Muss, I think what he is saying and I tend to agree is, a cop wether ex or current is no better than me. In NY gun owners are vetted and checked more than anywhere. If I am deemed worthy of having a handgun I think I can be trusted to carry it at a fair. I don't buy the whole life of peril argument. It doesn't make you more trustworthy than me. When it comes to safety and marksman ship, I have shot circles around every cop I've ever shot with. That includes friends at the local, county, state and federal levels. In NY anyone with peace officer status can buy a handgun on their badge. No permit necessary. That's fine with me. They cleared all the checks to get the badge. But if something, anything is illegal it should be illegal for everyone in the state. What's next higher BAC for DWI limits because you drive a car with a siren? Stop it.
Agreed.
Data in a number of states indicates that while law enforcement officers are three times less likely to be convicted of a felony or misdemeanor than the general public, concealed carry permit holders are six to seven times less likely to be convicted of a felony or misdemeanor than a law enforcement officer.
That makes concealed carry permit holders an exceptionally low risk when it comes to people carrying guns at a fair.
Given that;
- many, if not most states prohibit consuming alcohol while carrying a gun under a concealed carry permit;
- that in any jurisdiction having alcohol, or other drugs in your system in any amount will either impair your judgement or be viewed as impairing tour judgement; and
- work and or be used against you in asserting self defense as a justification for the use of lethal force;
the majority of concealed carry permits carrying a firearm just don't drink or consume other drugs. That deterrent effect means people legally conceal carrying at a fair are most likely not going to drink and will be less likely to cause or escalate a problem.
The there is also the reality that if it's a state that allows concealed carry and it's not a gun free zone, criminals have to consider the potential for armed "victims" willing to defend themselves and are going to be less likely to attempt a crime.
In short, there isn't a down side to allowing properly vetted concealed carry in venues like a state fair - but it doesn't fit the narrative.
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I do see a ban like this being useful in making the point to police chiefs (who are often motivated by the people who appoint them to speak out against guns and concealed carry) that going unarmed doesn't solve any problems.
Interestingly, sheriffs who are elected by the people in a county and are accountable directly to the people will almost always support concealed carry and armed citizens as they recognize that it is not a police responsibility to protect you from murder, rape and assault, and that even if then try, they will rarely be there in time to actually do so. They'll make it clear that the responsibility for your self defense rests squarely with you.