Furthermore, vehicles are licensed with the idea that people are going to drive them in public, at dangerous speeds, in close proximity to other vehicles that a

Furthermore, vehicles are licensed with the idea that people are going to drive them in public, at dangerous speeds, in close proximity to other vehicles that are also in motion. Guns are carried/licensed with the idea that people are not going to use them in public, except in emergency situations. The law in most places doesn't treat prohibitions as categorical imperatives. If I'm going to be attacked unless I flee on a motorcycle, good luck finding a jury anywhere that will convict me for riding a bike without a motorcycle license. And yet, carrying a gun, without a license, solely so that you can attempt to defend yourself in an emergency situation, will generally get you prosecuted in all but the most gun-tolerant areas[1] if you get caught or if you have to use it... prosecuted for not having a carry permit. (Ignoring unlicensed open carry -- which is legal in a few more places than unlicensed concealed carry is -- because, although I don't want open carry banned, I think it's tactically unsound.) [1] Vermont, Alaska, Arizona so far allow unlicensed concealed carry, and in a few other places the DAs might choose not to prosecute you, but most DAs would at least try to prosecute.