I was told AZ would still issue permits for those who want them, or need them for reciprocity.
Correct. I will still get one if for no other reason than to streamline new gun purchases without a background check. The National "Insta - Check" system is constantly troubled with flaws that range from unnecessary delays to outright system crashes. I was at one of the bigger gun shows here some time back, and the entire system went down for several hours causing the entire gun show to be disrupted.
I personally had 2 unnecessary issues arise when I was trying to purchase a new gun. Here in Arizona if you have a valid CCW you are not required to have a Brady style background check performed when you buy a new gun from a dealer. About 6 years ago Weatherby had an exclusive one year deal with Wal-Mart to sell their then new line of Vanguard rifles. A Wal-Mart near me had a really nice one in .300 Weatherby Magnum that I wanted. The old man behind the gun counter showed me a nice new one that was in a sealed box. I told him I'll take it.
I then laid my drivers license along with my CCW on the counter, and began filling out the 4473 form. He then picked up my drivers license and began calling in a background check. I told him it was unnecessary and he replied "I have to do a background check on
EVERYONE, even police!" I didn't feel like arguing with him and kept on filling out the form. He then hung up and proceeded to tell me my background check was "Delayed". I asked him why he didn't inform them that I had a valid CCW? He said nothing.
I told him I was leaving the store with one of 2 things, and the choice was his. Either he sell me the rifle which was LEGAL for him to do, or else give me the phone number he had just called. Again, he just stood there. I then grabbed the card from his hand with the number on it, and told him to leave the form along with the gun on the counter and I would return VERY shortly.
I drove home and called the number and a woman answered. I told her what had happened and her reply was, "If you have a CCW why was he even doing a background check on you? I said if she could find out to please tell me so both of us would know. After verifying my name, address, and CCW number over the phone she asked me what Wal-Mart I was trying to purchase the gun from. I told her, and she said to drive back there, and she assured me my rifle would be there waiting for me to purchase it.
I knew by the tone of her voice she was pissed at the fact Wal-Mart was making up their own policies about gun sales, and causing them extra work in the process by doing unnecessary background checks on a system that is overburdened to begin with.
When I returned to the store a few minutes later, the old coot was behind the counter along with
the sporting goods manager and the store manager! Both were very apologetic about what had happened. Then I knew the woman I talked to called and gave all of them a good a$$ reaming. I was polite and completed the purchase and simply said, if you guys are in the business of selling firearms, you really should know the law, and inform your employees of it, because this guy, (I pointed right at him), doesn't know his a$$ from a hole in the ground. They walked me out the door with my new rifle, and I never purchased another firearm from Wal-Mart, or ever will again! Bill T.