Why Training Requirements Should Be Struck Down

Why Training Requirements Should Be Struck Down

Recently, I had a conversation with someone about constitutional carry. I’ve previously referred to it as “the Holy Grail” for gun rights, and I believe that. This individual didn’t. They weren’t an anti-gun zealot like Shannon Watts or Michael Bloomberg by any stretch. In fact, I’d seen them as ardent defenders of the Second Amendment before this conversation, so I was forced to ask what their problem was with constitutional carry.

“I think people should have to get training before they tote a gun around,” he said.

He’s not the first person to utter that phrase by any stretch of the imagination. For what it’s worth, I think people should get training before the tote a gun around too. What I don’t think is a good idea is for the government to require training before we’re allowed to exercise a God-given right.

Think about it for a moment. What training is required to start a blog and enjoy Freedom of the Press? What training is required before you’re allowed to organize a protest and utilize your Freedom of Speech? What about a requirement for training just to go around and spread the Gospel or even attend church? Do you need training before you exercise your Freedom of Religion?

Of course not. No one ever utters a thing about demanding training for these things, and for good reason. They’re your God-given rights, enshrined in the Constitution but originating in the fact that you’re a human being.

In fact, the only one of these rights with any level of restriction is needing a permit to organize a protest, but that has more to do with the impact on other people than anything else. A large protest can require resources beyond what the protesters can provide such as diverting traffic, etc. It’s not about deciding who gets to protest or not. In fact, restricting who gets to protest is illegal, and for good reason.

“Oh, but those other rights don’t result in people being killed,” someone might counter. In fact, some actually have made that counter. They’re wrong, though.

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