I was on the phone this morning with our state Representative. I won't give his name at this time for reasons you will learn by the end of this post.
After we had a talk about a funeral related issue that is being steam rolled through that raises major public health issues, he went on to ask me some questions. He appologized for voting for a moritorium on spending by the state to purchase land. His reasoning was that we have a huge defficite and can't care for what we already have. He went on to explain that in briefings the bill promoters failed to inform them that groups like Pheasants Forever and the like use funds from state programs to protect the lands they purchase. In essence he stuck it to these groups.
I told him I have no problem with it and am thankful that he said no to spending ... even if it was a popular project. At some point someone needs to be the bad guy and say there is no money, so quit spending. Not what he expected, but he asked me for more oppinions on the topic. We went on for a while.
Next he asked me about getting his "concealed carry permit." I corrected him - In Minnesota it is a "carry permit," and he can open carry if he wants ... but, I told him that if he tried that he could call me for bail to get out of the Minneapolis Grey Bar Motel

He has been shopping and fondling guns, and is going with a Taurus ... I think he said it was the PT 24/7 in 9mm. We talked guns a little, and then moved on.
He is on his way home as I type if things went as planned. He was going to call ahead to the Cheif of Police, so he could meet with him this late afternoon to apply for his permit to aquire. He is then going to purchase the gun, practice a little and then take a "carry" class (this guy is a quick learner!). I gave him the names and contact info for three instructors and told him my preferences. He hopes to get this done in the next couple months!
I jokingly pointed out that he couldn't carry to work. At which point he corrected me. He can carry at work, and he named several that do! I went into some of my rants on my views of carry permits (Mine is handwritten on very old parchment), the role of the Second Amendment with hunting, protecting our nation, and overthrowing those that reside in marble and limestone buildings. And then I went on about my displeasure with our national leaders and voting down reciprocity. He agrees with me on the comparison to driver's license and how there is no standard for that.
I have known this guy for several years. He is good in both the private sector and the public. He is getting enough clout that he is starting to push buttons and rattle cages. Another gun roaming the halls and on the floor is a good thing, and others in the building will know he has it!
Another plus is that he is willing to ask when he doesn't know, ask when he does know, admit when he screws up, and stand his ground when he needs to do the unpopular. I find hope in that!
I will keep you informed of his progress, and even give a name when he completes going through things like the rest of us have to. He could have taken a short cut, but he is going through the same process I did to see how it works.