Who should be given a carry permit?  Survey of police in a may-issue state.

For public safety, whom would you like to decide who can legally carry a concealed firearm–a federal computer or your local police chief?  We conducted a survey of police chiefs in a “may-issue” state, one of the few where the local police chief still has discretion concerning the issuance of a permit.  The median annual number of permits denied for discretionary reasons by the local police chief was 2.  A common reason for discretionary denial was frequent 911 calls to the residence for domestic violence and alcohol abuse.   Even though such individuals had never been convicted of a felony, the chiefs believed the public was better served if he was not carrying a firearm.   Hemenway D, Hicks JG. May issue gun carrying laws and police discretion: Some evidence from Massachusetts. Journal of Public Health Policy. (available on line).