The Scourge of Concealed Weapons

NY Times ^ | 12/23/2012 | Op Ed

[GreaterSwiss]

Nowadays, however, there are four states that require no permit at all to carry a gun, and 35 states have permissive “shall issue” or “right-to-carry” laws that effectively take the decision of who should carry a weapon out of law enforcement’s hands. These laws say that if an applicant meets minimal criteria — one is not having been convicted of a felony, and another is not having a severe mental illness — officials have no choice about whether to issue a permit.

Some states go even further by expressly allowing guns where they should not be. Nine states now have “carry laws” that permit guns on campuses; eight permit them in bars; five permit them in places of worship. In Utah, holders of permits can now carry concealed guns in elementary schools.

Among the arguments advanced for these irresponsible statutes is the claim that “shall issue” laws have played a major role in reducing violent crime. But the National Research Council has thoroughly discredited this argument for analytical errors. In fact, the legal scholar John Donohue III and others have found that from 1977 to 2006, “shall issue” laws increased aggravated assaults by “roughly 3 to 5 percent each year.”

The federal government could help protect the public from lax state gun laws. For starters, the Fix Gun Checks Act, proposed last year in Congress, would close gaping loopholes in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and make a huge difference in identifying many people who should be denied permits under “shall issue” laws yet slip through the state systems.

[EQAndyBuzz]

I think we need to implement DADT. Don’t ask the teachers or admins if they have a gun and they will not tell you.

Do you feel lucky punk?

[matt04]

I’m guessing they do but will never admit it.

[piytar]

Surprisingly, there are actually decent number of comment on the NYSlimes site. A good number of delusional libscum comments, but an equal number of rational pro-CCW comments. Color me shocked.

[piytar]

Surprisingly, there are actually decent number of comment on the NYSlimes site. A good number of delusional libscum comments, but an equal number of rational pro-CCW comments. Color me shocked.

[piytar]

Surprisingly, there are actually decent number of comment on the NYSlimes site. A good number of delusional libscum comments, but an equal number of rational pro-CCW comments. Color me shocked.

[Walmartian]

They are trying to manufacture an excuse to throw out the Constitution and replace it with God knows what.

This is their replacement for 'fast and furious' which failed miserably.

[Obadiah]

More bloviating by the homosexuals at the NYTimes. I think we should curtail the 1st Amendment. Things have gotten too dangerous in this country.

I call upon Gov. Cuomo to pass a law allowing the government of New York to issue special permits to those who will be allowed to speak freely. All others without such permit will be subject to government demonization and jail.

[raybbr]

I’m afraid to go read the comments. I’m sure I’ll either puke or get really, really pissed off.

[Obadiah]

The stage for tyranny is being set in the United States.

[piytar]

Sorry all for the triple post. Sigh.

[rockrr]

Liberals have a primal fear of EVERYTHING.

[PowderMonkey]

"Nowadays, however, there are four states that require no permit at all to carry a gun..."

News flash for ya', Sparky. It's a lot more than that. Two words: Open. Carry. Now go change your diaper and calm down. I was in our local dry cleaning establishment the other night, standing in line with about 15 other patrons waiting to pick up our stuff. Local boy in front walked to the counter with a 1911 strapped to his hip. Nobody blinked. Nobody cared. Glad to see him. This was one place that nobody would try to rob. Return fire from the customers would be a bear.

[Deepest South]

Well if this guy gets his wish we won't even need the schools where the shootings have infrequently occurred John J. Donohue III and Steven D. Levitt, Further Evidence that Legalized Abortion Lowered Crime, 39 Journal of Human Resources 29-49 (Winter 2004).

[Windflier]

Figure out where you might hide your guns.

If someone is coming to take your guns, you'd best realize that it's time to use them for the purpose intended.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The cowardly NYT shut down comments because they were getting too many they didn’t like.

[Don Corleone]

It’s often been observed that “perception is more important than reality”. The observation is often correct.

Like for example...Obama is actually a legitimate president.

[Gaffer]

Yeah. That’s what they did at Concord, isn’t it?

I am not advocating violence. I am saying if they do
what they are aiming for, they are going to start a war.

You can tell by their rhetoric they are going for wholesale
confiscation.

[Windflier]

Violence will get you shot. It would be better simply not to cooperate, but be passive.

How'd that work out for all those passive children at Sandy Hook Elementary?

[Windflier]

The stage for tyranny revolution is being set in the United States.

There's more than one way of looking at this situation.

[Cyman]

“Does the NYTimes building have armed guards?”

What does logic have to do with this argument?