I dont mean this in a bad way and i am all for get guns and using them in the right way but if everyone thought it was there god given right to carry a side arm on them then we would have all sorts of thugs on the streets with them and no one wants taht. it costs so much because of the training that is involved in order to get a conceal and carry. at least taht is how it is in mn. why do you want your canceal and carry any way.

The good and the bad...

The bad... Some places have turned this into a racket for money. There is a cost to properly background check a person. That's reasonable, after all, a felon could just move to another state and get away with it.

But the requirement that states you have to pass a "state-approved" course means that payola has changed hands somewhere. In NC, the course is one day and costs about $100, no matter where you are. As I have seen, and others testify about, some are run by real Bozos whose main interest is your check clearing.

jeff4066 NC isnt all $100 and a all day class, they also have a 6 hour $80 class where i live that is the only class anywhere around me.

Do you some of you really think that thugs actually get a concealed weapons permit for the handgun that they are hiding? Concealed weapons permits are just a great way to mix in law abiding citizens to the loads of hidden handguns on the street.

You think you have it bad? Try getting a concealed carry permit in NY...it's damn near impossible! I actually had one...it took $130, finger printing, a complete FBI background check, another informal background check by the county sheriff, and the approval of the county judge. It took 8 months to process my application, and you know what really sucks? It was immediately revoked when I became a resident of Pennsylvania. If I move back to NY, I gotta go through the whole process all over again! Talk about a bunch of BS!

In PA I put in my application, paid my $26 fee, and 2 weeks later I had my permit...compared to NY, that's service with a smile!

If a thug wanted to carry a gun around they wouldnt worry about the permit...''oh darn I was GOING to rob you but I cant get a liscense to carry my gun.'' If it were more affordable then there will be more people to stop those thugs before they kill someone.

IN KS the course costs $150 (average) The application fee is $150 90 to the Sheriff of your county, requires three sets of fingerprints, NCIC checks, local background checks and proof of citizenship, then 60 to the Attorny General of the State's office for their check, took 9 weeks to get. A bit slow I thought but worth it.

But if you cannot afford see if open carry is allowed in your area, BUT, you can bet the Punks will take it as a challenge.

I'm all for gun rights, but I firmly believe you should be able to prove competency, and if that costs me a few hours pay to prove that then so be it! $150 is a miniscule price to pay for what just may save your life IMO.

If you think it's tough to get a CCW permit in your state, try getting one where I live!!! I and many other Canadians would surely pay TEN-TIMES that amount for the same right.

Shoot the person before he can grab your gun, solved (kidding sort of). I like the fact that open carry reminds people of our constitution and that we have the right to protect ourselves and others. People these days are trying hard to sweep the constitution under the rug.