Concealed Carry - good idea or bad idea?

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

I enjoy discussing this topic - it's always interesting to hear people's perspectives.

First off, I'm a strong supporter of US shall-issue laws, and have availed myself of them in 2 different states. I once took a family vacation and legally carried across four states.

Secondly, here are two CATO publications, in my opinion they are basic required reading for anyone who wishes to know more about the issue.
Fighting Back: Crime, Self-Defense, and the Right to Carry a Handgun
Gun Control: Myths and Realities

Third, we LDS have a fascinating history relating to arming for self defense. When we agreed to the terms from the mob/militia/govt, and gave up our guns, we got driven from our homes on at least two main seperate occasions (Jackson County and Nauvoo). We also armed up, and took a long march to take our lands back, only to turn back (Zion's camp). Also, after reaching Utah, we came within inches of fighting a war against the USA - an event that was avoided by people sitting down and meeting with each other.

So, with all that out of the way, what do you think? Do you support concealed-carry laws? Why or why not? If you don't chose to arm yourself, do you support the right of your neighbor to do so legally?

Discuss.
LM

[connerific]

I recently took the concealed weapon class with my hubby. Probably the most unusual date we have ever been on, but it was fun. Gotta love the 2nd amendment! Thanks for the article links, these look good.

[BenRaines]

I carry and am licensed in two states that cover, I believe, 28 states. Resident in Nevada, non resident Utah. Marine, former police officer, well qualified to carry. Also the govt. has my fingerprints from at least 10 different times related to work and personal.

Ben Raines

[beefche]

I just received my CC a couple of weeks ago. I support having them even in places which bans them (schools, churches, etc.). I honestly don't understand why we have laws which prevent citizens from carrying in these places. Can someone explain that to me or point me somewhere where I can find that out?

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

Take a look at my first link beefche.

Clayton Cramer, who has made an extensive historical review of case law relating to the right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment and state constitutional guarantees, notes that the common characteristic of the states adopting those laws was slavery.
...
Law professors Robert Cottrol and Raymond Diamond suggest that the desire to control blacks was the principal, or at least a significant, reason for the Southern gun control laws in the years preceding the Civil War.
...
While fear of slave revolts or armed abolitionists may have provided the underlying motivation for those laws, it was not, for obvious reasons, the stated justification for them.

In other words, pro-slavery states took action to keep anti-slavery forces defenseless and easy prey for beatings, lynchings, and killings.

LM

[Palerider]

Its a good idea....

[beefche]

Originally Posted by Loudmouth_Mormon

Take a look at my first link beefche.


In other words, pro-slavery states took action to keep anti-slavery forces defenseless and easy prey for beatings, lynchings, and killings.

LM

Were you answering my question regarding why we can't CC into schools, churches, etc?

If so, then I read the link (ok, ok, I skimmed it....but I'm a great skimmy reader). I still don't understand why we can't CC into certain places. The slavery issue makes sense for that time, but not now. I don't think my state is trying to control the anti-slavery.

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

Sorry, I guess I should have explained further.
1. Anti-slavery people make concealed carry illegal so they can beat up on abolitionists.
2. The whole of America swallows the lies the anti-slavery people used to justify cc in the first place (i.e. it prevents crime, disarms bad guys, makes us safer, etc.). The American mindset largely changes, and a generation or two of kids are raised just assuming that carrying concealed is something dangerous or evil people do.
3. Fast forward 100 years, and people start questioning the conventional wisdom, find it lacking, and start passing CC legislation. One of two things happen:
- In order to get the legislation passed in various states, various compromises have to be made, like it's ok to carry concealed, except into churches and schools.
- CC legislation exists in a state, but anti-cc forces pick up the "what about the children" hype and demand their politicians do something, and the only thing they can think of is to pass idiot legislation about making it illegal to carry concealed in schools.

For what it's worth, it is legal in Utah for teachers to carry concealed. And just this last week, it became legal for teachers to do it in a district in Texas also. Kansascity.com - Careful! The teacher may be packing heat

Clear as mud?

LM

[BenRaines]

As hard as they fight against us the more determined and successful we are in getting laws passed for law abiding citizens to carry concealed for their own protection. The crooks carry concealed without a permit and in disregard for any laws.

I love the saying "I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6."

Ben Raines

[connerific]

The guy who taught my concealed carry class said the only church here in Utah that doesn't allow concealed carry in their buildings is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I found that interesting. Can anyone tell me why that is and/or if they agree or disagree. I would love to hear anyone's thoughts on that.