National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act of 2012

[Pensfan]

Great points everyone. What I find most interesting is the diversity of opinions within a group of Pro 2A individuals. My views are coming from a background of 15 years as a lobbyist, all outside of firearms related issues, and being an ardent Constitutionalist / States Rights / Conservative.

I agree, I would love for the USA to not have to worry about the myriad of firearms laws and simply revert to the Constitution and allow us to own whatever firearms we choose and keep the feds out of it. Unfortunately the reality is that we will NEVER get back to that point. I do not understand the mindset that essentially states "If we cannot go back to ONLY the 2A as the rule, vote out EVERY law whether it is good for the 2A or not". It is throwing the baby out with the bath water.

In my opinion, a law that brings state by state reciprocity and essentially forces the states to abide by the 14th in terms of where I can carry is a good thing. This is a good first step... then we work on getting Illinois to stop being in violation of the 2A next.

 

[JRH6856]

I suspect that he had a bit too much to do with the expanding of the federal government beyond what was intended by the Founding Fathers.

Well, yes, seeing as how the successful conclusion of the War allowed the ratification of the 14th Amendment.

 

[Ole Coot]

Anyone besides me see it a little strange that this bill was introduced by two Democratic Senators? Being a resident of WV our junior senator has always been pro gun. He has been pro gun all his life and as our governor he was doing what he thought was good for our state, love him or hate him.

 

[Spats McGee]

I just can't agree with the NRA that this is a good idea. This bill would have no effect on states that do not issue CCLs, and opens the door for federal regulation as to standards for issuance.

 

[FMF Doc]

I just can't agree with the NRA that this is a good idea. This bill would have no effect on states that do not issue CCLs, and opens the door for federal regulation as to standards for issuance.

The door is always open to new federal regulation. Even a SCOTUS decision is only temporary. The next year, it might be looked at again, and reversed, or curtailed. I also agree with PENSFAN, that we will never be back to the good ol' days. The system is so broke it can't be fixed. If 2A was appropriately recognized, there would be no issues. I see national reciprocity as the best to be made in the broken system.

Oh, and as of today, there is only 1 state that does not have some form of CCL---IL, and I have very little need to go there. And fee carry states are covered by the language.

 

[Rail Driver]

The NRA has not always had our best interests in mind. Like anyone (or anything) else, they do things in what they perceive to be in their own self-interest. If we are lucky, maybe their self-interest coincides with our self-interest.

I have less and less trust in the NRA as time goes on. Think about it... If gun control were ended and the 2a supporters actually managed to win the war, there would be no more need for the NRA beyond training and posterity. It's in the NRA's best interest to fight gun control with one hand while supporting it with the other. They're a for-profit organization, a business like any other.

 

[Spats McGee]

I just can't agree with the NRA that this is a good idea. This bill would have no effect on states that do not issue CCLs, and opens the door for federal regulation as to standards for issuance.

The door is always open to new federal regulation. Even a SCOTUS decision is only temporary. The next year, it might be looked at again, and reversed, or curtailed. . . .

I recognize that. Just because that door is open doesn't mean I'm interested in opening it any wider, though.

 

[FMF Doc]

I suppose I am just less concerned about what bad might come from this than I am about what good will come of it. Any opening can be exploited, no matter how big or small. Rather than worry about that, I'll take every advantage I can under the rules, no matter how crummy they are in totaltiy, and try to live a happy life.

 

[Spats McGee]

That's fair enough. I stand to lose more than gain by a federal carry bill. My permit is recognized in 39 states (if I counted correctly), so I can already carry everywhere that I would conceivably travel at this point. If I need to visit one of the 11 states which do not recognize my permit, I'll look into one of the non-resident permits.

 

[AlexanderA]

Just to quibble, the "full faith and credit" clause is not in the 14th Amendment. It's in Article IV, section 1 of the main body of the Constitution.

Also, it doesn't mean that every state has to recognize all the laws of every other state. It has more to do with "ministerial acts" and mutual enforcement of judgements.

And, the Supreme Court, in the McDonald v. Chicago case, specifically rejected using the "privileges and immunities" clause of the 14th Amendment to "incorporate" the 2nd Amendment as regarding the states. Only Justice Thomas took that position. The rest of the Court majority based their decision on "substantive due process."