good to finally see something positive in the news.

More States allowing concealed carry without permit

New Hampshire this week passed a law allowing residents to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, joining a growing number of states that are allowing residents to carry weapons out of sight without a license.
At least 11 states have passed laws allowing the concealed carry of guns without a permit, and 16 states have introduced legislation this year to do the same, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Rifle Association.
Gun rights advocates see the laws as the next frontier in Second Amendment rights. However, the legislation has been controversial in many places where it has been introduced, with law enforcement members, politicians and gun proponents arguing that the bills go too far.
“That’s kind of the next step in expanding law-abiding gun owners’ constitutional right to self-protection,” said Jennifer Baker, a spokeswoman for the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “It’s where a lot of states are moving.”
Nationwide, the legislation has been contentious and has failed in states that are traditional bastions of gun rights. The legislation has been dubbed “permitless carry” or “constitutional carry,” as proponents believe that people have a constitutional right to carry a gun with as few restrictions as possible. Legislation is pending in states including Kentucky — where gun rights advocates expect it to pass — Texas, Colorado and Indiana.
Idaho, Mississippi and West Virginia passed laws last year that do away with concealed-carry permits, allowing people to carry weapons without them.
In New Hampshire, Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed a law on Wednesday that allows anyone who has purchased a licensed pistol or revolver to carry it, loaded or unloaded, on him or herself or in a vehicle. Sununu’s predecessor, Sen. Maggie Hassan (D), twice vetoed the legislation.
“We have historically allowed people to openly carry a pistol. I don’t see why you have to get a second permit if you’re a law-abiding citizen and legally entitled to own a gun,” Jeb Bradley (R), the majority leader of the state Senate, said. Bradley and Sununu also said the law puts New Hampshire on equal footing with neighboring Vermont and Maine, which also do not require permits for the concealed carry of handguns.
The legislation went into effect immediately. Previously, gun owners had to apply for a concealed-carry permit with the local police chief, who granted or denied the request. Bradley said numerous people were unfairly denied permits, but police chiefs testified during hearings that few applications were turned down.
“This bill will eliminate the state’s long-standing permitting system and prevent local law enforcement from making important determinations that help keep guns out of dangerous hands,” Portsmouth Police Commissioner Joseph Plaia said in a statement. He is a member of Granite State Coalition for Common Sense, an offshoot of Americans for Responsible Solutions, a gun control group founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said the passage of such laws are an “anomaly” and occur in “legislatures that have been doing the NRA’s bidding.”
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) vetoed a bill allowing for the carrying of concealed guns without a permit on Thursday. Bullock said in a veto letter that the state’s sheriffs may require safety training before granting a concealed-carry permit and can deny permits to people struggling with mental illness. He equated the bill to allowing people to drive cars, fly planes or erect buildings without determining if they are eligible and able to do so.
“While I will fiercely defend the 2nd Amendment rights of our citizens, I cannot support an absurd concept that threatens the safety of our communities by not providing for the basic fundamentals of gun safety or mental health screening,” Bullock wrote.
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R), who said he is a lifetime member of the NRA, has vowed to veto a bill that would establish permitless carry in the state. South Dakota does not require a permit to purchase a gun and a concealed-carry permit costs $10 and requires a background check. In an op-ed in the Rapid City Journal, Daugaard wrote that he would not sign “bad legislation” that could have many unintended consequences.
In Missouri, lawmakers last year overrode Gov. Jay Nixon’s (R) veto and passed a package of gun legislation that established a “stand your ground” law and allowed people to carry concealed handguns without a permit.
“The basis of this whole bill is that it allows law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families,” state Sen. Brian Munzlinger (R), the bill’s sponsor, said at the time. His office declined to comment on Thursday. Concealed-carry permits were no longer necessary in the state starting Jan. 1.
The legislation sparked an outcry, with many concerned that it could put residents at risk and some public safety officials, including St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay (D), and the city’s police chief, Sam Dotson, said it would make neighborhoods less safe and make it more difficult for police to do their jobs.

I like to see that. I don't like the idea that I have to be given the right to carry a firearm on me.

Seems pretty easy, you have the right until you do something to lose the right

You would think that's an easy concept...if we really wanted to have fun with this, we could start the narrative that CC permits disproportionally hurt the poor.

Either way, I have never thought CC laws were constitutional. It's pretty clear: the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. It's no different than requiring American citizens to pass a literacy test in order to vote.

There is no question that you are right and cc laws hurt the poor more than anyone. What's ironic is that many of the same people that insist voter ID should not be required because it can affect the right to vote of the poor are now arguing against laws that would defend an even more important right of the poor - the right to defend yourself.

CC requirements are nothing more than a nuisance for most of us here. I will pay the fee and do whatever I have to do to be able to legally carry. The people most affected by such laws are the very poor.

Exactly. My view of the constitution is that it says what it says. Any loopholes we create to make it tougher for me to exercise those rights makes me mad. You're right about us. Financially, I have no problem paying for the permit, I just don't think it's constitutional. The left tries to create this constitutional right to stuff like equal outcome (wages) and voter ID, but when it comes to rights specifically stated in the constitution they are pretty silent.

That's why I'm a conservative/libertarian. We don't have to pay to exercise our right to free speech or religion so why do we have to pay to exercise one of our most important rights?

Fun fact: Vermont is a state where carrying without a permit has always been allowed and you can carry starting at 16. Statistically, it's one of the safest states in the country.