Posting has obviously been light. Busy with work and not too much to say.
2 cool things in the mail in the last 24 hours:
and
Now I can carry in Georgia, Alabama, and West-By-God too. Amongst others
Just in from the GRNC: NE CCW reciprocity with NC.
GRNC Update 09-03-09:
NC Permit Now Good in Nebraska
RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH NEBRASKA
http://www.ago.state.ne.us/media/Recognition_of_State_Concealed_Handgun_Permits.pdf
On August 31, 2009 Attorney General Jon Bruning of Nebraska issued a memorandum to Colonel Bryan Tuma of the Nebraska State Patrol, informing him that they had completed their review of the fifty states and the District of Columbia and included a list of the states with which Nebraska had reached concealed handgun reciprocity agreements with. North Carolina is now among that number.
The benefits of the concealed handgun reciprocity law engineered by GRNC which passed into law in 2003 continue to accrue even now. The work done by fine members of the General Assembly such as Rep. MARK HILTON who was the primary sponsor and those of you who didn't let their representatives of your support goes rewarded.
Nice.
From Joe Huffman's View From North Central Idaho I learned this morning that Nebraska now has reciprocity with South Carolina. I share his sentiment below:
"I don't think I have ever been in Nebraska and I don't have any plans to visit in the foreseeable future but if I did I could carry when I went there. I'll sleep a little better tonight. Not so much because I can now carry in Nebraska but because thousands of other people can and will. That makes them a little bit safer and the anti-gun bigots a little bit more demoralized."
I am disappointed to note that according to SLED:
As of September 12, 2008, states with which South Carolina has reciprocity are:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Reciprocity with SC is not a 2-way street though. I'd love to see Georgia and West-by-God Virginia on this list someday.
Blogging and tweetage to be lighter than the normal very light as I am on vacation. I'm 3 days in and haven't even opened my Google Reader to see what's been happening with all of my (gradually reciprocated) blogroll. I'll probably have to pull a "mark all as read" and just catch up piecemeal as sorting through 1000+ posts has little appeal to me right now.
For the record, I am vacationing in a state that has CCW reciprocity with my homestate of South Cacalacky.
Maybe I can make a little dent in it tonight. Shouldn't take but another 30 minutes...right?
Maybe I'll just read Tam.
And Snowflakes and Uncle.
And Borepatch and Tbolt and Robb and this is why I haven't made it into the lobby until tonight.
UPDATE:
An hour and 1 cocktail later...
And Breda and Kevin and Marko and Joe Huffman
and who am I kidding - I normally cannot go a night without reading , Rawles (or JWR, if you prefer not to use the , )
and last but certainly not least James.
oh yeah one more: Steve
Done. Going to go to bed now. Last thought - isn't it a bit odd to refer to these nice people by their first names when I have never met them? Probably.
Here's Senator Lindsay Graham's response to this letter, asking him NOT to vote for the confirmation of Judge Sonya Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Dear Brian:
Thank you for contacting me regarding Second Amendment rights and Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor. I appreciate the opportunity to hear from you on these important issues.
I have announced my intent to support Judge Sotomayor, in both the Senate Judiciary Committee and on the floor of the Senate, because I believe she is well-qualified for the position. As you may be aware, Judge Sotomayor's nomination was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 28, 2009, and awaits consideration by the full United States Senate.
I understand your concerns regarding Judge Sotomayor's record on Second Amendment rights. She was questioned extensively on this point during her confirmation hearings. Judge Sotomayor acknowledged and pledged to abide by the precedent established by the Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller that the Second Amendment confers an individual right of gun ownership. In making my decision to support Judge Sotomayor's nomination, I considered how she might rule on a variety of issues, including gun rights. I weighed her past rulings, education, and statements on judicial philosophy, both in and out of the courtroom, to determine whether she was qualified for the position of Associate Justice. I also considered her character and the uniquely American story that her life presents. Finally, I studied whether there was anything about her past actions which would be serious enough to disqualify her from sitting on the Supreme Court. Finding none, and believing her qualifications to be exemplary, I chose to support her nomination.
I believe my record of supporting legislation which protects the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans is clear. I joined 54 other senators, 250 representatives, and former Vice President Cheney in filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court to argue that the long-standing District of Columbia (D.C.) handgun ban is unconstitutional. Additionally, I cosponsored an amendment to S. 160, the District of Columbia Voting Rights Act, which would conform D.C. gun laws to the requirements set out in the Heller decision. I have also cosponsored legislation, S. 371, which allows concealed carry reciprocity. Finally I was proud to cosponsor an amendment which restores the right of law- abiding citizens to possess, carry, and transport concealed weapons within a national park area or national wildlife refuge area. This legislation was signed into law by President Obama on May 22, 2009. I assure you I will continue to look for ways to protect the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts. If I may be of further assistance to you or your family,please do not hesitate to call on me.
Sincerely,
Lindsey O. Graham
United States Senator
At the end there he mentions his support of the Thune-Vitter amendment (although oddly not by name) like I'd not heard of it - even though I mention it by name in my letter, clearly marking this as his form letter for "gun people". Sigh.
I'll give Lindsay and staff credit for not ignoring me completely and at least having some pro-2nd Amendment credibility. He really dropped the ball on this vote though.
For the record - I prefer the nigh-on instant response from Senator DeMint, via email. As a comparison, it is safe to say that Graham bought it and DeMint did not, safely neutering any influence the Republican Senators from South Carolina might have on the proceedings. This is not the first time this has happened and likely won't be the last.
Wet pants happiness from our friend Josh Sugarmann at the VPC... we'll get the 2 votes next time pal.
To Violence Policy Center Action Network Members:
Thank you!
Earlier today, the U.S. Senate defeated a National Rifle Association-backed measure sponsored by South Dakota Senator John Thune that would have created a nationalized concealed handgun permitting system--and your calls helped make the difference!
Below, please find the press release issued by the VPC following this important victory.
Click here to see how your Senators voted:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00237
Thank you again for helping make this victory possible.
Sincerely,
Josh Sugarmann
Executive Director
***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Violence Policy Center Statement on Defeat of Thune Amendment Creating National Concealed Handgun System
Washington, DC--Following today's Senate vote defeating the Thune Amendment, which would have created a nationalized concealed handgun permitting system, the Violence Policy Center issued the following statement by VPC Legislative Director Kristen Rand:
"Today's Senate vote is a victory for those who support a sane national gun policy.
"Concealed carry permit holders have already killed police officers, murdered innocent citizens, and committed mass shootings.
"The Thune Amendment would have nullified laws in states such as New York and California that have tough standards for the issuance of concealed handgun permits. Those states would have been forced to allow the carrying of concealed handguns within their borders by people with permits issued by states with the lowest standards, such as Idaho and Florida. The amendment would have also undermined state assault weapons bans because it would have allowed permit holders to carry concealed assault weapons into the seven states that currently ban these guns.
"The danger of the Thune amendment is demonstrated by the fact that proponents of a nationalized concealed carry system argue that lax concealed handgun laws are the answer to mass shootings, but the hard facts are that concealed handgun permit holders do not prevent mass shootings, they perpetrate them."
Earlier this week, the VPC released a new study (http://www.vpc.org/studies/ccw2009.pdf) showing that concealed handgun permit holders killed at least seven police officers and 44 private citizens in 31 incidents during the period May 2007 through April 2009. Among the study's findings--
o Over the two-year period May 2007 through April 2009, concealed handgun permit holders have slain seven law enforcement officers resulting in criminal charges or the suicide of the shooter. All of the killings were committed with guns. An additional three law enforcement officers were injured in these incidents.
o Over the two-year period May 2007 through April 2009, concealed handgun permit holders have slain at least 44 private citizens resulting in criminal charges or the suicide of the shooter. All but one of the killings were committed with guns. An additional six private citizens were injured in these incidents.
o In six of the 31 incidents (19 percent), the concealed handgun permit holder killed himself, bringing the total fatality count to 57.
o Five of the incidents were mass shootings resulting in the deaths of 23 victims.
***
The Violence Policy Center (www.vpc.org) is a national educational organization working to stop gun death and injury.
--END-
***
If you no longer wish to receive Action Network e-mails from the VPC, please reply to this e-mail with the word "unsubcribe" in the subject line.
For more information on the VPC, please visit www.vpc.org.
NORTH CAROLINA FIREARMS LAWS
This publication is only represented to be current as of the revision date on this cover page. Material in this publication may have been altered, added, or deleted since the revision date. Information contained in this publication should not be relied upon as legal advise in a particular scenario. This information is designed as a reference guide only.
ROY COOPER
ATTORNEY GENERAL
JOHN J. ALDRIDGE, III
SPECIAL DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISON SECTION
REVISED DECEMBER 2007
Publication Website: http://www.ncdoj.com
Once into the site, click on “Crime & Law Enforcement,” located in the top center of the page;
then click on “Concealed Handguns,” located on the bottom left of the page.-snip-
III. POSSESSING AND CARRYING FIREARMS
-snip-
D. Transporting Weapons
Given this general prohibition of carrying concealed weapons, individuals must be ever vigilant to ensure their particular situation cannot be construed as concealing a weapon, either on or about them, without being properly authorized to do so with a valid North Carolina, or recognized out-of state concealed handgun permit. Therefore, the permittee's accessibility to the weapon is of prime importance. It is for these reasons, that when transporting a weapon in a vehicle, even greater care must be exercised to ensure that the weapon is not concealed, and within the ready access to an occupant of the vehicle. North Carolina law does not specifically address how to transport a weapon in an automobile. Therefore, the central question becomes: when is the weapon concealed and readily accessible to an occupant of an automobile? Obviously, a weapon would be concealed and readily accessible, and therefore in violation of North Carolina law, if it were placed in such areas of a vehicle as under the seat of the automobile; in a bag in the back seat; or in some other manner is covered or hidden within the easy reach of an occupant of the vehicle. It is our recommendation that firearms should not be carried in a glove compartment regardless of whether the compartment is locked or not.
While a weapon carried openly in an automobile would not be concealed, there are other problems specific to this method of carrying a weapon. The principal drawback, of course, is in the event of an individual being stopped by a law enforcement official, the officer may not readily know that individual's purpose and intent for carrying a weapon. As such, it is imperative that an individual immediately notify an officer of the presence of any weapon in the automobile, for the officer's and the vehicle's occupants' safety. Another obvious drawback is that a valuable weapon may be in plain view for potential thieves to see. The prohibition to carrying concealed weapons applies not only to handguns and other weapons commonly thought of as being easily hidden, but also to "long guns" as well. Therefore, shotguns and rifles concealed behind the seat of pickup trucks, and elsewhere in other vehicles, could similarly violate North Carolina law.
As to those vehicles with no easily discernible trunk area (i.e., vans, etc.), the question arises on a factual determination of when the weapon is within ready and easy access to an occupant of the vehicle. If the weapon is concealed near, in close proximity to, or within the convenient control and access of an occupant, which would allow him/her to use the weapon quickly, then a fair probability exists that the occupant is in violation of the law. Therefore, care must be exercised by any occupant of any vehicle to ensure that weapons are securely locked away in as remote an area as possible, in relation to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. It is important to emphasize that these prohibitions apply to passengers, as well as drivers of any vehicle.
I suppose I shouldn't be bitching too much. At least NC has reciprocity with SC (where I can pretty much put my gun wherever the hell I want to - on my person or in my car - as long as it IS concealed - no open carry in SC - also goofy.)
