Agenda Text
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Opposing the Concealed Weapons Reciprocity Act of 2017.
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Official Text
WHEREAS: On January 3, 2017, Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced HR 38, which currently has at least 188 co-sponsors and on February 27, 2017, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced S 446, both known as the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, which are intended to force states to recognize concealed carry permits of gun owners issued in all other states, regardless of the issuing state's permitting standards or lack thereof; and
WHEREAS: President Donald Trump has stated that he would sign a Concealed Carry Reciprocity law; and
WHEREAS: While every state allows concealed carry under some circumstances, each state has different requirements on who is permitted to carry, what requirements are appropriate, and what type of training should be required of permit holders; and
WHEREAS: Currently, Massachusetts, as well as many other states, broadly prohibits out-of-state residents from carrying concealed weapons within its borders without complying with specific Massachusetts state requirements; and
WHEREAS: The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 would seek to force Massachusetts to recognize the rights to carry concealed weapons by non-residents from so-called “constitutional” or “permitless” carry states, which allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons without receiving any permit or training; and
WHEREAS: HR 38 also would seek to override the Gun-Free School Zones Act, which makes it a federal crime to carry a gun in a school zone; and
WHEREAS: In issuing concealed-carry permits, the Somerville Chief of Police adheres to Massachusetts law, which is considered as having among the most stringent gun laws in the country, and like many other cities and states, requires applicants to demonstrate a reason for obtaining a concealed-carry permit and must be deemed suitable to carry a weapon; and
WHEREAS: These Concealed Carry Reciprocity bills would effectively override existing state laws and local practice and severely limit the City of Somerville’s ability to prevent dangerous people from carrying loaded, hidden firearms in public; NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED: That by the adoption of this Resolution, the City of Somerville urges U.S. Representative Michael Capuano and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey to OPPOSE HR 38 and S 446, known as the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, and further directs that the City Clerk send copies of this Resolution to Representative Capuano and Senators Warren and Markey.