eldirector
Grandmaster
You bring up 2 (or 3) good points.1) Not having your LTCH on you can possibly cause a hassle. Should it? No. It's a good thing nothing ever happens that shouldn't happen, right?
2) I don't understand the resistance to carrying this little piece of paper or plastic. If you forget, that's one thing and the change of law to not require it on your person would be helpful, but all this discussion means people are thinking and planning to avoid carrying 1/8 ounce of card when they carry 15 to 28 ounces of gun.
There's something I'm not understanding here.
1) Folks get hassled for carrying WITH their LTCH. They may get hassled for carrying WITHOUT their LTCH. Heck, they get hassled for NOT carrying a handgun even while licensed. They get hassled for NOT EVEN OWNING a handgun, and not being licensed. If a particular LEO intends to hassle someone, the presence or absence of a a easily forged pink piece of paper isn't going to change much.
2) I don't think anyone, not even me, is "resisting". I'm just not making a super-special effort. If I forget my wallet, I'm not going back JUST for my LTCH. I'm also not grabbing my wallet before I walk out, JUST to be sure I have my little pink slip.
3) I can neither confirm nor deny that you or a third party do or do not understand any particular thing.
The IC is pretty clear on this topic, IMHO. LE is a bit less clear. I'll continue to assume that the vast majority of LEO are good folks, and if they need to confirm my identity and my LTCH status, they will use the tools provided to do so, rather than escalate the situation unnecessarily. I've yet to have an issue (unlike some other INGOers, it seems).
Related Question:
Do those of you who carry your LTCH also carry a government issued photo ID as well?