Bullet Points – By Bill Hall

BULLET POINTS CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY V CCW

By Bill Hall

In the past we have talked about the carrying of firearms, particularly what to carry, and mostly how. The what ranged from semi-autos to revolvers and the how covered everything from shoulder holsters for that 1911 .45 to hidden compartments in saddle bags and even in floorboards. As we are a group of people who ride their bikes across these fruited plains, there is a more pressing issue at hand-where can we carry. That said, let me be clear that this article is not taking any legal position, nor is it offering any legal advice on where one should, could or would carry a weapon. Concealed or otherwise. Our intent is to talk about the increase in Constitutional Carry States and how that might affect you in your travels. And the difference between Constitutional Carry and a person who possesses a Concealed Weapons Permit (aka CCW). Many state legislatures, to take a position that generally supports their Second Amendment constituency, adopted their own versions of Constitutional Carry which generally grants a states citizenry weapon carrying rights. I am using the term generally because there are so many variables, and as is the case with many laws, the sausage making of them are buried in the fine print. Constitutional Carry is simply defined as “a law that allows a person who is otherwise legally able to possess and carry a firearm, given they are in a legal place they have a right to be..”.* So now that I have bristled the nape of pundits and aficionados, lets revisit our intent; 21 states currently allow Constitutional Carry, each of those states have different laws. It is up to the citizen to research those laws and exercise their rights responsibly. Constitutional Carry is not a blanket allowance to carry a firearm. The phrase “a person who is otherwise legally able to...” applies. There are a host of restrictions that prohibit felons, certain class misdemeanors, domestic violence offenders, and in some states those who have a had a DUI in the last ten years, from participation. And then there is that clause – a person must be in a place they have a legal right to be. Banks, schools’ Federal property are all dealbreakers. Again, understand the law and do your due diligence. The larger issue at hand is that there are very few states that allow reciprocity without a valid CCW permit. Meaning, just because your state has a Constitutional Carry law, that does not grant you legal rights to carry in another state. That is called reciprocity. And most states that do have reciprocity with your state require a person to have a valid CCW permit. Again, understand the difference and do the due diligence. For the last 27 years, I have held a valid CCW permit in three states and still possess one today. And in every single one of those CCW classes I took, they all spent a vast amount of time on understanding the law and my responsibility to exercise my right within it. Ride safe, be safe and be responsible as you enjoy traversing this amazing country called America. *usconcealedcarry.com (Constitutional Carry/ Unrestricted/Permitless Carry) 2021

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