I applied to renew mine last week. I've been licensed since 1998.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but after July 1, 2008, CHL's in Virginia go "lifetime", i.e. they don't expire.

"I'm afraid I could lose my right." This guy doesn't understand the concept of rights. "I'm afraid I may have to defend my rights" would be acceptable. "I'm afraid someone will try to interfere with my rights" would be acceptable. But lose my rights? If it's a right, it can't be lost, only surrendered. Thank god for the teachers I had in civics classes of yore. I wish we still had 'em out there in the schools. (Apparently we don't.)

Arnold...what you say is true, but one might argue that should a government enact a policy that calls for your execution should you exercise your rights...

You might say that you've effectively "lost" your rights. So thusly, the government CAN "take away" your rights by enacting policy, with punishment so severe that most will choose not to exercise their rights. That, in effect, would equate to those people "loosing" their rights.

You're right, Arnold.

I teach civics.

ALL of my colleagues hold the "2nd Amendment = the National Guard thing" view.

They peddle that stupid view to their kids.

Occasionally I get a kid who has been in one of those classes with one of those other teachers, and I set that kid straight on this stuff.

Unfortunately, the teaching profession is clogged with female [no offense, ladies] tax&spend-types who want government to breastfeed every single one of us for life--and make us say "Mother may I?" before we exercise our inalienable RIGHT to armed self-defense.

Keep fighting, gentlemen.

It is an uphill battle but one that cannot be shirked if this country is to live up to its highest ideals.

That is all.

If these numbers - and the prevalence and success of concealed carry in states nationwide - doesn't speak to a changing public sentiment toward firearms and self-defense, I don't know what does.

'Course...would be nice to see a SCOTUS ruling that includes the language of "fundamental." I guess I don't have that much a problem with the idea, or notion, that folks out to have demonstrated some competence before carrying firearms in public. That said, what has bothered me...always...has been this idea of being "licensed and approved" (read, getting the government's permission) to carry a firearm.

Of all the so-called "carry states", only two AK and VT - seem fine on that account.