If the "
Respecting State's Rights and Concealed and Carry Reciprocity Act" becomes law, it would allow those with concealed weapons permits from one jurisdiction to legally carry a concealed weapon into other jurisdictions which may currently prohibit the practice. If the measure -- an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill -- passes, said New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine in a release, the state will file a lawsuit to have the law declared unconstitutional.
The National Rifle Association terms the measure the "Right to Carry Reciprocity Act" and on its Web site says that "Under the Thune-Vitter amendment, an individual who has met the requirements for a carry permit, or who is otherwise allowed by his home state's state law to carry a firearm, would be authorized to carry a firearm for protection in any other state that issues such permits, subject to the laws of the state in which the firearm is carried."
[Update: the measure fell two votes short of Senate approval.]
Wayne E. Hanson served as a writer and editor with e.Republic from 1989 to 2013, having worked for several business units including Government Technology magazine, the Center for Digital Government, Governing, and Digital Communities. Hanson was a juror from 1999 to 2004 with the Stockholm Challenge and Global Junior Challenge competitions in information technology and education.