Previously, permitting was at the sole discretion of the 99 county sherifs, individually. The new law removed most of the local discretion.

Permitting has quadrupled since the law changed last January.

Not surprisingly, many people feel safer and empowered. Of course, the hand wringers still cling to their rhetorical arguments, and the local sherif make a point of mentioning the handful of borderline people to whom he has been "forced" to issue permits.

But violence has not erupted over parking spots, blood is not flowing in the pedestrian mall, and dangerous young men are not accidentally shooting children.

We're winning.

Now about that NFA issue...