Denninger on CCW

Karl Denninger explains why he cannot support government-issuance of CCW permits.

The incident that motivates his statement is detailed here in a Tampa Tribune editorial.
 

It also looks like Sundance over on the Treehouse is delving into this story, and that's where I first heard about it yesterday.

In short, Florida resident and CCW permit-holder John Filippidis and his family were on their way back home from a trip to New Jersey.  Passing through Maryland on I-95, a Maryland state trooper pulled them over, though they had violated no traffic laws and were never issued a citation.  The trooper apparently stopped the Filippidis' solely because John's concealed carry license came up when a check was run on his plates. 

Filippidis, in order to avoid any interstate issues, had left his .380 at home in his safe.  When stopped, he told the officer this. His wife, however, did not know where the gun was and slightly over-reacted when the thug cop asked her the same question.  As a result, the family was detained, Mr. Filippidis was cuffed-and-stuffed, and their vehicle was searched. 

This has been my concern with the concept of a concealed carry license for a long time.  We had the situation here in Missouri where the Department of Revenue and the Highway Patrol were illegally scanning permits and sharing information on CCW permit-holders with the federal government.

Now I know that the argument is that a CCW permit is like a driver's license.  You are going out in public carrying a deadly weapon no one, including the cops, knows you have. You should at least be authorized and trained.  Right?

As far as training, while it is a good idea, a responsible person will do that anyway.  As far as "authorizing", I would say, No.  Any felon is prohibited from even owning a firearm, let alone carrying one concealed.  The pertinent and enforceable law is already on the books.  It's illegal, but criminals violate the law.  Imagine that.   

Rather than a permit for the holder to exercise his or her freedom, the permit becomes another excuse for law enforcement to pursue and detain, harass and intimidate the people they are allegedly being paid to protect and serve.  

Missouri law allows anyone to carry a firearm concealed in one's vehicle.  No permit needed.  That's good enough for me.  If I am traveling in another state, I will probably leave my guns at home, so there is no need to unnecessarily worry the gestapo law enforcement officers in those jurisdictions.