I have had to reconcile my appreciation for the Second Amendment and the state’s requirement for a permit to carry a firearm in a concealed manner.
I have come to the following: When deliberately added to the Constitution in order to make clear what had first been assumed to be understood, virtually the entire population of these United States was familiar with firearms, their uses, benefits and dangers.
That is no longer the case, at all. In that vein, it is clear to me that required instruction is very beneficial since, as good Americans, we often assume that we know things automatically, often erroneously.
For instance, gun manufacturers inconsiderately place the trigger right where the trigger finger wants to go, making it a deliberate act to keep the dirty digit off the loud switch.
The law, however, seems to be proforma at best. It is possible to take a two-, three- or four-hour class that does not involve an actual firearm and be eligible for a permit. I confess: I have not attended such a training but have been in proximity to several who have participated and who wisely invested more money in instruction that actually requires using a firearm, allowing an informed opinion as to the safe gun-handling skills of the student prior to the award of the certificate.
Sheriff Sean Smith is aware of this situation but constrained by the “shall issue” aspect of the law, i.e., he must grant the permit anyway since the law is not specific in this regard.
There are 27 instructors listed at the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office for concealed-carry weapons permits. Since I inhabit the same streets as the rest of us, it is in my personal interest to recommend any of them, as opposed to the “easy way,” to those wishing to enhance their own personal security.
Tim Gwynn
Durango
