Support Policies That Protect Cities From the Threat of Concealed Carry Reciprocity Legislation
Adopted at the 85th%20Annual%20Meeting in 2017
WHEREAS, certain cities have stringent requirements for concealed carry permits for guns to prevent individuals that do not meet local requirements to walk their streets; and
WHEREAS, jurisdictions with strict requirements to obtain a permit screen applicants for their arrest and conviction history, character and indebtedness, domestic violence, driving record, and other information that may affect the applicant's ability to safely possess or use a firearm; and
WHEREAS, Police Departments across the nation have made historic gains in decreasing gun violence and getting dangerous weapons off the streets ?' and gun laws play a significant role as well in the rapid decline of violent crime; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 38 the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 and S.446 the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 were introduced in the 115th Congress and are currently awaiting committee action; and
WHEREAS, these bills amend the federal criminal code to allow an individual to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows individuals to carry concealed firearms; and
WHEREAS, such bills would essentially allow anyone with a valid carry permit to use it in any city, which will in result in the entry of more firearms into cities with stricter requirements; and
WHEREAS, such legislation is dangerous as it would damage state and local governments' ability to craft gun laws appropriate to their needs; and
WHEREAS, the goals of this legislation are completely antithetical to all of the efforts to reduce and prevent gun violence; and
WHEREAS, other states are not as stringent in authorizing concealed carry permits, and this bill would essentially force the localities to give full faith and credit to permits that are issued on less rigorous grounds, remove local governments' ability to maintain sensible gun standards, and keep a proper vetting process in place,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that?the United States Conference of Mayors calls on Congress to oppose policies and legislation, including but not limited to H.R. 38 the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 and S.446 the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, that would otherwise circumvent policies that cities have established to protect their residents.