The ability to carry a concealed weapon legally is one that comes up in the news quite a bit. Normally, you’re hearing about all of the liberal states and lawmakers who are looking for ways to block the legal right to conceal a firearm. Fortunately, there are still a few states in America that not only provide for concealed carry, they make it relatively easy. How are these states providing such protection for our Second Amendment rights?
Perhaps you’ve heard the term “Constitutional carry”, but weren’t completely clear on what this means. It would be great to think that every state in the nation allowed you to carry a concealed weapon without any type of additional paperwork, background checks or licenses that are all generally required. Kentucky and Oklahoma are two of the states that are considering proposed legislation that would allow anyone to legally carry a concealed weapon — with no additional steps needing to be taken before carrying.
While there are only a few states in the nation that are moving in this direction, it would be great to have this sentiment spread to other states. The Kentucky House Judiciary Committee is currently considering the bill, which passed easily through the House on Valentine’s Day. It is expected to go through, where it is being shepherded by Kentucky Governor Matt Blevin, a Republican who is a long-time supporter of Second Amendment rights.
The state Senate Appropriations Committee in Oklahoma just passed similar legislation, and the State House has already indicated their approval. With the backing of Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, the legislation is getting closer to becoming law by the day. With each of the two laws, individuals would still need to get a license in order to carry their weapons outside of the state, but the Constitution is all the licensing that is needed to conceal their weapons.
While Kentucky and Oklahoma are the closest to getting the laws passed, there are several other states in the nation that are also considering similar legislation. Alabama, Iowa and Texas are three of the states that also have bills going through. Texas State Representative Mayes Middleton states “Law-abiding Texans shouldn’t have to pay a fee or take a test to exercise their constitutional rights”. Georgia, one of the states with a high population of gun lovers, is still struggling to get legislation through while South Dakota is one of the 14 states that already recognizes the rights of individuals to carry a concealed weapon without additional licensing or background checks.
Step by step, state by state, Americans are taking back the rights that were promised to them by the Constitution. Open constitutional carry laws are likely to take time to spread, but they are slowly making their way across the nation.
~ Firearm Daily
