forced to rely on some lethal, mechanical device at that point in my life. My hands would probably shake so much that I would have to drop down to a 9mm and use a spraying fire to hit the intended target.

Comment by: Jeff W | February 12, 2010