Gun Rights Advancing

I’m really bad about looking at the events in California, Maryland, New Jersey, Maryland, and other gun-restrictive states and getting pessimistic about the health of gun rights in the country. I was told recently that such pessimism is a sin, and though I’m not especially religious, I saw the truth in the statement. Devout folks should be optimistic as a part of their character, because they see and proclaim the Good News every day. A fellow named Rick told me that in the hot tub of the club I swim at. I’m usually resistant to being proselytized, especially when I’m not wearing pants, but we had a nice visit and parted friendly. His testimony prompted me to look around for some Good Gun News, which was remarkably easy to find and widespread. To wit:

– On May 17, 2016, a federal judge ruled that a key provision of the District of Columbia’s concealed-carry law was likely unconstitutional. At issue was a provision in the law that required applicants to show a “good reason” beyond self-defense to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

– On April 25, 2016, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed House Bill 2637 into law, regarding the use of suppressors while hunting on public land. Current Oklahoma law states that it is only legal for Oklahomans to hunt with a suppressor as long as they are on private property with permission from the landowner.

– As part of a major overhaul of Missouri’s gun laws approved by the Legislature this session, Missourians who want to legally carry a gun in public may soon have the option of obtaining a concealed-carry permit that will last a lifetime.

– Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a bill into law that allows unlicensed “Constitutional Carry” in the state. The measure, House Bill 786, went into effect immediately.

– Iowa became the 42nd state to legalize suppressors when House File 2279 was signed by Gov. Terry Branstad. Effective immediately, the new law also makes Iowa the 39th state to allow suppressors for hunting.

– Idaho recently legalized the carry of a concealed firearm without a permit when Gov. Butch Otter signed SB 1389 into law. It allows everyone who is a resident of Idaho, is 21 years of age or older, and legally allowed to posses a firearm, to carry a firearm concealed on their person without obtaining a permit first. Idaho followed West Virginia in adopting such a permitless framework, commonly referred to as “Constitutional carry.”