I've had this on my heart for quite some time, in fact most of my adult life, yet I don't recall ever seeing any one else discussing this topic in the context I'm now presenting it.
As some of you know Arizona does not require any training, therefore any law abiding citizen or even those visiting our state can legally carry concealed or open without the need for a permit. Just to be clear about my feelings about our state constitutional carry law, I am in full support and support lawful carry by any American citizen inside our border.
What's bothering me is that many feel that at the very least we need to require training for anyone wishing to carry a weapon. I'm not completely abolished to this suggestion, but I feel there needs to be some manner to financially assist individuals who are unable to financially incur the costs of training, and even permitting if desired.
In a conservative culture that represents the vast majority of us who support the right to bear arms, we need to address this. With such a large number of conservative supporters, including the NRA, why can't we organize a group of qualified volunteer's willing to help the financially challenged to obtain training, as well procuring their carry permits in states that require such. A movement like this will only help to increase the number of individuals who carry, which will in effect increase the magnitude of our voice/support throughout the U.S.. NRA fights for us, and they provide a staunch presence in Washington, but there is power in numbers, the more of us there are, the better.
I brought this topic up simply because I personally know of numerous individuals that live in "Shall Issue" states requiring permits to carry that don't carry, simply because they can not bear the financial requirements of training and the other required financial aspects of the process. And to be perfectly honest I am among those who can't bear the costs, fortunately for me though I live in a "Constitutional Carry" state and don't have deal with such requirements. But still, we're a close knitted culture, we should be addressing this and opening the door to those who would like to have the legal ability to defend their selves, but who simply can not endure the expense, don't these folks deserve the legal means to carry also in state that require such?
And what can we do to help?
We have "Donate your car" programs and other assistance programs that are organized by non Government entities, so why isn't there a group or organization willing to assist this rather large percentage of law abiding citizens with permits to carry? We have free self defense training classes offered all the time in my area, but none of it is focused on firearm training? One such approach would be to maybe require that individuals asking for financial assistance with permitting, is for those individuals to register to vote. I feel this would help increase our political voice as well. I also feel strongly that this approach would help politically educate and motivate those who have been silent for so long, help them develop a truth based perspective, get them involved in other words.
What say you?
SMOA
As some of you know Arizona does not require any training, therefore any law abiding citizen or even those visiting our state can legally carry concealed or open without the need for a permit. Just to be clear about my feelings about our state constitutional carry law, I am in full support and support lawful carry by any American citizen inside our border.
What's bothering me is that many feel that at the very least we need to require training for anyone wishing to carry a weapon. I'm not completely abolished to this suggestion, but I feel there needs to be some manner to financially assist individuals who are unable to financially incur the costs of training, and even permitting if desired.
In a conservative culture that represents the vast majority of us who support the right to bear arms, we need to address this. With such a large number of conservative supporters, including the NRA, why can't we organize a group of qualified volunteer's willing to help the financially challenged to obtain training, as well procuring their carry permits in states that require such. A movement like this will only help to increase the number of individuals who carry, which will in effect increase the magnitude of our voice/support throughout the U.S.. NRA fights for us, and they provide a staunch presence in Washington, but there is power in numbers, the more of us there are, the better.
I brought this topic up simply because I personally know of numerous individuals that live in "Shall Issue" states requiring permits to carry that don't carry, simply because they can not bear the financial requirements of training and the other required financial aspects of the process. And to be perfectly honest I am among those who can't bear the costs, fortunately for me though I live in a "Constitutional Carry" state and don't have deal with such requirements. But still, we're a close knitted culture, we should be addressing this and opening the door to those who would like to have the legal ability to defend their selves, but who simply can not endure the expense, don't these folks deserve the legal means to carry also in state that require such?
And what can we do to help?
We have "Donate your car" programs and other assistance programs that are organized by non Government entities, so why isn't there a group or organization willing to assist this rather large percentage of law abiding citizens with permits to carry? We have free self defense training classes offered all the time in my area, but none of it is focused on firearm training? One such approach would be to maybe require that individuals asking for financial assistance with permitting, is for those individuals to register to vote. I feel this would help increase our political voice as well. I also feel strongly that this approach would help politically educate and motivate those who have been silent for so long, help them develop a truth based perspective, get them involved in other words.
What say you?
SMOA