press1280

One of the big stumbling blocks with the "may issue," states is the so called,"letter of need." Do away with that and you have shall issue in all states except IL,WI, and DC.
If someone can take a case up high enough and a Fed court rule the system of may issue is inherently unfair(and unconstitutional), this would at least keep it on the state level, although not perfect, probably better than a Fed-issued permit which could be snatched back at any time.

__________________
And if the cabin door of the freedman is broken open and the intruder enters for purposes as vile as were known to slavery, then should a well-loaded musket be in the hand of the occupant to send the polluted wretch to another world, where his wretchedness will forever remain complete

kohburn

yes! - that would fix MD
sad that as a MD resident I can have a Utah permit and be trusted to carry in 30-some states, but not my own.

Hopyard

We are a nation with more than 300 million people; all with many conflicting interests and ideas of what is right, wrong, and in-between. Government is the only thing that stands between us and anarchy and chaos.

Yup, I have a libertarian streak in me too. And I actually have changed my mind recently and decided that I sort of like Bob Barr, but I do think there is plenty of necessary law and rule making to keep us from descending into social chaos. The tensions between state and fed, the three branches, were deliberately designed, and somehow they have kept us together as a nation.

Congress has already made it possible for retired police officers to carry from one state to another, regardless of local law. If Congress has that authority, they also have the authority to provide for national CCW, or national reciprocity---especially since there is already a 2A right---All they would be doing is legislating in support of that right.

We can argue all day long as to whether or not Congress really does have that authority or should have that authority, but so far as I know, I've not heard of a retired cop being arrested, and the arresting State going into court to argue that the Federal law is inapplicable. (And that ain't going to happen.)

Government, contrary to what many believe, is not our enemy. It may be an awkward and clumsy partner in our life, but it is not our enemy.

LongRider

Drawbacks? It is a violation of the US Constitution therefore illegal. As is any law that requires permit, certification, registration, authorization, license to exercise a God given right protected by the Constitution. If we need any National Law it would be one that says the no local state or federal government shall require any adult sane American Citizen to obtain permission certification, registration, authorization, or license to exercise their second Amendment right. Effectively repealing all gun control laws.
Good points, none

__________________
Those who would, deny, require permit, license, certification, or authorization for me to bear arms are as dangerous & evil as those who would molest, abuse, assault, rape or murder my family

250,000 dead from chemical warfare in mass graves is not evidence of WMD

gextyr

Actually, there is already a bill that does this, and it has 96 co-sponsors in the House, and 31 co-sponsors in the Senate (SB338).

Has your congressman signed on? If not, you might want to ask 'em.

I just asked my Representative. His counsel replied that he supports the law, but apparently forgot to sign on as a co-sponsor.

Right now the law is pretty much dead in the Judiciary Committee in the House (probably the same situation in the Senate.) Might be a good idea to ask your representative why they haven't pushed for more action.

tns0038

KevinDooley

I agree that it's not our enemy... I just think it should be as minimal and transparent as possible... I don't need a smoking ban to outlaw smoking in restaurants... if people don't want to eat at a smokey restaurant, they won't, it'll go out of business and the non-smokey ones won't... Same thing with my 2A rights... I don't need the government to legislate the crap out of something they've already told me they uphold... they just need to get out of the way and let me exercise the right already.

That's why I think this law is a good idea, but in an ideal world would be completely unnecessary.

__________________
The gunshot holds no fear...the bullet always tells the truth.

torontogunguy

It is difficult to argue your point, however, I for one feel much better knowing that felons and whackos cannot carry a weapon, concealed or otherwise, legally.

Having said that, the same essentially holds true for D/L's - rack up enough demerits and you lose your license. Blind? Prone to seizures? You won't get a D/L either. Makes common sense.

National reciprocity makes good sense as well - in fact, in view of the 2A decision(s) recently handed down, I might not be terribly opposed, as are some, to a national CCW license, as long as it was fair and entrenched. Nontheless, a reciprocity law for CCW would be well received, with the Feds setting some sort of minimal requirement, as they do, for instance, in the case of LEUP's (Low Explosive User Permits) which are required for hobby rocketry.

I just want to be able to carry without having to worry, as I drive from state to state, exactly where I am at any given moment and whether or not I am legal at any give moment. It is a pain for anyone that does any travelling.

gextyr

Regardless of whether or not it is the "best" law (which is generally no law), I think its still a good idea to pass this one. The easier we can make lawful concealed carry nationwide, the more common it will become. That will benefit society as a whole, as well as public opinion on gun rights.

Currently, the bill in the House (HR861) has 96 Co-Sponsors. Personally, I'm trying to get that up number up to 97. The bill in the Senate (S338) has 31 Co-sponsors, including one of my Senators. Still, there are 339 other Representatives and 69 Senators out there who either don't know about the bill, don't like the bill, or don't understand the bill. Get the word out, and voice your support. The bill is languishing in the Judiciary committee of both houses because there aren't enough members of those committees willing to discuss it! Is your representative on the Judiciary committee? Have you called him yet? Have you written him a letter telling him that unless he supports this bill he will be losing important pro-gun votes?

Complaining that it is an imperfect law will only result in nothing getting passed.

LongRider

More to the point states do not have the right to override the Constitution. All gun control laws by definition violate the Constitution. State sovereignty does not over ride the Constitution

Enemies by definition need to destroyed exterminated or otherwise eliminated so you are right. Enemy is a bit strong rather government is a necessary evil. Evil is the correct operative word. Like rats, government needs to be kept in check and under control lest we be over run by political and bureaucratic rodents

Most all states gun control laws are in violation of the US Constitution and in most cases their own State Constitution. Any law that requires certification, qualification, registration or other wise requires permit i.e. permission to exercise a God given right is infringing upon that right
Reciprocity exists within the Constitution simply abolish any law that infringes on any American citizen right to bear arms

Of course it is hard to argue against something that is right. My argument is the same as our fore fathers, they were way smarter than me

Why? Is it the weapon or what they do with the weapon that is the problem? We can not, should not enact laws infringing upon our liberties so that a few may "feel" better. Do you know of any gun control law, policy or procedure that has ever kept a gun out of a determined felons or whack jobs hands? There isn't any. Not one single gun control law has ever effectively kept a gun out of a felons or whackos hands. Not once, not ever. What those laws have done is get innocent men woman and children rapped robbed and murdered. Gun control laws all gun control laws aid felons by rendering their victims defenseless. We have laws against abusing guns those laws need to be strengthened and enforced. For all I care let felons have guns they too have a God* given right to defend their lives as pathetic as those lives may be. Increase the penalty for crimes committed with weapons, create non negotiable mandatory minimum sentences for crimes committed with weapons. Strengthen "Castle Doctrine" laws. Punish the criminal not the citizen. Preemptive laws are unconstitutional we can't penalize people for what they might do. We all know that gun control laws have zero effect on keeping guns out of the hands of the insane and criminals. Do those ineffective laws really make you feel better? Even though people are being killed because of them? Is feeling better worth people being butchered?

I have a pet peeve with this analogy sorry not meant to insult you just identifying my pet peeve here. It is one the Brady Bunch uses, Driving is NOT a God* given right. God* did not give anyone the right to drive. Driving is a privilege not a right. God* DID give us life and the right to defend that life. Our Constitution does not uphold the right to drive or have a means of transportation. The Constitution DOES protect our right to live and our right to defend our lives. On the rest I will agree with you, as it agrees with what I just said penalize the misdeed. Punish those who abuse their right to bear arms. I am all for revoking the right to suck air from those whose abuse of guns or any weapon takes the life of another. I'm even up for tit for tat corporal punishment for crimes that harm others i.e. an eye for an eye and arm for an arm. But I will always be opposed to restricting the rights of anyone because of what they might do. Especially when the restriction has proven to aid in the injury and death of the very people it claims to protect

There already is national reciprocity its called the Constitution. Simply abolish all unconstitutional gun control laws that require any sort of permit qualification registration or certification. Why don't we use what is proven to work why not go with what Vermont has proven reduces violent crime. No gun control nation wide

* God or Natural Law which ever works with your set of beliefs.

__________________
Those who would, deny, require permit, license, certification, or authorization for me to bear arms are as dangerous & evil as those who would molest, abuse, assault, rape or murder my family

250,000 dead from chemical warfare in mass graves is not evidence of WMD