The Second Amendment is worded as follows: A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. The key words are a well regulated militia & a free state. The intent is to have the States Rights to retain "A well regulated Militia" this is not the right of every person to act as a single judge jury and executioner.
HR 38 is not about reciprocity between equal or even remotely equal state regulations. It is all about overriding the state laws in 8 States which "may issue" a concealed carry permit if deemed necessary. In the low end of the spectrum there are states which will permit anyone without a criminal felony record to carry a concealed loaded gun. In Vermont this can be any 16 year old kid, or younger if they have permission from their parents.
Reciprocity for any licensed practitioner requires equivalent qualifications. This law gives the same ability to use lethal force to that 16 year old untrained kid as our trained law enforcement officers.
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If NJ residents with concealed carry permits want the freedom to carry their concealed guns into other states then they should seek state agreements for this reciprocity. Ohio has reciprocity agreements with 28 other states. Alternately insist upon a Federal Permit which issues a universally recognized license and uniform standards requiring standards compliant with a consensus of the "may issue" states.
HR 38 simply reduces all states to the lowest requirement. Any responsible gun owner should agree that carrying a loaded gun publicly is a tremendous responsibility and should not be shrugged off casually.
