Concealed handgun
Tomorrow the House Judiciary Committee takes on the national gun violence epidemic by scheduling mark-up for the National Rifle Association’s top priority - a bill to allow more people to carry concealed guns in more places - HB 38 so-called ‘concealed carry reciprocity’. This federal government proposal seeks to override state laws governing the permitting of concealed guns. Rep. Richard Hudson’s (R-NC) bill is complimentary to the NRA’s ongoing state legislative strategy of removing all state concealed carry gun permit laws.
For several years state legislatures have seen ‘Constitutional Carry’ initiatives introduced which seek to eliminate any state laws on the books requiring minimal standards, such as a background check and some nominal gun safety training, before concealed carry permits are granted. In the NRA’s America, anyone in possession of a handgun should be allowed to conceal and carry that hidden gun just about anywhere they please.
As the NRA goes state-by-state seeking to remove concealed gun permitting laws, their supporters in the Republican Party including Pres. Trump are clearing the way in Washington. Tomorrow’s House Judiciary hearing is likely to pass HB 38 overriding the opposition of nearly every law enforcement organization in the country.
Americans might be wondering how forcing states to allow more people to carry concealed guns tackles ongoing, horrific, deadly and traumatic gun violence in community after community? The answer is; it doesn’t.
The gun manufacturer’s lobby is in the business of selling more guns. Selling guns is greatly enhanced by the ‘superhero fantasy’ myth, best illustrated by the gun lobby’s response to 2012’s Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre of 1st graders, the ‘good guy with a gun’ prescription.
Concealed carry has become an effective marketing strategy for gun manufacturers and their accessory providers such as clothiers like well-known western wear brand Cinch. The marketing strategy works. Last week’s Friday after Thanksgiving ‘Black Friday’ shopping extravaganza saw the greatest number of gun purchaser national background checks than ever before, including Colorado.
The bottom line of course is that saving lives and preventing future tragedies will only happen when Members of Congress find the courage to stand up to the gun industry and reject dangerous proposals like Concealed Carry Reciprocity that put our public safety at risk.