When people carry?

In 39 of these states, issuing officials may not arbitrarily deny a permit application, a practice known as Florida-style "shall issue." A further eight states have "may issue" laws; typically specific "need" must be established, but in practice, this is often a mechanism to prohibit most people from carrying.

These "may issue" states range from "shall issue" in practice (Alabama and Connecticut are examples) to "at the whim of local officials" (such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California; rural officials in those states liberally issue permits but officials in urbanized counties generally are more restrictive) to "almost non-issue" in states such as Maryland where even documented death threats are sometimes not sufficient to convince officials to issue permits and to "never-issue" Hawaii, where permits are never issued under any circumstances.

Two states, (Vermont and Alaska), allow any non-felon who has reached the age of 16 or 21 respectively, to carry without a permit of any kind. However, Alaska residents may still obtain a completely optional, non-required permit so as to receive reciprocal carry rights in other states, or to gain exemption from the NICS background check.

As of 2006, only two US States—Wisconsin and Illinois—have no provision whatsoever that would allow for the legal concealed carry of firearms by "ordinary" citizens. There are currently movements in each of these states to pass concealed-carry laws; legislation was passed in 2004 and again in 2005, but vetoed by the respective governors. It is expected that Wisconsin will have a signed Concealed Carry law by the end of 2007. The Kansas legislature over-rode the governor's veto to pass CCW on March 23rd, 2006.

More recently, with the growth of the concealed carry movement, many more people have sought a permit that would allow them to be armed in public. This could be for:

_________

People who travel through high crime areas routinely
Families who camp and fish in remote areas (including bear or mountain lion (panther) country)
Women who feel safer as a trained handgun user
People who work in remote areas or late at night
People who own or work at businesses where defensive handguns are kept and meant to be used by employees when threatened
People who in the course of their business must carry large sums of cash or other valuable items (such as jewelery or gemstones)
People who enjoy various shooting sports and need to transport weapons for their sport while simultaneously meeting no open display state laws
People who live in condominiums, desire firearms for self-defense, and who must cross commonly-owned areas for which no open display laws apply
People who want the training in order to protect their business or property
People who wish to take reasonable precautions to protect themselves from a general threat of criminal activity
People who wish to transport firearms in their automobiles legally, but who may unknowingly cross within prohibited distances of school zones under Federal laws
People who wish to protect their family

FBI Uniform Crime Report (1992) shows that 70% of violent crimes are committed by 7% of criminals, many of whom are on probation or are given parole and released early. Of incarcerated felons surveyed by the Department of Justice, 34% have been driven away, wounded, or captured by armed citizens; 40% state that they have decided against committing crimes for fear their would-be victims were armed.

The FBI's statistics in the 1992 Uniform Crime Report also concluded: "Violent crime rates are highest overall in states with laws limiting or prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms for self-defense." [1] "The FBI's data also show that in 20 other states that issue CCW permits (including Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Tennessee, Wyoming, and others), these states have enjoyed a REDUCTION in crime as follows: 1) Violent crime rates are LOWER by 21%. 2) Homicide rates are LOWER by 33% 3) Robbery rates are LOWER by 37% and 4) Aggravated assaults are lower by 13%."[2]

CRIMINAL MISUSE OF FIREARMS YEARLY: Less than 0.2% of firearms, Less than 0.4% of handguns - Caddell survey

FIREARMS AND SELF-DEFENSE

Survey research indicates that there are more than 2.1 million protective uses of firearms each year, far more than the number of violent criminal gun uses reported by the FBI. Most self-defense uses do not involve discharge of a firearm. In only 0.1% of defensive gun uses is a criminal killed, and in only 1% is a criminal wounded. A Department of Justice-sponsored survey found that 40% of felons had chosen not to commit at least one specific crime for fear their victims were armed, and 34% admitted being scared off or shot at by armed victims.

U. S. Department of Justice victimization surveys show that the
protective use of a firearm lessens the chance that a rape, robbery or assault attempt will be successfully completed and also reduces the chance of injury to the intended victim.

CRIME RATES LOWER IN STATES THAT ALLOW LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS TO CARRY FIREARMS

States with favorable concealed carry laws have lower rates of
crime than states with restrictive concealed carry laws. Overall, the homicide rate for states with favorable carry laws is 31% lower, and the robbery rate is 36% lower, than for states with restrictive concealed carry laws.

States which have recently changed their laws have experienced
reductions in homicide rates. Since 1987, when Florida enacted a
favorable CCW law, its homicide rate has dropped 22%, even while the national rate has risen 15%.

TRAVERSE CITY - Nine months after a state law that allows most people over the age of 21 to qualify for a concealed weapons permit, worries that gun violence would soar have not materialized and few glitches in the law have been reported.

"It's obvious that people aren't shooting each other over traffic disputes, there's no blood in the street," said David Bieganowski, a Traverse City lawyer and chapter president of the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners.

Michigan law was changed July 1, 2001, to allow citizens over 21 to receive a concealed weapons permit if they have completed a gun safety course unless they have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors or have a history of mental illness.

Bieganowski, who is also a National Rifle Association certified firearms instructor and teaches the legal section of the gun safety course at several sportsman's clubs, said the biggest complaint he has heard is from people who have been denied permits because they have been cited for driving with an expired license plate.

Because the law bars anyone with certain misdemeanors within the past eight years or any misdemeanor within the past three years from getting a permit, a violation for driving with an expired plate, a misdemeanor in Michigan, forces gun boards to deny permits.

Department of Natural Resources fishing violations can also cause an applicant a three-year delay in obtaining a permit.

"I'm sure it was an unintended consequence," Bieganowski said. "They call me and I tell them to call their state representative because I can't do anything about it."

The overwhelming majority of people who apply for permits are granted them, according to records kept by the Michigan State Police and county clerks.

In Grand Traverse County, 454 people have applied. Of those, five have been denied, 352 have been approved, and 97 are pending. Across northwest Lower Michigan, 2,273 people have applied, 14 have been denied, 1,798 have been approved and 461 are pending.

Across the region, just over 10 percent of the applicants are women. Of the 1,798 permits approved, 182 went to women.

The level of interest shown by women prompted Bieganowski to hold a "women-only" concealed weapon training course at the Cedar Rod & Gun Club in June. The class, announced last month, has already almost filled.

Many of the women who have already attended Bieganowski's classes are wives of men who own handguns. Women are more likely to want a concealed weapon permit for the purpose of personal protection than men, he said.

"I'm sure the reasons are different and self-protection is the No. 1 reason for women, some men get them just out of principal," he said.

No shootings in northern Michigan have been connected to concealed weapon permit holders.

Wilson Brott, a lawyer who has also provided legal training for applicants, said the requirements to get a permit are meant to discourage violence.

"What we try to do is make sure people are real wary of even pulling out your firearm," Brott said.

The law also more severely restricts where people can carry a concealed weapon. Forbidden areas include bars, schools, churches, day care centers, hospitals and sports arenas.

Missaukee County's gun board began issuing permits under the new law months before it took effect and they have seen no problems with permit holders, Missaukee Sheriff James Bosscher said.

"Some people want them for traveling, some people want to carry, some people want them just because it's their right," Bosscher said.

Patrick Sullivan is the reporter for crime, courts and public safety. He can be reached at psullivan@record-eagle.com

Original URL: http://detnews.com/2002/metro/0203/22/a01-445943.htm

(Pic) Michigan State Police Lt. Eric Wimbley, left, and Jim Byrd process applications in Wayne County for concealed weapons.

WATERFORD -- The only place Cliff Dabrowski has pulled his new 9mm Glock is the shooting range, but he keeps it in a shoulder holster he wears every day to protect his wife and young son.

"The police are doing a good job, but there's just too much going on," the computer programer said, explaining why he applied for a concealed gun permit. "It's the opportunity to take care of myself and my family."

Dabrowski, 38, of Waterford is one of an average of 88 people a day who've gained licenses to carry concealed weapons in Michigan since the law was relaxed July 1. While applications have been brisk since then, not as many have been submitted as some expected. And law enforcement officials say the law has caused no surge in gun violence, mishaps or vigilante justice.

Concealed weapons permits are up 39 percent statewide in the past 8 1/2 months -- from 58,280 to 81,033, according to state police records.

Another 12,666 applications are pending, and most will likely be approved soon by local gun boards.

Oakland County residents are pursuing permits in higher numbers than any other county in the state. Oakland has issued 4,666 permits under the new law and another 1,600 are pending. By comparison, the county issued 3,614 permits in the 18 months leading up to last year's law change.

"I would've expected a whole lot more than that given all the hoopla," said Michael Hodge, an attorney for a group that last year lost a court fight opposing the new law.

As expected -- and intended -- it's easy to get a permit under the new law. Of the nearly 50,000 applications filed statewide since July 1, 74 percent have been approved, 25 percent are pending and only 1 percent have been denied.

As the law nears its first anniversary, the majority of Michiganians favor it. A new Detroit News poll shows 58 percent support the law; 38 percent don't. Following the trend in new CCW applications, men favor the law more than women do, according to the poll.

It looks like the law will be on the books indefinitely: Money to fight it dried up after the state Supreme Court last summer blocked a first attempt to force a statewide vote. And plans for a ballot initiative this fall are off, said Carolynne Jarvis, executive director of the Michigan Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence.

"You simply cannot do these things without money," she said.

Good for business

The new law, which requires applicants to take a gun safety course, has been great for Metro Detroit gun dealers and shooting ranges.

"Business has been very good," said Tom Potapa, a worker at Peters Indoor Range and Gun Shop in Roseville. The range's 10 shooting stalls are booked every weekend, mostly with instructors preparing gun owners for concealed weapons permits, he said.

Mike Carson, executive director of Brass Roots, a pro-gun organization, said a lot of people in this first wave of new CCW applicants waited for years for the opportunity.

"I attended Oakland County gun board meetings (before the law change), and they would turn a lot of people down," Carson said. "I expect you'll see more women and other demographic groups applying over the long haul. But what you're seeing now is the people who were anxious to get their CCW were the first ones in line after the law passed."

So far, that broad demographic range that Carson predicts hasn't materialized. Statistics collected by the Michigan State Police show the overwhelming majority of applicants are white males. More people in their 40s have applied than in any other age group; few young people are applying. Only 3 percent of applicants are 25 or younger.

Neva LaRue of North Branch is among the 10 percent of applicants who are women. She drives to Royal Oak each Tuesday to participate in a women's gun group sponsored by the Michigan Coalition For Responsible Gun Owners.

"For me, protecting myself is a big issue," said LaRue, who twice was turned down for a CCW permit before the law passed, and has a pending application now. "I've been assaulted twice by the same man. I don't want to get hurt again. I don't want to get dragged out of my car again -- and I don't want to see other women have to go through that, either. So I'm really active in trying to get women involved in defending themselves."

Such self-defense has not yet resulted in any kind of wave of new gun violence among those with fresh CCW permits, several law enforcement officials throughout Metro Detroit agreed.

"That's really the surprise," said Wayne County Sheriff Robert Ficano. "There are no altercations or incidents I've seen that are at all attributable to the law change. We thought there might be some."

Fear on streets

Still, more guns on the street makes many people uneasy.

"Being able to carry a gun might be good for some people's sense of security, but I'm not sure they'll be able to deal with conflict properly if they have a gun," said Detroiter Jeffrey Knight. "With people getting laid off, and all the stresses people are facing now, you've got a lot of people on edge; I'm not sure adding guns to that mix is a good thing."

Members of local gun boards acknowledge they are concerned that the statute gives them little leeway in denying applications.

The old law limited permits to those who could demonstrate a clear need. The new law grants permits to anyone 21 or older with no felony convictions or history of mental illness.

[Yeah, its called a common law or unalienable/inalienable right. Get used to it, because we paid to preserve that freedom with the blood of our fathers, and more than ever before does this RIGHT need to be REASSERTED by individuals - those who created the government, and can replace it. Join the ranks of the Free NOW!]

The law allows different counties to take some different approaches. In Macomb County -- which had a fairly liberal approach to gun permits before the new law was enacted -- almost all first-time CCW applicants go through a brief, face-to-face interview. In Oakland County, the gun board relies almost entirely on applicants' paperwork.

The biggest concern, some gun board members say, is assessing applicants' mental health. The new law empowers gun boards to deny applicants with a history of mental illness, but private mental health records are very difficult to obtain.

"We're relying on applicants to tell the truth," said Capt. Michael McCabe, chief of operations for the Oakland County Sheriff's Department.

"Obviously, there are probably going to be some people who aren't going to tell the truth. It's an uncomfortable feeling."

And yet, it's also uncomfortable to be an empty-handed chance witness to crime.

Auburn Hills computer technician Steven Kreft safely thwarted two violent crimes near his Auburn Hills home in recent years. He once jumped from behind a Twinkie rack to scare off an armed party store burglar. And he turned his car around and made a ruckus to chase away a man who jumped out of a woods and grabbed a woman jogger.

[Anti-gun, anti-freedom advocates always seem unimpressed with the endless stories of crimes that were prevented through the RIGHT of private and responsible gun ownership. They would rather the rapes, robberies and home break-ins continue, rather than live in a free and democratic society where we also rely on ourselves, our families, and our friends for our protection - in addition to the peace officers we employ with our hard earned income for our service.]

So when the state made it easier for everyday citizens to get concealed weapons permits, Kreft quickly prepared for more chance encounters. He now carries a Kel-Tek .32 semiautomatic.

"I realized I'm responsible for my own safety," Kreft said. "It's not that I'm going to go around shooting anyone -- in fact, I think I would walk away from an incident more quickly now because I have a gun. But having a gun gives me another option."

[There it is folks - its about choice. Free societies don't infringe the vital choices [right of self-defence] of peaceful and [common] law abiding individuals..... End of Story! So be an adult, or stay a sheep in regard to standing up for what is yours.]

Those of you "lucky" enough to get news coverage from Global TV in British Columbia, may

You would have seen a story about a 220 pound "body builder" who, after returning home

from work, apprehended a 160 pound burglar when he caught him coming out his front door

with his arms full of stolen property. The man told the intruder to "stay put", and reached for his

cell phone to call "peace officers" for assistance. While getting ready to dial, the intruder began

to walk away, and as his steps were about to lengthen into a full blown sprint, the owner

grabbed the man and placed him in a choke hold. Despite the obvious size (and strength)

difference, and the understandable anger any of us would have at someone stealing our

property, the burglar was not injured in any way, and after several minutes the police came

Where this story gets interesting (also add strange and intolerable) is in the RCMP's reaction

and public statement via Global media surrounding this LAWFUL, restrained and JUST use

of force in arresting a person in clear 'breach of the peace'. Evidently the RCMP are

"concerned" that the public may get the "wrong idea", that defending your property in a

LAWFUL and JUST manner, is a good thing. Evidently the RCMP are "concerned" that WE

(the people who grant them their authority, and to whom they have a duty to serve) "would not

be able to defend [ourselves] in such situations if a gun or knife had been carried by the intruder."

So here's the deal folks....... At the same time police openly state they are under-staffed and can't

"quickly" respond to all calls, AND that defending your property UNARMED is a life-threatening

risk to YOUR 'security of ones person' (a RIGHT protected by constitutional LAW) they

are also the MAIN impediment to the lawful exercising of our RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS for the

It is hard to imagine a more poignant illustration of why our so-called "peace officers" have

not only lost ALL touch with their role as "peace officers" in defence of our RIGHTS as free

individuals, but are in fact antithetical to such a purpose - and thus unlawful and illegitimate.

And given that we are their source of authority [in trust of the Crown under oath to Magna Carta]

it is surely time for us to revote our consent to their privileged monopoly to enforce law on

This is not nearly as difficult as it may seem, and in any event, it is our required duty. Any level

of relatively competent law enforcement would be preferable to being victims of profoundly

ignorant and aggressive "peace officer" impostors. All of us need to re-establish 'old school'

right of common law and select "men and women of good reputation" in our neighbourhood

who are willing to volunteer their service in defence of the RIGHTS of the public in accordance

with the law of the land [our Anglo-Saxon common law which is the foundation of our criminal

In many communities across BC this process has already begun. Many good people are coming forward

to dutifully volunteer their service for enforcement of the common law - not to be confused with enforcement

of arbitrary legislative STATUTES that often infringe, rather than uphold, the rights we inherited as members of the Grand commonwealth as established "for ever" in the Charter of 1297, and are merely means to extort and control.

In case you have been so brainwashed as to think that WE (the people) need some sort of

magic fairy dust, golden royal mace, or special divine visitation to establish and enforce ancient,

tried, principled and just laws, here is a command from the King of England...... Which, by the

way, was re-affirmed by King Edward III in 1368 in stating "Magna Carta shall have NO SOVEREIGN".

It is establish law throughout the commonwealth, and any who defy this law are enemies of Crown and

are outlaws in need of an appointment with Justice as decreed by His Highness King Edward I.

His words were echoed by SIR Winston Churchill in the halls of British Parliament, where too,

our much over hyped Canada 'Act', 1982 received its alleged authority BY and WITH a full conformity to Magna Carta...... CLICK BELOW LINK TO HEAR HIS WORDS and THE COMMAND of THE KING to ALL FREEMEN.

Notice how the alleged government recognizes the difference between a "peace officer" and

2 This Act does not apply to a police officer within the meaning of the Police Act.

Crown bound

So what about that "oath" they MUST take if pretending to serve the Crown, and thereby
OBEY THE LAW AS DESCRIBED IN THE SACRED CHARTER (Magna Carta - 1215, 1297)
[emphasis added to below, as found in "Police Act"]

7. (4) Before commencing the peace officer’s duties, the peace officer must take the oath set out in the regulations

(a) for an officer other than an enforcement officer:
I, ....................[name], do [swear/solemnly affirm] that:

I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada,
Her Heirs and Successors;

I will, to the best of my power, cause the peace to be kept and prevent all offences against the persons
and properties of Her Majesty's subjects;

I will faithfully, honestly and impartially perform my duties as..................................[office]. ;

Heretofore, the infringement of the RIGHTS and LIBERTIES preserved by ROYAL OATH

before God and the Congregation, as set out in Magna Carta, is a gross breach of duty and

violation of the Law of the Land, and treason toward Crown..... Who do you expect to enforce

Man Raided By FBI, ATF, Canadian Law Enforcement After Handing Out 'Subversive'

Gun seller questioned on militia, ownership of George Washington speeches

A Dillon Montana man had his home raided by 40 FBI, BATF and Canadian law enforcement agents after handing out Alex Jones' material to his local Sheriff which was subsequently deemed 'subversive'.

Richard Celata sells 80% completed firearms kits intended for purchasers who want to avoid [being forced] to register their weapons in government databases. The kits are completely legal in Montana.

Celata was politically active in disseminating the material of Alex Jones and others in his area, including handing out material to his local Sheriff.

"On Monday morning the Sheriff called me and said, I've read all your stuff, I would like to speak to you on Wednesday, could you come in," Celata told GCN radio host Jack Blood.

Celata said he thought the scheduled meeting on Wednesday was strange because there was an election on the Tuesday and the Sheriff wouldn't have known whether he'd still be in office or not.

"Wednesday morning I get a phone call saying 'I lost the election and it's even more important that we have our meeting than it was before'."

Celata collected material he had previously handed out to the Sheriff and traveled to his office.

"I walk into the room and there's way too many people in the Sheriff's office," said Celata.

Celata said he knew he was in trouble as he was introduced to BATF and FBI agents and handed a search warrant and a promise that his premises were going to be raided.

"I read the search warrant and low and behold there's no signed affidavit," said Celata.

Celata told the Sheriff that the search warrant was therefore void to which the FBI and BATF responded that the affidavit was secret and sealed by the court.

"Now they can make up the affidavit to match what they found if they want to," said Celata as he was told that the agents would carry out the search anyway.

Celata was then escorted by an estimated 40 FBI, ATF and Canadian law enforcement agents to his property.

Read rest of Story HERE.

If this doesn't want to make you go out and exercise your inherent RIGHT to own firearms, nothing will.

At a time we are [repeatedly] told we are under attack by "terrorists who wish to destroy the rights and liberties we cherish"... we actually have over- grown children in black ski masks, who were likely bullied in school, kicking down peoples doors because they exercised their fundamental RIGHT to freedom of speech. You starting to see who the real terrorist threat is yet? Duh!

Heck people, you really REALLY need to wake the #&!% up and get off your @$$ and defend your RIGHTS and your children's future. If you don't, tyranny will be knocking on your door next. We learn from history that we do not learn from history...

This is what government tyranny looks like.....

SUPPORT THE VICTIMS OF GOVERNMENT TERRORISM!

DEFEND YOUR COUNTRY, YOUR RIGHTS, YOUR LIBERTY, YOUR LIFE !!!!

Home build your frames in the privacy of your own home. These people need and deserve your support. They were recently the target of government terrorists from both the BATF and CSIS.

WANT TO DEAL A DEATH BLOW TO THE BATFE?

It’s time to take JPFO’s “Boot the BATFE” campaign to a fiercer, more gutwrenching level.

Announcing an upcoming video documentary from JPFO Productions: The Gang: Using the Law to Destroy Your Freedom and Security, an hour-long video documentary will show:

A brief history of the BATFE, with emphasis on its racist origins and ongoing racism.
Documentary evidence that the Gun Control Act of 1968 (one of the major laws the BATFE enforces) was based on Nazi law and Nazi legal concepts.
Video proof that the BATFE tried to frame an American gun owner with federal felony charges by attempting to call a malfunctioning semi-automatic rifle an “illegal machine gun”.
Documentary evidence that the BATFE is incompetent to carry out one of its primary tasks, the classification of weapons.
Interviews with abused gun owners and manufacturers. We are also trying to get a BATFE whistle-blower or former agent to go on camera to give an insider’s view of BATFE corruption and ineptitude.
Finally, a Second Amendment lawyer will reveal how Congress and the BATFE routinely misuse the interstate commerce clause to control gun ownership and persecute firearms owners.