I came across this blog where the author says that H.R. 822 does nothing for him in New Jersey as CCWs are next to impossible to obtain. Ditto for many New Yorkers.
While it is true that H.R. 822 does nothing directly for either states with regard to the discretionary authority of pistol licensing agents, the bill does offer indirect benefits to residents of both our states:
- It will increase the number of citizens legally carrying firearms in each state. As per John Lott, More Guns = Less Crime
. This will take away a primary argument used by the antigunners to justify their position.
- It will put pressure on the state legislatures to reform our laws. Why should non-residents be allowed to legally carry and not residents?
- The antigunners are shitting themselves over the possibility it will become law and it is damn funny to watch.
While H.R. 822 is not the end-all, be-all piece of legislation some people want it to be, it is a positive step forward.
If I understand HR 822 correctly, reciprocity will not apply to states like Illinois that ban the carrying of firearms outright. Aren’t New York and New Jersey more likely to go the total ban route rather than liberalize their concealed carry laws? Then, neither residents nor out-of-staters will be able to legally carry.
In New York, no. I don’t think they could pass that even if they wanted to.
As a NJ resident I dont think so either. NJ residents want to change things the only problem is they havn’t found a solid way of organizing. Last year someone tried a lawsuit because they say “may” but act as “no”. The problem was there was only one person attached to this lawsuit. If they get together, which I hope this bill will have them do. Theres a funny sense in the air at the gun range. A sense of “im tired of being treated like a criminal and jumping through hoops”. its just going to take something to organize them