by Joseph P. Tartaro | Executive Editor
In reporting on the signing of a “permitless” carry legislation in New Hampshire by Gov. Chris Sununu (R) on March 7, the Washington Post led off by saying that more states are allowing people to carry concealed handguns without a permit
New Hampshire this week passed a law allowing residents to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, joining a growing number of states that are allowing residents to carry weapons out of sight without a license.
“At least 11 states have passed laws allowing the concealed carry of guns without a permit, and 16 states have introduced legislation this year to do the same, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Rifle Association,” the newspaper reported.
Gun rights advocates see the laws as the next frontier in Second Amendment rights, the newspaper told its readers, adding “but the legislation has been controversial in many places where it has been introduced, with law enforcement members, politicians and gun proponents arguing that the bills go too far.”
Nationwide, the legislation has been contentious and has failed in states that are traditional bastions of gun rights. The legislation has been dubbed “permitless carry” or “constitutional carry,” as proponents believe that people have a constitutional right to carry a gun with as few restrictions as possible. Legislation is pending this year in states several states, including Kentucky — where gun rights advocates expect it to pass — Texas, Colorado and Indiana.
Idaho, Mississippi and West Virginia passed laws last year that do away with concealed-carry permits, allowing people to carry weapons without them.
The Granite State law allows anyone who has purchased a licensed pistol or revolver to carry it, loaded or unloaded, on him or herself, or in a vehicle. Sununu’s predecessor, Sen. Maggie Hassan (D), twice vetoed the legislation.
“We have historically allowed people to openly carry a pistol. I don’t see why you have to get a second permit if you’re a law-abiding citizen and legally entitled to own a gun,” Jeb Bradley (R), the majority leader of the state Senate, said in an interview. Bradley and Sununu also said the law puts New Hampshire on equal footing with neighboring Vermont and Maine, which also do not require permits for the concealed carry of handguns.
The legislation went into effect immediately. Previously, gun owners had to apply for a concealed-carry permit with the local police chief, who granted or denied the request. Bradley said that numerous people were unfairly denied permits, but police chiefs testified during hearings that few applications were turned down.
The Post ended its report with the focus on opponents.
“This bill will eliminate the state’s long-standing permitting system and prevent local law enforcement from making important determinations that help keep guns out of dangerous hands,” Portsmouth Police Commissioner Joseph Plaia said in a statement. He is a member of Granite State Coalition for Common Sense, an offshoot of Americans for Responsible Solutions, a gun control group founded by former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said the passage of such laws are an “anomaly” and occur in “legislatures that have been doing the NRA’s bidding,” The Post said, before reporting opposition by the governors of usually gun friendly sates such as Montana and South Dakota.
