CCW Reciprocity Passed Through the U.S. House of Representatives Yesterday!
This was such a big deal that I had to send the Friday email out on Thursday!
Yesterday the U.S House of Representatives passed a bill that will force all states to honor all CCWs and force states to report dangerous felons to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Check out Congressman Duncan Hunter’s Press Release below.
Here are some things you need to know about this right now:
1. It is not law yet. The bill now goes tot he Senate where it could be changed, it could pass as it is currently written, or it could be voted down.
2. What about Californians? This bill, as currently written, would force all 50 states to honor any CCW a California resident has. If a California has a Utah or Arizona CCW, he/she would be able to carry concealed in the state of California.
The applicable text from the bill reads:
“…who is carrying a valid identification containing a photograph of the person, and who is carrying a valid license or permit which is issued pursuant to the law of a State and which permits the person to carry a concealed firearm or …”
Notice is says “a” state and not “your state” or “your state of residence.
3. Is the Fix NICS section anti-gun? Your view on the Fix NICS section is likely going to depend on your view on NICS in general. This section of the bill will provide incentives to states for reporting felonies to NICS and punish states that do not. Currently fewer than 80% of felonies are reported to NICS which would mean that felon could buy a gun from a dealer without being stopped.
Fix NICS does not expand the definition of a “prohibited person” (meaning someone who cannot legally own a gun). Fix NICS will get states to report more prohibited people to the background check database.
It is impossible to summarize the entire bill. Please give it a read if you have more questions. It will not likely have an easy time in the Senate.
ALL legislation has potential risks and unintended consequences, but this bill, if passed, will be the biggest expansion of your Second Amendment rights in at least a generation and possibly ever. We want this to pass. Cross your fingers.
:::PRESS RELEASE:::
U.S. Congressman
DUNCAN HUNTER
Proudly Serving the 50th District of California
For Immediate Release: December 6, 2017
HOUSE PASSES CONCEALED CARRY
RECIPROCITY ACT
Washington, DC — Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA-50) today proudly voted in favor of H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, when it passed the House by a margin of 231-198. This bipartisan legislation, of which Congressman Hunter is an original cosponsor, ensures that law-abiding citizens that have obtained a state-issued concealed carry license or permit for their firearm may carry a concealed handgun in any other state that allows concealed carry, as long as the individual is properly following the laws of that state.
“For the past several years, House Republicans have successfully stopped legislative efforts attacking our 2nd Amendment. Today, we are being proactive by passing a common-sense measure that upholds and expands our constitutional right to bear arms while enhancing public safety at the same time,” said Congressman Hunter. “Many state laws, particularly here in California, unnecessarily restrict the ability of law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm for which they are fully qualified. These individuals have passed background checks and have taken all the required training for knowing the laws and handling firearms. If we can travel from state-to-state with a driver’s license, there is no good reason why we cannot do the same with concealed carry.”
Studies have shown that citizens that carry a concealed handgun are better prepared to act in their own self-defense and in the protection of others. Arbitrary state laws that restrict the ability of citizens to exercise their constitutional right of self-protection only benefits criminals those that seek to cause harm. Many states already allow for reciprocity of their license and permits, H.R. 38 would streamline regulation and make it universal across the nation while, at the same time, upholding the conditions states have in place to prevent criminals from carrying a concealed handgun.
Following its passage, H.R. 38 will now be referred to the U.S. Senate for consideration where a similar bill, S.446, has already been introduced.
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