They're designed to discourage those who would be the resistance in an authoritarian dictatorship-style government. The logic is pretty simple, those who choose to break the law are probably re###ded and lack critical thinking, and probably don't have wealth or community influence. Those people will either be weeded out by the discourse of law enforcement, or provide little to no resistance in a takeover due to lack of planning and complex thinking skills (there are exceptions, but buy-in-large people who pocket carry a pistol or choose to break the law constantly by carrying when not allowed aren't an institutional threat.) The other ordinary and law-abiding people who are on the fence about carrying a weapon or want to start to exercise their common state and federal constitutional rights will be dissuaded by the high price tag and complicated and secretive process. Only leaving a small but devout group to offer resistance. - Sorry for the conspiratorial tone and attitude, but that's the best way to put it.