Our constitutionally protected Second Amendment rights do not end at the state line. That is not an opinion; that is a fact. Yet, that simple fact never seems to stop Democrats and certain “Republicans” from trying to infringe upon our right to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
While the idea of responsible gun ownership is a foreign concept to liberal elites, for those of us who do responsibly own guns, this is not just a right, but our heritage and way of life.
Congress has been debating the issue of concealed carry reciprocity, or the ability for those of us legally permitted to carry a concealed handgun, to do so in any state that allows concealed carry. This is not a new concept, as we all take advantage of reciprocity when we drive a vehicle in another state. Concealed carry reciprocity would work the same way: Follow the laws of your home state, and you can legally concealed carry in other states.
While this might seem like a no-brainer idea, the lack of such a federal law showed its necessity in the case of Shaneen Allen, a mother from Philadelphia who was arrested for carrying a handgun, legally purchased in Pennsylvania, while in New Jersey, even though she had a valid Pennsylvania concealed carry permit. Shaneen not only lost her job for carrying her handgun into New Jersey, but she spent time in jail as well.
This is completely unacceptable and must be corrected.
Thankfully, Congress is finally taking action on this crucial issue. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, a bill that will ensure law-abiding concealed carry owners can travel across state lines with their legally purchased handguns, without fear of facing criminal prosecution for choosing to protect themselves.
I am encouraged that Congress is working to right this wrong, and I strongly support this legislation. While it may be too little too late for law-abiding Americans like Shaneen, hopefully no other law-abiding citizen will spend a single moment behind bars for executing their constitutionally guaranteed Second Amendment right.
For too long, liberals and the mainstream media have tried to malign gun owners in America. But as many of us know, there is nothing controversial about responsible gun ownership. We always hear the horror stories about “bad guys with guns,” but very seldom do we hear about the daily acts of selflessness and bravery carried out by ordinary people who spring into action when evil rears its ugly head.
Whether it’s the shift worker who puts down an attempted robbery in a convenience store, or a mother who needs to keep her family safe, concealed carry owners do not just come in one shape or form.
It is long past time that our laws reflect the realities of today, and I am optimistic that Congress will soon rectify this failure of public policy. This is not an issue particular to any one race, gender, religion, or economic class. It is an issue that affects us all equally.
Our leaders should rally around the idea of emboldening law-abiding citizens, and the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act would do just that.
Second Amendment rights do not end at the state line, and this bill guarantees it.
Andrew Lewis (@AndrewLewisPA) is an Army veteran, former Army intelligence agent, and a candidate for Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District.
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