With restrictions relaxed, thousands apply to carry concealed firearms in Orange County (CA)

[Jgarrick]

http://www.scpr.org/news/2014/04/14/43439/good-cause-gone-orange-county-sheriff-issuing-conc/

Thousands of people in Orange County have applied for concealed weapon permits following a federal court decision in February. The ruling struck down California's "good cause" standard for issuing concealed carry permits. The February 2014 court ruling by three U.S. Ninth Circuit Court judges means people who want the permits don't have to state a 'good cause' to get one. Those "causes" have included people carrying large sums of money or private investigators.

In California, county sheriff's and police chiefs issue the permits — called CCWs — after an interview, a background check and proof of firearms training -- including safety, proficiency and liability. The "good cause" was part of the screening process. California Attorney General Kamala Harris has appealed the decision. “Local law enforcement must be able to use their discretion to determine who can carry a concealed weapon," Harris said in a news release February 27. "I will do everything possible to restore law enforcement's authority to protect public safety, and so today am calling on the court to review and reverse its decision."

The ruling in the San Diego (Peruta v. San Diego) case has many county sheriff's departments, including Los Angeles and San Diego, awaiting an appeal or final instructions before issuing new permits. On its website, the L.A. Sheriff's Department said it would "not make any final decisions with regard to good cause until either: (1) the Peruta decision is withdrawn by a decision to rehear the case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; (2) a stay is issued by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals or the United States Supreme Court; or (3) the decision becomes final."

But Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens isn't waiting. She's dropped the "good cause" standard for CCW's after the court tossed it out. And people are applying — a lot of people. "About 3,500 have applied," said Hutchens. "We typically get about 500 applications a year. We average, at any given time, about 940 CCW holders in Orange County."

(Excerpt, remainder of article at link)

[Nuclear Unicorn]

1. If restrictive gun regulations make for a safer society

why do all these people feel the need to defend themselves?