I live in Vermont, the only state in the US that has no restrictions at all on carrying handguns. We have no "concealed carry" permits - you just do it if you want to.

I'm fond of guns, but I've never carried a firearm other than on my way to go plinking or target shooting, or on my way home from buying it.

In Vermont, I've never felt the need. (That may change as the drug problem moves up from the cities, and out from the larger Vermont communities to the country. But not up to now.)

When I go "down country" to the larger cities, I feel the need, but I can't carry 'cause I have no license.

There's something here that doesn't make sense. But I do know that the highest crime areas of the US have the strictest gun control laws, and vice versa.

Peter.