It's about time!

[seagill]

I just read this, I sure hope it passes.

House Weighs Bill To Make Gun Permits Valid Across State Lines | Fox News

 

[S. Hammer]

I would love to see that happen, but I highly doubt the "progressive" states like NY and Mass. will ever let it happen.

 

[BaldEagle1313]

Even if the House passed it the current occupant of the Oval Office would veto it. And it wouldn't pass by enough of a margin to be veto-proof. It would (probably) be a straight party line Rep vs Dem vote in the House, and a Senate version would be as well, meaning it wouldn't pass the Senate based on how it is presently comprised.

 

[Martya]

But now it is out in the open, a start, and we can support it and work on it to get it passed, even if it takes a while.

It is HR 822, contact your Representative and ask them to support HR 822.

 

[MTKTM]

A concern I have for getting the Feds involved in CCW is that they will, inevitably and inexorably, regulate it, determine qualifications, decide who can and can't, etc. It would just be a matter of time.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Interestingly, the US Constitution contains language requiring each state to honor the official actions of other states. This is why drivers' licenses are honored across state lines, as well as marriages, divorces, child custody orders, etc.

It could be argued that there is constitutional protection already in place for a concealed weapon permit holder traveling outside his home state. Unfortunately, such an argument would take place in a courtroom far from home following an arrest; not a scenario that I wish to participate in.

 

[Pasifikawv]

I am a big fan of HR 822. It was carefully drafted so as to NOT open the door to a federal licensing scheme, leaving permitting to the States, and respecting individual State's law in regards to each State's identified "sensitive areas" where carry is prohibited. HR 822 does so while also implementing the existing protections in the 2nd, 10th and 14th amendments. In a perfect world, those provisions in the Constitution would suffice, but the reality is that we need federal action to insure certain states stop thumbing their nose at the Constitution.

A nearly identical bill passed the House a few years ago but couldn't pass a Senate filibuster that required 60 votes. It fell with only 58 yeas.

At this link, read the testimony of Joyce Malcolm and Davis Kopel. Good stuff... Hearing on: H.R. 822, the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011"

This WSJ article is also a good read: House Considers Whether Gun Permits Can Cross State Lines - Law Blog - WSJ

This NRA:ILA Fact Sheet also provides a good, general overview of HR822. http://www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?id=189&issue=003

 

[jtpur]

The Ntl Association for Gun Rights is opposed to this bill. They contend it may lead to more regulation and if effect diminish our ability to carry. I belive they make some valid points. i do not know much about this bill but if it is any more complicated than. No state shall deny the right of a person licensed to carry a handgun in any other except that the person so licensed shall obey the laws of the state in which he carries. then I too am opposed to it.

 

[Pasifikawv]

The Ntl Association for Gun Rights is opposed to this bill. They contend it may lead to more regulation and if effect diminish our ability to carry. I belive they make some valid points. i do not know much about this bill but if it is any more complicated than. No state shall deny the right of a person licensed to carry a handgun in any other except that the person so licensed shall obey the laws of the state in which he carries. then I too am opposed to it.

That's really all HR 822 says. It is short, simple and to the point - maybe a page and a half if printed and most of that is standard/format stuff. As with any bill, it has a title/short title and a list of findings/facts and then the proposed legislation.

All is says is that if you have a state issued CCW, you will be allowed to carry in any other state that issues CCWs; that you must follow the rules of the State you visit; that nothing in the bill shall interfere with States' rights to establish State carry laws; and that nothing in the bill shall be construed to preempt States' rights to issue CCW permits.

Read the full text here: Text of H.R.822 as Introduced in House: National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress

 

[Pasifikawv]

HR 822 is under attack by anti-gun groups and even some mis-informed pro-gun folks. As a result the NRA recently published this fact sheet. It is worth checking out if you have an interest in gaining rights for lawful interstate concealed carry.

NRA-ILA :: National Right-to-Carry Bill Under Attack

 

[hatt]

So what happens if this passes and the may issue States simply ban concealed carry?

 

[Pasifikawv]

So what happens if this passes and the may issue States simply ban concealed carry?

May issue states (MD for example) generally do not offer any reciprocity and one cannot carry in those states. Keep in mind that the workings of "may issue" are basically "no issue." As it is now, an out-of-stater cannot carry in "may-issue" states.

While the trend over the most recent decades has been to shift from "may issue" to "shall issue," in the event that a state like MD or CA can muster enough anti-gun political might to ban all carry, we out-of-staters would be right where we are today: unable to carry in those states. For all practical purposes, nothing changes for the out-of-stater traveling thru or visiting a "may issue" state if that state becomes "no issue" - which most are in practice anyway.

In the event that the state does somehow ban all carry, that would also open the door to additional suits on Constitution basis and the NRA-ILA and state gun groups would be all over it like white on rice.

 

[hatt]

And will someone in California be able to get a permit from a free State? It would be bizarre if out of state folks had more rights than residents.

I'd just rather stay out of those crummy States v having additional legislation passed. With all the unintended consequences that goes along with a new law. While you believe, and could be right, THIS piece of legislation isn't a can of worms, the one needed to fix it might well be. Clearly there will be lawsuits and substantial issues if it was to pass. Good ole .fed steps in and takes over CC from the States and has the National May Issue Carry Act of 2014.

 

[thndrchiken]

While I would like to see it pass, honestly I doubt that it has a snowball's chance in hell. It may pass Congress but most likely would not pass in the Senate and like has been stated Obamalamadingdong would probably veto it.

 

[Pasifikawv]

While I would like to see it pass, honestly I doubt that it has a snowball's chance in hell. It may pass Congress but most likely would not pass in the Senate and like has been stated Obamalamadingdong would probably veto it.

During the past decade, the filibuster has been greatly abused by the Senate and nothing even gets to an up/down floor vote without first securing 60 procedural votes to break the filibuster and move a bill forward.

That said, a nearly identical bill almost broke thru the filibuster with 58 procedural votes a couple years ago. The make-up of the Senate has shifted since then and there is now a greater chance of breaking thru the filibuster requirement of 60 procedural votes and having the bill reach the floor for an actual up/down vote.

But you are right - it would still be a heavy lift in the Senate. The Senate Majority Leader - while generally pro-gun- isn't up for re-election this cycle so there is less pressure on him to appease his largely pro-gun constituents and the pro-gun lobby by scheduling any action on the bill once/if it passes the House and arrives at the Senate.

I have no doubt that the bill would pass an up/down floor vote with a majority of Senators supporting the legislation IF it is brought forward for a vote and IF it can get past the often abused 60-vote filibuster process.

In the House, the number of co-sponsors already represent a significant majority of the Reps. If it is ever brought to the floor for a vote, it will certainly pass the House with ease.