[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 177 (Friday, November 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NATIONAL RIGHT-TO-CARRY RECIPROCITY ACT OF 2011

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                               speech of

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 16, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 822) to 
     amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a national 
     standard in accordance with which nonresidents of a State may 
     carry concealed firearms in the State:

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of the National 
Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, H.R. 822. Not only am I a proud 
cosponsor of this legislation but I am also a firm and committed 
supporter of Second Amendment rights. This legislation will ensure 
further protection of this vital right by allowing law abiding citizens 
to carry concealed weapons across state lines.
  On November 1st of this year, Wisconsin became the 49th state to 
implement a concealed carry law. The first day the law went into 
effect, the Wisconsin State Department of Justice website had 400,000 
hits and residents had downloaded 83,000 applications. It is clear that 
Wisconsinites were eager to take advantage of this new law. Given the 
strong interest this law has garnered in my state and in other states 
throughout the country, I believe that it is only logical to extend 
this right across state lines.
  The bill allows law-abiding gun owners with valid state-issued 
concealed firearm permits or licenses to carry a concealed firearm in 
any other state that also allows concealed carry. In all actuality, 
with all but one state allowing concealed carry, this legislation 
doesn't break that much new ground. In fact, for the majority of states 
that have had concealed carry laws on the books for some time now; they 
have been recognizing permits from other states for years. As can be 
the case, the state by state approach has caused confusion. This 
legislation will eliminate any uncertainty by putting in place simple 
and concise federal policy.
  This is a widely supported bill with 245 bipartisan House cosponsors. 
Given the strong support here in Congress and the increased interest in 
states throughout the country, it is my hope that the Senate will 
follow our lead and pass this legislation. It would be a great victory 
to have this become law this year.

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