Forty states, comprising the majority of the American population, are “right-to-carry”
states. Statistics show that in these states the crime rate fell (or did not rise) after the right-to carry
law became active (as of July, 2006). Nine states deny or restrict the right to carry.
What are your thoughts on normal citizens carrying handguns?
Some facts to chew on:
There are 40 Right-to-Carry states. Thirty-six have “shall issue” laws, requiring that carry permits be issued to applicants who meet uniform standards established by the state legislature. Three have fairly-administered discretionary-issue carry permit systems. One, Vermont, respects the right to carry without a permit. Alaska, one of the “shall issue” states, has its permit system for the purpose of permit-reciprocity with other states, and also adopted a no-permit-required law in 2003.
There are 10 non-RTC states. Eight have restrictively-administered discretionary-issue systems. Only two—Illinois and Wisconsin—have no permit system and prohibit carrying.
Let us know your thoughts guys!
4 Comments on "The Right to Carry Handguns"
I remember that old bumper sticker “when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns”. Guns are prohibited in Washington DC and they have one of the highest gun violence totals in all of America. No laws prohibit bad guys from carrying. The only defense you have is yourself in a situation like that. Naturally, the government will protect you! If I’m on the road on a stop, I’d be happy to have a gun toter driving by. He’s on my side, not the bad guy’s.
I did two research projects last year on this topic for my graduate studies in Public Affairs.
My statistics group found that John Lott Jr.’s predictions of reduced crime rates in states that adopted RtC laws were accurate (we ignored variations, such as shall-issue vs. the other types of laws). -If you are not familiar with John Lott Jr. and are interested in the effects of RtC on crime, I highly recommend that you examine his work, especially his early book, “More Guns, Less Crime.”
My benefit-cost analysis group found that gun-restriction laws in the United States have largely failed at reducing crime rates. We recommended a number of polices to increase the benefits of gun ownership, such as: a national right to carry law/permit; fully subsidized personal/home defense classes (that focused on handguns); and subsidized ammunition available for use at gun-ranges to promote practice and familiarity with one’s firearms (most accidental gun injuries occur because someone does not know how to use their own gun).
It’s called the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution. It’s an unalienable right. Not a permitted privilege. Permitting systems, all anti-carry and all anti-gun laws are illogical, fascist, tyrannical, and UnConstitutional. We all have a right to exist and we all have a right to defend that existence against attackers. Aggressive force is always evil. Repellent force is always righteous. There are no exceptions. Those who initiate force are automatically evil and anti-life.
When someone confronts me with force, I answer them; with force. I do not sink to their level. When a mugger holds a gun to my chest, he seeks to profit from my death, whether it be the measly sum in my wallet or the larger funds of my bank account; accessible from my identity. When I kill him, I do not profit from his death. I merely grant his wish; destruction. The only destruction he had a right to choose; his own.
I was just reading the article on retired officers carriying concealed weapons. Am I reading this right? Do retired officers have to jump through more whoops than an average citizen does?
The right to bear arms is EVERYONES right, and I would venture to say, ESPECIALLY retired or ex-officers.
I would feel more comfortable to know that ALL off duty, retired and ex-officers are carrying weapons at ALL times. This is common sense. Not to mention, I agree with the statement that criminals have perfect memories and officers (retired or not) have the right to protect themselves.
Officers are the most highly trained citizens when it comes to handguns and to even have to request a permit to carry, once passing the intense training they have to go through, is obsurd.