I am a gun owner in the state of Virginia and I also have my conceiled weapon permit. I can tell you that 3 years ago when I obtained this permit, it was SOOOO very easy to get it. The course lasted only 3 hours, consisted of an OPEN BOOK test at the end, and you had to fill out an application for the permit-That was all there was to it.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my 2nd ammendment rights just as any other gun owner does. However, something has to be done because obtaining a gun for a felon, metal case, etc is way to easy these days.