Despite the recent horrific mass shooting incident in Las Vegas which claimed lives of 58 people and left hundreds injured, a bill has been introduced in United States that will allow people to carry hidden and loaded handguns across state lines.
The bill cleared last week by the House Judiciary Committee will require states to recognize concealed carry gun permits issued by other states regardless of how weak the issuing states’ gun control rules are.
Under the provisions of this bill, a state with stricter gun control rules like New York will have to recognise the permit held by a resident of Georgia where even abusive partners are allowed to carry handguns. This way other states will have more say in the gun control rules. Additionally, the resulting higher number of concealed guns may threaten law and order.
The bill is likely to be put to a floor vote this week .
Furthers Popular Notion Of Vigilante Justice
This latest bill is seen to be a move by the Republican Party to please the National Rifle Association.
It also fits into the popular notion of “vigilante justice” that has been supported by both the NRA and President Donald Trump. In his addresses to voters , President Trump has positioned it as delivering justice by “heroic gunplay” .
However according to data genuine self-defence episodes involving shootouts are not common.
Concealed-Carry Gun Owners Hurt Innocent Victims
Accidental death among concealed-carry gun owners is in fact significantly high.
Research shows that concealed-carry gun owners often do more harm to themselves, their families and other innocent bystanders.
Since May 2007, such owners have been responsible for a minimum of 1,119 deaths that aren’t related to self-defense. This includes 31 mass shootings as well as the killing of 21 police officers, according to data from a gun safety group the Violence Policy Center.
Falling Gun Ownership Behind The Move
With dropping gun ownership, concealed-carry is today more of marketing tool. Gun ownership in the US has declined from fifty percent previously to around thirty percent now. But many still believe that carrying a loaded hidden gun gives them more safety.
The Senate may need to act to stop this bill that seeks to nationalize the practice of concealed carry against the wishes of the more safety-oriented states.
