Should New Jersey Let Out-Of-State Gun Owners Conceal-Carry?

Should out-of-state gun owners with concealed firearm permits be allowed to legally carry their weapons in New Jersey? If a federal bill up for debate this week passes, the Garden State will have to recognize other states’ concealed-carry permits the same way that they recognize driver’s licenses.

The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, which was placed on the U.S. House of Representatives’ calendar on Monday, would allow people with concealed-carry permits in their home states to transport their guns into New Jersey. The bill would also allow a qualified, out-of-state firearms owner to take their weapon into a school zone in New Jersey, or onto public, federally owned lands such as national parks.

The proposed law allows a law enforcement officer “with reasonable suspicion of a violation of any law” to conduct a “brief, investigative stop” of a permit holder.

Under the proposed legislation, gun owners would have to:

• Be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law
• Carry a valid photo identification document
• Have a valid concealed-carry permit issued by his or her state of residence

As of Tuesday, the bill has gathered 213 co-sponsors, including its lone supporter in New Jersey, Congressman Thomas MacArthur, a Republican from the 3rd District.

Read the full text of the proposed law here.

‘A HUGE WIN FOR THE 2ND AMENDMENT’

Gun rights groups said the proposed law would be a huge win for second amendment supporters.

“This long overdue and incredibly important legislation will normalize our natural right to self-defense by expanding life-saving concealed-carry rights all across the United States,” the New Jersey Second Amendment Society wrote about the proposed law.

• See related article: Reader Says Legislator Should Back Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act

The NRA’s Institute For Legislative Action stated:

“The last 30 years have seen a continual expansion of the right to carry concealed handguns for self-defense within the United States, even as the nationwide violent crime rate has plummeted during the same period. Every U.S. state now has a legal mechanism whereby its residents may carry concealed handguns, and 42 states and the District of Columbia broadly recognize a right of law-abiding citizens to do so.”

The group continues:

“The remaining eight states, however, treat the right to carry for self-defense as a privilege reserved for the elite, the connected, or those who can ‘prove’ extraordinary circumstances to the licensing officials.”

‘A DISGRACE’ AND A 'PUBLIC DANGER'

However, some opponents of the bill such as U.S. Rep Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) offered scathing criticism, charging that the proposed law would undermine states' rights to regulate firearms.

Coleman called the bill a “disgrace” and said that it would make it easier for people - including those with dangerous histories — to carry hidden, loaded guns across the country.

• See related article: Reader Says States Should Have Final Say On Concealed Gun Laws

According to the Giffords Law Center:

“Carrying concealed weapons, or CCW, has long been recognized as a source of public danger in communities. Though some states require good cause or safety training for a citizen to obtain a CCW permit, the gun lobby has recently made it a priority to push through harmful legislation that rolls back this important and lifesaving regulation, either by weakening existing permitting systems or not requiring permits at all to carry hidden, loaded guns in public places.”

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Photo: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives