Getting the Federal Government Involved with CCW Reciprocity is a BAD Idea

Don't get me wrong. I would really like to have just one CCW permit. Especially since I live on the Wisconsin border with Minnesota, and we do not have reciprocity with Minnesota. But I really don't like the idea of the Federal government getting involved with it. Like what is currently being proposed in HR 402.

Why a would a guy who has to have a non-resident Minnesota CCW permit in order to pack heat at the nearest Walmart be against this proposed legislation?  I have several reasons why I'm against it, but it pretty much comes down to one thing: bureaucracy.

With the amount of bureaucracy that is found in today's Federal government, Federal reciprocity would be a expensive pain for the Armed Citizen. Our Federal government can't even look at something without adding an unneeded overburden of fees/taxes, paperwork and waiting. A Federal CCW permit or regulations for State CCW permits will most certainly add to the headache of getting and maintaining a CCW permit.

Cost, paperwork and waiting while a headache are a minor concern for me. My main concern is giving more control to Federal government. I can see some "common sense for safety" rules making their way into the final bill. Like having to register the specific firearm you plan to carry and only being allowed to carry that one. Or being limited to 10, 7, rounds. Perhaps to a certain caliber, like .380ACP. Oh you can still own other guns. "Nobody is coming for your guns" they'll say. They'll just tell you what guns you can carry.

The ATF has shown recently with the ban on 7N6 ammo, the attempt to ban M885 ammo, and their continuous flipflop on how you can use the Sig pistol brace; it should be assumed that Federal CCW regulations can and will change on a whim of an unelected bureaucrat.

So What Should We Do? Just wait, and get a Utah CCW.

The main reason why two States do not have reciprocity is the level of training required to get a CCW permit. The best way to resolve this, would be for the States to agree on a standard requirement. In my opinion this could be resolved over time without the Fed's involvement. Each year more and more States come to terms with requirements. It's just a matter of time before the majority of States come to terms on their own.

Right now according to Handgunlaw.us, a non-Resident Utah CCW will cover you for all most all of the free states anyway. By the way, if your traveling, this is a great resource to check out a summary of other States CCW laws.

I'm Not Saying I Don't Want Congress to Do Nothing

But I would like to see Congress so some things to ease interstate traveling with a weapon. It would be most useful for Over the Road Truck Drivers. It would also be nice for a guy like me to drive through Illinois without having to stop at the border and lock my EDC in the trunk, even though the only time I plan on getting out of my car is to gas it up and maybe use the gas station bathroom.

Maybe they should start of with some simple (as the Feds can get) rules for interstate travel with a concealed firearm. Although it may be a chore to prove you're simply passing through a Less-free State.

Maybe those who like to say "the only permit to carry I need is the 2nd Amendment" have a good point?