When asked why they applied for a Class A license to carry a loaded, concealed weapon people came up with all sorts of reasons. Many had everything to do with the fact that they felt the need to protect themselves. But isn’t that what the government is for? The police, too? Laws, rules, regulations… aren’t all of these supposed to assure citizens of their health, well being and (at least) safety? If only.
“We must protect ourselves and our families”
That is a majorly popular opinion among gun carriers. But why are people convinced that they alone are responsible for their own protection? Here are just a couple of quotes/ideas that come from registered concealed carriers:
- When it all goes down you have but seconds to react… the cops have, at best, a 5 minute ETA.
- Somehow, it’s not up to the cops to protect you. That part’s up to you. They call the cops in after the damage is done.
- “When I die I want to be lying in my own little bed and really, really old… not out there on the sidewalk at the feet of some punk.”
But she had a restraining order on him
The statement above is one that is, unfortunately, at the basis of the recent spa shooting in Brookfield Wisconsin. The police basically have their hands tied until it’s simply too late. You can’t arrest someone for threatening you. Until they touch you, they really haven’t broken any real law. Sadly however, by the time they break that law, it is way past threats and harassment. It’s deadly.
We’re going to check you out and train you
Background checks required for legal gun permits are a sensational idea. Requiring firearm training before receiving a permit also makes the top 5 great ideas for concealed carry licensing. Police records, psychological records and age requirements are additionally helpful deterrents against guns falling into the wrong hands… legally. And therein lies one of the biggest problems. Do we need to carry concealed firearms in order to protect ourselves against those who carry them illegally?
You can’t read someone’s mindIt’s clearly a great idea to ban people with a violent past, documented psychological problems or convicted felons, terrorists and the like from obtaining any Class gun license. And nobody wants someone with wild, crazy ideas to have one either. Thing is, unless there is documented history of that nature, how do you know? In recent past, too many warning signs have been ignored.
Example: The shooter involved in the Wisconsin Sikh Temple shooting. He was into ‘white power/neo Nazi reject’.
Indeed, what evil lurks in the hearts of men?