AZ CCW requirement on its way to historical trashheap...

[jkc]

Arizona's House today approved SB1108, the so-called "Constitutional Carry" legislation, which eliminates the requirement of a CCW permit for most adults to carry concealed in AZ. The bill now goes to Governor Jan Brewer, who is gun-friendly, and widely expected to sign it into law. With this, AZ will join the ranks of Vermont and Alaska as states that don't require government permission to exercise the innate right of self-defense. This is a great day for Arizonans, and hopefully for others elsewhere who may eventually profit from our success!

 

[scoutsdad]

A free state Arizona. Now New Mexico needs to send their CCW laws to the woodshed. I spend half my time in NM 4 miles from home where my PO box is. My guess is I will have to keep my permit to carry in NM.

 

[BarbC]

Good work, Arizonans!

 

[ENGINE18]

A landmark bill. Only three states!? Whata state. I moved here from the ROK 25 years ago for several reasons and now have another BIG reason to stay.

 

[TheSorb]

Outstanding news...great job Arizona!

 

[Big Foot]

I moved to AZ a few months back from NM. Timed it okay....To be honest, I still like the fact of having a permit, especially if you do a little interstate traveling. BTW, viewing a Phoenix news program, it said that gun sales have boomed again with the expected signing...

 

[ENGINE18]

I'll bet handgun prices, used S&Ws for sure, will continue to be strong here! The only bad news. If I thinking correctly (a BIG "if") there are about 184,000 +/- permit holders in AZ. I wonder if the legal change will increase the numer of those who carry?

 

[chp]

Wow - that's awesome

 

[USAF385]

Jealous! I can only hope for a day like that in PA.

 

[Erich]

Wow, that's just amazingly wonderful. Yet another big reason to vacation in the AZ.

 

[mgo]

Arizona's House today approved SB1108, the so-called "Constitutional Carry" legislation, which eliminates the requirement of a CCW permit for most adults to carry concealed in AZ.

Assuming the new law goes into effect this summer, I will still announce that I am a permit holder, etc. should I be stopped for a traffic infraction. I believe the officer would feel better knowing that a certified good guy is behind the wheel and thoughtfully armed.

The permit is also still useful for interstate travel and when buying a firearm.

 

[AZretired]

I will retain my permit as I travel alot, especially to NM. Personally I do not announce that I am carrying if stopped, unless directly asked, too many cops overreact and want to take possession of your weapon until done with the stop.

 

[TheSorb]

...I will still announce that I am a permit holder, etc. should I be stopped for a traffic infraction...

...Personally I do not announce that I am carrying if stopped, unless directly asked, too many cops overreact and want to take possession of your weapon until done with the stop.

Amen AZretired! You should NEVER volunteer that you're carrying a concealed weapon to ANYONE! If queried directly by someone in LE, you then MUST divulge that you are carrying concealed. Don't be THAT guy who flaunts his CCW at every opportunity...it's unwise and COMPLETELY unnecessary!

 

[snowman]

Amen AZretired! You should NEVER volunteer that you're carrying a concealed weapon to ANYONE! If queried directly by someone in LE, you then MUST divulge that you are carrying concealed. Don't be THAT guy who flaunts his CCW at every opportunity...it's unwise and COMPLETELY unnecessary!

I'm afraid it's necessary in my state -the law requires informing the LEO, with one's hands kept on the wheel.

Andy

 

[TheSorb]

I'm afraid it's necessary in my state -the law requires informing the LEO, with one's hands kept on the wheel...

I did not know that...thanks for educating me!

 

[Yurko]

I am soooo jealous!
I currently live in the Republik of Wiskonsin where there is NO concealed carry other than LE.

That should change in 2011. Our current gov, Jim Doyle will not run for re-election. I'm hoping for a gun-friendly gov who will sign a ccw law.

 

[sipowicz]

Good news, you shouldn't need a permit..that said, I know I'm in the minority here, but I believe there should at least be a required weekend class for people carrying a firearm to make sure they are proficient with it and that they know the applicable laws involved with it....I see enough enough bad gun handling from cops who have gone through the police academy...people with absolutely no training at all with a gun in their belt could be a real liability....and any incidents involving untrained people will only give ammo to the anti's....Flame suit on....

 

[jkc]

Good news, you shouldn't need a permit..that said, I know I'm in the minority here, but I believe there should at least be a required weekend class for people carrying a firearm to make sure they are proficient with it and that they know the applicable laws involved with it....I see enough enough bad gun handling from cops who have gone through the police academy...people with absolutely no training at all with a gun in their belt could be a real liability....and any incidents involving untrained people will only give ammo to the anti's....Flame suit on....[/QUOTE

No flame suit required for my refutation...

As one among the first group of AZ's certified CCW instructors, I'll observe that:

1. A minimal "weekend" or short few hours of training is insufficient to impart or inculcate any real competency or proficiency with firearms, and thus useless and meaningless. I've seen too many people show up at the permit renewal classes with a gun for which they had no holster, and sometimes with no ammunition, to think they had ever even practiced concealed carry. Dedicated practitioners will make the effort, others won't --- not a matter for the law to dictate. As you mentioned, even police academy training is inadequate to ensure safe gun handling --- civilians certainly ought not be held to a higher standard than sworn officers.

2. Knowing the applicable law is well and good, woe to you if you don't, but, pulling a gun in exigent circumstances doesn't require ratiocination or careful contemplation, and under AZ law, you have little worry about this...

3. Antis don't need any actual "ammo" --- they fabricate and prevaricate with unbridled aplomb, and are dutifully respected and have their hyperbolic press releases regurgitated by the MSM, with complete disregard of facts or truth. (The MSM is still happily reporting the "gun show loophole" as a problematic source of the Mexican drug cartels' source of full-auto weapons, RPGs, and etc.)

No, we'll be OK without any permit requirement. Good guys will still act reasonably and responsibly. Bad guys will continue to carry concealed as they've always done.

Many of us will maintain our permits for reciprocity &tc. If Vermont and Alaska are examples, no harm will come of this...

 

[markedup]

Good news, you shouldn't need a permit..that said, I know I'm in the minority here, but I believe there should at least be a required weekend class for people carrying a firearm Flame suit on....

Out in the real world,many of us work weekends.

Thanks

Mark

 

[Dogguy]

Good news but I have to ask: will Arizona continue to issue permits for the benefit of citizens traveling in other states? This can be a problem to citizens of Vermont.

This is a footnote on Florida's website concerning reciprocity:

"2) The State of VERMONT is unique in that it does not issue weapon/firearms licenses. Florida licensees - indeed, licensed or unlicensed citizens from any state - may carry in Vermont. This presents a problem for reciprocity with Florida. Florida law provides that an out-of-state resident must have in his or her immediate possession a valid license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm. Since Vermont residents have no such license, the right to concealed carry cannot be extended to them under Florida law."