I was in a similar situation as Larry.....at the time, MI basically only granted CCWs to specific people: law enforcement or those whose jobs required that they carry a lot of cash, go into dangerous areas, ect. They had a "hunting and target" permit, so I asked what that was for, and the powers that be stated "for hunting and target"
(remember: this was back in the pre internet days).
So I called the local sheriff's dept, Michigan state police, and the police of the city I lived in at the time. One said I didn't need it, one said I absolutely had to have it, and another said that it depends........
So I got the thing, just to be on the safe side. As far as being "permitted' to legally carry: I think it's important to remember that there are a lot of
really stupid people out there. I've always maintained that there should be more to hunter safety than what there is, and after seeing a guy try and put shells in a pump shotgun
backwards I certainly haven't changed my mind.
I think a permit system is not a bad idea in that A.) it requires the permit holder to take a class not only on safe gun handling, but what the LAW allows them to do and not do, and that can end up saving tax payers in the long run. B.) While issuance of a permit, in and of itself, doesn't negate criminal activity, I would think that if a LEO stopped someone for a traffic violation, and new ahead of time that said individual might be carrying (via computer), and the said individual stated immediately on contact with the LEO that he did, in fact, have a concealed pistol on him, that it might put said LEO at ease a bit that he was dealing with a decent, law abiding citizen.
Just thoughts off the top of my head.