Zerodefect
member
I totally agree that the right to defend ourself is an inalienable right. I still live in Vermont because of the gun-friendly laws surrounding buying and carrying firearms. I don't mean to go down a slippery slope at all. Unfortunately, I think I am begining to prefer the arrangement in other states where concealed carry requires a permit. Here's why.
Growing up in Connecticut, a permit was required to carry. If I was pulled over in a traffic stop, or someone accidentally noticed my carry gun, I had a permit to indicate that I was a law-abiding, reasonably trained individual who was eager to cooperate with state laws and state law-enforcment officers. In VT there is no such method of demonstrating your level of conscienciousness regarding training or legal compliance. For all the police officer knows, you could be anyone from a firearms instructor to an anti-social wack-job.
I hate government involvement and regulation in just about any form, but since it's unavoidable I would prefer to have some tangible means of quickly identifying myself as a law-abiding citizen who respects local laws enough to put in the time required to get and maintain a permit. Is this an odd perspective? Maybe, but from my experience there was a certain level of respect afforded those with a permit which is not always offered to the "everybody" in VT who just so happens to have a gun. I know it shouldn't be that way, but it is. I don't blame the police officers, either. If I were one, I think I would view permit holders as cooperative, respectful and responsible. If no permit is required, there is no indication of one's attitude toward these factors.
That's my odd-ball view on the subject. I love the fact that I can buy and carry with no waiting period and no hassle, but the increased suspicion with which someone carrying a gun is viewed by law enforcement is unpleasant, if understandable.
It should be assumed your an honest law abiding civvy unless there is a real reason to think otherwise.
Good officers have a detailed routine that allows them to confront people safely expecting that they'll be armed. If your being stopped for questioning or whatever, he'll search ya or ask if your armed before he just lets you hang out anyways. I'll let an officer chime in on that. But if your playing nice you have little to worry about.
You're better off in Vermont, a free state that allows carry wthout license.
If you really want to. I don't see why you can't get a CCW from another state. I know CCW'ers that also carry a PA or UT license because those carry better reciprocity across more states than the state they live in.
They travel alot.
So if you want a license, go ahead and get one from another state.