Posted on 11/20/2011 2:12:04 AM PST by marktwain
Truck drivers are closely monitoring a bill aimed at unifying states’ concealed carry laws.
The bill, HR822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011, passed the House by a vote of 272-154 on Wednesday, Nov. 16. U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-FL, introduced the bill, which currently has 245 cosponsors and has been referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has been supportive of efforts like HR822, which would require states that “currently permit people to carry concealed firearms to recognize other states’ valid concealed carry permits.”
“This bill will go a long ways toward ensuring the safety of truckers when they are out on the road,” said Ryan Bowley, director of legislative affairs for OOIDA. “The strong bipartisan support is a clear sign that Second Amendment rights shouldn’t stop at a state line, something that is well-known to truckers.”
As the economy struggles, more truckers are becoming victims of violent crimes, robbing them of their cash, their loads and, sometimes, their lives.
Gary Slider, who maintains the comprehensive website handgunlaws.us, recently told Land Line that criminals target truckers because of their valuable loads. Criminals also know that many truck drivers are unarmed because of differing city, county and state laws, which makes it nearly impossible for them to legally comply with concealed carry laws.
(Excerpt) Read more at landlinemag.com ...
I used to be an over the road trucker and this bill is a very needed step in the right direction.
When I drove in the 70’s and 80’s guns were not an issue of course that was before the Clinton regime today that is another question.
There were two ocassions where I had to display a firearm when parked both locations at the time firearm possision was prohibited. The first was Chicago IL and the second was Jessup MD. This law if passed how does it cover somebody in New York city where they don’t respect the Second Amendment?
As a trucker in Chicago we at times spent the night in places the police were afraid to go alone!
I never traveled without my 1911 no mater what law was or was not on the books and I am here because of that traveling budy I never left home without!
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It’ll die either from a Democratic filibuster led by anti-gun senators from California or New York or President Obama will veto it.
i’m not convinced federal government involved in regulation of concealed carry permits is the best thing
“like the senate is ever going to even take this bill up”
“Pro Gun” Harry Reid will never let this bill see the light of day.
You’re right about that but this sort of measure is probably the best way to finesse the 50 state laws that also probably violate the constitution. Once you let legislators legislate without due regard for constitutional limits, crap like this happens.
In April, Herman Cain said he opposed federal laws about concealed carry, and said it should be left to the states.
I think that is wrong — the issue of truck drivers is an excellent example of why.
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