Democratic congresswoman shot in Arizona.

[FreeTalkLive]

rocketpig said:

Or maybe there are some of us in the middle who think that maybe this is a perfect opportunity to discuss Arizona's insane concealed carry law. Why do we license people to drive but in some states, don't even bother to check the mental capacity or training of someone who carries a FIREARM in public, concealed or otherwise? That isn't "personal protection", that's downright insanity.

And before anyone labels me a "gun hater", I work in a gun shop. I spend 50 hours a week surrounded by firearms. I own firearms. I see some of the people who carry around me and question their mental capacity but at least all those people have basic firearm training and are NOT mental patients or violent felons, as it's a requirement for a carry permit in Minnesota. While it's not a foolproof system, it provides a thin layer of protection between the public and lunatics walking the streets with loaded Desert Eagles, just itchin' for a fight to break out so they can play "hero".

 

AZ recently changed the law to allow legal gun owners to carry firearms concealed without a permit, thus joining VT, AK, and several other states (although more limited in scope).  Dozens of states already allowed (and still do) legal gun owners to carry firearms open (not concealed) without a permit and that's been the standard in some states since before the nation was legally founded.

Is this law bad or crazy?  I don't know but it puts the laws in AZ closer to what most gun owners think of when they think of the 2nd Amendment.  AZ still has too many gun restrictions for me and so does the state I live in, NH.  However, it was a step in the right direction.  Maybe some day states like AZ and NH won't have any gun laws other than the 100s of federal laws?  That seems like a more Constitutional way to go.

As for driving, you don't need a Learner’s Permit in NH to learn how to drive.  In fact, you cannot get one as we don’t have Learner’s Permits in NH.  Insurance is option, although it certainly isn’t required.  The same goes for seat belt usage.  However, we do have driver's licenses.  I'd like to see the NH driver's license turned into to a license that lasts until people turn 70.  I get it, there should be a short test to get a DL but after that, you shouldn't have to get it renewed.  Of course, most people would get it renewed from time to time because they would lose their license, move and so on.  That is something that people from AZ are more familiar with than those from other states.