Not sure if they meant to say that 1 in 6 own guns, or that 1 in 6 had a CHL.
They knew EXACTLY what they were saying. I am just surprized they didn't say "Walking around with hidden guns". Much scarier that way, no?
Yet, voters and in particular voters on the Left insist that government should deliver more essential services. How long would Wal-Mart last if it took 125 to process any customer transaction? How many seconds would it take to fire any manager who declined to take whatever staffing action to eliminate such a delay?
There is no way in hell 1 in 6 ANYBODY is walking around armed. A lot of people who get licensed to carry a firearm never do after initial tests of doing so. It is too uncomfortable, too inconvenient and too much responsibility. People go through the motions and then don’t bother to carry. I have no scientific data but I suspect that 2 in 100 Texans carry a gun on a regular basis, even if 1 in 6 is licensed to do so.
Anybody have reliable statistics about this?
There’s no way it can be argued that this process, even when it’s working at the prescribed speed, isn’t an unconcstitutional infringement. 60 days? Training requirement?
In Pennsylvania (Philadelphia excluded), you can do the whole thing in half a day. You just need to go to your local police station to have them fill out a card that basically says they’re not aware that you’re involved in any criminal activity. Then you take the card to the CCW office in the county courthouse, plunk down a few bucks ($15 last time I did it, for a 5 year license), get your photo taken (no fingerprints), they run a NICS check, and assuming NICS doesn’t flag you, you walk out with your license 5 minutes later, after the photo dries and they stick the photo and card through a laminator.
And I’ve complained to the CCW office that even THAT process is an infringement, because they don’t have any evening or weekend hours, making it difficult for people who work a normal office schedule. And of course, the requirement to get a license at all is an infringement.
At any rate, given that Texas law specifies a time limit, I don’t expect anyone will get in legal trouble for not having a valid CCW license, as long as they applied 60/45 days earlier. And I think every CCW holder and overdue applicant in the state should take up open-carry 24/7 until the system is at least in compliance with state law.
It is up 80% here is VA.
People are worried about an impending Democrat government. Registering your right to carry a gun and thus implying your ownership of guns seems to be self defeating if that is the reason for it, though. Under the circumstances it would seem to be more prudent to buy guns from private parties and stock up on ammo and reloaders an don’t tell the government anything.
What I want to know, is how far in advance of your license expiring can you take the refresher course and submit your renewal application?
It sounds like a good idea to start earlier than usual.
In other words, "We are loathe to allow people to exercise their rights, and will drag our feet as long as we d@mn well please in spite of the legally imposed time constraints. On the other hand, give us one reason to revoke your license, and we'll be on you like a pack of pitbulls on a three-legged cat.
They left out the threat of The Race.
If the Texas legislature was serious about doing something, they could at least pass temporary legislation saying that licenses expiring in 2008 are good until 2009, and then mandate that DPS staff up adequately to perform their jobs — or threaten to outsource the job to a private contractor
Not sure if they meant to say that 1 in 6 own guns, or that 1 in 6 had a CHL.
I’d opt for some other explaination other CHL. 1/6th of the Texas population would be a heck of lot larger then the number of CHL they are quoting in the following from the article............
.....In 2007, lawmakers granted privacy to the 258,000 license holders by closing records that had been public since the concealed handgun law passed in 1995.
Ping for later reference. (I applied for mine online in Texas just the other day. Received my packet within a week. Class is on May 24th. Now I’m wondering if I’ll get my actual CHL before the end of the summer.)
Senate votes to strengthen self defense rights Ohio
“Assault Weapons” Ban Legislation Pulled From Committee Agenda in Louisiana!
Proposed Concealed Carry Changes Winnebago County, WI?
I don't know if it will be enough to wake up the Zumbos in this country, but the RKBA people seem to be getting fired up. I hope they can maintain their enthusiam until November 4.
Heck, they could hire me and I’ll work from home helping to process everything.
Helluva a lot more than just 1 in 6 of us own firearms.
Closer to 9 in 10, would be my guess.
About damn time they did away with the requirement for taking a class to renew.