It’s no secret that gun laws vary by state, ranging from Hawaii which does not issue carry permits to New Hampshire which does not require either purchase or carry permits. Because state laws are independent of federal laws, some state laws are less restrictive while others allow for additional restrictions.
Obviously, states with more restrictions are going to be more difficult to purchase and carry a gun, but less restrictive states may either rely on federal law concerning guns or on the other hand, use their laws in lieu of federal laws by refusing to enforce them. These concepts are important because most people have more important determinations toward where they live than local gun laws and it can be confusing to move somewhere for a job or to be near family when the laws are different.
So, are gun owners in America living in two separate worlds? Let’s take a look at just how different gun cultures are in states with strict and concealed carry laws.
Strict Concealed Carry Laws
Strict carry laws can come in several forms. It might be there is a system in place to obtain a carry permit but it is too restrictive for anybody to follow through and actually be allowed to carry.
Most of these states allow for a gun in the home, but again, the process of obtaining the gun can be overly difficult for anyone except the most enthusiastic of gun owners. The most relaxed gun laws allow for gun transfers between individuals or through gun dealers with just a basic background check to assure the recipient isn’t a felon. The majority of states allow for purchase of a weapon and a carry permit even though the difficulty of doing so can vary greatly.
Open Carry Laws
Open carry laws are argued to be guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment, even though some courts have interpreted the Constitution differently. In theory, open carry is legal as long as the weapon isn’t used to threaten others. Most “reasonable people,” to use a court term, assume someone with a gun has a need such as an off-duty officer, plain clothes security guard, or a great example is that of someone who works in a jewelry store or pawn shop.
Then again, there’s always going to be that one person who feels threatened by simply seeing a gun. In states which recognize that feeling, it is practically impossible to open carry. Other states might only recognize a threat if the gun is drawn, while others might consider mentioning the gun either verbally or by placing a hand on it while it remains holstered to be a threat. Such aspects make it important to know not just how the law reads on paper, but how it is enforced across the state and in particular locales.
Two Different Countries? The Takeaway
The fact is, very few people are going to turn down a great job or move away from friends and family based on local gun laws. It may not have been an issue in the past when people found jobs locally and didn’t travel as much, but in today’s world there needs to be more consistency in laws between states. It’s neither fair nor reasonable to demand someone change their lifestyle just because they pass through a state with different laws.
~ Firearm Daily
