House Approves Concealed Firearm Permit Bill

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

WASHINGTON – A state permit to carry a concealed firearm would be valid in almost every other state in the country under legislation the House passed Wednesday.

The first pro-gun bill the House has taken up this year and the first since Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was severely injured in a gun attack in January, it had the National Rifle Association's backing and passed by a comfortable margin. The vote was 272-154, with only seven Republicans voting against it and 43 Democrats supporting it.

The Democratic-controlled Senate has no parallel bill. But two years ago, GOP Sens. John Thune of South Dakota and David Vitter of Louisiana nearly succeeded in attaching a similar measure to a larger bill.

Under the House legislation, people with a concealed carry permit in one state could carry a concealed weapon in every other state that gives people the right to carry concealed weapons.

While states have various standards for issuing such permits, currently only Illinois and the District of Columbia prohibit the concealed carrying of weapons.

"The Second Amendment is a fundamental right to bear arms that should not be constrained by state boundary lines," said GOP Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

The bill's chief co-sponsor, Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., said states should consider concealed carry permits no differently from driver's licenses recognized by all states. He noted that many states already have reciprocity agreements with other states.

The legislation would "make it easier for law-abiding permit holders to know that they are simply in compliance with the law when they carry a firearm as they travel," he said.

Democratic opponents said the bill would constitute a "race to the bottom," with states that have strict requirements for issuing permits having to accept permits from states with far more lax standards.

"It's a situation where weaker state laws become the national law," said Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va. He noted that some states require training for permit holders, or deny permits to those under 21 or who sell drugs to minors, commit sex offenses or are involved in domestic violence.

According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the measure would allow states with tough requirements, such as New York and California, "to allow in concealed carry gun-toting people from states, such as Florida, which repeatedly have given dangerous people licenses to carry."

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., wrote President Barack Obama last week urging him to issue a veto threat against the bill. Passing the bill "would jeopardize public safety and would be an insult to states like New Jersey and New York that purposefully have strong gun ownership laws," they wrote.

The administration has not yet taken an official position on the bill.

Democrats also chided Republicans for ignoring their dedication to states' rights. "For the Republican House majority that supposedly believes in states' rights, this bill is shocking," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.
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Democrats are states-righters now? (Or, should I say, again?)

[Pepper]

West Virginia Rebel

 

 

It'd be nice for a several of things to happen:

 

Repeal Obama Care

Portability of CCW across state lines

Portability of health care insurance across state lines

Permit health insurers to offer similar policies in all states

Loss of Obama in November 12 elections

[clearvision]

Dead in Senate though. Maybe in a few years.

[NCTexan]

When I took my CCW class, I was shocked (not really) at the crazy quilt of agreements and reciprocity agreements between the states. It's so confusing and obscure, I'd be fearful to even take a weapon out of state.

[NCTexan]

West Virginia Rebel

 

 

It'd be nice for a several of things to happen:

 

Repeal Obama Care

Portability of CCW across state lines

Portability of health care insurance across state lines

Permit health insurers to offer similar policies in all states

Loss of Obama in November 12 elections

Good thoughts... Let me add one more Pepper!

 

Enroll all the OWS (and their like) reprobates in a "TeaParty 'WPA' equivalent" national work effort... Run by Sheriff Joe Arpaio as TeaParty Reeducation Czar.

 

[Rheo]

[Casino67]

Dead in Senate though. Maybe in a few years.

 

Will Harry even let it come to a vote? Nope.