Since the height of violent crime in this country (1991), 25 states have enacted “Right to Carry laws,” and the number of concealed carry permit holders skyrocketed to over 12 million. As a result, the violent crime rate has dropped 51%. Currently, the Federal Government is trying to enact a defacto firearms ban on the AR-15 by outlawing the ammunition it takes, with the full knowledge (and FBI statistics in hand) that rifles were used in only 2.5% of gun related crimes, the AR-15 being a small fraction of that. One can only guess their true motives. However, amidst secession chatter, two states in this ever more tenuously tethered union are striking blows to protect the constitutional rights of their citizens.
On Monday, February 23, 2015, law-abiding gun owners enjoyed a win when the State Judiciary Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 347. Introduced by Senator Dave Sypolt (R14), SB347 affirms a citizen’s right to carry a concealed firearm without having to suffer through the onerous task of obtaining a Concealed Handgun License (CHL). Owners would be able to decide for themselves how to best carry their firearms based on attire, comfort or any other factor important to the carrier. On Friday, SB347 passed the Senate by a 32:2 majority and was introduced in the House.
Despite misinformation being spread by the West Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, under the provisions of the bill, those currently prohibited from owning a firearm (such as criminals, drug and alcohol abusers, and the mentally ill) will still not be able to purchase or legally carry a concealed firearm as their ownership of firearms is already restricted under federal law. These bills only apply to law-abiding citizens. Other concerns raised were safety concerns stemming from police having to treat all persons as armed, which is already dictated by current law enforcement training as well as one of lost revenue for the state. The latter argument just further demonstrates the perverted mentality of many government officials, which leads them to believe that it’s okay to to violate the rights of the citizens, provided the government is making money doing so.
If you are a resident of the state of West Virginia and are in favor of this bill, please contact your State Congressmen and let them know that you support SB347. On the heels of West Virginia’s unanimous passage of Senate Bill 346 by the West Virginia Congressional committee, Kansas passed an amended State Senate Bill 45; which, like West Virginia’s bill, affirms its citizen’s right to carry a concealed firearm without acquiring a concealed carry permit.
Both bills also keep the current concealed carry permit systems intact so that residents of both states can enjoy the benefits of reciprocity agreements with other states that respect their citizen’s Second Amendment rights. Both states recognize their citizen’s right to open carry. However, with the possible passage of this new legislation, law-abiding open carry proponents can carry their firearms without the fear of a breeze strong enough to blow a jacket will make them an unwitting criminal, victimized by an ever more officious police force.
Copies of the bills can be downloaded at the following links:
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