National Concealed Carry Reciprocity, H.R. 38

[MarcSpaz]

Dear Mr. Spaziano,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (S.446). I appreciate the benefit of your views on this important issue.

As you know, on February 27, 2017, this legislation was introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, of which I am not a member. This legislation would require each state to recognize the concealed carry gun permits of all other states, allowing individuals with a concealed carry permit in any one state to bring that firearm across state lines.

Virginia has determined what it deems to be appropriate concealed carry permitting standards, but neither the Commonwealth nor any other state should be subject to national laws that would override those standards and result in a race to the bottom. With the tragic rate of gun violence today, I simply cannot support efforts to further weaken our nation’s gun laws. That includes renewed efforts this Congress to relax the standards for issuing concealed carry permits or to establish a national system that would further erode state-level concealed carry standards.

In recent years, I have heard from more and more victims of gun violence and their families in Virginia who are concerned about further weakening current laws. In the four years since the Senate’s last significant gun safety debate, the country has suffered over 100 mass shootings and tens of thousands of Americans are killed through gun violence each year.

I am a proud supporter of second amendment rights and will always advocate for responsible gun ownership for hunting, recreation and self-defense. But weakening our nation's concealed carry standards is not the answer. Knowing what I know today, if and when S. 446 comes before the Senate for a vote, I will oppose it in the interest of the safety of all Virginians.

Please know that I will continue advocating for responsible reforms that keep criminals and the dangerously mentally ill from owning guns, while also protecting the rights of responsible gun owners. I appreciate your contacting me and will keep your opinion in mind should the Senate address this issue or other relevant legislation.

Again, thank you for contacting me. For further information or to sign up for my newsletter please visit my website at http://www.warner.senate.gov.

Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator

[rifle]

but neither the Commonwealth nor any other state should be subject to national laws that would override those standards and result in a race to the bottom

.

I would have to ask Warner to explain how the gay marriage issue and the abortion issue are able to override states that passed laws against them. Of course we know how they are, they were ruled a constitutionally protected rights.

Well so is the right to bear arms

[MarcSpaz]

The whole situation has me upset to the point where I can't take it anymore. I don't want to run for office... but the jackass lawmakers are refusing to honor the will of the people! It's disgusting that they put Party First, Party Always. The more I try to resist throwing my hat in the ring... the more stuff like this happens.

He has basically taken the stance that the Constitution has zero value or authority and his constituents are too stupid to know what's best for themselves and the nation. What a jerk.

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[Viper21]

It's bothersome that people like Kaine, & Warner care so little about the safety of Virginians. How many live in the metro area alone that travel to Maryland, & D.C. on a regular basis..? It's upsetting that a law abiding resident of the Commonwealth cannot go into these areas without disarming himself. The right to self defense is the most basic right there is, & I would argue THE most important.... Self Preservation.

I get pretty wound up when I hear these pols say, "tens of thousands of Americans are killed through gun violence each year." We all know that is a talking point not based in 100% fact.

I just hope the Senate passes it. I'm sure the anti-gun lobby will really fire up the base this time. They know that now, there is a President that will sign it into law if it reaches his desk.

[AlanM]

Why are those two idiots against national reciprocity?
Virginia ALREADY honors every other state's licences/permits.
All they are opposing is Virginia residents protecting themselves when out of the state.

[cwfunrider]

It's bothersome that people like Kaine, & Warner care so little about the safety of Virginians. How many live in the metro area alone that travel to Maryland, & D.C. on a regular basis..? It's upsetting that a law abiding resident of the Commonwealth cannot go into these areas without disarming himself. The right to self defense is the most basic right there is, & I would argue THE most important.... Self Preservation.

I get pretty wound up when I hear these pols say, "tens of thousands of Americans are killed through gun violence each year." We all know that is a talking point not based in 100% fact.

I just hope the Senate passes it. I'm sure the anti-gun lobby will really fire up the base this time. They know that now, there is a President that will sign it into law if it reaches his desk.

I am very frequently in MD and DC for work. It frustrates the hell out of me when I have to go out of VA to those areas. Many times I leave straight from home, or leave those areas and go straight home so I don't even have the option of leaving it locked up somewhere and then retrieving it.

I am also frequently on federal property within the state of VA where I also have to leave it at home. Reciprocity will not help with that. While generally safe while at those specific locations, traveling back and forth and for the remainder of the day I am forced to go unarmed.

Somehow I got on an email list for Kaine and received an email from his camp just before the state elections. It was enraging to read what he was spouting and endorsing. Immediately "unsubscribed". VA really is lost to the liberals.

[Viper21]

Why are those two idiots against national reciprocity?
Virginia ALREADY honors every other state's licences/permits.
All they are opposing is Virginia residents protecting themselves when out of the state.

Because they are liberal party line Dems. They would switch us to a "may issue" state if they could.

Your points are valid imo. I was not aware that VA honors EVERY other states permits. With that being the case, it is that much more outrageous for our own senators to oppose this legislation. Again with that in mind, how could either of them possibly state they are looking out for the best interest of VA residents...?? That is just absurd.

[Viper21]

Took a page out of Marc's book. I sent this to both of em ....

Mr Kaine/Warner,

It is my understanding that you are against HR 38 National Reciprocity. My question to you is, how can you in good faith claim to be concerned about the citizens of Virginia while opposed to this legislation..?? As you are aware, Virginia already accepts concealed permits/licenses from all 50 states, DC, & a couple US territories. The ONLY thing that changes for Virginia residents with the passage of this legislation, would be Virginia residents now able to protect themselves while traveling to others states that do NOT currently honor VA permits.

While there may be tangible arguments one way or the other on larger issues, I'm specifically concerned about this particular piece of legislation & how it directly affects VA residents. To vote or lobby against this bill directly affects VA residents in a negative way.

Could you explain to me why you are opposed to this legislation when this bill would simply afford Virginia residents the same security & right to self defense we (as Virginians) afford to residents of EVERY other state in the union..?

I got the exact same, canned, form letter response from Warner that Marc did. These clowns....

[MarcSpaz]

Figures. They have two gun-related canned replies. The one you and I got and one for the anti-2a people siding with them.

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[AlanM]

FYI :http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_Reciprocity.shtm

Code: Select all

As of July 1, 2016, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 18.2-308.014, the holder of a valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by another state1 may carry a concealed handgun in Virginia provided all of the below conditions are met:

    1. The holder of such permit or license is at least 21 years of age.
    2.The permit or license holder carries a valid photo-identification issued by a government agency of any state or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. Department of State.
    3.The holder displays the permit or license and the government issued photo-identification upon demand by a law-enforcement officer.
    4.The permit or license holder has not previously had a Virginia concealed handgun permit revoked.

Although the law requires Virginia to grant recognition to all states that issue permits, those states may not authorize Virginia permit holders to possess a firearm in their state. 
Prior to traveling citizens should contact a representative of the state they intend to travel through to determine if that state will recognize their Virginia resident or non-resident concealed carry permit, or visit that state’s website for guidance.

[MarcSpaz]

Someone should email that to Warner. I think they blocked me because i dont get auto reply messages anymore.

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[MarcSpaz]

I got a reply from Kaine. Its like him and Warner share a template.

Dear Mr. Spaziano:
Thank you for contacting me about concealed carry reciprocity. I appreciate hearing from you.

Each state legislature is responsible for determining whether to adopt concealed carry laws and whether reciprocity applies to the permits of other states. Typically, this means that states grant reciprocity for licenses issued in states with similar or more stringent concealed carry permit requirements. Virginia has formal reciprocity agreements with thirteen states and less formal mutual recognition policies with twelve others. Some states, such as Maryland, have decided not to enter into reciprocal agreements with Virginia based on their own firearm regulations.

On February 27th, 2017, Senator John Cornyn introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This bill would allow non-resident individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home states to carry their firearms in any other state that also has concealed carry laws. This bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

I believe that this legislation would violate a state's right to regulate firearms within its own boundaries. For example, the bill would force states that require background checks or firearm safety courses to accept the concealed carry permits of states with less rigorous requirements.

I support common sense measures like universal background records checks to keep weapons out of the hands of people determined too dangerous to possess them. The public supports common sense rules, and so do the vast majority of gun owners. I will continue to work to bring about a comprehensive approach to gun violence prevention that will strengthen the safety of our communities while protecting our Second Amendment rights. As a gun owner myself, I know that you can be a strong supporter of the Second Amendment without tolerating the gun tragedies that are too often a part of our lives.

Please be assured I will keep your views in mind should the Senate consider legislation affecting concealed carry laws. Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Tim Kaine

[Viper21]

Must have been Kaines day to reply. I got the exact same same canned, form letter reply from Kaine this afternoon....

[wittmeba]

Tim Kaine bothers the heck out of me. He has indicated he is a gunman too but his attitude is 180° out of sync. He has stated he also owns gun(s) -- Probably has a .22 rifle that hasn't been shot in years...but that makes him a gunman.

I suspect the reply from TK (above) is a "canned" response sent by a clerk. I got one just like it -- if not exactly the same about a year ago. All their emails are filtered, grouped by a clerk and sent canned replies when they don't want/have the time and I suspect that is often. As noted -- they don't care about our safety.

Edit & correction: mine was regarding Merrick Garland nominee but many of the same words.

[MarcSpaz]

Youre right. Have a relative that was a staffer for a Congressman. He has told me that they rarely, if ever, reply to email or letters. A staffer counts emails and letters and simply lets the Congressman know the percentage of for/against and that's it.

He also told me they only way you will have your personal voice heard is to make an appointment, hopefully, someday.... hope the Congressman shows up and if you are on opposition party member you should expect an unfriendly meeting at best.

[AlanM]

As I said earlier, these jackwagons know NOTHING about Virginia's current laws and obviously can't be bothered to do a simple Google search.

Does anyone have the ear of a newspaper editor or media outlet that might throw some light of truth on these morons?

[MarcSpaz]

Im friends with owner of the Loudoun Times. He's a great guy, but he's in Lib Paradise up there.

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