Praise for factual article on weapons permits

Friday, November 18, 2011

To the Editor:

I would compliment Maryalice Gill on her quite factual article “Weapons permit rate ‘steady,’” which discussed the statistics and process of Concealed Carry Weapons permits in Bedford and New Hampshire. Her article well describes the relatively simple process for obtaining a resident CCW permit in Bedford and almost all New Hampshire towns. I might note that while the permit rate is rather steady in Bedford, that gun sales and ownership have significantly increased nationwide since 2008, likely over fears that the current administration would act to increase gun restrictions. Indeed, the current administration has worked to do so through executive actions and policies that don’t require legislative voting, as many legislators fear being labeled “anti-gun” in a society where almost one half of all homes have a gun.

While CCW issue is subject to the final discretion of typically the police chief, it is well to note that New Hampshire is one of currently 37 “shall issue” states where permits are usually issued unless the applicant is otherwise unqualified by written standards (not a felon, not mentally disabled, etc.) as opposed to “may issue” states, like Massachusetts, where a chief may deny permits to any or all applicants on an arbitrary basis. Four states have unrestricted CCW (Vermont, Arkansas, Arizona and Wyoming) and only one state denies CCW permits by law (Illinois). Since 1986, the number of “shall issue” or unrestricted states has increased dramatically and crime has gone down nationwide. While there remains debate on whether this can be attributed to increases in CCW, no credible research suggests more CCW cause more crime.

This year, New Hampshire passed a “Castle Doctrine” law, against the wishes of the governor and some law enforcement organizations, reducing the legal risk of using a gun for legally justified self-defense. Next year a bill to make New Hampshire the next unrestricted “Constitutional Carry” state stands an excellent chance of passing.

We citizens of Bedford look forward to our new Chief of Police Bryfonski’s continued support of our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

C. BRET JESSEE

Bedford