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Gun Control States' Laws and Requirements for Concealed Carry Permits Vary across the Nation
GAO ^ | August 2012 | Carol R. Cha

Posted on 09/07/2012 11:53:00 AM PDT by SLB

What GAO Found

The number of states allowing concealed carry permits is increasing, and states broadly differ in eligibility requirements and the extent to which they have reciprocity agreements. In June 2002, 7 states and the District of Columbia prohibited the concealed carry of handguns. As of March 2012, individuals can carry concealed handguns in all but 1 state (Illinois) and the District of Columbia. “Shall-issue” states—in which issuing authorities are required to issue a permit to an applicant that fulfills the objective statutory criteria— generally issue more permits than states with greater discretion in granting permits (“may-issue” states). Because of differing eligibility requirements, some states would issue a permit to an applicant, while others would not. For example, some states define what constitutes a disqualifying felony differently or have different firearms training requirements. As of March 2012, 39 states that issue permits and Vermont (permits not required) recognize concealed carry permits from other states. Of the 9 states that do not grant reciprocity, 8 are may-issue states.

Issuing authorities from all 9 states included in GAO’s case study stated that they take action to confirm an individual’s continued eligibility to hold a permit as part of the permit renewal process; and issuing authorities from 8 of these 9 states reported using mechanisms to monitor resident permit holders’ continued eligibility between issuance and renewal. In these 8 states, issuing authorities told GAO that they are notified if a permit holder commits a disqualifying act within their state through law enforcement or state databases. After detecting a disqualifying criminal offense or other disqualifying factors, each of the 9 states begins the revocation process by notifying the permit holder. The states have varying retrieval processes, and 3 of them have authority to impose a penalty for failure to surrender a revoked permit or continuing to possess one. Law enforcement in the 9 case study states that issue permits told GAO that when encountering permits, such as during routine traffic stops, they visually check them and can take additional steps, such as checking state databases, as needed, to determine whether the permits are current and valid.

Law enforcement in the 9 case study states that issue permits told GAO that when encountering permits, such as during routine traffic stops, they visually check them and can take additional steps, such as checking state databases, as needed, to determine whether the permits are current and valid.

Why GAO Did This Study

According to state reporting to GAO, there were at least 8 million active permits to carry concealed handguns in the United States as of December 31, 2011. States and local authorities control the issuance of concealed carry permits. Applicants who wish to obtain such permits are required to meet certain state eligibility requirements, such as minimum age and the lack of a felony conviction. States also decide which other states’ permits to honor. Typically, states enter into reciprocity agreements that establish which out of- state permit holders can carry concealed firearms within each state. In recent years, Members of Congress have introduced legislation that would require each issuing state to recognize any permit. GAO was asked to provide information on the status of concealed carry permitting. This report describes (1) the extent to which states allow concealed carry permits, and how select states’ eligibility requirements and recognition of other states’ permits differ, (2) what processes select states use to help ensure they revoke permits when holders no longer meet eligibility requirements, and (3) how law enforcement officials in select states determine whether permits they encounter are current and valid. GAO gathered information on the number of permits, laws, issuing authorities, and reciprocity agreements for 50 states and the District of Columbia, and conducted a case study on 9 states that issue permits. GAO selected these states to reflect differences among states’ eligibility requirements, state reciprocity of permits, and permit issuing processes; the results cannot be generalized across all states but provide a broad understanding of the different requirements and processes states utilized in issuing permits.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: government; guncontrol
Go to the link and download the entire study. A good read. Bet most of you didn't realize the GAO did this study.
1 posted on 09/07/2012 11:53:04 AM PDT by SLB
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To: Joe Brower; Squantos; Lion Den Dan; FreedomPoster; Travis McGee; Stonewall Jackson

BTTT


2 posted on 09/07/2012 11:54:22 AM PDT by SLB (23rd Artillery Group, Republic of South Vietnam, Aug 1970 - Aug 1971.)
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To: SLB

Along the lines of rights, there is no reason that if a state opposing gay marriage has to respect gay marriages administered in another state, that a state that bans concealed carry should not have to respect the carry permit lawfully issued from another.


3 posted on 09/07/2012 11:58:52 AM PDT by Sgt_Schultze (A half-truth is a complete lie)
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To: SLB
Yep. States and local authorities control the issuance of concealed carry permits. ..no matter how absurd they are
4 posted on 09/07/2012 12:03:27 PM PDT by Daffynition (Our forefathers would be shooting by now.)
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To: SLB; Lurker

BFLR !!!

Thanks SLB !!


5 posted on 09/07/2012 12:32:26 PM PDT by Squantos
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To: Squantos

http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_reciprocity_maps.html


6 posted on 09/07/2012 1:01:37 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: Squantos
p.s.you have to hit one of the the top questions to reset the query for each state you want to look up

States That Honor My Permit(s) Permits Honored By State

7 posted on 09/07/2012 1:07:31 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: SLB

Side by side comparisons are an excellent way to show why gun rights are so important. Real statistics are a lot more convincing than opinion.


8 posted on 09/07/2012 1:14:14 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy (DIY Bumper Sticker: "THREE TIMES,/ DEMOCRATS/ REJECTED GOD")
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To: SLB

Key is: Know, before you go.


9 posted on 09/07/2012 1:14:27 PM PDT by vpintheak (Occupy your Brain!)
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To: Chode

Excellent.... Was just speaking about my trip a few years ago from Texas to visit Florida .....an Alabama of all states didnt! at the time, honor my CHL .... Was only bump in my I-10 east road trip.

That site and map is gold.

I’m grateful as I’m sure all here are.

Thank you...stay safe.


10 posted on 09/07/2012 3:09:41 PM PDT by Squantos
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To: Squantos
most welcome... i got the link at the class for my Utah CC permit

the classes are held all over the country for out of state permits good in 32 states, best money i've spent in years

11 posted on 09/07/2012 3:14:52 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: Chode

And....

http://www.handgunlaw.us


12 posted on 09/10/2012 6:38:57 AM PDT by petro45acp (The question isn't "are you better off?" it should be "is it really the government's job?")
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bflr


13 posted on 09/10/2012 10:11:05 AM PDT by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
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To: petro45acp
thx
14 posted on 09/10/2012 2:55:52 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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