I wonder if Minnesota will follow suit......

[Magnum Mikie]

http://azcapitoltimes.com/blog/2010/02/ ... -optional/



PHOENIX -- Arizona adults who want to carry a concealed weapon might not have to undergo a background check or any special training in the future.

The Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday approved a measure that would allow exactly that. The vote was four to three along party lines.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Russell Pearce of Mesa. The Republican says the measure is designed preserve the constitutional right to bear arms. It's also meant to cut the legal red tape that many say prevents law-abiding people from protecting themselves.

Opponents of the bill are concerned that allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit would lead to more violence.

Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police lobbyist John Thomas says the measure would "take Arizona back into Wild-West carry with no consideration for officer safety."

Right now it is legal to an adult to carry a gun as long as it's clearly visible.

Those who want to carry concealed are required not only to have a permit, but to have that permit with them whenever they are carrying. The permit holder must also show the document to law-enforcement officers upon request.

To get that permit, a person must undergo a minimum of eight hours of training by an authorized instructor and submit fingerprints.

The bill on the table, SB1102, would remove that training requirement. It would also remove the mandate that a person carrying a concealed weapon also carry a CCW permit.

According to the Department of Public Safety, processing time for permits is currently running at about 75 days. In addition, because Arizona is a "shall issue" state, permits cannot be denied as long as the applicant meets the statutory requirements.

DPS statistics show that as of Jan. 31, there were nearly 150,000 active permits, more than 1,700 suspended permits and 1,002 revoked permits. More than 78,000 of those permits are held in Maricopa County.

The largest single group of those with concealed-weapons permits is white men between the ages of 60 and 69, followed by white men between the ages of 50 and 59.

The measure passed Monday, SB�1102, will go to the full Senate after a legal review. A House committee is slated to hear a similar bill on Wednesday.

[cmj685]

If I had to take a wild guess, I would guess that Minnesota will not be pushing to beat Arizona on this. In fact, if I had to take a wild guess, I would say that it will never, ever happen in Minnesota.

And a side note question: why is it that so many carriers are older? Any guesses (I mean, other than the obvious one that we are too old to run away from trouble fast)?

[Seismic Sam]

NO EFFEN way that will ever happen here, at least as long as Timmy "Slow roll you long time, Joe..." Pawlenty is our two faced, lying Governor. It scares the shyte out of me to think about this lightweight charlatan casting about trying to find some way to run for President. If he actually found some backers stupid enough to support him, it could split the Republican vote with somebody (actually anybody) better and we could wind up with another Democrapic POTUS even after Obama has embarassed the entire Democratic party. Maybe we should change his nickname to Timmy "The Poison Pill" Pawlenty.

[hoel6466]

And a side note question: why is it that so many carriers are older? Any guesses (I mean, other than the obvious one that we are too old to run away from trouble fast)?

If I had to take a guess, I would say that Arizona is a popular retirement state. Maybe folks of that age would rather not advertise to the public that they carry?

[FJ540]

"No effen way" is spot on the money.


Not in this state anyway - we have WAAAAY too many lefties to ever get that nonchalant about weapons in public.

I'm kinda surprised (albeit pleasantly) we have "open carry" as it is.

[MrVvrroomm]

Ain't gonna happen in this state.

I always carry when I'm in AZ. My parents live in Tucson.

[1911fan]

It will take a while, but there was a time when shall carry was a NO effen way in this state. I think it might happen. I really do. I would say we have a better chance of that than we do getting the DNR to sign off on a bill to allow cans with a fed stamp.



Regarding cans, I saw recently that someone, I think it was the Gov of Wyoming, was asking the can tax be changed from the full auto level to the AOW level. Let's hope that has some clout.

[nyffman]

I'll fix it for you, 1911fan.

It will take a while, but there was a time when shall carry issue was a NO effen way in this state.

SS, Pawlenty isn't running again. And, I still don't see it here in the near future. The million mom's types swing too much weight here for it to happen without some other "seismic" shift in politics here.

[Rodentman]

I moved to AZ from NJ in 1972. I was 22 and as soon as I established residency I bought my first handgun, an S&W 28-2. I showed my DL, filled out a form, put the gun in a holster on my belt and walked out. Oh yeah I paid too. I don't recall if concealed was allowed but OC certainly was and there was no permit or testing required. OC didn't seem to bother anyone back then either. I had only 1 person confront me, and that didn't last long. As I recall he said he was gonna take my gun and insert it in some orifice of mine. Turns out he changed his mind.

[1911fan]

I'll fix it for you, 1911fan.

It will take a while, but there was a time when shall carry issue was a NO effen way in this state.

SS, Pawlenty isn't running again. And, I still don't see it here in the near future. The million mom's types swing too much weight here for it to happen without some other "seismic" shift in politics here.

Thanks, but the statement I think stands.

[nyffman]

Agree 100%, as per the rest of my post on this.

[chunkstyle]

This is basically Alaska carry, and it's the next logical step.

[Rem700]

I dont know about never, Anyone remember what the law was pre 1976 in Mn?

[Q_Continuum]

A step forward is just that, a step forward. With time we will regain our rights. So long as we keep up the work of pushing forward, that is - and preventing us from slipping backwards.

Good to see another step forward taking place, in Arizona.

[GregM]

Is there a strong movement for open carry in Minnesota ... ?