In post-Columbine America, an idea like expanding concealed-weapons permits gets plenty of immediate opposition.

Friday, May 11, 2001

In post-Columbine America, an idea like expanding concealed-weapons permits gets plenty of immediate opposition. But a bill in the Minnesota legislature that could do just that has already passed the House and awaits action in the Senate.

Once the rhetoric is removed, it’s clear this bill makes sense, not because it expands access to concealed weapons, but because it creates a standard that must be followed across the state.

Now, local sheriffs have the discretion to decide on concealed-carry applications. That means in some counties, they’re very hard to get, and in others, they are easier to obtain.

The new rules would keep concealed-weapons permits out the hands of those with felony records or who have been committed to a psychiatric hospital. Licenses would also also require gun training and would need to be renewed every three years, unlike under current law.

And sheriffs’ discretion wouldn’t be entirely taken away. If they object to a permit, they can take it to court and have it stopped if a judge agrees with their reasoning.

Today, we have a system that changes from county to county, and it only makes sense to have a uniform standard. In some counties, the rules would actually make it harder to get a permit. And the argument that more concealed-weapon permits will increase crime makes little sense, because criminals generally don’t care if they have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. These laws affect the law-abiding, and there’s no reason they shouldn’t be treated the same everywhere.