Forty states are right to carry, leaving only ten left where those rights are infringed. In those states its either always illegal to carry or a carry permit is only given out in special circumstances and a citizen has to argue why he deserves it. It would be really nice to have all states recognize a right to carry and get a system setup so that any law-abiding American citizen could carry a gun in all fifty states. But with federalism, if some states really don’t want that I guess they can have whatever laws they want.
So here’s an idea to make everyone happy. Congress could pass some new national right to carry helping states recognize each others carry permits, but states could get an opt out if they wanted. The governor of a state could submit a form explaining why his citizens are especially stupid and violent thus making a right to carry a problem there when it isn’t in any other state. A committee could then review those reasons and decide whether to grant a special exemption to the state from allowing right to carry. Sounds fair, right?
Would California have to submit a form explaining why their citizens are stupid, or is it just a given to anyone that’s seen anything that’s come out of Hollywood in the last 15 years?
Only problem with that line of logic: Any government that can cajole all the states into being “right to carry” is also powerful enough to cajole all the states into “california style AWB”
California is a “May Issue” state, with each of the 58 Sheriffs Departments and the multitude of incorporated cities using various criteria for issuing. Some counties are de facto “Shall Issue”, such as Fresno and Madera counties, where “Personal Protection” or “Self-Defense” is a valid reason, to Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Sacramento counties, where you have to be wealthy and throw a LOT of money at the Sheriff’s reelection campaign to get one. Some counties discourage CCW permit applications by making the process so onerous that most people will give up.
In the last 2 Assembly sessions, bills have been introduced to change the “May Issue” to “Shall Issue”, but because of the Democrat majority, they don’t make it out of committee, or if they do, they die a painful death on the floor. The only way we’ll get “Shall Issue” is if we get a GOP majority again, or we go through the initiative process and pass a Proposition.
Liberals love state’s rights when it suits the progressive agenda.
Unfortunately, I live in one of the most restrictive states. I should move.
In the case of Wisconsin, we have a governor who is too stupid to handle a gun. He’s vetoed concealed carry, and voter ID, and since announcing he will not be running for re-election, is on the Obama-Liberal suicide spiral, trying rabidly to build a half-billion dollar train before we set the liberals adrift this fall. At least we have Paul Ryan in Congress.
Forty states have the right to carry. Ten states don’t.
What about the other seven?
coldguy, I joined a pistol club in Janesville when I lived there. I heard a story about your governor when he was AG. It seems that the AG went into my assemblyman’s office (I forget his name, now) and showed him a small pistol. He told the assemblyman that he wanted to outlaw and remove from the state every one of those cheap, concealable pistols. My assemblyman picked it up, looked at it carefully, and stated, “I just bought one of these for my wife.”
I understand that the AG, now your governor, stormed off saying that he was apparently in the wrong office.
the TN legislature is again trying to pass a law allowing us to carry into places that serve alcohol. They did so last year but a judge decided too many people wouldn’t understand, that the law is too “vague”.
One of the biggest opponents to this law is the restaurant owners who believe we are subjects rather than citizens. They don’t want to lose our business by having to reveal their feelings by posting their business to keep us out, they want the state to cover for them.
The answer is easy, all the people packing from the 40 states that allow right to carry invade the 10 states that don’t carry and just ride in a wompin’ and a stompin’ and shooting and plundering and carrying off their women. Trust me, they’ll come around mighty quick.
Proud Infidel, that would be easy to do in the badger state, since we can’t even openly carry without being harassed by law enforcement. Once we elect Scott Walker Governor, and reclaim the legislature this fall, I think voter ID and concealed carry will be the first items on the agenda.
And the states that opt out should have large signs posted at border crossings “WARNING, TOO STUPID TO CARRY”
A committee could then review those reasons and decide whether to grant a special exemption to the state from allowing right to carry.”
Sounds like a new kind of “Death Panel.”
As a member and volunteer of Grass Roots North Carolina, the NC-based gun rights advocacy group that basically wrote the Concealed-Carry bill for NC, and nearly all other pro-2A bills since then, I’ve got to say that I’m not very interested in getting the Federal Government involved in this debate in any way whatsoever. It’s just asking for trouble.
Over the fifteen years since NC passed the right-to-carry law, we have gained reciprocity with 32 other states, making a North Carolina’s CHL one of the most effective to have. We’ve accomplished this without help or permission from the Federal government. So, since we’ve been so successful without (and maybe in spite of) the Feds, why would we want to invite them into the process now? That seems dangerous and also counter-productive to me.
For all of you living in “no issue” or “may issue” states, maybe you should take Dodsfall’s advice. Move to a state where the state and local governments have a little more respect for you. I can highly recommend the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill “Triangle” region of North Carolina. I moved here from Western NY state ten years ago, and not only does your county Sheriff’s office have to issue you a CC permit within 90 days of your application (mine took 14 days), but the overall economy and level of job opportunity is consistently stronger than the national average.
For God’s sake, come! The more law-abiding Carriers we have, the safer and freer we will all be!
I wholeheartedly agree with Proud Infidel. His plan protects federalism (important), while putting us on a path to uniform concealed carry laws.
Frank, instead of ‘Right to Carry’, we should do this and call it ‘Civic Duty to Carry’. Then we can punish limp-wristed pansies for not being responsible citizens and packing heat.
In the same way that a ‘right’ to healthcare means that the government will provide healthcare with tax dollars, let’s have ‘right’ to carry mean that the government provides us with guns that lefties’ taxes paid for. As long as the government doesn’t make the guns. That way we’ll know that they work.
As far as the law goes, I unfortunately live in Wisconsin. Gov is a pu**y, as are most dems. A couple years ago legislature passed concealed carry with a veto proof margin, including support by several dems. Gov Lace Doily vetoed it. Override vote was taken and one sniveling dem changed his vote to uphold veto–“Didn’t want a sitting governor upstaged” was his comment. We should get fed govt to declare that legally buying a gun means you can conceal carry. BATF does not allow guns to be sold to bad people, right? If you bought it legally you can carry it legally.
I like coldguy’s idea. The libbies think a “right” means someone should pay for it. Free radio stations (NPR), free newspapers, internet access, etc… just for the first admendment. I am owed a new Les Baer 10mm longslide. Where is sit? Huh? Huh?
Those ten states should have signs at the border.” We are arrogant liberals and deem you inferior to us, and should not be able to protect yourself. We will do it for you peasant.”
The Florida CCW might be the best program out there. Anyone who doesn’t happen to live in a state that is stupid (cough cough MARYLAND) should get one. And then get a Kimber Custom Covert II. And don’t forget to pick up your mandatory gun lock! Those things TOTALLY make up for basic responsibility.
Actually storm, you’re not far from the mark as far as Massamachusetts is concerned. For those who don’t know, at it borders the state has warning signs concerning its one year mandatory sentence for illegal possession of a firearm.
While I was living near Boston, I discovered that the one year mandatory applies to BB guns as well. Yes, if you are caught with an unregistered Red Rider BB gun, you get one year, no ifs ands or buts, period. Rather than take the risk, I gave up my Sheridan air rifle.
Massamachusetts would secede before permitting concealed carry. My uncle lives there, and was for many years a d*mned fine NRA instructor. The local police didn’t like that and found a chance to convict him on drummed up charges. (The charges were quite absurd.) After a felony conviction, he had to give up his collection of handguns. They were his favorite means of recreation.
Legal possession there doesn’t matter if you actually use a firearm. There was Boston woman who used a shotgun to protect herself from an intruder who had broken into her apartment. The assailant was obviously bent on attack her, and died he on the spot. The Boston police lost no time in prosecuting her for assault or some such.
If the government started ‘giving’ out ‘free’ guns like they ‘give’ out ‘free’ insurance, you’d have to prove you couldn’t afford one first and they’d just give them to the same people that get everything for free now.
AKA the very people who make everyone need a gun to protect themselves from in the first place.
California: If you have spent the money, and negotiated through the county’s licensing and registration maze, you are allowed to carry your pistol in a holster, but it must not be loaded! Also, local tv “news” reporters will follow you around, reporting on the scary gun owners.
A Marin county gun club enjoyed meeting for coffee at a local Starbucks Saturday mornings, the local media harassed the restaurant management until they caved, and banned customers carrying unconcealed weapons.
Actually, there’s already a fair degree of reciprocity among “shall-issue” states. You can keep up with this fast-changing situation on http://www.handgunlaw.us/ and other websites.