If you can't beat them, make it unaffordable!

[Wheelgunner840]

There is a new trend in the works around these parts. Folks who applied for, and received CCWs in the New England states generally had to pay a fee of $40 or $50 dollars for a 4 year renewal in just about all the states. MA decided that their non-resident permit would now be $100 ANNUALLY!!!. I have dutifully paid that amount for the past 4 years or so, and this year, they are making it even more difficult by requiring the person renewing a license to appear in person at the State Police Headquarters during work hours.
That is not going to be an easy thing to do.

Now, I hear that CT will be raising their renewal fee to $100. Where does this end? Could the liberal anti-gun lawmakers in these states decide that a permit will now cost $1000 per year? $10,000 per year? It seems that state legislatures have found a way to disarm the law abiding by raising costs to a point where most cannot afford them.

There is no law that I know of to stop them from making the fee so ridiculously high, that no one will be able to carry a gun in their state except the cops and the criminals.

I need to have a CT and MA non-resident permit for work purposes, but also because I compete in those states on a regular basis. I know many people who just gave up their CCWs in those states, which is exactly what they are hoping everyone will do. There has to be some law that would put a limit on how much they can charge. Any thoughts?


WG840

 

[PDL]

The part of the 2nd Amendment they didn't read was 'bear' arms. These fees amount to what used to be called a 'poll' tax. If you don't have the money you can't get the guns or permits or whatever.
One step a time. They're trying to insure only the criminals have guns.
I like the western states that say, you can't charge any money for someone to buy a firearm. They do charge for ccw's. But at least they get it half right.

 

[WR Moore]

.
I like the western states that say, you can't charge any money for someone to buy a firearm. They do charge for ccw's. But at least they get it half right.

DAMN! I'm definately living in the wrong state. Or do you mean the state can't charge for permits to purchase?

If you need the permit for work purposes, it's tax deductable. Doesn't justify the price, but it does reduce the damage.

 

[CB54]

I can live with some increase in CCW prices, what I don't like is UN intervention and laws being passed that add additional regulation ie fingerprints, marking each gun or requiring gunmakers to add addditional modifications to there guns that increase the price of the gun much greater than CCW increases. I feel there are much worse things, than an increase in CCW price, to worry about when it comes to our 2nd amendment rights.

For example earlier versions of obama care had wording in there that required you to report to number and type of firearms you have to your doc since they increase the cause of healthcare or rather the criminal use increases the cost, but hey what do libs care about a little detail like that. The CDC has been working towards these ends for years.

 

[BarbC]

Elitists! Only the well-heeled are deemed worthy of self-protection? That's an outrage.

 

[enfield]

DAMN! I'm definately living in the wrong state. Or do you mean the state can't charge for permits to purchase?

If you need the permit for work purposes, it's tax deductable. Doesn't justify the price, but it does reduce the damage.

In Tennessee, we don't even HAVE purchase permits. If you buy from a dealer you'll be charged a fee for the state background check but, between private citizens -- no background check, no fee, no permit, no registration, no records -- just pay for the gun and go.

HCP renewals are $50 for 4 years and I don't think the state could justify more than $20 of that as expenses.

 

[biggs357]

Here in West Virginia you must first take an NRA certified coarse which cost $100.00 then apply for a c/c/p which costs another $100.00 and a renewel fee of $100.00 every 5 years after that.If you move even in the same county you c/c/p isn't legal anymore and you have to pay a $15.00 dollar change of address fee or you can't carry a gun.

 

[Bratastic007]

In Iowa, we pay $10 per year for a permit to acquire handguns. We also have to pay $10 per year for our CCP, but if you have your permit to carry, it counts as your permit to acquire.

We are a "may issue" state, so every county has different requirements for obtaining a permit to carry, at the discretion of the Sheriff. Some counties do not issue them at all, and you can only obtain one in your county of residence. So some citizens are just SOL, even though a permit issued in one county allows you to carry in all counties.

In my county, we have to pay $75 for a CCP training course, and then shoot to qualify. You then must "re-qualify" every other year, which entails paying $30 to go shoot at a target, and prove you can keep about 90% of your shots in the black silhouette. 6 shots in 5 sec. at 10 feet, twice; 6 in 10 sec. at 15 feet, twice; 6 in 15 sec. at 20 feet, twice; and 6 in 20 sec. at 25 feet, twice. Not too difficult, really.

As a matter of fact, I am going in for my re-qualification tonight.

 

[PDL]

UT non-resident CCW needed an $80 non-shooting class and $65 permit fee for a 5 yr permit. $10 renewal fee for 5 years. Good in about 30 states due to reciprocity.

 

[Bratastic007]

More on topic, there may be a constitutional challenge to sky-high permit prices. One could make the argument that the rules exist to keep "certain types" from exercising their constitutional rights.

Voting statutes that require literacy tests, for example, have been held unconstitutional where it can be shown that it creates a disproportionate impact preventing poor and/or un-educated minorities from exercising their rights.

First, of course, the court would need to hold that we have a constitutional right to concealed carry. As promising as Heller was, I think we're a ways away from that happening.

 

[Spotteddog]

Hmmmm?
Why does the phrase "Let them eat cake" sound familiar?
As I recall, Marie and Louie didn't like the way that one came out!

 

[BrianE]

I finally got an email today that my CT non-resident app is in the mail..... Didnt even see what the cost was, but I kind of need it, so, what can ya do..?

 

[44forever]

In New Mexico

there is no fee for purchase from an individual or possession but FFL dealers do charge a transfer fee if they are involved. CCW requires a two day class including classroom and live fire. Classes cost from $25 to $450 (mine is the least expensive in the state). The initial state fee for the license is $100 for four years and $75 and a four hour class for renewals. The fees haven't gone up and have actually gotten lower on a per year basis.

 

[PDL]

More on topic, there may be a constitutional challenge to sky-high permit prices. One could make the argument that the rules exist to keep "certain types" from exercising their constitutional rights.

Voting statutes that require literacy tests, for example, have been held unconstitutional where it can be shown that it creates a disproportionate impact preventing poor and/or un-educated minorities from exercising their rights.

First, of course, the court would need to hold that we have a constitutional right to concealed carry. As promising as Heller was, I think we're a ways away from that happening.

Actually, it doesn't have to show a right for 'concealed' carry. I'd just like to see them recognize that 'bear' means carry. I'd do open if that was the only thing available. in fact I did when I was out in CA before the libs took over. Well out of the cities anyway.

 

[Hunt200]

You all are getting away cheap, mine costs $200 per 5 years.

 

[enfield]

More on topic, there may be a constitutional challenge to sky-high permit prices. One could make the argument that the rules exist to keep "certain types" from exercising their constitutional rights.

Voting statutes that require literacy tests, for example, have been held unconstitutional where it can be shown that it creates a disproportionate impact preventing poor and/or un-educated minorities from exercising their rights.

First, of course, the court would need to hold that we have a constitutional right to concealed carry. As promising as Heller was, I think we're a ways away from that happening.

I don't recall seeing a Constitutional right to vote, so we may have hope.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

I appreciate all of you posting what a permit costs in your state, but the point of this thread was to pick your brains about what our recourse might be if the powers that be decide to place a ridiculous fee on your CCW renewal.

OK, so your state decides that a CCW permit will now cost $10,000.00 initially, and $5000.00 per year to renew. What are you going to do?

There is always the "vote them out" thing, but I would think that whoever jacks up the fee to an amount that appears to have only one reason, should be challenged in court. Isn't there a law against unreasonable fees? There is no way that any municipality could justify charging $100 to renew a license, and mandate that it is renewed anually!



WG840

 

[billdeserthills]

well, I know here in Arizona my first step (if the state went crazy on fees) would be to let The Arizona Citizens Defense League know that I was unhappy. One large donation later and those guys would be lobbying the state reps to change that law & lower the fees. Maybe you have a gun lobby working for your gun rights already in your state, if not it sounds like the time has come to form one.
In My state there is no fee to purchase a gun, if transferred in from out of state the FFL gets $20 or more dollars to do the paperwork & private sale is nobodys business. Concealed Weapon Permit is a $40 or more for the instructor and $65.00 for a five year license.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

We have a good gun lobby in my home state, and have successfully stopped a price hike recently (last year). It's the non-resident fees that are getting out of hand. I am thinking that most state gun lobbies do not care much about non-residents enough to put any effort into stopping this kind of thing. Understandably, most state gun lobbies have bigger fish to fry. Non-resident CCW fees are most likely the least of their concerns.

In the grand scheme of things, extremely high fees that keep people (non-residents) from obtaining or renewing CCWs, hurt the gun community as a whole. There are less armed law abiding folks on the streets, and less people enjoying the shooting sports across state lines.

My fear is that the anti-gun legislators in many states will see this as a tool to push their agenda of disarming as many people as possible. Left unchecked, this could soon get completely out of control.


WG840

 

[Forester]

NH changed it's nonresident permit to $100 last year. State residents still pay just $10 for the same 4 years. Remember, though, that NH has no training or qualifications standards either.