Basically a rubber stamp permit system then? You can say reason for wanting a gun is to blow away 50 people and they have to grant you the permit?
Nope. The requirements are pretty onerous. But those six or seven states essentially say "You can apply, but even after you've checked all the boxes, We The State (y'know, those gol-dang gummint workers everybody hates?) will decide, based on criteria you don't know and we will not explain, whether you are to be one of the privileged or not."
I actually agree with the decision. That level of arbitrariness shouldn't be allowed in government.
This is the list of conditions for Maryland, pretty typical of the "may issue" states. . .
1. 21 or older (18 to 21 if required for employment).
2. Fingerprints and photo.
3. No criminal convictions.
4. Not alcoholic or drug user. (You get a DUI or test positive for drugs, the permit gets pulled.)
5. No "propensity to violence," based on an investigation that starts with the employer and goes as deep as the permitting authority deems necessary.
6. Approved training course within the last 2 years.
7. Two-year permit term, renewable for 3 years at a time. Training needed for each renewal.
8. "Good and sufficient reason" in the opinion of the permitting authority for carrying a gun.
That last one is the only criterion affected by the decision. The waiting period is up to 90 days. And by the way, this is after a separate permit to purchase a handgun, very similar requirements.