WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — Washington, D.C., has been dragging its heels on long enough. It’s time that concealed carry not only become a legal right for citizens who live there but also those who travel there as well. Thankfully, a congressman is stepping up to introduce legislation that, if passed, will open up the District of Columbia to its first steps towards constitutional freedom. According to Town Hall, Congressman David Schweikert (R – Ariz.) introduced the D.C. Personal Protection Reciprocity Act — essentially forcing D.C. to accept out of state concealed carry permits and enter into reciprocity agreements with ALL 50 states.
via Town Hall
The D.C. Personal Protection Reciprocity Act will do three main things:
1) require D.C. to recognize out of state concealed carry permits
2) require D.C. to approve concealed carry applications of recently relocated individuals who lawfully hold concealed carry permits in the states where they moved from
3) require the D.C. chief of Police, currently Chief Cathy Lanier, to enter into reciprocity agreements with all states
As we’ve previously covered, D.C. is in the midst of a “perfect storm” of reduced police presence, a sharp increase in homicides, and a concealed carry application process mired in political goop.
“We have the data that you [concealed carry holders] are not a risk to society,” Schweikert said. “We can demonstrate that proper law enforcement and right to carry has made many of our states safer. Just because you’ve chosen to live on this side of the river doesn’t mean you should lose your constitutional rights.”
And, as we’ve also previously mentioned, D.C. does not have reciprocity with any of its surrounding states. So if you are a Virginia resident (or even a Maryland resident) driving through the 485 beltway and you have your handgun that you use for legal personal protection on you or in the vehicle in a loaded state — you’re theoretically in violation of the law.
That’s the sort of ridiculousness that makes it difficult for people to commute in and out of D.C. for work and service.
At present, the bill has 30 co-sponsors and it appears more are jumping on board. This could be the beginning of a bright new future for law abiding D.C. residents wishing to have their constitutional rights as Americans finally restored in part.
Whether or not this makes it through the House and then the Senate to become a law is anyone’s guess. It’s our diligent hope that the people who work, live, and serve their country in that area will be granted and afforded the same freedoms that most other states afford their own citizens. It’s only fair.