As in TX, those inclined to be rude might think twice before doing so.

Very Good question!  I would like to hear from providers on their comfort level of someone having a weapon wiht them going to a meeting.  I presume we will start to see signs posted in public places and providers requesting no weapons on the premises.

Two ways to look at this - one is deterent and saftey and the other is we have given the keys for the hen house to the fox. I would say that I am about as liberal as you can get on many issues.

This should not change the hobby that much. If anything, the providers should feel they have the capability to provide a better sense of security not only for the occasional wacko on an engagment. But also for the real wacko that insits on stalking.

For the most part - thoose that would use a weapon in the act of committing a crime will carry a concealed weapon regardless of what the law is. My brother is a career criminal (not a very good one either!!!)and after speaking with many of his room mates and friends I have come to the conclusion that as long as hand guns and guns in general are legal, then no permit program, liscening and certification process will make any difference. The weapons are available for young children to have and brandish. It is sad but true. This new law does not impact the criminal element much at all.

In the past, it was up to the Sherrif of the county to issue permits for conceealed weapons. This could have prevented someone with a legitimate (abused person - male or female) from going through the process for protection. There may be many reasons that folks with legitmate needs for protection choose to shy away from law enforcement. It may be a reluctance or concern about going public with your need for protection. It may be you live out in the country and you just don't have time to get to the sherrif. It may even be the sherrif is a complete prick and uses this as a control tool. Now all you have to do is go to a class, pass the class and you are able to carry the weapon. In my mind at least there will be more folks educated about firearms and the dangers.  

If an abuser now has to think twice about attacking - then maybe some peoples lifes will be saved. If a robber has to think twice about going into a store where the clerk may be armed as well - then maybe crime will go down.

There are going to be situations where there will be harm and death caused by someone carrying a concealed weapon. These will be jumped on by the media. What we won't hear about are the lifes that may have been saved by the deterent.

Long winded and boring I know - JMHO

Fatty

Very well put Fatty. I believe someone one said...God created everyone equal...Sam Colt made everyone equal. After spending a good deal of time in TX I assure you that the carriers of concealed weapons don't act like crazy cowboys & as a matter of fact TX has a website that provides information as to the number of people in each county etc. that have permits.

The web site is a great tool. One point I didn't think of was how a provider would feel when a client is undressing and a weapon is exposed. (Sorry Ladies, my myopic suburban view of the world took over!!!) If Minnesota has the same type of web site - then providers should be able to check and see if this person does have a permit and can take the needed precautions or actions to set expectations with the client.

Anybody have links to crime statistics in states that have enacted concealed-carry laws? Whether deaths have gone up or down, violent crimes increased or decreased, anything like that?

The question LE posed, helped me decide.  "Would you be willing to kill another human being"?  

At the time I was carrying valuables and a target for robbery. LE told me I'd have to shoot to kill immediately or have a high probability of having my weapon wrestled from me.  I thought it best to live with losing the valuables.

I hope these same questions are posed so everyone has to think if that manly toy could someday hurt someone.  Not to mention all the accidents that happen.

I like things the way they are.  If you have a reason to carry a gun and can handle the consequences, get a permit based upon need.  If not, keep it home.

Florida has done the most in terms of state-sponsored exhaustive study and in terms of having studies go through outside peer review.  I know the results there have been very positive and are often cited by other states.

The problem is that no matter how scientific the method or how independent the authors, every study either way gets crucified as being the work of Lucifer by the losing side.  Such is the way things work on divisive issues like gun control or abortion.  "I am a good person.  So if you don't agree with my view, you must therefore be biased towards evil."

A quote on one of the many independent, multi year studies done on Florida:

The report, co-authored by law professor John Lott and economist John Mustard, both of the University of Chicago, concluded "allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons deters violent crimes and it appears to produce no increase in accidental deaths. If those states which did not have right-to-carry concealed gun provisions had adopted them in 1992, approximately 1,570 murders; 4,177 rapes; and over 60,000 aggravated assaults would have been avoided yearly."

The only ones who have anything to worry about are the crooks.