Posted on 07/14/2006 4:33:25 AM PDT by Jaxter
I recently sent an email message to Senator George Allen (R-VA) regarding S.3275, the legislation he sponsored that would force all 50 states and the District of Coulubia to recognize concealed carry permits from all other states. I basically requested that he not let this bill die in committee. Here's his response..
Dear Jaxter:
Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 3275, the Right to Carry Reciprocity Act. I appreciate your input and value the opportunity to respond.
On May 26, 2006, I introduced with bi-partisan support S. 3275, the Right to Carry Reciprocity Act. This bill, which currently has 21 cosponsors, would allow any person with a valid State concealed carry permit or license to carry a concealed firearm in any other State subject to the laws of that State. The bill would simply require States to recognize each other’s concealed carry permits and licenses, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses.
I want to be clear, this legislation will not create a federal licensing system and it does not set federal standards for any current or future State concealed carry statutes. This legislation will not take away one bit of freedom that so many have worked so hard for.
A unique aspect of this legislation is that it will allow an individual with a valid State permit to carry a concealed firearm in the District of Columbia. Despite the District of Columbia’s ban on firearms, murders with guns continue to be a major problem plaguing our nation’s capital. Thousands of Virginians and Americans travel to Washington, D.C. each year and they have a right to feel safe and to defend themselves should they be assaulted. Other conceal carry reciprocity bills introduced in Congress do not allow this and maintain the status quo of restricting the Second Amendment rights of law abiding Americans.
The Right-to-Carry movement has enjoyed great success throughout our nation. To cite just one example, the murder rate in my Commonwealth of Virginia, has plunged a dramatic 40 percent since the Right-to-Carry law that I signed as Governor.
This is common-sense legislation. It recognizes that Congress has affirmed an individual’s right to carry firearms for “protective purposes.”
Please feel free to contact me again about issues important to you. If you would like to receive an email newsletter about my initiatives to improve America, please sign up on my website (http://allen.senate.gov). It is an honor to serve you in the United States Senate, and I look forward to working with you to make Virginia and America a better place to live, learn, work and raise a family.
With warm regards, I remain
Sincerely,
Senator George Allen
You can find this bill with a list of co-sponsors on Senator Allen's website (http://allen.senate.gov/). Go to Legislative Office > Sponsored Legislation and search for S.3275. There is also a link to the House version of this bill, H.R.4547. If any of you are interested in the right to self defense I would recommend you write you Senators and Congressmen and ask them to support these bills and get a vote before the election this November.
His response doesn't say anything.
I'm sure it's a standard response. My purpose in posting it was that it explains exactly what the bill is and to try to get people to contact their congress people about it. I'm a little sick and tired of traveling around the country with my handgun locked up in one place and my ammunition in another simply because of not being sure what the laws are in the state I happen to be in at that time.
This is proof that Allen is 100% behind the Second Amendment. This does not curtail rights, it reinforces them.
"would allow any person with a valid State concealed carry permit or license to carry a concealed firearm in any other State subject to the laws of that State."
means that this would allow concealed carry in every state except Wisconsin and Illinois. All others allow citizens to carry concealed.
They never do. Most politicians will dance around an issue with out telling you anything on how they stand.
I know George Allen, and can attest to him being Pro 2A. The letter was probably sent out by a lackey.
If you go to the site and read the text of the bill it reads in part:
`(2) NO LICENSES BY STATE- Except to the extent expressly permitted by State law, if another State does not issue licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms, a person may not carry a concealed firearm in that State under this section--
`(A) in a police station;
`(B) in a public detention facility;
`(C) in a courthouse;
`(D) in a public polling place;
`(E) at a meeting of a State, county, or municipal governing body;
`(F) in a school;
`(G) at a professional or school athletic event not related to firearms;
`(H) in a portion of an establishment licensed by that State to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises; or
`(I) inside the sterile or passenger area of an airport.'.
Unless I'm reading it wrong (which is a distinct possibility) these restrictions will apply. Other than that you're good to go. He specifically mentions D.C. which has the most restrictive gun laws in the country.
If you mean that you know him personally then please contact him and ask that he not let this bill die. Even if you meant that you just know him by reputation still contact him. I'm not a Virginian but I've heard rumors to the effect that he may be interested in higher office. Getting this bill passed would certainly gain him a few votes from some of us conservative gun nuts. It's important that this bill pass this year as there may not be another chance.
I know him personally, but I haven't been able to get in touch with him in the last few weeks, as soon as I can I will talk to him about this. It is already high on my list of things to do.
You are right about the higher office thing. He hasn't come right out and said it, but he sure acts like he wants the White House, and I for one aim to see that he gets a good run at it.
Thanks! If he would get this passed, that alone would be enough for him to get my vote. He seem like a good guy and I actually met his father once in Korea when he was on a USO tour with several NFL players in (IIRC) 1973.
I'd dearly love to see this legislation passed myself. Lack of reciprocity, let alone recognition, of Concealed Carry has kept me from visiting some places I'd like to go, but not go unarmed.
The next president of the United States.
If you are serious, I am going to have to go lie down because I am stunned that we finally agree on something.
Dang.....fell out of my chair. Glad to hear you are not one of those Giuliani liberals.
Well, better get settled, because I tend to agree with that as well, barring a GOP crack-up. Allen is the only one I've seen so far that remotely resembles presidential material.
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