National Rifle Association: U.S. House Passes NRA-backed National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Legislation
From the NRA:
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an important self-defense measure that would enable millions of Right-to-Carry permit holders across the country to carry concealed firearms while traveling outside their home states.
H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, passed by a majority bipartisan vote of 272 to 154.
All amendments aimed to weaken or damage the integrity of this bill were defeated.
“NRA has made the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act a priority because it enhances the fundamental right to self-defense guaranteed to all law-abiding people,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “People are not immune from crime when they cross state lines. That is why it is vital for them to be able to defend themselves and their loved ones should the need arise.”
H.R. 822, introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), allows any person with a valid state-issued concealed firearm permit to carry a concealed firearm in any state that issues concealed firearm permits, or that does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms for lawful purposes.
This bill does not affect existing state laws. State laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within each state’s borders. H.R. 822 does not create a federal licensing system or impose federal standards on state permits; rather, it requires the states to recognize each others’ carry permits, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards.
As of today, 49 states have laws in place that permit their citizens to carry a concealed firearm in some form. Only Illinois and the District of Columbia deny its residents the right to carry concealed firearms outside their homes or businesses for self-defense.
“We are grateful for the support of Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor, Majority Whip McCarthy, Judiciary Chairman Smith and primary sponsors Congressmen Stearns and Shuler for their steadfast support of H.R. 822. Thanks to the persistence of millions of American gun owners and NRA members, Congress has moved one step closer to improving crucial self-defense laws in this country,” concluded Cox.
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military.
NRA News: Rep. Cliff Stearns on House Panel Clearing Right-to-Carry Bill
Ginny Simone talks to Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL), sponsor of the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act - NRA News
CSM: Does open-carry gun ban make California safer?
This week in response to the California ban on open carry, The Christian Science Monitor asked the question, “Does open-carry gun ban make California safer?” It attempted to provide answers by getting insight from both sides.
What is interesting is that even in a “balanced” piece, there was some not so subtle bias, which we practically expected. Consider the wording:
“But do stronger gun-control laws make a society safer – as (Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee) Baca suggests – or less safe? It is not clear from statistics whether gun control has lessened crime in the states that have implemented stronger laws, say critics.”
Is this true? Numerous studies have shown that gun control has had little effect on crime, while some studies have shown that gun ownership doesn’t result in crime. But instead CSM’s editors have twisted this, suggesting that it isn’t clear.
While this is a less overtly anti-biased piece than many we’ve seen in the CSM, it is still clear to us that the paper has an agenda – even when they say the facts aren’t so clear.
NRA News: California: Governor Jerry Brown Signs Bills Restricting Rifles, ‘Open Carry’ of Guns
Cam Edwards talks to Ed Worley, NRA-ILA California State Liaison
Governor Brown Limits Open Carry
FoxNews is reporting that gun owners in California will now face new restrictions:
“Gov. Jerry Brown’s says he has signed a measure that bans the open carrying of handguns in California. The law, AB144, makes it a misdemeanor to carry an exposed and unloaded gun in a public place.”
This is a major step back for those in California and it will be interesting to see how the mainstream media responds to this issue.
Oath Keepers: Join Us At 2nd Annual Open Carry Kentucky Gun Rights Rally
Oath Keepers:
Oath Keepers Founder Stewart Rhodes and Sheriff Richard Mack (who is on our National Board of Directors) will both be speaking at this open carry event at the Kentucky State Capitol, in Frankfort this next Saturday, October 8, 2011.
This march is organized by Oath Keepers founding member Rex Bartley, who also organized last year’s march. This is an important event. So far as we know, this is the only open carry rally (including open carry of rifles) at a state capitol. Please turn out to stand with the strong patriots of Kentucky as they exercise their right to bear arms. Read more
D.C. v Heller and McDonald v Chicago need Supreme Court Clarification
D.C. v Heller and McDonald v Chicago were decided in favor of gun rights three and two years ago respectively. Those of us who cherish our 2nd Amendment Rights were jubilant that finally the Supreme Court cleared up the issue in our favor. But as FirearmsTruth reported back then, not all issues were clearly defined by The Court.
NRA: Wisconsin State Legislature Passes Landmark Right-to-Carry Legislation
Cam Edwards talks to Wisconsin State Assembly Majority Leader Rep. Scott Suder
Wisconsin Carry: Wisconsin Constitutional Carry Update
From our friends at Wisconsin Carry:
First, I really want to extend a huge amount of credit where credit is due.
Vicki McKenna, radio talk show host on WIBA in Madison and WISN in Milwaukee has been a HUGE advocate for the constitutional right to carry going back years. Read more
L.A. Times Op-Ed Piece Offers Intersesting Take on State Wide Open Carry Ban
Adam Walker penned an interesting and compelling op-ed piece for The Los Angeles Times on what the new legislation that could ban open carry of firearms in California. Winkler writes:
“If, however, California bans what is called ‘open carry,’ the state will probably have to loosen the standards for people to have permits to carry concealed weapons. In California, gun owners can only legally carry a concealed firearm, loaded or unloaded, if they have a permit. And in cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, ‘concealed carry’ permits are very difficult to obtain — arguably too difficult, if AB 144 becomes law.”
Some excellent points that prove the battle for our gun rights is never over.
