Weekly Spotlight 3/15/24 – 3/21/24
Latest Constitutional Carry Bills Cause For Celebration, Renewed Focus on Congress
In recent weeks, momentum for pro-Second Amendment policies culminated in two significant victories for American gun owners. Two Governors signed bills to implement constitutional carry in their states, bringing the total number of states to remove the burdensome permitting barrier to concealed carry to 29 in all.
On March 5, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed Senate Bill 1, a constitutional carry bill, as part of a broader package aimed at reducing crime in the Pelican State. Similarly, on March 7, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed House Bill 3594, which also allowed for open carry and allocated millions in funding for free firearm safety training statewide. These are major milestones for concealed carry and self-defense advocates, but more work is still needed.
With 29 states recognizing Americans’ rights to bear arms, public support for pro-gun policies is evident. However, the political landscapes in the 21 remaining states lacking such laws appear rather bleak, with little potential for passing constitutional carry or any other policies that enhance law-abiding citizens’ self-defense rights.
While there are many battles to be had at the state level to block anti-2A policies, supporters of the Second Amendment can also turn their attention to Washington, DC. Responsible gun owners should leverage the fact that it’s a presidential election year to make it clear to politicians in D.C. that they want leaders who will pass pro-2A policies like National Concealed Carry Reciprocity. By calling or writing letters, you can let your Representative or Senator know how critical these policies are to their constituents.
Law-abiding gun owners must also take their voices to the ballot box and make sure they’re supporting candidates who champion their right to self-defense and will safeguard Second Amendment rights for generations to come. In his State of the Union address last week, President Joe Biden made it clear where the anti-gun crowd stands – they will persist in pushing for policies that further restrict Americans’ ability to defend themselves. That’s why it’s critical for law-abiding gun owners to get active – whether it’s through direct advocacy or on Election Day – in support of the Second Amendment principles they hold dear.
Join us in advocating for sensible legislative solutions that will help save lives!
- Associated Press: Law-Abiding Adults Can Now Carry Guns Openly In South Carolina After Governor Approves New Law
Any adult who can legally own a gun can now carry one openly in South Carolina after Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill into law Thursday, just a day after it received final legislative approval. Gun rights supporters have pushed for the law for nearly a decade, first allowing open carry for people who took the training to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Encouraging that kind of training was one of the biggest roadblocks for the new law. A Senate proposal to provide millions of dollars for free gun training across the state needed to get a concealed weapons permit was part of what cleared the way.
I made it back from my talk with a Columbia University class in time to watch the State of the Union. Discussing gun policy and politics with some very smart and open-minded students was quite a lot more enjoyable than watching a lengthy political speech. But we did get some news out of the State of the Union. President Joe Biden called, once again, for a ban on AR-15s and other popular firearms. I explain in a members’ piece why that might be a problem for his re-election bid.
- Associated Press: Appeals Court Weighs Delaware Laws Banning Certain Semiautomatic Firearms, Large-Capacity Magazines
Lawyers for gun rights groups urged a federal appeals court on Monday to overturn a judge’s refusal to halt enforcement of Delaware laws banning certain semiautomatic firearms and restricting the size of firearm magazines. Delaware’s Democrat-controlled General Assembly enacted laws in 2022 that ban the sale of several types of semiautomatic firearms and shotguns, and limit magazine capacity to 17 rounds.
Republicans on the Arizona House Judiciary Committee passed a bill this week that would allow college and university students with concealed carry permits to bring guns on campus. Flagstaff Republican Wendy Rogers is Senate Bill 1198’s primary sponsor. She said it’s important to show Arizona is a leader in enabling Second Amendment rights, even on college campuses. “These are not kids,” said Rogers. “These are adults who have been granted a concealed carry permit.”
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