Bill Hunt on CCWs and the 2nd Amendment
As part of an ongoing report, March 1, 2010, FFFF’s Travis Kiger, Fullerton businessman Larry Lazar and myself sat down with Bill Hunt, 2010 candidate for Orange County Sheriff. The round table discussion was an opportunity to ask some important questions that we think are on the minds of voters. No topic was off-limits.
We had some questions about concealed weapons permits (CCW’s) for the man whose slogan has been “The Sheriff should be in the business of protecting people’s rights, not restricting them.”
We asked Hunt how his stance was different from his opponent’s. Hunt told us that he is a constitutionalist and believes that the current system lends itself to corruption. Hunt believes that statistics from than 39 “Shall Issue” states are proof that CCW’s lower crime rates. Further, he believes that an armed citizenry will help keep the peace at a time when the Sheriff’s Department is looking to lay off sworn deputies.
We also asked Hunt to lay out the process that a permit applicant can expect if he is elected Sheriff. Hunt said, “If we have someone come in and they are a range owner and maybe they have one of these reciprocal CCW’s that’s good in thirteen states, and they’re in good standing in those states, then I think we need to shorten up that process. We need to verify that the permit is legitimate and have had backgrounds on them, and then do an updated background to make sure there have been no problems in the interim. Then we check their training. If they’re proficient, we have our range master check them out. If they’re proficient, sign them off. If it’s a new person with no current CCW then we need to do the full background check, send them through the full NRA familiarization course, and get them through the process!”
Hunt also wants to waive or at least reduce fees for low-income applicants. The logic is simple: low-income areas have higher crime rates thus more victims. Lowering fees would put the odds back in the hands of citizens rather than the criminals.
A cookie-cutter approach is the wrong way to handle it. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to CCW’s, crime victims, and high propensity targets.
“When seconds count, cops are minutes away!” – Bill Hunt
I would like to hear what Hunter’s ideas are for CCW reform. Would he be willing to accept the reciprocal licenses from other states as Hunt says he will do? And is Hunter in favor of fee waivers and reduced fees for low-income individuals?
My guess is that Hunter wouldn’t go for any of these but I don’t know that as fact. If Hunter would like to meet and discuss these topics, I will gladly report back to FFFF readers what he says. I may be biased but I am also willing to hear what Hunter has planned for OC CCW reformation.
I would ask Hunter if he would issue solely based on “personal protection” or “self defense” as good cause. He like Hutchen’s talk about complying with ” state law”. That’s a given and and a cop out. Hutchens will probably eliminate 80% of the CCWs if she is elected. After all she thought she had a mandate of the voters when she was appointed by three people two of which now wish they hadn’t. I think that if anyone truely wants to avoid the appearance of pay to play or otherwise de-politicize the process, they should say flat out you pass all the mandated requirements you get one.
It seems reasonable that the process should be simple. A checklist of items to go over: background check, fingerprints, training, done.
IMO, a requirement by applicants to show “Good Cause” is illegal. The government should show good cause to restrict my rights, not the other way around!
It’s such a wonderful question…
whoiscraighunter.com