·11250 Waples Mill Road · Fairfax, Virginia 22030 ·800-392-8683
Posted on 01/29/2007 8:08:50 AM PST by neverdem
| The Stearns/Boucher Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Bill |
|
H.R. 226, introduced by U.S. Representatives Cliff Stearns’ (R-Fla.) and Rich Boucher (D-Va.), would allow any person with a valid concealed firearm carrying permit or license, issued by a state, to carry a concealed firearm in any state, as follows: In states that issue concealed firearm permits, a state’s laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within its borders. In states that do not issue carry permits, a federal "bright-line" standard would permit carrying in places other than police stations; courthouses; public polling places; meetings of state, county, or municipal governing bodies; schools; passenger areas of airports; and certain other locations. The bill applies to D.C., Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. It would not create a federal licensing system; it would require the states to recognize each others’ carry permits, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards. Rep. Stearns has introduced such legislation since 1995. • Today, 48 states have laws permitting concealed carry, in some circumstances. Forty states, accounting for two-thirds of the U.S. population, have RTC laws. Thirty-six have "shall issue" permit laws (including Alaska, which also allows carrying without a permit), three have fairly administered "discretionary issue" permit laws, and Vermont (and Alaska) allow carrying without a permit. (Eight states have restrictive discretionary issue laws.) Most RTC states have adopted their laws in the last decade. • Citizens with carry permits are more law-abiding than the general public. Only 0.01% of nearly 1.2 million permits issued by Florida have been revoked because of firearm crimes by permit holders. Similarly low percentages of permits have been revoked in Texas, Virginia, and other RTC states that keep such statistics. RTC is widely supported by law enforcement officials and groups. • States with RTC laws have lower violent crime rates. On average, 22% lower total violent crime, 30% lower murder, 46% lower robbery, and 12% lower aggravated assault, compared to the rest of the country. The seven states with the lowest violent crime rates are RTC states. (Data: FBI.) • Crime declines in states with RTC laws. Since adopting RTC in 1987, Florida’s total violent crime and murder rates have dropped 32% and 58%, respectively. Texas’ violent crime and murder rates have dropped 20% and 31%, respectively, since its 1996 RTC law. (Data: FBI.) • The right of self-defense is fundamental, and has been recognized in law for centuries. The Declaration of Independence asserts that "life" is among the unalienable rights of all people. The Second Amendment guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear arms for "security." • The laws of all states and constitutions of most states recognize the right to use force in self-defense. The Supreme Court has stated that a person "may repel force by force" in self-defense, and is "entitled to stand his ground and meet any attack made upon him with a deadly weapon, in such a way and with such force" as needed to prevent "great bodily injury or death." (Beard v. U.S., 1895) • Congress affirmed the right to guns for "protective purposes" in the Gun Control Act (1968) and Firearm Owners’ Protection Act (1986). In 1982, the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on the Constitution described the right to arms as "a right of the individual citizen to privately possess and carry in a peaceful manner firearms and similar arms." |
| Posted: 1/8/2007 12:00:00 AM |
I wish this would happen. That way, when I go visit my bro in Khaliforniastan, I can properly defend myself in case I need to.
I carry in any state that I'm in, using the logic that I'd rather be judged by 12 of my peers than carried by 6 pall bearers. I know that there is risk in this strategery, but all of life contains risk. Being unarmed in NY city, is a risk that I choose not to take.
Seems reasonable. If states can be forced to "accept" gay marriage licenses then they must be forced to accept 2nd amendment licenses. Especially considering the right to bear arms is ACTUALLY IN the Bill of Rights.
I like this bill. Good luck on it passing in the present House and Senate.
Here in Wisconsin, even law abiding residents are prohibited from carrying. I wouldn't mind if Michigan or Minnesota folks who got CCW permits there came over the border packing. I assume they would behave themselves and may even deter some of our home grown criminals from doing harm.
The New York Times is blowing some smoke dovetailing with this. The loopholes the NRA is 'excusing' in Florida (VPC)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/29/us/29florida.html
I'm sure it could pass as part of a new AWB.
Pass it!
"Being unarmed in NY city, is a risk that I choose not to take."
I refused to do business in NY, parts of PA, NJ, DC, IL and CA exactly for this reason.
You do not want me and my pistol, then you are not getting any of my money, that simple.
Nope, won't fly, this law makes too much sense.
Caution: major sarcasm used.
What the Congress can grant the Congress can take away...I prefer a state by state approach.
PA?
Thanks for the link.
This is a great bill to bring up and pound at the current congress, use during the next election cycle as well as similar bills.
Make Dems' go on record against this sort of thing.
..."This law does not apply to border guards."
This bill retains the state by state issuance of permits.
It just facilitates carry between the states without having
to consult a law library every time.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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