My comment was not meant to mean the bad guys would apply for a CCW but that everyone can now carry concealed in MD and that included the bad guys. As it is now, gang members illegally carry concealed and will probably always do so. Didn't want to add to the confusion.
I fully understand. To that end, I am not a fan of "Constitutional Carry" that allows persons to carry a concealed firearm without a permit (see VT, AK, AZ, and WY).
The court's ruling does not make MD "constitutional carry." It only removes the condition that a bureaucrat will arbitrarily decide if the law-abiding citizen has sufficient "good cause" as stated on the application to exercise his rights prior to issuing a permit. All other application and vetting requirements remain in effect.
I like the set up in WV and numerous other states that allow plainly visible open carry without a permit, but requires a permit for concealed carry. So long as a non-prohibited person has the option to carry openly without a permit, I see no conflict with Constitutional rights even if a permit is (justifiably, IMO) required for concealed carry.
I also have no problem with
reasonable training requirements for a CCW (NRA or similar gun safety course.) If the ruling is not overturned, I expect MD to add a training requirement to its permitting process. I hope it is a reasonable training requirement and not some extravagant and convoluted scheme to try to undue the intent of the court's ruling.
As it is now, MD (and several other states) do not provide any avenue for the law-abiding citizen to carry a firearm -openly or concealed- except at the whim of a bureaucrat weighing the stated "good cause." This leads to arbitrary denials, favoritism, and unequal treatment under the law. The right itself should be sufficient cause if all other vetting and training requirements are satisfied.
Requiring a permit (contingent on bg ck & training) for concealed carry gives LEO's a tool to use against criminals. If Johnny Gang-Bang is a known dirt-bag but not yet busted and has a Hi-Point in his waistband, LEO can affect an arrest if he does not have a permit. In a "constitutional carry" state, the LEO would have to let Johnny walk and hope they can catch him red-handed in the future. Of course, Johnny Gang-Bang likely would not choose to open carry if he is up to no good and/or on his way to knock over the local Stop-n-Rob. Further, a prohibited person would generally not open carry and bring attention upon himself as doing so would likely result in a quick trip to lockup.
