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Solid Support for Repealing Concealed Carry Licensing (1681 responses; 2/10/15)
By Jacquelyn Benson
The term “Constitutional Carry” has become rallying cry for advocates of gun owner's rights. A bill currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee – SB 116 – would take the state one step closer to this ideal by eliminating the need to obtain a license to carry a concealed gun. On February 10, the Live Free or Die Alliance (LFDA) put the issue to its Facebook members, who number over 50,000.
In response to the question, “Should NH no longer require a permit to carry a concealed pistol or revolver?”, 80% of those directly responding answered in the affirmative, with 20% arguing in favor of continuing the licensing requirement. Forty-three percent of total respondents opted not to give a yes or no response, instead addressing their comments to broader issues. In sum, the LFDA received 344 specific comments and 1337 concurrences for a total of 1681 citizen responses.
Those in favor of the proposed change argued that carrying concealed was safer and more effective than carrying a weapon openly. “The fact remains that a concealed weapon is a person's best defense from attack,” one commenter said. “The only time a person should be verified is at the time of purchase. How they carry their weapon is up to them,” another poster argued. Several respondents pointed out that licenses for carrying concealed were a 'moot point' as lawbreakers would not bother to acquire them. “These laws only affect law-abiding citizens, the criminal element carry regardless.”
Others held that the license requirement should be maintained. “I think NH should stay with the permits. Whoever can't get one has to have a reason they can't,” one commenter said. Others pointed out that the license requirement gave law enforcement the power to come down on those who were concealing a weapon illegally with the intent of causing trouble. “I think having a permit is good! It will bring a higher level of consequences for people that get caught with a side arm that should not have one.” Some gun owners argued that eliminating licensing would compromise reciprocity agreements. “Keep the permit requirement for concealed carry, not least because the permit reciprocates with a lot of other states.”
Respondents opting to engage in broader debate offered further thoughts and suggestions regarding the concealed carry question. “Law enforcement doesn't need to know who carries a concealed weapon because criminals don't abide by the law. They need to treat everyone as if they were carrying,” one commenter said. “People carry them concealed without permits either way,” another noted. “Our lawmakers should put their efforts more towards proper training and safety class requirements for gun owners,” a poster suggested.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan LFDA takes no position on this or any issue, as this report is presented as a summary of citizen testimony. As New Hampshire’s Virtual Town Hall, the LFDA community, numbering over 56,000, provides objective information on state issues, promotes the civil exchange of opinions, and communicates views to elected officials. To learn more about this issue or the LFDA, visit www.LFDA.org.
Jacquelyn Benson is an Editor with the Live Free or Die Alliance.
Live Free or Die Alliance
www.livefreeordiealliance.org
Source: http://townhall.livefreeordiealliance.org/xn/detail/4091641:BlogPost:69917
