One permit doesn't fit all
July 23^rd, 2009

All concealed-carry weapons permits are not created equal.

Some states wisely mandate exhaustive background checks, rigorous training and comprehensive safety courses before an applicant can tuck a gun in a boot or a waistband. In other states, the permits are essentially there for the asking. In two states, Wisconsin and Illinois, they can't be had at all.

But, if a majority of U.S. senators have their way, each state that issues concealed-carry permits will be forced to honor the permits of other states.

It nearly happened Wednesday, when an attempt to attach the provision to a vital defense appropriations bill was shot down. By a vote of 58 to 39, Republicans joined by a contingent of gun-loving Democrats, primarily from the Wild West and Deep South, fell just short of the 60 votes required.

Unfortunately, the vote was just the first shot in what is shaping up as a battle between gun rights and states' rights.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has sponsored a stand-alone measure that mandates reciprocity between the states. It has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Utah Sens. Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch are co-sponsors.

Ironically, Thune has dubbed his bill the Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, when in fact, the measure would undermine the right of states to determine who can and cannot carry concealed weapons within their bounds.

Each state should be able to stipulate a minimum level of training required for surreptitiously armed residents and/or visitors. But Thune's bill would force states with restrictive licensing requirements to recognize permits from states with more permissive licensing. And it would create a situation where U.S. citizens flock to the least restrictive states for permits in order to flout their home state's laws.

We agree that the current system -- states can choose to honor or reject other states' permits -- is confusing. Permit holders traveling across state lines literally need a map to determine where they can carry their gun. For example, Utah's permit is honored by 33 states but rejected by 15 others.

The right of self-defense, gun proponents like to say, shouldn't end at state borders. But the right of states to determine who can carry concealed weapons should begin there. Congress should kill this bill and tell concealed-weapon carriers to go ahead and buy that map.