Reply #96: Actually, most shall-issue states are outside the South...

[benEzra]

Most of the "shall issue" states are in the South, which have higher violent crime rates (though there is no evidence this is related to gun carry laws). If we're talking about states where there is NO right to concealed carry AT ALL for private citizens, Illinois is the only one I'm aware of in that category (along with D.C.)-- but several of the "may issue" states, like Mass., have very, very restrictive (and often discriminatory, in practice at least) laws for concealed carry.

Actually, most shall-issue states are outside the South.



There are only 9 may-issue states and 2 no-CCW states in the entire country, at this point.

FWIW, my state of NC is shall-issue, and to obtain my CHL, I had to satisfy the following requirements:

Pass a Federal and state background check.
Pass a mental health records check.
Get fingerprinted and have my prints run by the FBI (clean).
Take a training class on self-defense law using a state-approved curriculum.
Pass a written test on self-defense law administered by the sheriff's department.
Demonstrate competence with a handgun on a shooting range (live fire).