Reflections on the Second Amendment from a Connecticut-to-Idaho Refugee

I’m not a gun nut.

I had never been interested in guns—until Sandy Hook. Living in Connecticut during that time was...interesting. While everyone else was caught up in the frenzy over gun legislation, I, as a new dad thinking about my own children, wanted to respond not with fear, but with education. I sought to learn everything about guns and figure out why everybody was so afraid of them.

So naturally, during the height of Connecticut’s most restrictive gun laws, I decided to get my pistol permit. You see, in Connecticut, you can’t just “go and buy a gun.” And definitely not a handgun. If you want one of those scary things (you know, the kind you can fit in your waistband without anybody noticing) you need to get a special permit first.

It’s a pretty simple process. First, you need to take an NRA Pistol Safety course. This part is pretty laughable. So you’re telling me I need to take a “safety” class hosted by a national organization that’s to blame for the gun deaths of countless children? Which is it Connecticut? Is the NRA the boogeyman or are they literally the defining standard on gun safety in your state? Talk about mixed messages.

The course itself costs $100 and is about 4 hours long. I was happy to take it because I knew nothing about firearms. This was step one of my goal to educate myself. My first encounter with gun culture was very positive. The tone of the class was friendly and inviting. These guys weren’t gatekeepers, they were skilled shooters with the hearts of teachers. They genuinely cared about people safely equipping themselves for self-defense through education and training. Huh, maybe this gun thing wasn’t so scary after all.

Step two is to pick up an application at the local police department, fill it out, make copies of your birth certificate and NRA certificate, get the application notarized, prepare three separate bank checks: $16.50 for the State Treasurer, another $50 for the State Treasurer, and $70 made out to the town. That bank check for the town is to pay for the privilege of having yourself fingerprinted by the local police. Next, you turn in the application. Then you get to wait about 16 weeks to get replies from the F.B.I. and the state.

But we’re not done yet.

If the state extends its grace to you and your application is approved, you’ll receive a temporary State permit that expires in 60 days. If you want a “permanent” permit (meaning one you get to renew every five years) you have to drive down to Middletown in the middle of the day and pay another $70 to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Like I said…simple.

Now if that isn’t “infringement” I don’t know what is. What’s worse is you have to go through nearly the same process if you want to buy ammunition. That’s right, no .22LR for you until you’ve earned your “eligibility certificate.” And then you’re only allowed to have 10 rounds in a single magazine. And nowhere in CT are you allowed to own an AR-15 (among other arbitrarily banned scary black plastic rifles, aka “assault weapons”).

After moving to Idaho one of the first things I treated myself to was picking up a windowed 30-round AR mag. I remember walking out of the store completely astounded - “These people didn’t even ask for my ID!”

Later I remember my mom asking me if I was planning on getting my Idaho pistol permit after moving here. She didn’t believe me when I told her I didn’t have to. That’s what honoring the second amendment looks like. Good on you Idaho.

So why care about Connecticut? This is Idaho after all isn’t it? Well, here’s the scary truth: Connecticut used to be Idaho. Before all the infringement set in you could own a cannon in Connecticut, no permit required. So here’s the point: the only thing keeping Idaho from becoming Connecticut, is you. The erosion of our God-given rights by tyrants is slow. So you need to stay vigilant. Don’t give an inch. Attend your local Republican Precinct Committee meetings. Learn about and get involved with local government. The greatest threat to our freedoms isn’t activist politicians, it’s civic complacency. What happened in Connecticut can happen here too.

Please don’t let it.