Did you know that while you were busy placing presents under the tree and popping champagne corks to ring in the new year, the NRA was enjoying a celebration of their own: a move to approve guns in all 50 states!
Current Events
Thanks a lot, Republican Party! It’s officially called the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 and was approved 19-11 by the House Judiciary Committee late last year as a bit of a holiday present for the NRA (National Rifle Association). The concealed carry bill will make it easier for gun owners to keep their firearms hidden when crossing state lines, meaning anyone around you at any time could potentially be carrying a gun without your knowledge. It also means that someone barred from obtaining a concealed carry permit in their own state could simply send away and obtain one from another state — no questions asked!
Although heavily fought against by the Democrats, who raised valid concerns regarding states’ rights and domestic violence issues, congressional Republicans pushed to amend the federal criminal code and allow the concealed transport of handguns across state lines. The NRA-led legislation will allow gun owners with a concealed carry permit from their home state to carry a gun into any other state. Gun owners won’t have to reveal they are carrying a weapon, although they will be required to carry a valid photo ID and a concealed carry permit. Gun owners from states that don’t require a concealed carry permit will need to obtain some sort of credential from their home state. Additionally, states will not be able to impose their individual requirements for a concealed carry license on armed travelers from other states.
The legislation was introduced by Republican Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, who called the bill “welcome progress” in efforts to expand and protect access to firearms.
As expected, the NRA, which spends millions of dollars helping elect pro-gun candidates and urged its members to bombard Congress with calls in support of the concealed carry bill, was jumping with holiday joy.
“This would end abuses in anti-gun states like New York and New Jersey and allow law-abiding concealed carriers to exercise their rights nationwide with peace of mind,” the NRA said via their website.
Current Events
However, not everyone sees this as a positive move.
“I don’t think there is any reason for anybody to bring a gun into New York City,” New York Police Department Commissioner James O’Neill said in an interview. “We don’t need any more guns.”
Moms Demand Action, a gun control group that attended the hearing, argued it “is a chaotic and dangerous policy that would gut every state’s gun laws and make our communities less safe.”
They added that the bill will “effectively turn the weakest state’s laws into nationwide laws” in favor of guns being carried in every state in the union.
My first thought when I read this: “Elections have consequences.” Pres. Obama
My second thought: “You get the government you deserve.”
My third thought: The LOVE of money is the root of all evil.”
I weep for my country.