Neil W. McCabe, Editor
Dear
Guns & Patriots readers,
After complex Capitol Hill machinations, some of which I shared with you and some I have not, senators John R. Thune (R.-S.D.) and David Vitter (R-La.) filed March 20 the “Respecting States’ Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.”
The bill intends to guarantee the rights of gun owners to carry concealed weapons across state lines in accordance with the laws of individual states, ending the absurd patchwork of state laws for travelers.
While asserting the national purpose intended in the Bill of Rights, the bill balances the constitutional rights protected by the Bill of Rights with the rights of each state to enforce its own laws regarding concealed firearms.
Thune said he was pleased to file a bill that strikes the balance between the sovereignty of the states and the spirit of the Second Amendment.
“Rather than establish a national standard, our bill will ensure that law-abiding citizens are able to carry concealed firearms while at the same time respecting the laws of the respective states they visit,” he said.
In this issue, our good friend John Velleco writes about the Thune-Vitter bill from the perspective of
Gun Owners of America.
The bill is also supported by the National Rifle Association.
Thune and Vitter are great champions for restoring our gun rights. Please encourage your senators to support their effort. If passed, it would be paired with the Stearns-Shuler bill that passed in November and the differences would be worked out in conference committee manned by members of both chambers. That new conference bill would then need to be approved by each chamber before being sent for the president’s signature.
Another champion for gun owners is Sen. Gerald W. “Jerry” Moran (R-Kansas). Moran stepped up March 20 to file the “Second Amendment Sovereignty Act,” which prohibits federal officials from using the “voice, vote, and influence” of the government during its participation in talks for the United Nation’s proposed Arms Trade Treaty in any way that would compromise Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens, including regulation of civilian firearms and ammunition.
The U.N. expects the Arms Trade Treaty to be completed by July 2012.
“Our country’s sovereignty and firearm freedoms will not be infringed upon by an international organization made up of many countries with little respect for gun rights,” Moran said. “Our Second Amendment rights are not negotiable.”
It is refreshing to bring you good news from Washington. I will continue to keep you posted in this space as news develops. Until next week, please check out this week’s roster of articles.
Enjoy,
Neil W. McCabe
Editor,
Guns & Patriots
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