A Conversation on Concealed Weapons Licenses

Quite an interesting dialog between Chief Alexander and Ms. Dean. One of the few gun discussions I've heard that didn't disolve into the typical meaningless "pro-gun" versus "anti-gun" diatribe.

Having been in the firearms business for over 30 years now, I feel I have a pretty good handle on the state of affairs regarding both NH and the Feds regarding gun laws.

Everyone who buys a gun through a gun store is subject to the Federal laws, which include an FBI background check for both handguns and long guns. In NH, background checks for handguns are done through the State Police and include DMV checks as well as the Federal check. This background check, which typically takes about 5-10 minutes, is available to every town or Police Department that processes concealed carry applications. While not perfect, it does provide a reasonable screening process.

NH follows the Federal purchase guidelines for its carry permits. These are objective criteria that leave no room for interpretation. If we go to a "shall" issue guideline, rather than the "must" issue one currently in place, we must by definition lose that objectivity. In my opinion, that is a dangerous precedent to set. The decision to issue should be based on law, not an ill defined "bad feeling" that a chief or Board of Selectmen may have about an individual.

The Virginia Tech tragedy was alluded to several times during the discussion. The implication was, I believe, that a discretionary permit might head off a similar incident from happening here. It couldn't possibly do that. First of all, medical/psychiatric records are not available in the course of a routine background check. Secondly, I don't recall anyone ever claiming that the Virginia Tech shooter even had a carry permit. All he did was go through legal channels to purchase a gun. As far as I know, he did not have a carry permit. The lack of a carry permit in no way deterred this individual from carrying out his killing spree. Even in NH, how could the denial of a carry permit prevent a crime, especially when that person already is in possession of a firearm? If anything, this just shows how futile the law can be in crime prevention.

So, while I can empatize with the Chief's frustration in having to issue permits to people he feels don't deserve to have one, it is a right of every NH resident who is free of any felony convictions or indictments, domestic violence misdemeanors, or restraining orders. Letting a few potential "bad apples" through the system is, for better or worse, the price of freedom for the rest of us.

Stan in Whitefield, NH.