First let me say that if this is a repeat of something discussed here, I do appologize.
Being a new gun owner, I've found myself wondering about the purpose/intent of the concealed carry permit. But first, let me give you a little background. I was raised in a very pro-gun home. My parents (mainly my old man) owned (and still own) everything from shotguns to rifles to handguns to millitary collectables and so on. I was basically raised with a gun in my hand. The importance of the 2nd amendment, as well as the importance of every single right we have, were instilled in me beginning at a very young age. I am and have always been a strong advocate for the rights of the individual. Any individual. Any right.
Having said that, I really don't see how the state mandated requirement of a permit to carry a firearm is not a violation of our God-given, inalienable right to keep and bear arms. A permit is not required to excercise our right to vote. It's not required to prevent the quartering of soldiers in our homes. We don't need a permit to speak our minds. Why then is a permit required to carry concealed? Am I off base here? Is it that we have the RIGHT to own firearms, but the PRIVILEGE to carry them? In my mind, the 2nd amendment is pretty vague in that regard. As we are all aware, the 2nd amendment states "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." Nowhere does it mention the location of the arms we are keeping and bearing. It does not say "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms, in public, shall not be infringed." Nor does it say "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms, only on their private property, shall not be infringed."
We are not required to hold permits or licenses to exercise ANY of our other rights. We are however required to hold permits or licenses to exercise certain privileges afforded to us by big brother. We are required to obtain an Operator Driver License to drive a car. You must be licensed to practice law, medicine, engineering (as it relates to the public, which is basically all engineering) etc.
It seems to me that by applying for a concealed carry permit gives in to the anti's way of thinking....must be permited, regulated, and eventually eliminated. The idea of requiring permits seems to make the transition from right to privilege. Why must we get permission to exercise what we've been told is our natural right?
Does anyone have any insight into this? Am I just way off on this one?
In the mean time, I suppose I'll begin the paper work on my CCW and attempt to change policy by working with the appropriate powers within the system. But we all know how well that tends to work :banghead:
Being a new gun owner, I've found myself wondering about the purpose/intent of the concealed carry permit. But first, let me give you a little background. I was raised in a very pro-gun home. My parents (mainly my old man) owned (and still own) everything from shotguns to rifles to handguns to millitary collectables and so on. I was basically raised with a gun in my hand. The importance of the 2nd amendment, as well as the importance of every single right we have, were instilled in me beginning at a very young age. I am and have always been a strong advocate for the rights of the individual. Any individual. Any right.
Having said that, I really don't see how the state mandated requirement of a permit to carry a firearm is not a violation of our God-given, inalienable right to keep and bear arms. A permit is not required to excercise our right to vote. It's not required to prevent the quartering of soldiers in our homes. We don't need a permit to speak our minds. Why then is a permit required to carry concealed? Am I off base here? Is it that we have the RIGHT to own firearms, but the PRIVILEGE to carry them? In my mind, the 2nd amendment is pretty vague in that regard. As we are all aware, the 2nd amendment states "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." Nowhere does it mention the location of the arms we are keeping and bearing. It does not say "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms, in public, shall not be infringed." Nor does it say "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms, only on their private property, shall not be infringed."
We are not required to hold permits or licenses to exercise ANY of our other rights. We are however required to hold permits or licenses to exercise certain privileges afforded to us by big brother. We are required to obtain an Operator Driver License to drive a car. You must be licensed to practice law, medicine, engineering (as it relates to the public, which is basically all engineering) etc.
It seems to me that by applying for a concealed carry permit gives in to the anti's way of thinking....must be permited, regulated, and eventually eliminated. The idea of requiring permits seems to make the transition from right to privilege. Why must we get permission to exercise what we've been told is our natural right?
Does anyone have any insight into this? Am I just way off on this one?
In the mean time, I suppose I'll begin the paper work on my CCW and attempt to change policy by working with the appropriate powers within the system. But we all know how well that tends to work :banghead:
