Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania, Mr. MILLER of Florida, Mr. MARCHANT, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. WESTMORELAND, Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida, Mrs. CUBIN, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. HAYES, Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey, Mr. CANNON, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. WAMP, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. HENSARLING, Mr. DEAL of Georgia, Mr. GINGREY, Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, Mr. KELLER of Florida, Mr. ADERHOLT, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. CAMP of Michigan, Mr. REHBERG, Mrs. MILLER of Michigan, Mr. MOLLOHAN, and Mr. SALI)I noticed Representative Trent Franks is a cosponsor which I am personally happy about & plan to send him a note of thanks. If passed & signed into law it would take us one step closer to removing unconstitutional restrictions on the 2nd Amendment protected right to bear arms. Currently California does not recognize Concealed Carry permits from any other States, and does not even permit non residents to apply. If passed this bill would force States like California (and others like it) to recognize permits issued by all other States. I would finally be able to drive through California & still be "allowed" to protect my family & myself from the criminals who love to prey on unarmed tourists.
I personally believe that the natural right to bear arms should not even require a concealed carry permit anywhere (the 2nd Amendment IS my permit - it says "the right of the PEOPLE to keep & BEAR arms shall not be infringed" after all), but this will at least be a step towards removing existing unconstitutional State & Local restrictions on bearing arms. I don't think we yet have enough support in our Legislature to pass an Act that simply points out that concealed carry is lawful in all States and no permit is required - all laws that infringe concealed carry are unconstitutional. We might eventually get that ruling out of our Court system but that will take time if it happens at all. I urge everyone to contact your US House Representative & ask them to support HR 5782.
Full text of proposed bill HR 5782:
A BILLThere is also a news article about this Bill with the headline "Bill Forces States to Accept Concealed Gun Permits"
To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to provide for reciprocity in regard to the manner in which nonresidents of a State may carry certain concealed firearms in that State.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2008'.
SEC. 2. RECIPROCITY FOR THE CARRYING OF CERTAIN CONCEALED FIREARMS.
(a) In General- Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 926C the following:
`Sec. 926D. Reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms
`Notwithstanding any provision of the law of any State or political subdivision thereof:
`(1) A person who is not prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm, and is carrying a valid license or permit which is issued pursuant to the law of any State and which permits the person to carry a concealed firearm, may carry in any State a concealed firearm in accordance with the terms of the license or permit, subject to the laws of the State in which the firearm is carried concerning specific types of locations in which firearms may not be carried.
`(2) A person who is not prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm, and is otherwise than as described in paragraph (1) entitled to carry a concealed firearm in and pursuant to the law of the State in which the person resides, may carry in any State a concealed firearm in accordance with the laws of the State in which the person resides, subject to the laws of the State in which the firearm is carried concerning specific types of locations in which firearms may not be carried.'.
(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 926C the following:
`926D. Reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms.'.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by this Act shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Update 1: The Media loves to call legal concealed carry "Packing Heat." I don't know about you, but my gun only gets hot when I shoot it, and even then, it's only the barrel & slide that get hot, so I'm not sure why they like to call carrying a weapon for self defense "Packing Heat." Perhaps it is part of an effort to make concealed permit holders sound more dangerous since it is a slang term primarily used by criminals & gang members. Last I checked not many criminals bother to get a CCW permit to make it legal for them to carry their stolen gun, but maybe it's just me.
Update 2: Thune Vitter Amendment - only missed National Reciprocity by a margin of 2 votes!
This bill was a long time coming, and even though it was defeated. I have it on good authority that it will be re-introduced in the near future.
ReplyDeleteGood things are going on in Montana, Texas, and a couple of other states regarding states rights, which is closely tied to a National Concealed Carry Reciprocity act.
There are a large number of Attorney Generals who are on board, looking to shoot down (excuse the pun) the abuse of the interstate commerce act.
The current administration is in the process of making more enemies than friends. I for one encourage my elected officials to push for a re-introduction of HR 5782, of course under a different number. We were close.
I think they are beginning to understand that this country is not "Anti-Gun".
Nuff Said!
Scott J. Williams
http://blackdragonpersonalprotection.com/
Well said. We almost got National Reciprocity with the Thune-Vitter Amendment but missed it by a 2 vote margin. We keep getting closer to our goal. Perhaps the next attempt will reach reach it.
ReplyDelete