Different states in the U.S. have varying approaches to gun regulations and civil rights, according to Rob Morse, a writer on gun rights issues. While some states allow individuals to defend themselves in public without requiring permits beyond a clean criminal record, others like California impose stringent requirements for owning and carrying firearms.
Morse highlights that obtaining a permit in California can be a lengthy and costly process, potentially taking months and costing over $1,000. Despite these challenges, he argues that the more significant issue is the impact of disarming citizens who wish to carry firearms legally.
Citing data from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), Morse notes that there are four times more crime victims than reported by police. In California, violent crime rates exceed the national average by about 40%. Although each county theoretically issues state permits for carrying firearms in public, Morse claims that some counties issue very few permits compared to others. On average, California’s rate of issuing carry permits is only 3% of the national average.
The article suggests that restrictive laws in California have left over 3 million citizens without permits who would otherwise seek them. This situation reportedly results in over 100,000 disarmed citizens becoming victims of violent crimes annually, including more than 8,000 cases of rape or sexual assault.
Morse questions whether disarming honest citizens truly enhances safety as claimed by politicians, pointing out the costs borne by victims and their families due to increased crime rates.
Rob Morse contributes to discussions on gun rights through his SlowFacts blog and various podcasts focused on self-defense stories.
