Hmmm...

California is due to run out of money in February 2009. The only question is just how broke the state is. Somewhere between $20 and $40 billion short. There are thousands of expense items that need to be reduced. Ever hear that old joke about why the Cal-Trans road maintenance trucks are so special? They sleep six. I first heard that joke over twenty years ago.

Here's my simple plan to add $135M in direct revenue to the state. Pass "shall issue" concealed and open carry of firearms legislation, with this caveat. First time applicants pay a one time fee of $250 for the license, either open or concealed carry, $500 for both. Based on 2006 census data and assuming a rather high applicant rate of 1 per 100 adults in Cali, the state could bring in anywhere from $67M up to $135M.Second year revenue would probably be less but still more income that the state is not getting now. Who knows, in a few years first time applicant revenue might even rise higher than the first year. As carrying of arms becomes viewed as more normal and more people participate, anything is possible. There would also be extra revenue in sales taxes on handguns (primary, backup and spares), holsters, ammo, carry licensing classes, cleaning gear, more holsters (does anyone own only one?), range fees, targets, reloading equipment, gunsmithery, concealed carry clothing, etc.

Hopefully, a cultural shift from legislatively viewing firearms as a bad thing to just a neutral thing would lead to repeal of the more onerous firearms bans. The state would benefit from increased sales of service rifles, standard capacity magazines, common handguns and all the paraphernalia that goes with them. There would be (I'm sure) the added monetary benefit of reduced crime. Even though it would be generally viewed by the lefties as statistically irrelevant or an anomaly. If reduced crime and mayhem were just viewed as an unintended consequence it would be a plus. I think it is possible.

This would also signal to California residents and the nation that real reform is possible in California. The state could join most of the rest of the nation in the 21st. century, viewing it's resident civilians as adults. Progressive used to mean progress, it could again. Even here.
● ● ●For an excellent explanation of how California got into this financial mess, check out this article California Declares a Fiscal Crisis! You Think? - by Victor Davis Hanson.

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