Update: Opinions about "Getting permit was the easy part"

[stonehorses]

I'd like to hear your opinion about this:

Getting permit was the easy part - Roanoke.com

Response/feedback to the above column:
Column prompts a fiery debate - Roanoke.com

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The lawmaker answered correctly, in my opinion.

I can buy a saw, an axe, and an assortment of knives in a hardware store, and needle and thread elsewhere. However, like most decent people, I would not attempt cardiac surgery without a little more education.

Same with the CCW permit. If you're a decent person, and especially if you know the relevant law, you should be able to buy a gun. You can be trusted to learn how it works before you start carrying it around. This works well enough for chain saws, and historically it has worked well for guns. Hasn't worked as well for bicycles and private swimming pools. Hmmm . . . .

 

[Bullseye 2620]

I didn't have to "demonstrate competence" prior to the change in the law. All I did was show them my NRA Rating Card and my Virginia Hunter Safety Educator ID, and they accepted that as proof of competence. They should have, in my opinion.

We're used to this kind of stuff from The Roanoke Times. The real question that should be raised is "how many licensees in Virginia have injured or killed someone unintentionally with their carry pistol, or, in some other way displayed incompetent gun handling technique?" Digging out those statistics might take a little reportorial work, so I doubt we'll be seeing that story in The Times anytime soon.


Bullseye

 

[Spotteddog]

I wasted about 2 1/2 paragraphs worth of time and effort before realizing how much ink and attention over the years has been wasted on this type of puke crap.
If this goof didn't have a relative with enough time and talent to show the thumb sucker how to shoot a weapon then screw him. And while I'm at it, screw his family too! Because he's a sheep, who has likely descended from a long line of sheep. The people of his township, county, state, are supposed to turn belly up when accosted! Why? So he can feel as though his sheep like DNA's prime directive has been realized? Up yours slick! J school really taught you how to sing soprano.

 

[BarbC]

He blames his own incompetence on other people. It's HIS duty to seek out training since HE took on the responsibility to carry.

This is what I emailed him at [email protected]

You took on the responsibility of getting a gun and a permit.

Now take on the responsibility of becoming proficient and competent.

http://www.pss-range.com/

You can't blame other people for your own ignorance. Carrying a weapon is all about personal accountability.

BarbC
formerly of Virginia

 

[Minnesota Fats]

Barb -

Right on!!!!!

 

[oldRoger]

If we have any freedoms or liberties at all left, among them will be found the freedom to make mistakes.
One of the primarily reasons for existence of the state is to protect us from others while they are making mistakes.
Driving is not a right, it’s a privilege, because the usual affects of the mistakes of others on the road is serious for the rest of us.
Firearms are different in that like an axe the usual result of a mistake is harm to ones self. Certainly anyone who buys a powerful machine has the duty to himself and those around him to learn how to use it.
Of course the problem with qualifying people to use powerful machines is that it is a value judgment as to when you are proficient. This has long been used to prevent people from exercising their rights.

The result is that for the good of all we must take some chances with those making mistakes, in order not to abridge the rights of the rest of us.

Would that the public school system had at least an introductory course in firearms available.

 

[jkc]

Although I was among the first handful of instructors certified to teach the original AZ CCW course, I have a considered objection to any sort of "competency" requirement or test for issuing carry permits, which is, that the modicum of training required is always woefully inadequate to turn novices into actual "gunfighters" and simply imbues a false sense of competency and qualification.
Permits ought to be issued to anyone whose prior bad behavior or mental illness hasn't DQ'd their ability to possess firearms. The extent of training and practice necessary to achieve one's own goals of proficiency are personal matters, no business of the state. Conversely, the state, in a way, endorses the "competence" of anyone who passes the typically minimal shooting requirements of most CCW courses. To my way of thinking, it just ain't right...

 

[shortranger]

Not addressed is the question of whether training of any sort reduces the rate of firearms accidents among CCW holders. Here in PA there is no training requirement for a license to carry, yet I've never heard that our accident rate is any higher than in a state with mandatory training. I expext that holds for any other state that does not require training.

It probably seems counter-intuitive to a lot of people, but unless someone can show that mandatory training actually accomplishes what it is supposed to then there is no reason to have it at all.

David

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

The great Roanoke Times which will not accept ads for guns or gunshows. That's one of the reasons i no longer suscribe. Now i see them peddling suscriptions at places like Lowe's And Sam's.

 

[BarbC]

The Roanoke Times also took it upon themselves to publish the database of concealed carry permit holders, until forced to remove it.

 

[N_itis]

What a messed up law!

They should have included a provision to revoke licenses from self identified "idiots" once issued.

Moron.

 

[oldRoger]

How about a 1st amendment test?




I think I am echoing the remarks of jkc and shortranger in saying that the so called “competency” tests are essentially unworkable. While such tests are necessary for Delta Force and the Seals, they serve a far different purpose when they are a prerequisite to your being “allowed” to enjoy your rights which according to the constitution are given you by your maker.
It is very much as though you were required to pass a grammar and rhetoric test before being allowed free speech.
Certainly more people get themselves and others into trouble with their mouths than with their guns.

 

[BarbC]

It is very much as though you were required to pass a grammar and rhetoric test before being allowed free speech.

The "literacy test" was designed to dissuade people of color from voting up until 1965. It was declared unconstitutional.

 

[MR .44 Spl]

This is a prime example of why I will never subscribe to the Roanoke Times. A liberal rag, right here in the heart of SW Virginia.

Oh yeah I almost fogot my comment for the author of the article......moron!

 

[stonehorses]

Update: response and feedback

Response/feedback to the column:
Column prompts a fiery debate - Roanoke.com

 

[Spotteddog]

So?
No epiphanies from the goof on the subject.
What a surprise! In one week he's had more readers than his rag likely had in the last two years. The old saying goes "it doesn't matter what they say about you, as long as they spell your name right". Besides, had he gone back on his initial position who would have talked to him at the next campaign fund raising cocktail party?

 

[oldRoger]

Barb;
Right you are, similar religious tests fail legal scrutiny frequently. While I think some are stretching the point, that’s not the question. When the established church gets to decide, then comes the inquisition.
I would like to give voters a civics and literacy test which I draw-up, obviously a great many would fail. That sort of idea simply should not be considered.
Roger.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Barb;
I would like to give voters a civics and literacy test which I draw-up, obviously a great many would fail. That sort of idea simply should not be considered.

Yes, it should. Although Pilgrims and other Englishmen founded this country, and shed their own blood to make it what it became, they permitted many others to come to this country, asking only that they learn about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, in English, and that they renounce their previous citizenship. Also, that they not become a burden on their fellow citizens.

Most countries are founded on an ethnic/racial nationalism. This one is founded on a set of ideas. Those who don't subscribe to the ideas should leave.

Obviously, the above does not apply exactly to "Indians" and to most Blacks, who are entitled to be here for entirely different reasons, but it does apply to the majority who are immigrants or descended from immigrants.

Model520Fan
Grandson of immigrants,
American by choice.

 

[BarbC]

That's a citizenship test. Once you are a citizen, you should not have to prove your worthiness to enjoy Constitutional Rights or, specifically, which of the rights you may or may not participate in.