One response that I didn't see over there, and hadn't thought of myself (wish I had):
A lot of the responses on both boards went something like "I've seen folks that I really don't want to be around if they're carrying". This could be caused by a lack of knowledge on both parties part - one needs to learn not to fear someone else carrying, and the other needs to learn how to use thier firearm properly.1. elitism. Many CHL holders want to believe they are better people somehow than those who don't have a CHL. We are more prepared. More aware of our risks day to day. More responsible for our own safety. So we want to also say "and we have all this extra cool training, see?" We want people to have to jump through extra hoops to join our club.
2. fear. Some people are still afraid of guns and are still not comfortable with regular civilians carrying them so they feel like making something like training mandatory to set apart the CHL holders from regular civilians will alleviate some of that fear. This sentiment gets expressed over and over ...lately about the teachers carrying at that one school district, the common response is "as long as they have extra special training, then it's ok"
Keep in mind that accidents do happen - how many stories have we read about LOE's who've made a weapons-related mistake, even after all the training they receive? That leads me to believe that addtional state-mandated training isn't the solution. How about weapons training in the public school system? Used to have it at my high school, and that was in Calif.! Of course it wasn't a required class, but it was held during regular school hours and the cost was paid for by the school. They cut costs by using the National Guard Armory range just down the road. Make it a required class, shooting live rounds should be a seriously considered option. Class length of 1 hour per day, for one quarter of the school year.
I don't have the training to run a cost analysis on this proposal, but I'm willing to bet it wouldn't impact the schools budget by much. Maybe a large part of the $25 permit fee would be allocated to the school to cover any additional costs. If it turns out that the school can do it for less money, the permit fee should be lowered.
No other training should be required for either open or concealed carry. Permits for life, maybe a new picture every 8 to 10 years, no re-cert training or shooting required. Really don't think even the permit should be required, thinking of it as income to pay for the school for the training.
So, dump the existing open & concealed carry laws. No permits, no classroom training, no range shooting, nothing except what you learned in school. For those who've already graduated but don't have a permit, give them a pamphlet, tell them they're responsible for knowing everything in it - if they come to DPS and request it. Might even consider a mass mailing of the pamphlet to all residents outlining the new laws. Or, simply ad's in the paper stating that the laws have changed and ya'll better read up!