Free Republic

FBI crime report figures show that Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming–three states that abolished their concealed requirement years ago–have since witnessed a decreased in handgun murders. This runs completely counter to the left’s doom and gloom predictions whereby they claim doing away with a government-issued carry permit will mean more bad guys carrying guns, more shootings and violence, etc. FBI figures published by the NRA show that Alaska’s handgun murder rate “declined after the state enacted permitless carry in 2003.” Moreover, in the years since Alaska’s permit requirement was abolished “handgun murders have declined as a percentage of the total number...

There’s something afoot in Michigan which will come as welcome news to Second Amendment supporter around the nation. The state house passed a new bill this week which, if signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder, would make it legal for residents to carry their handguns concealed without needing any special permit to do so. Reuters reports that the move remains controversial, but Republicans in the state even found a few Democrats to vote with them on the measure.

On 17 May, 2017, SB 35, the recognition of military, guard and reserve members to carry concealed weapons based on a military, reserve, or national guard valid I.D. card, was signed into law by Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin.SB 35 was popular in the legislature. It passed the Senate on 15 March, 2017, 40-2.  It was amended on 11 April in the House. It passed the House  on 19 April, 2017, 85 – 0.The amended version then passed the Senate unanimously, 46-0. It was signed by Governor Fallin on 17 May, 2017.Many states accept military service as meeting the requirement for...

A Chicago teen was shot dead last Saturday after attempting to rob a 24-year-old man with a valid concealed carry permit. Meanwhile, the concealed carry permit holder has not been charged for the shooting. Though, that may change pending the results of the investigation. “According to police, the [24-year-old] shooter is considered the victim at this point,” Oak Park village spokesman David Powers told the Chicago Tribune. “The Cook County State’s Attorney could decide otherwise based on the findings of the investigation, which is still ongoing.”

I read with fascination this article that appeared in the Macon, Georgia Telegraph today, which I’m pleased to see is getting a fair amount of press on my favorite pro-Second Amendment sites. And by fascination, I really mean the sort of morbid, irresistible curiosity that compels one to stare at car accidents and other scenes of destruction, like The Kramer. In it, breathless researchers from Boston University trumpet their newly launched State Firearm Law Database. The article is sure to appeal to the logic challenged, especially those who already suffer from full-blown hoplophobia. Michael Siegel and Molly Pahn propose to...

LEE COUNTY, Fla. - If you're a concealed weapon permit holder, your information could be in danger after a statewide hack. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says the data breach affects more than 16,000 people and some social security numbers may be at risk. "It's a little nerve-racking to know that it happened here in Florida," said Evelyn Greenway. Officials say people with concealed weapons licenses who renewed online may have had their names accessed. An additional 469 others have been notified their social security numbers may have been hacked. "Somebody knows this house has weapons in...

A report from the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) shows the demand for concealed carry witnessed its greatest surge ever between May 2016 and May 2017. The number of permits nationwide has now surpassed 15 million. That means more than 15 million law-abiding Americans have permits to carry a gun every day for defense of their own lives and the lives of others. And that 15 million-plus does not include the untold number of residents who legally carry without a permit in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming, and West Virginia.

Writing in The Hill, Valdez said: One of Congress’s top priorities is to allow the unrestricted concealed carry of firearms, which would undermine one state’s strong laws with another state’s weaker laws for carrying loaded, hidden guns in public. This bill would make it easier for dangerous people, like stalkers and domestic abusers, to carry hidden guns in all 50 states. Under this bill, a victim could never feel safe or escape their accuser by going to another state. This bill also directly undermines the ability of law enforcement officers to effectively do their jobs and ensure public safety.

The South Carolina House of Representatives has passed a bill to reform the State's restrictive reciprocity law. The vote occurred on 4 May, 2017.  Currently, South Carolina only recognizes carry permits from 19 states, and "enhanced" permits from four more. This bill would recognize permits from up to 16 more states would be recognized by South Carolina. It seems likely that the regular permits from the four states whose enhanced permits will be recognized, if the permit holders are 21 years old or older. From postandcourier.com: COLUMBIA — House members voted Wednesday to recognize the concealed weapons permits of...

A concealed carry holder is being heralded as a hero by Arlington police for preventing mass murder by killing an "incoherent" gunman at a sports bar Wednesday evening. Before he was shot about 6:15 p.m., the gunman killed the manager of Zona Caliente in the 6500 block of South Cooper Street, police spokesman Christopher Cook said.

An unnamed person inside a Nashville (TN) sneaker shop went John Wick on three armed robbers last after they made the mistake of charging into the store with guns blazing. A man died after he was injured during a shootout at a Bordeaux shop late Thursday night. It happened inside retailer Hot Kicks, located in a strip mall at 3101 Clarksville Pike, around 11 p.m. Metro police told News 2 a group of people were inside the store when at least three armed suspects came in through an unlocked back door and began firing. One of the people in the...

In a recent defense story from Cleveland, Ohio, a man said that he had a concealed carry permit because his past employer required it. From cleveland.com: He said he has a concealed carry permit because he used to work at a barbershop, and the owner required barbers to get their concealed carry licenses for their protection. I suspect that more businesses are taking this approach. It brings about many benefits. Last year, we had the example of a Georgia business owner who required his employees to be armed. He would give them a Taurus Judge revolver when they showed...

Emergency responders in most states are prevented from carrying defensive firearms. This is a result of governmental employee rules and regulations, or, in some cases, private employment rules. In some states, lawmakers are seeking to reform those rules. In Texas, a reform bill, HB 435, would allow first responders to carry defensive arms if they have a concealed carry permit. From everythinglubbock.com: Currently, there is no state law that addresses this issue, policies are set at the local level and vary by location. “You need to be able to exercise your Second Amendment right,” Flynn said. The legislation looks...

Col. (retired)  Tom Brewer, Nebraska State Senator Nebraska has a Constitutional Carry bill that has been introduced in 2017. It is Legislative Bill 502(pdf). The bill was introduced by Senator Brewer, and was heard in committee on March 23rd. No action was taken at that time.  From omaha.com: The committee took no action Thursday on Legislative Bill 502. Because the bill does not have a priority designation, it likely would not be scheduled for debate this year even if the committee decides to advance it to the floor. State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon introduced the bill, saying he...

Governor Herbert has signed H.B. 198 into law. The bill provides for adults aged 18-20 to obtain a Utah concealed carry permit. The bill requires that permit holders meet minimum age requirements of other states when in those states. From utah.gov: This bill: â–¸ establishes a provisional permit to carry a concealed firearm; â–¸ stipulates that individuals must be at least 18 years of age, but no more than 20 years of age, to obtain the permit; â–¸ stipulates that the holder of a provisional permit issued by the state must meet eligibility requirements, including minimum age requirements, to...

H. 3930, a Constitutional Carry bill is on the move in South Carolina. On March 9th, it passed the Judiciary Constitutional Laws Subcommittee. On 21 March, it passed the full committee with a vote of 15 to 7.  Now it will advance to a vote before the full House. Last year a similar bill passed the House, but died in the Senate. From goupstate.com: The bill by state Rep. Mike Pitts, R-Laurens, calls for what is often referred to as “constitutional carry” by allowing people who are legally permitted to own a firearm to carry one – concealed or...

On a Saturday morning in Dallas, Texas, my daughter and I decided to eat breakfast out. My grandson mentioned pancakes, so my daughter decided on a Denny's that was reasonably close, at 4567 Frankford Road. It took about five minutes to load up a one year old and a two year old into the car, in the proper car seats, and another five minutes to drive to the restaurant. On the way in, I noticed the 30.07 sign that banned open carry in the restaurant. The 30.07 sign is required by Texas law, if a private property owner decides...

On Thursday Governor Doug Burgum (R) signed legislation allowing North Dakota residents to carry a handgun concealed for self-defense without a permit. The legislation–House Bill 1169–passed the House on February 21 by a vote of 83-9. It passed the Senate on March 21 by a vote of 34-13. USNews reports that the permitless carry law allows law-abiding citizens 18 and over to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense as long as they “have a valid ID and notify law enforcement of the weapon during instances such as a traffic stop.”

Earlier this week, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced Senate Bill 446, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, which would allow Americans to conceal carry a firearm across state lines. “This bill strengthens both the constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and the power of states to implement laws best-suited for the folks who live there,” Cornyn said in a statement obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. “This legislation is an important affirmation of our Second Amendment rights and has been a top priority of law-abiding gun owners in Texas for a long time.”

Reportedly Mob-connected Democrat Marty Moylan wants a $100 FOID card February 28, 2017 Back when Rod Blagojevich busied himself introducing all manner of radical gun control schemes, Democrat Marty Moylan worked as an Electrical Union enforcer. His job, among other things, involved getting Electrical Union workers "out of jams". He's also got ties to the Chicago mob, per the "Chicago Clout" blog. Marty Moylan later became mayor of Des Plaines. Now, the guy "that will tell you anything to get elected" has wormed his way into the Illinois House. Democrat Marty Moylan stands as one of those Progressive Caucus Democrats...