Mr H
Banana'd
I'm going to go with this as the best answer so far, I feel much the same way. When I first joined MSI I was a big training advocate, maybe because I knew I already had enough credentials or could easily pass just about any test 'they' could dream up. But after watching how things really happen, I see that training is more often used to divide us, and even worse to make it even harder or impossible for some to carry. Today I'm ok with the status quo; specifically that one only needs to watch a short, free video to purchase and no training required for a MD CCW permit. After all, as they say, this is already the way it is, and there have been no issues. Never thought I would say that or feel this way; and in a perfect world I would love for everyone (police included) to be able to pass the 'US Air Marshals' qualification, and be Saints; but given an all or nothing option, I'll take what's working right now.
Regarding the Sheriff's response: I'm encouraged that he did respond and was very candid in his comments. Even though I disagree with some of what he said, I get where he's coming from and just like most of us feel, if the letter of the law is unclear, we ease back from that. None of us really want to be 'the test case', and very few take even procedural issues to task. I applaud it all though, we are seeing good progress.
Thanks again to everyone willing to even say what they think is right.
Where would you draw the line regarding who could receive a permit?:
(All occupations imply active and retired, without disqualifications)
Sworn police officers
Judges
Military
Constables
Anyone with a national security clearance
Sheriffs
Deputies
Armored car personnel
Security employees
Mayors
Any elected official
Teachers and school employees
Government (State, Fed, County, Municipal) employees
Business owners
Anyone who can pass a background check
Any non-violent felon, who has not committed a crime within 5 years
Anyone who has not committed a felony within the last 5 years
Anyone (US Citizen implied)
Nice job of putting these in a decent order...
I would go for all in bold... Not sure about the 5-year thing, but I might be persuaded.
EDIT: I would also want to know the [sure to be revised] components of the background check.