Concealed carry, at owner's expense

People have made a great deal of noise about the fact 48 states allow citizens to carry weapons on their person, with proper credentialing. Illinois and Wisconsin are not among them, but I believe they should be.

We allow tanks to 18-year-old citizens in the military. Why not trust stable fellow citizens who can pass testing to a higher criteria at their expense. This is actually an opportunity for the state to increase the protection level of every citizen while increasing their revenues.

I am not saying give everyone the ability to carry what ever they want.

But why not charge $500 a year to get the permit. The person would have to take classes which could be at the same places current police train, go over the course of three months while a complete background check (at the applicant's expense) is completed.

The application process could be completed at a police department and require a interview with a physiologist that once again is paid for by the applicant.

It could require classroom on the appropriate laws, range time for proficiency, safety testing and rigorous renewal procedures.

The type, caliber, capacity of the weapon could be limited. The ammunition could be limited and each round tagged. Maybe each person would be required to provide proof of a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy.

Terrible events cannot be eliminated from a society of our size and complexity. But we can permit willing trusted citizens who have met the appropriate criteria to protect themselves if threatened and protect other innocent.

Dennis A. Pyzyna

Arlington Heights