Posted by Kromey at 3:31pm Sep 30 '11I wouldn't be surprised if most of you haven't heard of this one yet. It's not getting a whole heckuva lot of attention, really, except from the lobbyist groups directly attempting to affect it, and some back-page editorials from the usual suspects.
The short version of the bill is that it would require all states to recognize concealed carry permits (aka CCW) issued by other states, but still leave room for the individual states to restrict where guns can and cannot be carried, in much the same manner as all states must recognize driver's licenses issued by other states.
Currently, only 1 state (Illinois) outright forbids concealed carry (although there's a strong push within that state to change that); 8 states have discretionary permit systems, while 40 are shall-issue (i.e. the state is legally required to issue you your permit when you meet the requirements); of that last group, 3 (Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming) don't require a permit, but make one available for reciprocity purposes.
If you're keeping score at home, that's only 49 states -- that's because Vermont allows concealed carry, but does not (and never did) have a permit system.
For those who don't know, "reciprocity" (in this context) refers to one state recognizing the CCW permit of another; for example, Alaska's CCW permit is recognized as valid in Washington state, but is not recognized in California; meanwhile, Florida boasts the most broadly-recognized CCW permit (and as a result, is the most broadly-held permit), but even theirs doesn't cover the whole US. Figuring out which states do and don't recognize your permit -- sometimes requiring you to figure out who does and doesn't this year -- is a serious hassle for gun owners who travel frequently.
Enter H.R. 822. Just like federal law which allows you to drive in other states using your home state's driver's license, this bill would allow anyone with a CCW permit to carry in any other state -- subject, of course, to that state's own restrictions (I haven't read the wording of the law, but presumably this would include, for example, Illinois' restriction that you can't carry anywhere), which still makes it a big hassle, but at least now you don't have to worry about your permit being recognized in the first place.
I have mixed feelings on this one. On the one hand, the 2nd Amendment grants an individual the right to both keep and to bear arms, and I firmly believe states/cities that don't permit carry or make it unreasonably hard to be allowed access to your own rights are illegally trampling all over that. On the other hand, it tramples all over states' rights to govern themselves. That said, there is strong precedent for similar laws (driver's licenses), and there's ample constitutional basis for this one; I'm still not completely comfortable with it, though.
The short version of the bill is that it would require all states to recognize concealed carry permits (aka CCW) issued by other states, but still leave room for the individual states to restrict where guns can and cannot be carried, in much the same manner as all states must recognize driver's licenses issued by other states.
Currently, only 1 state (Illinois) outright forbids concealed carry (although there's a strong push within that state to change that); 8 states have discretionary permit systems, while 40 are shall-issue (i.e. the state is legally required to issue you your permit when you meet the requirements); of that last group, 3 (Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming) don't require a permit, but make one available for reciprocity purposes.
If you're keeping score at home, that's only 49 states -- that's because Vermont allows concealed carry, but does not (and never did) have a permit system.
For those who don't know, "reciprocity" (in this context) refers to one state recognizing the CCW permit of another; for example, Alaska's CCW permit is recognized as valid in Washington state, but is not recognized in California; meanwhile, Florida boasts the most broadly-recognized CCW permit (and as a result, is the most broadly-held permit), but even theirs doesn't cover the whole US. Figuring out which states do and don't recognize your permit -- sometimes requiring you to figure out who does and doesn't this year -- is a serious hassle for gun owners who travel frequently.
Enter H.R. 822. Just like federal law which allows you to drive in other states using your home state's driver's license, this bill would allow anyone with a CCW permit to carry in any other state -- subject, of course, to that state's own restrictions (I haven't read the wording of the law, but presumably this would include, for example, Illinois' restriction that you can't carry anywhere), which still makes it a big hassle, but at least now you don't have to worry about your permit being recognized in the first place.
I have mixed feelings on this one. On the one hand, the 2nd Amendment grants an individual the right to both keep and to bear arms, and I firmly believe states/cities that don't permit carry or make it unreasonably hard to be allowed access to your own rights are illegally trampling all over that. On the other hand, it tramples all over states' rights to govern themselves. That said, there is strong precedent for similar laws (driver's licenses), and there's ample constitutional basis for this one; I'm still not completely comfortable with it, though.
Link: Click Here
H.R. 822: The National Reciprocity Act - Kromey