You’re talking about a concealed carry permitting law, not a law on gun ownership. It’s no surprise that under a May-Issue system, sheriffs in rural counties would issue more permits than sheriffs in urban areas who have more crime to deal with. There’s also more demand in rural areas for permits because guns are more popular.

There’s nothing sinister in that whatsoever.

The question you seem to be trying to raise is, should federal authorities be given discretion under a national licensing & registration system to deny permits to people who have violent history, but who might be able to pass an instant computer check.

The answer would be yes de facto because an L&R system would involve more investigation than the instant computer check. The instant check would be just one element of the screening.

But the basis for denial should rest on history of violence regardless of how you check folks.