Bill aims to honor concealed weapons permits nationwide

[Bree]

Originally Posted by JrBiem691

How would that affect me over here in WI, being 1 of only 2 states in the whole country where it is 100% illegal to carry a concealed weapon as a civilian? Can't each state make their laws stricter than the federal laws, and still keep it illegal here?

If Congress wants to have a true national Concealed Carry license they can do it and there is very little the states can do except b*tch and moan. And you would be a big winner.

[longtalltechsan]

Originally Posted by Ishpeck

The more I think about this idea, the less I like it. Federally-imposed reciprocity is just not good.

If this was a law stating that Federal land/buildings were supposed to honor local state gun laws, that would be awesome. If it was a federal Concealed Carry program which was separate from the states, I might not hate it as much (but I would still hate it).

But the whole idea of making states honor the CCW permits of other states is just not good.

Nobody in Commie-State Massachusetts should be forced to live under the laws of a legislature they did not elect -- like mine here in Utah.

We need something more than Congressional bullying to fix our gun problems -- that goes both ways. We can't have Congress impose NYC's stupid laws on anybody else and we should likewise not allow Congress to force NYC to obey decent states' laws.

National reciprocity is a bad idea.

I agree 100% with what you are saying here. In this one case, it could benefit all of us immensely, but this could pave the way for restrictions that would take away more rights.

[cid_ayrbourne]

The only way I really see this as acceptable, is to abolish out-of-state licensing, and then enforce national acceptance of a vlaid CCW license from the state of origin of the carrier.

For example, a Floridian in California would be legally granted the ability to carry while holding a legal FL driver's license showing residency in FL and a legal FL issued CCW license.

It would be an extention of the Federal Peacable Travel laws. And even then, there are a number of loop-holes which make this questionable.

[Small Arms]

Originally Posted by Bree

That depends upon just how far Congress wants the legislation to extend. They can make the scope as broad as they wish and let the states go to the Supreme Court to assert their state's rights. In the meantime, the Fed still pre-empts local law until proven otherwise.

The legislation has already been introduced in Congress, and the language of the bill makes it QUITE clear that the concealed carrier will be subject to the laws of the individual STATE, regarding restricted areas:

HR 5782---Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2008

"(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."

Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

[JrBiem691]

Originally Posted by Bree

If Congress wants to have a true national Concealed Carry license they can do it and there is very little the states can do except b*tch and moan. And you would be a big winner.

I would love to be a big winner in this because I would love to be able to carry! Now logically speaking, what would you say the liklihood that something like this will actually pass would be? A snowballs shot in hell?

[Small Arms]

Originally Posted by JrBiem691

I would love to be a big winner in this because I would love to be able to carry! Now logically speaking, what would you say the liklihood that something like this will actually pass would be? A snowballs shot in hell?

If somebody would've tried to tell me thirty years ago that by the early 21st century, we'd have concealed carry laws in effect in all but 2 states of the Union, I probably would've told them they're daft.

But here we are thirty years later, and they would now be telling me "I told you so."

A number of states have also enacted "Castle Doctrine" laws, another positive step that would've been hard to even imagine thirty years ago.

Never underestimate the power of concerted political action, and never say never.

[Bree]

Originally Posted by JrBiem691

I would love to be a big winner in this because I would love to be able to carry! Now logically speaking, what would you say the liklihood that something like this will actually pass would be? A snowballs shot in hell?

I would say don't hold your breath. If it didn't happen with a full Republican Congress and administration it sure won't happen with a Democratic Congress. It is a nice dream like winning the lotto.

[hacker15]

Originally Posted by Bree

I would say don't hold your breath. If it didn't happen with a full Republican Congress and administration it sure won't happen with a Democratic Congress. It is a nice dream like winning the lotto.

Sad to say - you're correct. This bill has 'ZERO' chance of passage with the current mindset of congress. It's a shame that we have universal acceptance of an out-of-state drivers license, but no acceptance (at least here in NY) of an out-of-state CCP or CCL.........and (of course, no other state will accept the CCP from NY. All I can say is, "THANK GOD FOR HR 218"!!!!!

[Bree]

Originally Posted by hacker15

Sad to say - you're correct. This bill has 'ZERO' chance of passage with the current mindset of congress. It's a shame that we have universal acceptance of an out-of-state drivers license, but no acceptance (at least here in NY) of an out-of-state CCP or CCL.........and (of course, no other state will accept the CCP from NY. All I can say is, "THANK GOD FOR HR 218"!!!!!

Yeah... the NY big wigs have armed body guards but the rest of us can go pound sand.

[polaris]

That would be awesome. I often go into another state to see family. It would be cool to not have to leave the pistol at home. I also cross the border sometimes for Dinner or a fast shopping trip. That would mean no more ditching the gun somewhere in the truck.