By Sandy . . . A bill is working its way through Congress for states to honor, or to reciprocate with, the concealed carry gun laws of other states. Sponsored by Rep. Richard Hudson (R NC), this bill would require states that have gun control laws in place to honor the laws of another state with laxer or even no such laws when gun-toting individuals with permits cross into their territory.
Prompted by the case in 2013 of Shanteen Allen, a Pennsylvania resident with a concealed carry permit who was arrested for carrying a gun in New Jersey, this bill has both heavy-hitting supporters and very passionate detractors.
States’ rights defenders are strong in opposition. Rep. Hudson likens the bill to the reciprocity of states in recognizing the validity of out-of-state driver’s licenses. His comparison ignores the fact that the states agreed among themselves to accept each other’s driving licenses. If Hudson and the concealed carry reciprocity supporters prevail, it will be the result not of states agreeing to it but of the federal government forcing it upon them.
In defense of his bill, Hudson has said, “Even the most careful and knowledgeable concealed carry permit holders find it difficult to navigate the current maze of state and local concealed carry laws.”
Does that sound even vaguely familiar? Have individuals on sexual offense registries found it difficult to navigate the maze of laws governing the registry as they travel?
I am fortunate enough to be able to afford an attorney on retainer just in case I unintentionally missed some “small print” or even worse, ambiguous law whilst traveling from state to state for work. Actually, she researches and forwards me the parts of different state sex offender restrictions that would do me in. She is a great attorney and childhood friend. If I were to be arrested, she is my 1 allowed phone call 👍🏻.
Anonymous — Can you share the name/contact of the attorney? I’m sure many of use could use these services when traveling. For example, I would like to hire her to do a survey of a number of states using my specific circumstances to determine where I might move and get credit for “time served” in my state of conviction, and then be removed from the new state’s registry. PA would certainly be the first to look into.
She got back to me & reiterated that she advises me but is skittish about it & says it’s a hornets nest for a lawyer. Try asking around, no lawyer is going to touch it with a 10foot pole.then proceeded to say after one is cuffed for a registry violation (God forbid) is another story. Most lawyers would take that.