U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)-– Last year, I had to replace a failing wallet. Transferring the contents from the old to the new included the Arizona Concealed Carry permit.
A glance at the expiration date showed the transfer was serendipitous; the card was to expire within a month. Eventually, a helpful lady at the Department of Public Safety made arrangements for a renewal form to be sent, the necessary money order was obtained; and a renewal card received. All hinged on the happenstance of seeing the card was about to expire. No notice of the expiration was sent out by the Department of Public Safety.
If the card is renewed in time, a simple transfer of money with the simple form is all which is necessary. If one is too late, it becomes more complicated. Fingerprints have to be obtained, and the fee is greater.
Recently, I contacted Dave Kopp, President of the Arizona Citizens Defense League, to see what had transpired, that no notice was sent out by the Department of Public Safety. I have had a lifetime membership in the AZCDL for many years and was actively involved in the campaign to create a Shall Issue permit system in Arizona. AZCDL incrementally reformed the system, and eventually restored Constitutional Carry to Arizona.
Kopp indicated the Arizona Department of Public Safety simply stopped sending out expiration notices because the law did not require them to do so.
It seemed silly; people appreciate the notice. Most people renew. Sending out the notice might cost a dollar or two; the renewal fee is $43 for five years. There are nearly 400 thousand people who have the AZ CCW permit. If 75,000 of them renew each year, it would appear to be a net gain of three million dollars to the state. Some of that money would pay for the processing of the permits. Renewal permits take very little processing. Kopp said AZCDL might do something in the upcoming legislative session.
A few days ago, AZCDL sent out a notice requesting action on Arizona Senate Bill 1177. SB1177 requires the Department of Public Safety to send out notices of the pending expiration of CCW permits. Senator Gowan sponsored the legislation.
On February 1, 2022, SB1177 passed the Senate unanimously, with 29 votes. 1 Senator was not voting. It seems likely the bill will pass the House as well. It is a “common sense” measure.
The AZ CCW permit is not required to carry concealed in most places in Arizona. The permit is recognized in 36 other states. In Arizona, if you have the permit, you are not required to use the National Instant background Check System (NICS) in order to purchase a firearm through an Federal Firearms License. The Department of Public Safety already did that for you.
I would prefer to repeal the National Firearms acts of 1934 and 1938; repeal the Gun Control Act of 1968, and the subsequent infringements on the Second Amendment such as the Lautenberg Amendment and other Constitutional atrocities. That may come, eventually. In the meantime, I and millions of others will find some utility in the carry permits issued by our state governments, even if those governments have restored Constitutional Carry or “permitless carry” if you prefer.
The primary mechanism for incremental restoration of our rights is the state activist organization, such as the AZCDL. It is amazing how many useful things can be accomplished by a few full-time dedicated activists, backed up by thousands of part-time activists who have access to computer keyboards.
A few strokes on keyboards during the year does much to prevent tyranny from encroaching on our liberties.
SB 1177 has not passed into law; not yet. Without AZCDL, it would never have been given a chance.
The National Rifle Association is under severe attack. The state activist organizations have always been more responsive. Now, they are more important than ever before.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
