In The News

Concealed carry bill gains momentum

Truck drivers are closely monitoring a bill aimed at unifying states’ concealed carry laws.

The bill, HR822 , the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011, passed the House by a vote of 272-154 on Wednesday, Nov. 16. U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-FL, introduced the bill, which currently has 245 cosponsors and has been referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has been supportive of efforts like HR822, which would require states that “currently permit people to carry concealed firearms to recognize other states’ valid concealed carry permits.”

“This bill will go a long ways toward ensuring the safety of truckers when they are out on the road,” said Ryan Bowley, director of legislative affairs for OOIDA. “The strong bipartisan support is a clear sign that Second Amendment rights shouldn’t stop at a state line, something that is well-known to truckers.”

As the economy struggles, more truckers are becoming victims of violent crimes, robbing them of their cash, their loads and, sometimes, their lives.

Gary Slider, who maintains the comprehensive website handgunlaws.us , recently told Land Line that criminals target truckers because of their valuable loads. Criminals also know that many truck drivers are unarmed because of differing city, county and state laws, which makes it nearly impossible for them to legally comply with concealed carry laws.

“We are still a long way from this being the law of the land,” Slider said. “If it passes, it will make things much easier for those who have a valid permit or license to carry, but then on the flip side we again have the feds telling the states what they have to do.”

www.LandLineMag.com