That's the problem with "may-issue" states. CA, where I grew up, is the same way. It's up to the discretion of the sheriff. Unfortunately, the sheriff in my county had a policy of only granting them to women with current restraining orders against someone with a violent felony record. Basically, you can't be their first victim to have the right to defend yourself against them.
The only way my friend was able to get one in NY was because he owns a store in a mall in a high crime area. And in the mall, where his store is considered the "red zone" where most of the crimes in the mall occur. Due to his store being upen past midnight and him having to carry large sums of cash out at night they granted him a license. Now when the little gangster kids get smart with the paintball guns he just laughs, with his chrome 9mm under the desk.
I appreciate the fact that people cant just carry handguns. And that NY is hard on licensing. There are too many nuts in this world.
Texas. Getting a permit is pretty easy. As long as you dont have any felonies or any mental problems and take the proper course (takes about 10 hours on a Saturday) you can get one pretty easy. I carry concealed during most times of the year except during summertime. It is very hard to conceal carry with minimal clothes on. I usually stash my gun in a specialty built box that is right next to my right hand between the seat and the center console. Only once have I had to put my hand on the grip during a confrontation. the wife and I were coming come late from my grandparents and stopped at whataburger to get a bite to eat and a bum came running up to my window and wouldnt leave us alone and was acting really weird. I popped the top of the box and put my hand on the pistol and turned to the guy and gave him a warning that if he did not take his hands off my car and leave that I would draw my weapon hold him at gunpoint and call the cops. I then told him if he made any threatining gestures towards me or the wife that I would pull the trigger. He immed took his hands off the car and looked at me funny then ran off.. I would not hesitate to pull the trigger if it came down to me or the bad guy. I will protect my family at all cost. I guess that is my Texas breeding and due to growing up around guns. I have hunted all my life and have a deep respect for guns. I also feel a sense of safety when I conceal carry because I know that if it comes to push vs shove I have the knowledge, skill, and mindset that is way above any criminal or someone that is out to harm me or my family and I will come out on top.
The problem is that legally or not, the "nuts" as you call them, will find a way. I'd prefer allowing law-abiding citizens means of defense against illegal weapons.
So true.. When I was young in high school I could get a gun in less than a day, and I was going to a pretty nice high school. I could get ahold of anything from a handgun to Tech 9 sub machine gun. When your in that kind of crowd or in that type of environment it is very easy to get a firearm. Only thing gun laws do is take away guns from law abiding citizens who want to be able to defend themselves. when someone wants to get a gun illegally they will be able to get it no matter how many laws are on the books. crooks, criminals, murderers, etc do not follow laws.
I have been considering a CCW for about 2 years. I am doing my research and am going to a gun show this month to handle as many guns as I can. One I find several that fit my hand and feel right I am going to a local range to rent some pistols and fire the ones that I found that I liked I may try a 10mm for giggles, but I think I'll stick with the .40 Short and Wimpy.
There are plenty of countries where guns arent a problem. The citizens dont have them and its extremely difficult for criminals to get them within the country as well. Mayby I'm an idealist, maybe I rather not get shot. I rather see everybody not have a gun and guns become extremely hard to come by than for everybody to have one.
JayKay, Massachusetts still have the Firearms Identification Card requirement with the 1 year mandatory sentence for violation? I assume they still have the License to Carry Pistol Permit requirement.
Then look at Britain. They talk about "knife crime" like we talk about "gun crime". And when it comes down to it, Cain killed Abel with an "assault rock", so there's no true disarmament possible, just the making of defense more difficult (as thugs generally get more "practice" than their victims). There's a reason guns are called "equalizers". They're the one personal weapon that transcends brute force and at close ranges, skill. 91-year-old grannies are just as deadly of "victims" as Arnold-esque weightlifters, when armed with a gun.
I'm not sure about mass, I just go to school out here. I do carry a knife. And I feel confident in knowing the anatomy and where to stick it as in one stab here will hurt a bit, one stab here will leave you on the ground and you'll never walk again and one quick one here and you're done with. I dont think I'd ever carry a gun though.
It is an idea but one that is never gonna happen in this country due to our second amendment right . Gun manufactures, NRA (most powerful lobbying group in America), etc.. are to powerful to let it happen. So you have to deal with the realistic, and realize that the majority of the bad guys on the street that are stealing, raping, doing drugs, robbing, breaking and entering are more than likely to have a gun. Washington D.C.'s gun banned was just overturned (case was called District of Columbia vs Heller) and the stats showed that during the gun ban the crime rates went up significantly. Since the ban was passed, more than 8,400 people have been slain in the district, many killed by handguns. Nearly 80 percent of the 181 murders in 2007 were committed with guns. Chicago's gun ban is being taken to court and is most likely going to fall in the wake of the D.C. case and the decision in the Heller case means the Federal government cannot ban guns. As my old law professor once told me that anti-gun people are one bad instance away from becoming a gun advocate.
YES!!!! Now thats something that actually takes skills. I would like the weild a 2 handed axe from the middle ages.
