I live in Gilbert and I really do not have a dog in the fight. It looks like the law will be signed but once again I am not sure how good a law it will be.
Everyone has an opinion and I am as entitled to mine as anyone else. Those who illegally carry now will not be affected by this law one way or the other unless they do something stupid and get busted.
I do not think it will make as big a change as many seem to believe.
Personally, I took the class and profited from it. There was a lot of good information and I tried to absorb as much as I could.
I do not want to see the Second Amendment abridged but people do need to know the repercussions of an intended or unintended weapon discharge that hurts or kills someone.
The class gives you some insight to that. Those consequences are serious and they can bankrupt you.
People need to be aware just how serious this issue can be for the careless or unwary.
Geetarman
People SHOULD understand such things, and most people DO understand them. There's never been any doubt in my mind...
I took the CCW class as well; first in early 1995, then I renewed in 1999. I renewed again in 2003, and again in 2007. The renewal in 2007 was the first one that didn't require me to take a class and requalify with a handgun.
I don't think I've ever heard anything in a CCW class that I didn't already know. There were certainly things said in a class or two that raised questions in my mind, and that resulted in more study, and therefore better understanding of the subject on my part.
That said, I've learned more from exchanging information on the 'net. It works the same way, only in more diversified ways. More opinions, more questions asked, and therefore more study on more subjects for a better understanding.
Bear in mind that anyone who can legally own a gun can open carry in Arizona without any permits whatsoever. It's been that way since Arizona became a state in something like 1912. For that reason, it's really not a matter of people not knowing how to use a gun; those who can carry, and want to carry, already have the legal means to do so.
The only thing this law will/would change is the WAY people without permits can carry in places where they can already legally carry. A handgun in open sight is little different than a handgun with a jacket covering it IMO, yet the latter will get you arrested, and possibly cause the loss of your firearms rights if you don't have a CCW permit.
The blood has never really ran in Arizona streets with legal open carry, and I don't see that changing if someone's allowed to wear a jacket or shirt over their handgun to keep things more "discrete".
This law will not make any difference whatsoever in my life and means of carry. My wife and I both have valid Az CCW permits, and we'll maintain those regardless of this law. I'm very pro-rights, however, and I see absolutely no reason for not allowing law abiding citizens their full constitutional right to keep AND bear arms.
Daryl