Firearms carrying

April 29 Minnesota changes the wording in its policy on concealed firearms carry permits to shall issue, meaning that citizens must be given such permits unless they don t legally qualify. More than 30 states now have shall issue laws. 

Nelson, David E. Population Estimates of Household Eirearm Storage Practices and Eirearm Carrying in Oregon. JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 275, June 12, 1996, pp. 1744-1748. Gives a percentage breakdown of households with firearms stored in various ways (such as loaded and unlocked) and of firearm carrying. Nelson also gives correlation with alcohol use. 

Percussion Lock. A firearm mechanism in which a cap loaded with a detonating mixt is fitted over a pierced nipple and exploded by the blow of the falling hammer. The flash of the exploding cap is carried to the charge. Its development followed that of the flintlock (See Vol 6,... 

Generally, gun rights advocates want gun ownership to be treated in a way similar to speech or writing. Every adult citizen who does not have a criminal or mental health record should be able to own and carry the gun of his or her choice with minimal restrictions (such as banning guns in some public places like schools). Any criminal who commits a crime with that firearm, however, should be prosecuted and punished. 

The Gun-Free Schools Zones Act (part of the Crime Control Act of 1990) made it illegal for anyone (other than a police officer or security guard) to have a firearm in a school zone, or to carry unloaded firearms (unless in a locked container) within 1,000 feet of school grounds. The Supreme Court overmrned this law in 1995 in U.S. v. Lopez (see Representative Court Cases). 

Although it involves a knife rather than a gun, this case illustrates two continuing themes that will be applied to firearm regulation (1) the question of whether the right to bear arms is collective or individual, and (2) the application of the police power of the state to the types of weapons people may have and the manner in which they may be carried. This case cast an early vote for the collective position and upheld the state s police power. 

The defendant argued that the city ordinance conflicted with state law, which did not prohibit the carrying of an unconcealed firearm, except at a school. State law should take precedence. 

In 1990 Congress passed the Gun-Free School Zones Act, which forbids any individual knowingly to possess a firearm at a place that [he] knows. .. is a school zone. The defendant, a 12th grade student, was convicted of violating this law by carrying a concealed handgun into his school. 

The key issue was whether the Constitution allows Congress to enact legislation that forces local law enforcement officials to carry out a federal mandate (in this case, running back ound checks on firearms purchasers). 

Following the Civil War, Black Codes are enacted to restrict the rights of the newly freed slaves. Prohibiting them from keeping and carrying firearms is a common provision. 

The Federal Aviation Act is passed. It prohibits the carrying of firearms on or about any passenger flying on a commercial aircraft. 

This section focuses on topics such as the relationship between the presence of guns and crime and the utility of firearms for defending against or preventing crime or terrorism and the question of whether concealed-carry... 

Hahn, Robert A., et al. First Reports Evaluating the Effectiveness of Strategies for Preventing Violence Eirearms Laws Eindings from the Task Force on Community Preventative Services. Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report, October 3, 2003, pp. 11-20. Also available online. URL http //www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5214a2.htm. Evaluates the current scientific evidence for the effectiveness of various types of firearms laws including gun bans, restrictions on firearms acquisition, waiting periods, and will issue concealed weapon carry laws. The report concludes that there was insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of any of the types of laws studied. 

McDowall, David, Colin Loftin, and Brian Wiersema. Easing Concealed Firearms Laws Effects on Homicide in Three Stzt s. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, vol. 86, Fall 1995, pp. 193-206. Studies the effects of the liberalization of concealed-carry gun permit laws in Florida, Mississippi, and Oregon. The authors point out that firearm homicides increased in four out of the five areas studied. The authors conclude that liberalized concealed-carry does not reduce gun crime and may increase it. 

Bird, Chris. Concealed Handgun Manual. 3d ed. San Antonio, Tex. Privateer Publications, 2002. Contains the latest current state laws and regulations relating to concealed carrying of firearms, beginning and advanced shooting instruction, advice on handgun selection, and updated safety advice. 

Krafft, Bruce W. My Day at the Mall. Firearms and Liberty.com. Available online. URL http //www.firearmsandliberty.com (via link). Posted on July 25, 2003. Reports the author s confrontation with security guards after carrying a gun in a shopping mall in what he says was a violation of a new law that does not allow businesses to ban customers or guests from carrying guns. 

Militantly opposes gun control supports self-defense and the right to carry concealed weapons provides research, on issues and firearms training. 

The second chart deals with laws concerning the carrying of concealed firearms, including whether carrying is presumptively permitted ( shall issue ), presumptively prohibited ( may issue ), or prohibited outright. 

Many states pass new firearms laws (or modify existing ones) each year. Many municipalities or counties have additional gun restrictions, such as bans on the purchase of handguns or the concealed carrying of firearms. 

Arkansas prohibits carrying a firearm with a purpose to employ it as a weapon against a person. Tennessee prohibits carrying with the intent to go armed. Vermont prohibits carrying a firearm with the intent or purpose of injuring another. ... 

Concealed-carry laws vary significantly between the states. Ratings reflect the real effect a state s particular laws have on the ability of citizens to carry firearms for self-defense. 

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