Posted on 03/03/2012 5:27:15 PM PST by DTogo
What gives me pause about a national reciprocity statute would be that statute would likely give to the federal government cause to push a licensing scheme into place for all states, thus ending Constitutional Carry (and likely even Open Carry) much as it did with drinking ages.
If anything national reciprocity should act as a spring board for Constitutional Carry, as hopefully some of the recent cases in NYC could (should) if taken to the SCOTUS. There is no national licensing scheme for drivers, which is not even in the Constitution.
Sadly, while it seems it should work that way, it is entirely possible (and IMO probable) that it would be twisted into a form of control. For example it could be enacted such that it covers only those who are licensed, thereby cutting out all of those who live in a Constitutional Carry or Open Carry state; and indeed in order to gain licenses so that act would apply the State could very well try to add some restrictions in its licensing. (The restrictions would, of course, only grow over time; and likely would be seen as a valid signing away rights in the courts.)
In NM, the State Constitution flatly prohibits counties and municipalities from "regulating, in any way an incident to keep and bear arms" yet I see State and County Courthouses with "Weapons Prohibited, violators will be prosecuted" signs. Also, there is no State law that would allow such prohibitions. And any time I ask about such unconstitutionalities I am redirected, or brushed-off.
Looks like talking out of both sides of mouth.
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