2aHawaii
General Topics => Legal and Activism => Topic started by: Redtail on April 09, 2010, 10:45:49 PM
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Ariz House approves bill allowing concealed weapons without permits, sends measure to governor
JONATHAN J. COOPER
AP News
Apr 08, 2010 19:52 EDT
The Arizona House voted Thursday to make the state the third in the nation to allow people to carry concealed weapons without a permit, sending the governor a bill that would allow Arizonans to forego background checks and classes that are now required.
The legislation, approved by the House 36-19 without discussion, would make it legal for most U.S. citizens 21 or older to carry a concealed weapon in Arizona without the permit now required. Currently, carrying a hidden firearm without a permit is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
Sen. Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican who sponsored the measure, said last week that he added changes requested by Gov. Jan Brewer's office, an indication that she is likely to sign it. The governor can sign or veto the measure, or allow it to become law without action.
If the legislation is enacted, Arizona would join Alaska and Vermont in not requiring permits to carry concealed weapons. Forty-five other states require permits for hidden guns, and two states — Illinois and Wisconsin — prohibit them altogether.
Supporters say gun restrictions only affect people who want to follow the rules because criminals will carry hidden guns regardless of the law. Nearly all adults can carry a weapon openly in Arizona, and they shouldn't face additional restrictions when they want to hide the weapon, supporters argue.
"What's dangerous is when they're in criminals' hands, not citizens' hands," said Rep. David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista, a bill sponsor.
Opponents argue legalizing concealed weapons will make it easier for criminals to carry them, endangering police. They also worry the bill would lead to more accidental gun discharges by people not adequately trained in firearm safety.
"We wouldn't give people driver's licenses without requiring training or testing. Why would we give people the ability to carry a concealed weapon anywhere?" said Rep. Steve Farley, D-Tucson.
There are more than 154,000 active concealed weapon permits in Arizona.
Under the measure, Arizonans would still be subject to the background checks federal law requires when buying firearms from a store. People carrying a concealed weapon would be required to tell a police officer if asked, and the officer could temporarily take the weapon while communicating with the gun carrier.
Under the legislation, permits still could be obtained on an optional basis so Arizonans could carry concealed weapons in states with reciprocity agreements. Permits also would be required to carry weapons in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.
With the elevation of Brewer to the governor's office, Arizona gun-rights advocates have had a wave of success over the past two years.
The state in 2009 loosened its gun laws to lift a ban on guns in establishments that serve alcohol, although gun-bearers still cannot drink alcohol and establishments can ban firearms.
Brewer, a Republican who took office in January 2009, signed that measure into law. Her predecessor, Democrat Janet Napolitano, vetoed several measures pushed by gun-rights supporters before resigning to run the U.S. Homeland Security Department.
On Monday, Brewer signed two bills loosening gun restrictions. One bill broadened the state's current restrictions on local governments' ability to regulate or tax guns and ammunition.
The other bill declares that guns manufactured entirely in Arizona are exempt from federal oversight and are not subject to federal laws restricting the sale of firearms or requiring them to be registered.
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We're getting left behind.
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The other bill declares that guns manufactured entirely in Arizona are exempt from federal oversight and are not subject to federal laws restricting the sale of firearms or requiring them to be registered.
Anyone else see problems forthcoming?
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The other bill declares that guns manufactured entirely in Arizona are exempt from federal oversight and are not subject to federal laws restricting the sale of firearms or requiring them to be registered.
Anyone else see problems forthcoming?
only for tax hungry politicians, and if i remember correctly montana has already enacted this bill a few years back. also, if i am not mistaken, homebuilt firearms manufactured for personal use are not required to have serials numbers, yet must be in compliance with other federal laws, blah blah blah. heres the link :
http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#a7 (http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#a7)
" ...would make it legal for most U.S. citizens 21 or older to carry a concealed weapon in Arizona without the permit... "
doesnt say how they determine what MOST will be... but now i am seriously considering a move to AZ.
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We're getting left behind.
We may be behind now, but if we all pitch in and organize, we CAN catch up.....
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The other bill declares that guns manufactured entirely in Arizona are exempt from federal oversight and are not subject to federal laws restricting the sale of firearms or requiring them to be registered.
Anyone else see problems forthcoming?
only for tax hungry politicians, and if i remember correctly montana has already enacted this bill a few years back. also, if i am not mistaken, homebuilt firearms manufactured for personal use are not required to have serials numbers, yet must be in compliance with other federal laws, blah blah blah. heres the link :
http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#a7 (http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#a7)
" ...would make it legal for most U.S. citizens 21 or older to carry a concealed weapon in Arizona without the permit... "
doesnt say how they determine what MOST will be... but now i am seriously considering a move to AZ.
If I recall the "most" is because they kept the prohibitions on felons, those with psychiatric histories, violent misdemeanors, and minors.
As far as other states trying to avoid the complance issues associated with the interstate commerence clause (the reason the Feds can meddle with gun laws) I believe there is a ground swell of interest in doing what Wyoming did....I think that t date the Feds have not recognized the law and have commented that they don't think it can be enforced, but so far no arrests or seizures relating to it, yet.
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There are a ton more states introducing and passing "Firearms Freedom Acts" similar to Montana and Arizona. Check out the Firearms Freedom Act website (http://firearmsfreedomact.com/) for a colorful map :)
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We're getting left behind.
Actually, I prefer to think of it as "we're getting closer." 3 down, 47 more to go!
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Arizona's "Constitutional Carry" bill was signed into law....
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_46d99280-49a7-11df-9011-001cc4c03286.html (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_46d99280-49a7-11df-9011-001cc4c03286.html)
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Great news for Arizona. No need to apply for a CCW permit. Must be nice.
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Oh yeah. It is nice.
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On the plus side, the more states that pass this type of legislation, the easier it is to "peer pressure" our state government into doing the same. All the other cool kids are doing it.
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It is nice, but a CCW still has it's uses. For example, they satisfy the background check. So a valid State ID and an AZ CCW allows you to buy firearms without a background check or waiting period. You also need it when traveling into States that acknowledge you AZ permit. For example, I have driven from AZ into NM on to Texas and carried concealed the whole way.
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It is nice, but a CCW still has it's uses. For example, they satisfy the background check. So a valid State ID and an AZ CCW allows you to buy firearms without a background check or waiting period. You also need it when traveling into States that acknowledge you AZ permit. For example, I have driven from AZ into NM on to Texas and carried concealed the whole way.
An Arizona CCW also allows you to carry concealed where alcohol is served (I think you can carry into a bar but not sure of the actual language of the statue) whereas using "constitutional carry" you are prohibitted from doing so.