Nationwide CCW reciprocity proposal

[71Commander]

Rep. Hostettler to Introduce Concealed Carry Bill this Week
-- Please urge your Rep. to cosponsor his bill

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org

Tuesday, March 8, 2005


Rep. John Hostettler (R-IN) will soon be reintroducing his national
reciprocity bill that protects the right of citizens to carry their
firearms into other states.

Hostettler's language has a huge advantage over other
reciprocity-type bills in that it does not punish states for being
too pro-gun. His bill would not penalize citizens from states like
Alaska and Vermont, because his proposal doesn't require a citizen to
first get a permit to enjoy reciprocity in another state.

Most carry bills in Congress seek to establish reciprocity ONLY
between gun control states. These bills force people to jump through
officially-mandated hurdles and get carry permits before they can
carry firearms into neighboring states.

But now that more and more states are debating whether to adopt
Alaska/Vermont style carry laws, it is important that the federal
government NOT penalize citizens from those states.

Rep. Hostettler's bill, known as the Secure Access to Firearms
Enhancement (SAFE) Act, is just what America needs. His draft would
allow law-abiding citizens who can legally carry in their home state
-- even without a permit -- to carry all across the country.

And, of course, for those gun owners who already HAVE concealed carry
permits, the SAFE Act will provide complete nationwide reciprocity.

ACTION: Please ask your Representative to cosponsor Rep. Hostettler's
concealed carry bill, the Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement
(SAFE) Act of 2005. This bill -- which will probably be introduced
on Thursday, so it doesn't yet have a bill number! -- will guarantee
Americans the ability to carry firearms from one state into the next.

You can visit the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at
http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send your Representative a
pre-written e-mail message.

------ Pre-written message ------

Dear Representative:

I hope that you will become an original cosponsor of Rep.
Hostettler's concealed carry bill, the Secure Access to Firearms
Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2005.

Murder rates have been falling across the country in recent years, as
more and more states are making it easier for law-abiding citizens to
carry firearms.

This should come as no surprise since studies show that guns in good
people's hands are a deterrent to criminals and, ultimately, save
lives.

There are now more than 35 states which make it relatively easy for
their citizens to carry firearms. In so doing, these states are
putting criminals on notice that they face repercussions from honest
civilians.

Let's be honest. No concealed carry law has ever gotten criminals to
seek the government's permission to carry. As always, gun control
only burdens the good guys, not the crooks.

The Hostettler bill will allow citizens who are authorized to carry
in their home states to travel safely into other states. We
desperately need a law like this, since the right to keep and bear
arms should not end at one's state border.

Again, I urge you to cosponsor the Hostettler carry bill. Please let
me know what you intend to do. Thank you.

Sincerely,


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[nico]

Sounds like a good bill, but I'd prefer national CCW, not just reciprocity.

 

[Gray Peterson]

Reciprocity is good. This is a great bill that goes further along Article 4, Section 1 of the constitution.

 

[big inch]

Sounds like a good bill, but I'd prefer national CCW, not just reciprocity.

I agree, but this bill would be a good start toward that goal.

 

[Hypnogator]

Count on my support!

Of course, I already have a nationwide CW permit, so it doesn't affect me personally, but I'm always willing to support the rights of all law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons wherever they believe it necessary.

Some of us continue to support the rights of all, even though a significant minority of members didn't support the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act of 2004.

 

[skynyrd1911]

I've just contacted my senators and representatives on these issues. Please jump in on this.

 

[Bear Gulch]

Time to hammer the politicians!
HITTIT!

 

[fjolnirsson]

Ye fricken haw!
This will cause no end of trouble for places like CA. Anything that would cause Feinstein gray hair, I am in favor of....

 

[The Rabbi]

Sounds like a good bill, but I'd prefer national CCW, not just reciprocity.

What would be the advantage of national CCW over reciprocity? If this bill is passed anyone in a "decent" state (like TN) could carry anywhere. When you get national reciprocity then the most stringent requirements will become the norm. Imagine Ted Kennedy putting his 'drothers into an act like that.

I agree this is only what the Constitution intended. My marriage license came from PA and yet is valid here. My driver's license came from TN and is valid anywhere. Why should my CCW be any different?

 

[giancarlo]

I prefer Vermont style in every state and city. That would be abiding by the Bill of Rights.

 

[The Rabbi]

I prefer Vermont style in every state and city. That would be abiding by the Bill of Rights.

Clearly you've never been to Memphis. The notion of any yayhoo in the world carrying a gun scares me. That has nothing to do with the BOR anyway, despite what you might read on this forum.

 

[nico]

What would be the advantage of national CCW over reciprocity? If this bill is passed anyone in a "decent" state (like TN) could carry anywhere.

national CCW would deny states the ability to pick and choose who can carry concealed. It'd turn every state into a shall issue state regardless of what the local politicians think. There of plenty of people who don't live in "decent" states who want CCW.

 

[giancarlo]

I've read the BOR myself, and I've also read other comments from the Founding Fathers on ordinary citizens carrying firearms. Has nothing to do with comments from others on this board. The BOR gives us the right to carry arms, period. No licenses, no permits.

 

[nico]

The BOR gives us the right to carry arms, period. No licenses, no permits

That may be true, but walk down a major city street with an AR in your arms, a 1911 on your hip, and a copy of the BOR in your back pocket and see how far it gets you.

 

[MacViolinist]

Clearly you've never been to Memphis. The notion of any yayhoo in the world carrying a gun scares me. That has nothing to do with the BOR anyway, despite what you might read on this forum.

No offense intended, Rabbi, but every yahoo in the world who wants is already carrying concealed.

The only thing anyone is talking about is making it legal for the law-abiding-non-yahoos to compete with the criminals.

 

[Warren]

Would this not be de facto nationwide CCW?

I've not heard that Utah or Florida will not issue non-res permits to people in anti-gun areas.

So a resident of NYC or Chicago or San Fran gets a non-res and he would be good to go everywhere.

I don't like the idea of permits, licences etc myself but this is a huge step down the path of goodness and joy.

The reason this is being put forth is that CCW has been an overwhelimg success. The numbers of revoked CCWs are small as are the number of accidents AND people have been stopping crimes.

If this passes it will be another hammer-blow to gun control as CCW will continue to be a non-problem and that, hopefully, will lead to unpermitted (Vermont) carry everywhere.

Which when that is shown to be a non-problem will lead to (and yes I know I'm reaching) to a repeal of all the laws that hinder the free exercise of or birth-rights.

It may be time to tell the hogs to go on a diet.

 

[enfield]

It's a huge step down the path to Federalism, i.e. Big Government. Congress has no power to write gun laws for the states.

 

[The Rabbi]

No offense intended, Rabbi, but every yahoo in the world who wants is already carrying concealed.

If that were so then people would never get denied at gun stores from a NICS check. You are right, a determined person will get one. But there are plenty of less than determined people who shouldnt have a gun and are successfully blocked from having one by current laws.

national CCW would deny states the ability to pick and choose who can carry concealed. It'd turn every state into a shall issue state regardless of what the local politicians think. There of plenty of people who don't live in "decent" states who want CCW

While I appreciate the effect of nationwide CCW I agree with those who argue that it is a federal intrusion into state issues. People in those states who want CCW need to lobby their elected critters or else move. This cuts across a lot of issues. Basically I think the political process needs to play out on all of these.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

While I appreciate the effect of nationwide CCW I agree with those who argue that it is a federal intrusion into state issues.

I agree with this statement. I do not think it is a good idea for the federal government to get involved in state CCW laws.

While this legislation seems good on the surface, it will undoubtedly lead to the federal government subsequently wanting to establishing uniform CCW permit guidelines, and telling states who can and cannot be permitted.

I just think we are better off letting states decide what to do, so I am not going to jump on the bandwagon of support.

 

[Nitram68]

How would the Feds help fund the state's CCW laws? That's the understanding I have, no federal law without funding it... more police? backbground checks?

 

[The Rabbi]

I'm not sure thats accurate. There is a whole issue over federal mandates to states and whether the mandate comes with a responsibility to fund it as well. My recollection is that presently there is no requirement to fund the mandate, which is why Medicare (or Tenncare here) is such a mess.

 

[deej]

Rep. Hostettler's bill, known as the Secure Access to Firearms
Enhancement (SAFE) Act, is just what America needs. His draft would
allow law-abiding citizens who can legally carry in their home state
-- even without a permit -- to carry all across the country.

As I understand this, (WARNING: hypothetical approaching) if I have a Florida CCW, and the person standing next to me is a Florida resident also with a Florida CCW, they would be allowed to legally carry in California but I wouldn't.

Interesting...

 

[Aguila Blanca]

national CCW would deny states the ability to pick and choose who can carry concealed. It'd turn every state into a shall issue state regardless of what the local politicians think. There of plenty of people who don't live in "decent" states who want CCW.

National CCW transfers the power to discriminate in licensure from the individual states to the national government ... and the Constitution does not grant that right to the national government. National CCW is NOT the answer. Full faith and credit is the answer.

 

[s&w 24]

point A) sounds Like a good bill to support

point B) If all your going to do is be a whiner P*SS OFF and let the people that are willing to do something get it done!

 

[Phoenix_III]

Or as anyone who actually can read the BOR in the context and with the words and their intended definitions from which it was written, any licensing or denial of CW or CCW is illegal and a violation of rights. The states (NJ, CA, etc) have no RIGHT TO DENY a citizen of these rights. Now is the Feds job to come in and say you may not deny a citizen of these rights by issuing a national CCW? Make some sort of federal decree?

Also, what did the Founding Fathers think about criminals, mentally ill, or others who the majority would deem uncapable of handling a firearm in public?

Just a thought.