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Maybe in Oregon, but here in Connecticut there are standards set by the state that every cop has to pass to get the card.

>> ...in Connecticut there are standards set by the state that every cop has to pass to get the card.

We have a state certification system and a good academy that serves the entire state, but AFAIK, each local department can set it's own standards. The City of Eugene (not that large a city, actually) has it's own training system and doesn't require the entire academy package. Thing is, all Oregon police officers are entitled to the state's package of special rights regardless of their specific qualifications.

Now I don't have a problem with local control whereby individual cites can set employment standards based on their needs, but the state conceal carry system assumes a "quality" is inherent in every cop employed or ever employed in the state that isn't necessarily there. Therefore, as long as you and I have to "apply" for permits I think they should too.

My major issue, though, is that anyone at all need "apply" for a permit. We are moving forward now, we've added more states to the "shall issue" fold this legislative cycle, and I think we're over 2/3 of them now. Next step, maybe, should be to push for Vermont style carry laws state by state. Something close to that came up in the Oregon legislature last session. Didn't get out of committee, but it wasn't because of any major opposition, just a time constraint. The jist of it was that no conceal carry permit would be needed for anyone who had ever purchased a firearm from a FFL and had therefore already been through a criminal history check. There certainly isn't a need for multiple agencies to be doing this, and Oregon's proposed law recognized that (and also, appearently, that the "gun safety" course requirement is a joke - and, here's the biggie - that there is no need for the state to maintain a database of those qualified to carry concealed).

Dave in Eugene

>> Connecticut

< off_topic_comment > CT, huh?. The US CongressCritter in my district, a Peter Defazio, is originally from there. Any chance you guys might want to take him back? < /off_topic_comment >

Dave in Eugene