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HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL: Under Senator’s New Bill, Concealed Weapon Permits Can Cross State Lines
Bill Curtis By: Bill Curtis
2:11 PM Monday, June 23rd, 2008
After working closely with Gun Owners of America (GOA), Louisiana Republican Senator, David Vitter, is planning to introduce a concealed carry reciprocity bill in Congress next week. GOA executive director, Larry Pratt, is available for an interview to discuss the direct and subsequent indirect implications of the bill that will allow states with concealed weapon laws to legally honor such permits from other states.



Senator Vitter had been working closely with Gun Owners of America to draft and file a reciprocity amendment a few weeks ago, but that amendment, unfortunately, never saw the light of day—thanks to powerful opponents inside the Senate.

However, Sen. Vitter has continued undaunted, and last week sent a “Dear Colleague…” letter to his fellow senators, asking them to cosponsor his forthcoming bill, the "Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act."

The Vitter bill treats concealed carry permits much the same as drivers' licenses, where one state's license is recognized in all other states.

In addressing the matter of reciprocity, the first concern of GOA and Sen.Vitter is that it be done constitutionally and that it respects states’ rights.

Unlike another senate reciprocity measure, S. 388, Vitter's bill does not establish "national standards" for concealed carry. It simply says that states allowing concealed carry must recognize the CCW permits of other states.

Vitter's bill also respects the rights of states that allow concealed carry without a permit. Citizens of Vermont and non-license holders in Alaska are allowed to carry concealed without a permit. Under the Vitter bill, these states would be recognized in the same manner as states that do issue permits.

States that do not allow concealed carry at all are not forced, under the Vitter bill, to recognize out-of-state permits. There are currently two such states, Illinois and Wisconsin. While it is deplorable that these states refuse to trust their citizens with firearms, this is an issue that has to be dealt with at the state level.

Citizens should not be forced to sacrifice their right to self-defense at the state line. The Vitter bill will allow more Americans to defend themselves away from their home state.


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