National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011

[Richard S]

I don't think it got much if any coverage by the broadcast networks, but on November 16, 2011, the U. S. House of Representatives passed H. R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. The vote was 272 to 154, with 7 abstentions. The bill has now gone to the Senate where its future is uncertain.

Write your Senators.

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h822/show

[kjtrains]

Yep!  Did that on the House, now have to contact the Senators.

[yankee2500]

Very important to keep pushing this.

And here is some good news for NC gun owners.


North Carolina’s Omnibus Pro-Gun Bill Goes into Effect Soon!
Some Localities Seeking to Restrict Concealed Carry in Parks

 
With the enactment of House Bill 650 earlier this year, many pro-gun changes to North Carolina laws will soon go into effect.  Thanks to the leadership of pro-gun state Representative Mark Hilton (R-96), these changes include:
 
Adopting the Castle Doctrine;
Prohibiting Fraudulent Firearms Purchases;
Allowing Right-to-Carry (RtC) permit holders to store firearms in their locked vehicles when parked on the grounds of certain state properties and courthouses;
Removing the restriction on owning (but not possessing) firearms by those subject to certain orders of protection;
Allowing purchase of rifles and shotguns by North Carolina residents in all other states;
Removing some restrictions on local governments prohibiting RtC permit holders from carrying firearms in parks under local control; 
Allowing possession of Title II firearms in conformity with federal law and without limitation on any lawful use, as well as other improvements. 
The section of HB 650 in question [21 (b)] states:

[yankee2500]

The rest of the story. (new format won't let you post over 2000 characters)


A unit of local government may adopt an ordinance to prohibit, by posting, the carrying of a concealed handgun on municipal and county recreational facilities that are specifically identified by the unit of local government. If a unit of local government adopts such an ordinance with regard to recreational facilities, then the concealed handgun permittee may, nevertheless, secure the handgun in a locked vehicle within the trunk, glove box, or other enclosed compartment or area within or on the motor vehicle. For purposes of this section, the term "recreational facilities" includes only the following: a playground, an athletic field, a swimming pool, and an athletic facility.
 
News reports indicate that some localities are considering possible ordinances to address this provision.  While the new law allows certain restrictions, it in no way requires them.  Local officials should respect RtC permit holders, and allow them to carry concealed firearms for their personal protection without unnecessary restrictions.
 
If you hear of any cities that are either considering restricting carrying firearms in their park or have already done so, please let NRA-ILA know by calling 1-800-392-8683, or sending an e-mail to ILA-Contact@nrahq.org.
 
 
 
 Continued on next post  (new forum format won't allw a post over 2000 characters)

[Blueeyedme]

It's a good bill and I agree, we should all be pushing the Senate for passage.  However, current politics dictate that Reed sits on anything Congress passes so I doubt it's going anywhere - even if it passes it faces a certain Obama veto.

[DDGator]

Richard,

I will admit to having mixed feelings about the national reciprocity act.  While it would be great for gun owners, I don't like the idea of infringing further on state's rights in this regard.  Perhaps that is easy for me, since I live in a state that has more reasonable gun laws than most.  In general, I would prefer the federal government not meddle in this fashion.

This is the same conflict I felt when Florida passed its version of the indoor clean air act, prohibiting restaurants from having smoking areas.  While I can't stand smoking and used to routinely avoid places where smoking was rampant -- I didn't really think the state government should be telling private business owners how to run their businesses.  In the end, I am happy with the result, but not necessarily with the process.

Similarly, I have opposed some amendment's to Florida's constitution, not because I thought the object of the amendment was a bad idea in general (i.e., class size limits), but because I didn't think it was an appropriate use of constitutional authority.

In the end, I will be selfishly happy if we get national carry, but will somewhat mourn the casual infringement of state's rights.

Wow, that was deep.   

[Richard S]

Duane:

I understand the concern you raise regarding the states rights question, but I tend to look at H. R. 822's proposed reciprocity as a logical extension of the Full Faith and Credit Clause (Section 1, Article IV) of the Constitution:

_{"Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof."}

The chance of getting the Bill through the Senate as that body is presently constituted is problematic, and even if passed the Bill could well be vetoed, but it would certainly simplify interstate travel for those of us with valid state carry permits. The reciprocity would be much like that now extended by each state to the valid driver licenses of visiting motorists from other states.

[DDGator]

Richard,

Yes, I understand and I see the analogy.  There is a difference, of course, between rights and privileges -- but I don't think that the federal government mandates that all states extend reciprocity on driver's licenses... or do they?  Perhaps they do under the authority to regulate interstate commerce.

My hope would be that all states would recognize the Second Amendment and our inherent God-given right to self-defense and agree to nationwide carry reciprocity without the need for federal government intervention -- but I know that is so ridiculous as to be a waste of breath (or bandwidth in this case). 

[Richard S]

* * *
My hope would be that all states would recognize the Second Amendment and our inherent God-given right to self-defense and agree to nationwide carry reciprocity without the need for federal government intervention * * *

Duane Daiker for President! (I want to be your campaign manager.)

[AmmoToad]

Got my vote....