Assignment 7A

Opportunity

A nation wide concealed weapons permit that requires an extensive background check and allows you to renew at the national level instead of the state level. 

Who

Legal United States Citizens with clean backgrounds

What

Citizens are unable to obtain a CWP that is valid in all 52 states and requires a training course and background check.

Why

Currently CWP's are different for every state and not every state has reciprocity. You also have to transfer your CWP to a new state if you move, often times having to retake the class and pay extra money. Some states don't even require you to take a class. 

Hypothesis

I know there are many other people who feel this way. Currently the NRA is pushing for a bill to pass that would allow reciprocity in all 52 states. This would not however require all states to deem training courses necessary and to have 1 unanimous permit. They would still have each state issuing their own permits. Some states don't even require a permit for you to carry. open or concealed(Mississippi, Vermont, and Wyoming)

Why do we not have this already?

Mainly because all gun laws across 52 states would have to be reconfigured and those that are opposed to guns and where they should be allowed would probably pose a huge problem. It would take years of planning to put something this large into effect. 

Interviews

Interview 1.)  Male, Late 20's,Special Agent for Customs and Border Protection

Do you believe a nation wide CWP would benefit those who currently carry and those who wish to carry?

Yes and No. I myself am not required to have a CWP, my carry is recognized anywhere due to my position and my security clearance. However if I was to retire and go to a local law enforcement agency, most would require I obtain a CWP. I think reciprocity throughout the country would make traveling a lot easier for most citizens. If something like this were to happen I feel like stricter gun laws would need to be enforced for those that violate them.

2.) Do you believe that all states should require mandatory training classes before allowing any citizen to obtain a CWP?

Yes I do. There are too many people that are afraid of guns or do not know how to properly handle one. Gun safety is a huge issue. If the time ever comes for that person to actually defend themselves with a weapon, all sense of calm goes out the window. We should prepare those that wish to carry a firearm as best we can by teaching them the proper skills, physically and mentally.

3.)What are your thoughts on our current CWP laws?

It really depends on the state. I feel there are too many laws that are lax. There are currently 26 states that issue permits without ever actually requiring someone to shoot a gun! Do you know how stupid that is!? The kind of damage a person could do to themselves if they've never shot a gun before and try to protect themselves.

4.) The NRA is currently trying to push for reciprocity in all 52 states, issuing permits like a license. How do you feel about this?

It's a decent idea but I feel it would be a disaster. Too many fights and it would mean that all states would have to agree to honor other states laws. 

Interview 2.) Male, early 30's, Border Patrol agent

1.)Do you believe a nation wide CWP would benefit those who currently carry and those who wish to carry?

Okay on the surface that's not a bad idea. The second amendment is a constitutional issue, and as such federal laws make sense. Here's why i think it's a terrible idea. If you do that, it would almost certainly restrict gun laws. They would not compromise and meet at the most gun friendly state's level. it would almost certainly be more towards the overly strict end. Which would immediately impact the whole country instead of just one state.

2.) Do you believe that all states should require mandatory training classes before allowing any citizen to obtain a CWP?

That is fine by me. If it's your right-not to be infringed. then forcing me to take classes is an infringement and I don't dig that.

3.) What are your thoughts on our current CWP laws?

I think they're crap and there shouldn't be any

4.) The NRA is currently trying to push for reciprocity in all 52 states, issuing permits like a license. How do you feel about this?

Driving isn't a right. it's not guaranteed by anything. Firearms are guaranteed by the bill of rights in the constitution. Literally right next to freedom of speech and such. We shouldn't have permits at all. Gun's ARE dangerous and we DO have a gun problem, but that's the price of freedom. freedom IS dangerous.

Interview 3.) Female, late 50's, mother of 2, current gun owner

1.)Do you believe a nation wide CWP would benefit those who currently carry and those who wish to carry?

Yes

2.) Do you believe that all states should require mandatory training classes before allowing any citizen to obtain a CWP?

Yes

3.) What are your thoughts on our current CWP laws?

They need to be the same in all states. Travel is restricted due to different state laws. Some require you to keep weapons in trunk or disassembled when renders them useless. There's not enough training to get a CWP. Example would be a 1 hour sit down class at the fair grounds. That's bad. You need weapons handling training. Some people with CWP's have never fired a weapon which is dangerous in an emergency.

4.) The NRA is currently trying to push for reciprocity in all 52 states, issuing permits like a license. How do you feel about this?

Not a bad idea but it still doesn't standardize things with all states. I think the standardization needs to come first.

Interview 4.)Female, early 20's, college student, never shot a gun

1.)Do you believe a nation wide CWP would benefit those who currently carry and those who wish to carry?
Yes. Having different laws in every state to own a gun is just dumb.
2.) Do you believe that all states should require mandatory training classes before allowing any citizen to obtain a CWP?
Yes. I've never owned a gun or shot one. I grew up with a military dad but he never taught me to shoot.
3.) What are your thoughts on our current CWP laws?
I honestly don't know much about them. I've moved around so much and I just reached the legal age to even purchase a hand gun.
 4.) The NRA is currently trying to push for reciprocity in all 52 states, issuing permits like a license. How do you feel about this?
It seems like a good idea. More simplistic.

Interview 5.)Male, late 50's, retired fire chief
1.)Do you believe a nation wide CWP would benefit those who currently carry and those who wish to carry?
Yes, it sure would make it easier for my wife and I when we travel.
2.) Do you believe that all states should require mandatory training classes before allowing any citizen to obtain a CWP?
Yes. There can never be too much training. I always encourage my men to go get their permits and take courses. 
3.) What are your thoughts on our current CWP laws?
The requirements for getting the permit need to be the same across all states. Even with reciprocity you still need to know each states law before you drive over the line. Current laws really need to be even across the board.
4.) The NRA is currently trying to push for reciprocity in all 52 states, issuing permits like a license. How do you feel about this?
Like I just mentioned, reciprocity is great in all states but the lawmakers of each state can still get you for not abiding by their laws. If you go vacation in a state that has reciprocity for your home state that's great. But if they have different laws you might have to disassemble your fire arm before you even enter that state and keep it locked in the glove box. some states have a 3 step law to get to your fire arm before shooting it. I feel like this will just cause more issues in the long run if all 52 states don't lay our the same foundation.

So I definitely feel like I bit off way more than I bargained for.  Interview 2 was probably my most intense and my most informative. He was originally a literature and journalism major in college before becoming a BP agent. How the heck that happened, I have no clue. but he definitely opened my eyes to a lot of things I had not thought of before. Such as the stricter laws and drivers license no being a right, it's a privilege. The older mother of 2 was definitely passionate about this subject. Her and her husband are huge supporters of the NRA but don't agree with the law they are trying to push. 

I originally thought of this opportunity because I have moved to so many states and they ALL have so many different laws and require you to obtain a new CWP. As soon as you change your drivers license to that new state your CWP almost becomes void because you can't use it due to the fact that it no longer matches your current address. Definitely a lot of food for thought on this. I do believe there is still an opportunity for all 52 states to come under the same laws and have 1 unified permit for this. Or drop permits all together and respect the same gun laws.