by A mere 37 days after HR 822 – the National Right-To-Carry Reciprocity Bill – hit 100 co-sponsors, the bill now has hit 200 co-sponsors. This makes it the third most co-sponsored bill in the House of Representatives. The only bills that have more co-sponsors deal with tax-payer funding of abortion (HR 3) and the repeal of 1099 filing requirements for small business transactions (HR 4).
I attribute the growth in the number of co-sponsors to Representatives hearing from their constituents. If you look at when significant numbers of co-sponsors sign on to the bill, it is usually within a few days after the House has had a break for members to work in their districts or a recess. For example, the Spring Recess was the last two weeks of April and now in the first week of May there are 29 new co-sponsors.
Breaking down the co-sponsors, you find 16 out of the 25 “official” Blue Dog Democrats are listed as co-sponsors. Of the nine remaining Blue Dogs, five are Californians including Adam Schiff and Loretta Sanchez who have always trended anti-gun. There are a number of other non-Blue Dogs Democrats who have always been pro-gun such as John Dingell (former NRA Board member), Larry Kissell (D-NC), and a number of the Democrats in the Mid-West, Mountain West, and Pennsylvania. Then there was Steve Cohen of Memphis who I wrote about yesterday. I can’t figure out his support but I will take it anyway!
I was pleased to see every Republican and three Democrats from North Carolina listed as co-sponsors of the bill. This leaves the four North Carolina Democrats who rarely see an anti-gun bill that they don’t eventually support.
With the amount of support that this bill has garnered, it is a bit disappointing that the leadership of the House Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security haven’t moved this bill. Maybe if Chairman Lamar Smith and Subcommittee Chair James Sensenbrenner were less concerned with the PATRIOT Act and kiddie porn and were co-sponsors of this bill, we might get some movement towards hearings on this bill.
Below is the list of those who have signed on as co-sponsors to Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) National Right-To-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. If your congressman is not on this, give him or her a call and ask why not. Do this even if they are ardently anti-gun. I remember something that Colleen Lawson – one of the plaintiffs in McDonald v. Chicago – said to me at the NRA Annual Meeting. She said her Illnois State Representative said she and her husband David were the only two that called his office in support of concealed carry in Illinois. Don’t let that happen here.
Alphabetical with date of becoming a co-sponsor
Rep Adams, Sandy [FL-24] – 3/8/2011
Rep Aderholt, Robert B. [AL-4] – 3/29/2011
Rep Akin, W. Todd [MO-2] – 4/13/2011
Rep Alexander, Rodney [LA-5] – 4/7/2011
Rep Altmire, Jason [PA-4] – 3/16/2011
Rep Austria, Steve [OH-7] – 4/14/2011
Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] – 4/15/2011
Rep Bachmann, Michele [MN-6] – 3/2/2011
Rep Bachus, Spencer [AL-6] – 3/8/2011
Rep Barletta, Lou [PA-11] – 4/13/2011
Rep Barrow, John [GA-12] – 4/13/2011
Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] – 4/13/2011
Rep Barton, Joe [TX-6] – 3/2/2011
Rep Bass, Charles F. [NH-2] – 5/2/2011
Rep Benishek, Dan [MI-1] – 3/3/2011
Rep Bilbray, Brian P. [CA-50] – 4/15/2011
Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] – 3/11/2011
Rep Bishop, Rob [UT-1] – 4/7/2011
Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [GA-2] – 3/3/2011
Rep Bonner, Jo [AL-1] – 4/8/2011
Rep Boren, Dan [OK-2] – 3/2/2011
Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] – 3/2/2011
Rep Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [LA-7] – 4/14/2011
Rep Brady, Kevin [TX-8] – 4/5/2011
Rep Brooks, Mo [AL-5] – 4/5/2011
Rep Broun, Paul C. [GA-10] – 4/8/2011
Rep Buchanan, Vern [FL-13] – 3/15/2011
Rep Bucshon, Larry [IN-8] – 4/13/2011
Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] – 3/2/2011
Rep Camp, Dave [MI-4] – 4/4/2011
Rep Canseco, Francisco “Quico” [TX-23] – 3/8/2011
Rep Capito, Shelley Moore [WV-2] – 4/7/2011
Rep Carter, John R. [TX-31] – 3/2/2011
Rep Chabot, Steve [OH-1] – 4/13/2011
Rep Chaffetz, Jason [UT-3] – 3/3/2011
Rep Chandler, Ben [KY-6] – 4/13/2011
Rep Coble, Howard [NC-6] – 5/6/2011
Rep Coffman, Mike [CO-6] – 3/2/2011
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] – 5/2/2011
Rep Cole, Tom [OK-4] – 3/2/2011
Rep Conaway, K. Michael [TX-11] – 4/5/2011
Rep Costello, Jerry F. [IL-12] – 3/11/2011
Rep Cravaack, Chip [MN-8] – 4/15/2011
Rep Crawford, Eric A. “Rick” [AR-1] – 5/3/2011
Rep Crenshaw, Ander [FL-4] – 3/15/2011
Rep Critz, Mark S. [PA-12] – 3/17/2011
Rep Cuellar, Henry [TX-28] – 4/14/2011
Rep Culberson, John Abney [TX-7] – 4/14/2011
Rep Davis, Geoff [KY-4] – 3/3/2011
Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] – 4/14/2011
Rep Denham, Jeff [CA-19] – 4/4/2011
Rep Dent, Charles W. [PA-15] – 3/16/2011
Rep DesJarlais, Scott [TN-4] – 4/14/2011
Rep Diaz-Balart, Mario [FL-21] – 3/2/2011
Rep Dingell, John D. [MI-15] – 4/15/2011
Rep Donnelly, Joe [IN-2] – 4/13/2011
Rep Duncan, Jeff [SC-3] – 3/29/2011
Rep Duncan, John J., Jr. [TN-2] – 3/2/2011
Rep Ellmers, Renee L. [NC-2] – 4/5/2011
Rep Emerson, Jo Ann [MO-8] – 3/8/2011
Rep Farenthold, Blake [TX-27] – 4/14/2011
Rep Fitzpatrick, Michael G. [PA-8] – 4/13/2011
Rep Fleming, John [LA-4] – 3/11/2011
Rep Flores, Bill [TX-17] – 4/5/2011
Rep Forbes, J. Randy [VA-4] – 3/29/2011
Rep Foxx, Virginia [NC-5] – 3/8/2011
Rep Franks, Trent [AZ-2] – 3/30/2011
Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5] – 3/2/2011
Rep Gibbs, Bob [OH-18] – 3/15/2011
Rep Gibson, Christopher P. [NY-20] – 3/2/2011
Rep Gingrey, Phil [GA-11] – 3/2/2011
Rep Goodlatte, Bob [VA-6] – 5/2/2011
Rep Gosar, Paul A. [AZ-1] – 5/2/2011
Rep Gowdy, Trey [SC-4] – 5/6/2011
Rep Granger, Kay [TX-12] – 3/3/2011
Rep Graves, Sam [MO-6] – 3/2/2011
Rep Graves, Tom [GA-9] – 5/2/2011
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] – 3/10/2011
Rep Griffin, Tim [AR-2] – 5/2/2011
Rep Griffith, H. Morgan [VA-9] – 3/15/2011
Rep Guinta, Frank C. [NH-1] – 4/5/2011
Rep Guthrie, Brett [KY-2] – 4/13/2011
Rep Hall, Ralph M. [TX-4] – 3/3/2011
Rep Hanna, Richard L. [NY-24] – 4/15/2011
Rep Harper, Gregg [MS-3] – 4/14/2011
Rep Harris, Andy [MD-1] – 3/10/2011
Rep Hartzler, Vicky [MO-4] – 5/5/2011
Rep Heck, Joseph J. [NV-3] – 3/30/2011
Rep Heinrich, Martin [NM-1] – 3/3/2011
Rep Heller, Dean [NV-2] – 3/2/2011
Rep Hensarling, Jeb [TX-5] – 3/30/2011
Rep Herger, Wally [CA-2] – 3/3/2011
Rep Holden, Tim [PA-17] – 3/3/2011
Rep Huelskamp, Tim [KS-1] – 3/2/2011
Rep Hultgren, Randy [IL-14] – 5/2/2011
Rep Hunter, Duncan D. [CA-52] – 3/29/2011
Rep Jenkins, Lynn [KS-2] – 3/8/2011
Rep Johnson, Bill [OH-6] – 4/13/2011
Rep Johnson, Sam [TX-3] – 3/14/2011
Rep Johnson, Timothy V. [IL-15] – 3/3/2011
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] – 4/7/2011
Rep Jordan, Jim [OH-4] – 3/11/2011
Rep Kelly, Mike [PA-3] – 4/8/2011
Rep Kind, Ron [WI-3] – 4/13/2011
Rep Kinzinger, Adam [IL-11] – 3/14/2011
Rep Kissell, Larry [NC-8] – 3/3/2011
Rep Kline, John [MN-2] – 3/8/2011
Rep Labrador, Raul R. [ID-1] – 5/2/2011
Rep Lamborn, Doug [CO-5] – 3/2/2011
Rep Landry, Jeffrey M. [LA-3] – 4/13/2011
Rep Lankford, James [OK-5] – 5/2/2011
Rep Larsen, Rick [WA-2] – 5/2/2011
Rep Latham, Tom [IA-4] – 3/8/2011
Rep LaTourette, Steven C. [OH-14] – 4/13/2011
Rep Latta, Robert E. [OH-5] – 3/14/2011
Rep Long, Billy [MO-7] – 4/14/2011
Rep Lucas, Frank D. [OK-3] – 4/4/2011
Rep Luetkemeyer, Blaine [MO-9] – 3/29/2011
Rep Lujan, Ben Ray [NM-3] – 4/8/2011
Rep Mack, Connie [FL-14] – 4/7/2011
Rep Marchant, Kenny [TX-24] – 4/5/2011
Rep Marino, Tom [PA-10] – 4/15/2011
Rep Matheson, Jim [UT-2] – 4/14/2011
Rep McCaul, Michael T. [TX-10] – 4/14/2011
Rep McClintock, Tom [CA-4] – 5/2/2011
Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] – 3/8/2011
Rep McHenry, Patrick T. [NC-10] – 5/2/2011
Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] – 3/8/2011
Rep McKinley, David B. [WV-1] – 4/4/2011
Rep Mica, John L. [FL-7] – 3/3/2011
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] – 4/14/2011
Rep Miller, Candice S. [MI-10] – 3/16/2011
Rep Miller, Gary G. [CA-42] – 3/3/2011
Rep Miller, Jeff [FL-1] – 3/2/2011
Rep Mulvaney, Mick [SC-5] – 3/8/2011
Rep Murphy, Tim [PA-18] – 4/5/2011
Rep Myrick, Sue Wilkins [NC-9] – 5/2/2011
Rep Neugebauer, Randy [TX-19] – 4/14/2011
Rep Nugent, Richard [FL-5] – 3/17/2011
Rep Nunnelee, Alan [MS-1] – 5/2/2011
Rep Olson, Pete [TX-22] – 4/13/2011
Rep Owens, William L. [NY-23] – 3/2/2011
Rep Palazzo, Steven M. [MS-4] – 3/15/2011
Rep Pence, Mike [IN-6] – 3/2/2011
Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] – 3/3/2011
Rep Petri, Thomas E. [WI-6] – 3/8/2011
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] – 3/29/2011
Rep Poe, Ted [TX-2] – 3/29/2011
Rep Pompeo, Mike [KS-4] – 3/17/2011
Rep Posey, Bill [FL-15] – 3/3/2011
Rep Rahall, Nick J., II [WV-3] – 3/3/2011
Rep Reed, Tom [NY-29] – 4/4/2011
Rep Rehberg, Denny [MT] – 4/8/2011
Rep Renacci, James B. [OH-16] – 5/2/2011
Rep Rigell, E. Scott [VA-2] – 5/3/2011
Rep Rivera, David [FL-25] – 3/11/2011
Rep Roby, Martha [AL-2] – 5/3/2011
Rep Roe, David P. [TN-1] – 4/14/2011
Rep Rogers, Harold [KY-5] – 5/5/2011
Rep Rogers, Mike D. [AL-3] – 3/2/2011
Rep Rogers, Mike J. [MI-8] – 3/14/2011
Rep Rokita, Todd [IN-4] – 5/5/2011
Rep Rooney, Thomas J. [FL-16] – 4/7/2011
Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18] – 4/8/2011
Rep Ross, Dennis [FL-12] – 3/11/2011
Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] – 3/2/2011
Rep Ryan, Tim [OH-17] – 4/4/2011
Rep Scalise, Steve [LA-1] – 3/29/2011
Rep Schilling, Robert T. [IL-17] – 4/14/2011
Rep Schmidt, Jean [OH-2] – 3/2/2011
Rep Schock, Aaron [IL-18] – 3/29/2011
Rep Schweikert, David [AZ-5] – 4/15/2011
Rep Scott, Austin [GA-8] – 5/5/2011
Rep Scott, Tim [SC-1] – 5/2/2011
Rep Sessions, Pete [TX-32] – 4/7/2011
Rep Shuler, Heath [NC-11] – 2/18/2011
Rep Shuster, Bill [PA-9] – 4/4/2011
Rep Smith, Adrian [NE-3] – 4/14/2011
Rep Southerland, Steve [FL-2] – 5/5/2011
Rep Stivers, Steve [OH-15] – 4/13/2011
Rep Stutzman, Marlin A. [IN-3] – 5/6/2011
Rep Sullivan, John [OK-1] – 3/29/2011
Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] – 3/30/2011
Rep Thompson, Glenn [PA-5] – 4/5/2011
Rep Thornberry, Mac [TX-13] – 3/16/2011
Rep Tiberi, Patrick J. [OH-12] – 3/16/2011
Rep Tipton, Scott [CO-3] – 5/2/2011
Rep Turner, Michael R. [OH-3] – 3/8/2011
Rep Walden, Greg [OR-2] – 5/2/2011
Rep Walsh, Joe [IL-8] – 4/15/2011
Rep Walz, Timothy J. [MN-1] – 3/29/2011
Rep West, Allen B. [FL-22] – 3/3/2011
Rep Westmoreland, Lynn A. [GA-3] – 3/2/2011
Rep Whitfield, Ed [KY-1] – 4/14/2011
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] – 3/8/2011
Rep Wittman, Robert J. [VA-1] – 3/10/2011
Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] – 3/30/2011
Rep Yoder, Kevin [KS-3] – 4/8/2011
Rep Young, Don [AK] – 3/2/2011
Rep Young, Todd C. [IN-9] – 3/30/2011
I like the concept of the bill, but I worry that it could be amended to reduce inter-state CCW reciprocity rather than improve it. And it still doesn't stop states like CA or IL from completely keeping out other states' licensees.
@ Randian – I would agree with you about Illinois because it doesn't offer a CCW of any sort. However, as I read the bill, if a state offers a CCW of any sort, it must allow out-of-staters with a CCW to carry concealed subject to the restrictions of that state. However, the restrictions would be that of least restrictive license offered.
See Section 3, proposed 926D, para C.
`(c) In a State that allows the issuing authority for licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms to impose restrictions on the carrying of firearms by individual holders of such licenses or permits, a firearm shall be carried according to the same terms authorized by an unrestricted license or permit issued to a resident of the State.
If the law actually passed in that form, and Obama by some miracle didn't veto it, I predict states like CA, MA, and NY will suddenly no longer have unrestricted licenses, or they'll get rid of their licenses entirely like IL. That will screw their own state's residents more than out of state residents looking for CCW reciprocity, but what do they care?
It might be tempting, but there is no way it would pass here in California. The AG's office has refused to issue an opinion on H.R. 218 which means retired California peace officers rely on their CCW's to carry in state – LEOSA only protects them out of state. On top of this, suddenly judges and Sheriff's golfing buddies wouldn't be able to get CCW's. It would never fly. Anti-gun bills in this state already rely on anti-gun police organizations to pass, there's no way those organizations are going to support a bill repealing CCW's and if they try to slap on additional restrictions, they'll be ripe for equal protection lawsuits since out of staters won't have those restrictions.
There is a more specific problem with this bill. It is possible that many states will allow their reciprocity agreements to lapse as they would be perceived as having no purpose. If a state doesn't maintain specific reciprocity with other states it is quite possible that all of their non-resident permits will become useless and people who live in no-issue (whether de facto or de jure) areas will lose the carry rights they were previously afforded on their non-resident permits.