If you’re not aware of the movement underway across the United States to deregulate law-abiding Americans’ right of self-defense by rescinding concealed-carry permit requirements for law-abiding gun owners, it’s time you were. To say that the “permitless” concealed-carry train has left the station would be a vast understatement.
Currently seven states require no permit for law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms for self-defense. Following the recent override of West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s veto of a “permitless” concealed-carry measure in that state less than two weeks ago, that number will soon be eight. And such legislation is currently under consideration in five other states.
In Missouri, HB 1468, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Eric Burlison, would allow all law-abiding individuals to carry a concealed firearm anywhere that isn’t expressly prohibited by law. The measure would also recognize their right to legally carry a concealed firearm without having to obtain a permit, allowing law-abiding gun owners the ability to better protect themselves and their loved ones.
Last week, the NRA-backed legislation received a “Do Pass” vote from the House Committee on Emerging Issues. The bill will now go to the House Select Committee on General Laws for further consideration.NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action is calling on Missouri gun owners to voice their support for the “permitless” concealed-carry legislation currently under consideration in the state legislature.
NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action is calling on Missouri gun owners to voice their support for the “permitless” concealed-carry legislation currently under consideration in the state legislature. Interested Missourians can contact members of the House Select Committee and ask for their support on this important legislation here.
In Idaho, another NRA-endorsed “permitless” carry measure was heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee just yesterday.
This legislation, SB 1389, would recognize a law-abiding adult’s unconditional right to keep and bear arms for self-defense in the manner he or she chooses. The measure would recognize that self-defense situations are difficult, if not impossible, to anticipate. Accordingly, a law-abiding adult’s right to defend himself or herself in such situations should not be conditioned by government-mandated time delays and taxes.
Unfortunately for Idaho gun owners, out-of-state gun-ban billionaire Michael Bloomberg has launched a misinformation campaign aimed at undermining the rights of law-abiding Idahoans. Bloomberg-funded gun-control groups are misrepresenting facts and statistics in an attempt to persuade your elected officials to oppose SB 1389.
Those in support of this legislation should let their legislators know as soon as possible.
Meanwhile in New Hampshire, HB 582, endorsed by the NRA, has been introduced, and would repeal the license requirement to carry a concealed pistol or revolver, unless a person is otherwise prohibited. For those who choose to obtain licenses, HB 582 would also increase the length of time a license is valid.
It is already lawful to open carry a firearm in New Hampshire without government-mandated permitting and taxes. Citizens of New Hampshire should not be penalized for the method they feel most comfortable utilizing to defend themselves.
Gun owners can contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to voice their support for this measure here.
Further south, in Mississippi, billionaire gun-control advocate Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun group, Everytown for Gun Safety, continues to attack HB 786—an NRA-backed, pro-self-defense bill that overwhelmingly passed the Mississippi House and will be considered in the coming weeks by the state Senate.
If passed, the measure would accomplish two things:
(1) It would allow church authorities to develop security programs that designate enhanced carry permit holders or those with military or law enforcement backgrounds to protect places of worship, and ensure that these participants receive the benefits of existing protections under the state’s Castle Doctrine law; and
(2) It would clarify current “permitless” carry options for law-abiding citizens while maintaining the existing enhanced and regular concealed-carry permitting systems.Kentucky legislators are also currently considering “permitless” concealed-carry legislation.
What Bloomberg and gun-control advocates fail to acknowledge in their misguided attacks on HB 786 is that Mississippi already has limited “permitless” carry. SB 2394, passed and signed into law in 2015, allowed all Mississippians otherwise eligible to possess a firearm under state and federal law to carry without a permit in a “purse, handbag, satchel, other similar bag or briefcase, or fully enclosed case.” HB 786 would specify that this includes a “sheath, belt holster or shoulder holster”—an important clarification for these popular methods of secure carry. Just as with passage of SB 2394, HB 786 will not prevent enforcement of prohibited person laws or of any laws governing the misuse of a firearm.
NRA-ILA encourages Mississippi gun owners to let their state senators know that Bloomberg doesn’t represent Mississippi values and urge them to support HB 786. You can contact Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and your state senator here.
Kentucky legislators are also currently considering “permitless” concealed-carry legislation. Sponsored by Republican state Sen. Albert Robinson, SB 257 recognizes the right of Kentuckians to legally carry a concealed firearm without the requirement of acquiring a Kentucky concealed-carry weapons license. The committee substitute for SB 257 is a much-needed update to concealed carry in Kentucky, allowing law-abiding gun owners the ability to better protect themselves and their loved ones.
This legislation would also keep in place the current permitting system so that people who obtain a permit may still enjoy the reciprocity agreements that Kentucky has with other states.
And while not technically “concealed” carry legislation, a measure overwhelmingly approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives last week would do away with a permit requirement for open carry by law-abiding gun owners.
That measure now heads to the Senate for consideration.
