Gun Permits for Life?

There is nothing wrong with owning a gun, but I always feel uneasy about people who carry the guns around with them. Before they had to renew their license every 4 years, now they can get a permit for life. From the Indianapolis Star:

Indiana is the first state in the nation to offer residents lifetime handgun permits under a new law that went into effect this month -- a move hailed by Second Amendment supporters and blasted by gun-control advocates.

The law, which also increases the cost of obtaining or renewing a four-year license, went on the books Saturday. The change is expected to bring in more money to the state and the Indiana State Police.

State Police Superintendent Paul Whitesell announced details of House Enrolled Act 1176 at a news conference Wednesday, saying the law will streamline the process to get a permit for law-abiding gun owners. His agency oversees the issuance of permits.

Residents do not need a permit to buy handguns or other firearms but must have one to carry or transport a pistol. State Police officials said Indiana has about 288,000 active handgun permits. Permits are good for four years, but now gun owners have the option of obtaining a lifetime permit instead.

I agree with this part of the article...

"I would presume the state legislature is going to do the same with driver's licenses and business licenses, because there is no reason anybody should have to go through the hassle of being checked out every four years," he said.

I don't get this at all. We renew licenses all the time for all sorts of things, and I think something as potentially dangerous as carrying a handgun should also have to go through the "hassle" of renewing a license. I still can't wrap my mind around that we are the FIRST state to do something like this... I mean with Daylight Saving we were supposed to fit in with everyone but now it is ok to be the lone state?