Permits?

Today I am thinking about constitutional carry and how there are so many people that are clamoring for permits or licenses for all firearm carry. I am personally opposed any license requirements.  The idea of requiring a permit to carry a handgun is akin to asking permission to practice your religion.  Would you tolerate that?  So, I think that we can open this conversation up with a run down of some of the Bill of Rights.  Let's dive in.

Amendment I (1): Freedom of religion, speech, and the press; rights of assembly and petition
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

If we take the 1st amendment and break it down we will see a few things that are completely unacceptable to license or require a permit to exercise  The 1st amendment protects our freedoms (given to us by God) to practice the religion of our choice.  Should we have to get a permit to go to church?  How about the freedom of speech?  Would you tolerate having to get a license to speak or write what is on your mind?  I think you would be in a real tizzy about that one...  While there are limited permit requirements for marches and other protests they are based on locations just like a parade.  Could you imagine what would happen if we were not allowed to protest openly about <insert you issue here> without a license?  I don't support all of the reasons people protest but I will absolutely support their right to protest.

Amendment VI (6): Rights to a fair trial
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed; which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Rights to a fair trial should require a license too if we use the same logic as the folks saying we need handgun permits.  Could you imagine that only paid permit holders have the right to a fair and speedy trial?  A license to be able to be confronted by witnesses against you or having witnesses in your favor?  That is preposterous!

These examples may seem far fetched but I think we can draw some pretty close parallels with the upcoming proposals the Texas legislature will take up debate on in January. Several open carry type bills are have been filed but nothing less than a constitutional carry option should be accepted.

Please feel free to drop your comments below and we can have an adult debate but I ask that you keep it civil and no name calling.

Thanks for reading!
Steve