So my carry permit expires and I need to get a new one. Indiana's concealed carry permits have historically had to be renewed every 4 years. So I go to the county sheriff's office today so I can get my permit renewed. I find out that Indiana now, for a slight up-charge, offers a LIFETIME concealed carry permit.
I applied for the new Lifetime permit, but I have to wonder if it is really a good idea to offer lifetime permits? Yes, I want one. But I'm to old to change my ways so it is doubtful that I will fall off the deep end and go on too many rampages.
Anyone, even people who have never had a carry permit, even new gun owners, can apply for the lifetime permit. We are a "SHALL ISSUE" state.
So what do you think? Should these be allowed? Should they be restricted to people who have had prior 4 year permits and proven they are good citizens? Thoughts???
OH BY THE WAY, the Brady gang runs a website called "The Gun Guys" and it is presented as 'common sense pro-gun website' but really is just a front for their propaganda. Here is their editorial on Indiana's "LIFETIME" permit:
http://www.gunguys.com/?p=1262
I applied for the new Lifetime permit, but I have to wonder if it is really a good idea to offer lifetime permits? Yes, I want one. But I'm to old to change my ways so it is doubtful that I will fall off the deep end and go on too many rampages.
Anyone, even people who have never had a carry permit, even new gun owners, can apply for the lifetime permit. We are a "SHALL ISSUE" state.
So what do you think? Should these be allowed? Should they be restricted to people who have had prior 4 year permits and proven they are good citizens? Thoughts???
OH BY THE WAY, the Brady gang runs a website called "The Gun Guys" and it is presented as 'common sense pro-gun website' but really is just a front for their propaganda. Here is their editorial on Indiana's "LIFETIME" permit:
Indiana Passes Lifetime Handgun License Law, Promises Gun Owners Are “Good People”
Finally, a new law in Indiana has passed granting anyone who passes a one time exam a lifetime handgun permit.
State Police Superintendent Paul Whitesell announced details of House Enrolled Act 1176 at a news conference Wednesday, saying the law will streamline the process to get a permit for law-abiding gun owners. His agency oversees the issuance of permits.
Residents do not need a permit to buy handguns or other firearms but must have one to carry or transport a pistol. State Police officials said Indiana has about 288,000 active handgun permits. Permits are good for four years, but now gun owners have the option of obtaining a lifetime permit instead.
State Sen. Johnny Nugent, R-Lawrenceburg, and State Rep. Troy A. Woodruff, R-Vincennes, who carried the bill in their respective chambers, appeared with Whitesell to tout the new law.
Apparently in Indiana, people don't ever change. When you buy a handgun permit, you're the exact same person at 21 that you are at 25, and at 29, and at 33, and at 37. You have the same wants, the same needs, the same outlook on life, the same views on morality. Apparently when you buy a handgun permit there, you aren't just signing up to carry a gun, you're signing up to be the exact same person for the rest of your life.
That's strange, because people in other states change all the time. They get sick, they have problems. They lose and gain jobs, they go through relationships that might leave them angry or even violent. It's weird that that would never happen in Indiana, where a lifetime handgun permit means you get a handgun for a lifetime. Or, at least, until you shoot someone.
Hamm of the Brady Campaign, which advocates for stricter gun-control laws, said he has concerns about the ability of law enforcement to track and react to crimes that people commit after they obtain lifetime permits. And, he argued, the "hassle" of having to renew permits is overstated.
"Responsible gun owners understand that some gun owners ought to be checked out every four years," he said.
State Police Capt. Doug Shelton, acting commander of the agency's records section, said State Police will continue to check on gun permit holders whenever they are notified of an arrest, conviction or other action that could limit or preclude a person's right to have a permit. He said that is already the practice for those who hold four-year permits.
The NRA's Varner added that people who make the effort to obtain a permit are not the ones to worry about.
If all applicants sought lifetime licenses, rather than four-year licenses, revenue would increase to about $4 million for the first four years, said Whitesell. However, he said, not all gun owners are expected to seek the lifetime licenses.
Officials said they could not predict the projected revenue after the first four years because the majority of current owners could be licensed for life, and that would cut income from renewals.
"Cut income," you say? So, in the long term, the state will actually lose money. Nice. Why did this bill get passed again?
As ideas about gun laws go, this is pretty much one of the dumbest we've ever heard. The only people who could possibly think this was a good idea are irresponsible gun owners who just plain don't care, and would rather save themselves a trip to the police station every four years than help curb gun violence. They're, of course, not the majority (and they're probably not even the majority of gun owners), but once again the gun lobby is sacrificing the safety of the many for the needs of the very, very few.
Finally, a new law in Indiana has passed granting anyone who passes a one time exam a lifetime handgun permit.
State Police Superintendent Paul Whitesell announced details of House Enrolled Act 1176 at a news conference Wednesday, saying the law will streamline the process to get a permit for law-abiding gun owners. His agency oversees the issuance of permits.
Residents do not need a permit to buy handguns or other firearms but must have one to carry or transport a pistol. State Police officials said Indiana has about 288,000 active handgun permits. Permits are good for four years, but now gun owners have the option of obtaining a lifetime permit instead.
State Sen. Johnny Nugent, R-Lawrenceburg, and State Rep. Troy A. Woodruff, R-Vincennes, who carried the bill in their respective chambers, appeared with Whitesell to tout the new law.
"This is a day we are very proud of," said Woodruff. "We are looking out for the law-abiding citizens of Indiana. If they follow the law, they shouldn't have to go through the hassle of renewing a permit every four years."
Aww, poor baby. Because renewing a permit to carry a deadly weapon is a total "hassle."Apparently in Indiana, people don't ever change. When you buy a handgun permit, you're the exact same person at 21 that you are at 25, and at 29, and at 33, and at 37. You have the same wants, the same needs, the same outlook on life, the same views on morality. Apparently when you buy a handgun permit there, you aren't just signing up to carry a gun, you're signing up to be the exact same person for the rest of your life.
That's strange, because people in other states change all the time. They get sick, they have problems. They lose and gain jobs, they go through relationships that might leave them angry or even violent. It's weird that that would never happen in Indiana, where a lifetime handgun permit means you get a handgun for a lifetime. Or, at least, until you shoot someone.
Hamm of the Brady Campaign, which advocates for stricter gun-control laws, said he has concerns about the ability of law enforcement to track and react to crimes that people commit after they obtain lifetime permits. And, he argued, the "hassle" of having to renew permits is overstated.
"Responsible gun owners understand that some gun owners ought to be checked out every four years," he said.
State Police Capt. Doug Shelton, acting commander of the agency's records section, said State Police will continue to check on gun permit holders whenever they are notified of an arrest, conviction or other action that could limit or preclude a person's right to have a permit. He said that is already the practice for those who hold four-year permits.
The NRA's Varner added that people who make the effort to obtain a permit are not the ones to worry about.
"They're the ones you should trust," she said. "They've gone through the hoops and background checks. They're the good people."
Right. Because "the good people" never, ever, ever do bad things, especially with firearms. But the dumbest thing about this whole law? The gun lobby is bragging it will make the state more money. Yeah, until everyone has a firearms license.If all applicants sought lifetime licenses, rather than four-year licenses, revenue would increase to about $4 million for the first four years, said Whitesell. However, he said, not all gun owners are expected to seek the lifetime licenses.
Officials said they could not predict the projected revenue after the first four years because the majority of current owners could be licensed for life, and that would cut income from renewals.
"Cut income," you say? So, in the long term, the state will actually lose money. Nice. Why did this bill get passed again?
As ideas about gun laws go, this is pretty much one of the dumbest we've ever heard. The only people who could possibly think this was a good idea are irresponsible gun owners who just plain don't care, and would rather save themselves a trip to the police station every four years than help curb gun violence. They're, of course, not the majority (and they're probably not even the majority of gun owners), but once again the gun lobby is sacrificing the safety of the many for the needs of the very, very few.