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Friday, August 18, 2017

Decentralize The Gun Laws

With a Republican in the White House, the anti-gun-control lobby smells a bit of blood in the water. Now is the time, they suggest, to pass national gun-licensing reciprocity laws forcing gun-restrictive states to recognize permits issued by gun-permissive states.

Writing in The Hill, Tim Schmidt sums it up:

It is time for there to be national reciprocity for concealed carry permits, instead of the patchwork of laws governing reciprocity that vary by state. Virginia, where the [recent shooting of Congressman Steve Scalise] happened, has reciprocity for some states’ concealed carry permits, but if members would have brought their guns back and forth from D.C., they would have been breaking the law. It should never be a crime to be responsibly prepared to defend yourself in any possible situation.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) have introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, which would allow legal gun owners and concealed carry permit holders nationwide to responsibly arm themselves no matter where they are.

The way this is phrased sounds nice and totally unobjectionable: this bill sounds like it's just saying people should be left alone.

The problem, however, is that the drive for mandated reciprocity is essentially a drive to increase federal involvement and federal control in the realm of gun policy.

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7 comments:

Concerned Retiree said...

Why should the Federal Government not get involved since it is a 2nd amendment right of the US constitution. States do not prosecute federal firearms laws and they want to violate my constitutional right. That is absurd. Give me my rights as a gun owner. They allow hate speech under the 1st amendment to riot and create disturbances. Why am I not to allow me as a legal law abiding gun owner carry it with me at all times without restrictions for self protection and family protection?

Anonymous said...

Oh...that's so cute that you still believe this is a free country.

Steve said...

1:37, the article makes a very true point. 2A only prevents Federal infringement. 10A places any powers beyond to the States, or the People. So, your right to carry has been infringed by your State, and that's who to take it up with. Giving the Feds the power to overrule the States over their infringement could likewise allow them to take that right away, preventing the People of having any redress to anyone. See?

So, it's Hogan and our beloved blue House & Senate to go after for our rights, other States must be left to rule themselves.

Anonymous said...

Maryland gun owners should demand that we be allowed to exercise our right to carry as it is guaranteed under the constitution of the United States !

Anonymous said...

Maryland is a leftist socialist state.

Anonymous said...

It's a step in the right direction. Hopefully, soon we can get rid of all gun laws, which are unconstitutional in my view.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps a class action suit against Maryland is in order since they are denying my rights !