U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns' bill forcing states to recognize valid
concealed-weapons permits held by visitors from other “concealed-carry”
states has passed a key committee and appears set for a House floor
vote.
The House Judiciary
Committee on Tuesday passed the Ocala Republican's bill 19-11, almost
exclusively along party lines. Stearns' district includes portions of
Alachua County. Rep. Dan Lungren was the only defector, as the California Republican joined 10 Democrats in opposing Stearns' measure.
It's unclear when Stearns' bill, known as the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, might come up for a final vote. It already has enough support to pass the House; as of Thursday, the measure claimed 245 co-sponsors. Still,
its eventual success might hinge on how lawmakers react to a recent
change to the legislation successfully pushed by GOP Rep. Trent Franks
of Arizona.
Initially, the
bill mandated that concealed-carry permit holders who travel outside
their home state must comply with the regulations of their hosts, and
not with those of their home state. In
final committee hearings on the bill earlier this month, Franks
proposed a slight change in language — covered in just eight words —
that critics maintain was a significant departure from Stearns' original
proposal. The version
approved Tuesday by the Judiciary Committee would prohibit states from
requiring visitors to abide by the host state's laws defining who is
eligible to possess or carry concealed firearms.
As
of next month, when a recently enacted concealed-carry law takes effect
in Wisconsin, 49 states will now permit the carrying of concealed
weapons. Illinois is the sole exception.
Ramsey
noted that 38 states refuse to grant permits to people convicted of
certain violent misdemeanors, while 29 states deny permits to alcohol
abusers, including people convicted of driving under the influence.
And
14 of the 49 concealed-carry states do not require some type of gun
safety training or live-fire practice prior to obtaining the permit,
Ramsey said.
In a statement about the
National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, Rep. Lamar Smith, a Texas
Republican and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said, “This
legislation does not preempt a state's ability to set concealed-carry
requirements for its own residents. It requires states that currently
permit people to carry concealed firearms to recognize other states'
valid concealed carry permits — much like the states recognize drivers'
licenses issued by other states.”
The
bill, Smith added, “also does not affect state laws governing how
firearms are carried or used within the various states. A person
visiting another state must comply with all laws and regulations
governing the carrying and use of a concealed firearm within that
state.”
Contact Bill Thompson at 352-867-4117 or bill.thompson@starbanner.com.
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