Month: March 2022
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Impressive!
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Me want real bad!
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Soon I think!
By Roxroy Ballers
Earlier this month, California Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D), a former police officer who is running for Sacramento County Sherriff, left a loaded handgun in a carry-on bag while trying to get through a federal checkpoint at the Sacramento International Airport.
While the incident is under investigation, so far there has been no citation and the lawmaker has been given back his gun and sent on his way.
The Sacramento Bee reports that last year nearly 6,000 people nationwide were “caught” with a gun in carry-on luggage at TSA Airport Checkpoints. Most of these individuals were licensed concealed carriers who, on accident, forgot to properly check their firearms.
SEE ALSO: Airplane Mode: How To Fly With A Firearm
As the NRA-ILA noted in its coverage of this incident, the consequences of a loaded gun in an airport can come from both state and federal authorities, meaning there is the potential for a double whammy for violating both California law (which may include jail time, a fine, or both) and Federal law (which may include a civil fine of $3,000 to $10,000).
According to SacBee, Assemblyman Cooper’s gun was stored for him while on his trip and then returned to him when he arrived back in Cali. So far, no citation, fines, or jail time — just a nod and wink for the former man in blue.
The NRA, given the plight of Jim Cooper, has graciously offered to partner on legislation that would help de-criminalize this type of accident for ordinary citizens as well as California big shots.
In a twist of irony, the NRA also notes that Jim Cooper, despite taking advantage of his right to carry, has actually authored legislation that would criminalize the “traditional right of Americans to make their own firearms for personal use without government interference.”
We can only hope that this mishap works to change Cooper’s perspective and that instead of looking to trample 2A rights, he looks to expand them for everyday Californians by supporting shall-issue carry laws.
Because the right to freely carry firearms for self-defense applies to all law-abiding citizens, not just those in positions of power.
Gov. Eric Holcomb this week signed legislation that makes Indiana the 24th state to recognize one’s untrammeled right to keep and bear arms.
“The Second Amendment has been debated for years, yet time and again our U.S. Supreme Court has reaffirmed this important constitutional right that I fully support,” said Holcomb, a Republican, in a statement Monday.
“Twenty-three other states have laws comparable to HEA 1296. Vermont has had a constitutional carry law in place since it became a state, and several other states have had a similar law for more than a decade,” he continued.
“HEA 1296, which I’ve signed today, entrusts Hoosiers who can lawfully carry a handgun to responsibly do so within our State,” he said.
Holcomb also made it clear that prohibited persons (felons, minors, fugitives, drug addicts, mental defectives, etc.) are still banned from possessing firearms and will be prosecuted if they violate the relevant federal and state laws.
The governor also said that the state’s permitting system will remain in effect, at no charge, should Hoosiers want to obtain a permit for carry reciprocity with other states.
The NRA-ILA, which backed HB 1296, celebrated the move.
“The government should not mandate that law-abiding citizens get permission before exercising their fundamental, constitutional right to self defense,” said Jason Ouimet, executive director of NRA-ILA.
“We thank Gov. Holcomb, bill author Rep. Ben Smaltz, legislative leaders, and every lawmaker who supported this landmark legislation,” he added.
On the other side of the aisle, the Democrats panned the notion of permitless carry.
“A majority of Hoosiers told Indiana Republicans directly they opposed permitless carry,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmul in a statement.
“State law enforcement echoed their opposition to the measure a year after Republicans defunded their departments,” he said. “But unfortunately, Governor Eric Holcomb decided to put politics ahead of protecting the safety of Hoosier families by signing permitless carry into law.”
As GunsAmerica previously reported, there is no evidence that constitutional carry endangers public safety.
A recent study by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) examining aggregated crime data from 13 states that passed constitutional carry found no statistically significant change in violent crime, police killings, and firearm homicide after the passage of such laws.
The study also showed a drop in the murder rate, which runs contrary to the “Wild West” narrative spun by critics of expanded 2A rights.
Along with Indiana, the following states have some form of constitutional carry: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
HB 1296 takes effect July 1, 2022.