I don’t have my CCW permit yet but I am working towards it. When I mentioned my attempt to obtain a permit to my boss his only response was regret that he lived in a county where the sheriff did not issue CCW permits (Iowa is still burdened with the sheriff’s discretion). I am a traveling engineer installing and repairing control systems in the water/wastewater industry. I travel over the entire state working in both rural and urban areas. I have been asking the plant managers what their policies were concerning conceal carry and very predictable results have emerged. Towns and cities that are either large enough to qualify as a metro area or are grouped together into a larger metro area have a negative view of conceal carry while those towns and cities that can be considered rural all have no problems with the issue. In fact several of the rural plant managers have CCW permits and proudly showed them to me. One metro town waste water treatment plant went so far as to forbid all weapons including knives on all grounds including the workers cars. One worker put a large dowel in a rifle case and put the whole thing in the back window of his car. When the powers that be asked him if he had a gun in the car he said they could get a warrant and find out. They didn’t but he has been overlooked for advancement ever since.
I understand the results of my little informal poll but the mind set baffles me. In the metro areas crime is a bigger problem than in the rural areas so the need for protection is greater. Yet those in positions of responsibility in a metro area think that the answer is disarmament of honest, responsible people who can provide protection. On the other hand maybe there is a reason that crime is usually less in rural areas where the personal protection mind set is prevalent.
I’ve said it before and I will say it again. If I were a bad guy looking to commit a crime, I would commit my crimes in areas where the victims are un-armed to reduce the chance of people shooting me. Places that come to mind are schools, government buildings, bars, business’ that display a no guns sign and water/wastewater plants in a metro area. I would especially look for signs exposing a “Gun Free Zone”. Chances would be much better that my gun would be the only gun and thus I would have all the power. And not get shot.
Just MHO
Sincerely,
Reverend Rich
The Second Amendment: When they tell you you don't need it;
That is when you Really need it.