The Wandering Minstrel

Last night I was browsing on the USA Carry website when I discovered that they have set up their interactive map to allow you to select more than one state where you have a CCW permit. Since The Better Half and I have both Arizona (as residents) and Utah permits, we found that there are thirty-nine states where our permits are honored.

The difference of having the Utah permit only allows for us to carry in two additional states - Washington and Minnesota. Unless our travel plans happen to include these two states (which they currently do not), we’re probably going to let the Utah permits expire in 2013. Hopefully, HR 822 will get moving again and if it passes, then it won’t matter.

The usual anti-gun contingents of the northeast and on the left coast continue to deny you of your Second Amendment rights. Clickable image for the fine print.

UPDATE: Readers DrJim and Crotalus point out that I did not comment on the black hole of 2A freedom: Illinois is the only state in the union that denies the right to concealed carry to its citizens. Say, isn’t the Obamination from there?

The Better Half and I had a discussion about HR-822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, as we drove across the California Desert yesterday. I told her that I think there is a good possibility of the measure being signed into law.

HR-822 passed in the House of Representatives yesterday, with only a handful of whiny RINOs voting against it, and the usual anti-rights Democrats, of course. Now the bill goes to the Senate where I believe Harry Reid, who wants to make up to the NRA and regain their endorsement, will put it on the agenda for the upper house. I believe the Senate will pass the bill (probably with changes) and return it to the House where they will evaluate and approve any changes.

Now, as for the Obamination to sign the bill into law, just remember that this in an election cycle. He will sign it to deflect the Fast and Furious issue and then say to the voting public “See, I’m not against guns and the Second Amendment, See?” Yes, he is that much of a whore.

Of course, that’s my opinion, I could be wrong.

Next week, effective November 1st, the state of Wisconsin’s concealed weapons permit law goes into effect. On the same date, permit holders from 25 states will be able to carry guns in Wisconsin. Arizona is among the 25 states.

This is good news for The Better Half and I since we will probably find ourselves transiting through Wisconsin when we visit that region on a long-planned motor tour.

Excerpt from Madison.com:

Those states include: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Arizona and Wyoming made the list despite the fact that residents in those states are allowed to carry firearms without a permit. However, those states offer a permit that can be used for reciprocity. Alaska also has an optional permit procedure, but didn’t make the list. Neither did Vermont, the only state that allows residents to carry firearms and doesn’t offer a permit.

Hat Tip to the NRA-ILA.

The Better Half got her Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit last week, one week after mine came in the mail. Hers took 45 days to get here but still a lot better than the 60-75 days that the Arizona Department of Safety estimated it would take.

I ordered “The Arizona Gun Owner’s Guide” last week. The book contains a synopsis of “where you can carry” in the state.

That brings us to the main topic, “Perks.” Carrying is not legal everywhere but possession of a valid permit allows the holder to access some places that are still off limits to non-holders “Constitutionally” carrying. The list of perks is below.

1. Ability to carry a concealed weapon within 1,000 feet of a school.
2. A permit is required to carry a weapon in Arizona’s National Parks.
3. Ability to carry concealed in states with reciprocity.
4. Permit holders do not need a background check when purchasing a weapon.
5. You need a valid permit to carry your weapon in a commercial establishment that serves alcohol (you may NOT consume alcohol).
6. When you take a concealed carry class you learn the laws of when you can use deadly force.

I will double check this list when the Arizona Gun Owner’s Guide arrives and update as necessary.

H.R. 822, the “National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011”, is on the move in the U.S. House of Representatives. On September 13, House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security held a hearing on H.R. 822. The House could consider H.R. 822 in the next few weeks, so you should contact your congressperson soon about this vital legislation. I already contacted Congressman Franks (R-AZ) even though he is very likely to support the bill.

There have been rumblings in the pro-gun community that this legislation would be bad for gun owners. The NRA points out that the rumors are unfounded:

This bill DOES NOT:

• Create a federal licensing or registration system;
• Establish a minimum federal standard for the carry permit;
• Involve the federal bureaucracy in setting standards for carry permit;
• Destroy permitless carry systems such as those in Arizona, Alaska, Vermont and Wyoming.

H.R. 822 is a good bill for gun owners. Don’t listen to false claims. Read the bill yourself and read our fact sheet to get the facts. Then, please contact your member of Congress and urge him or her to support the earliest possible consideration of H.R. 822 this year.

After only a 38 day wait, my Arizona CCW permit arrived in the mail today. The DPS website says expect up to a 75 day approval cycle, so it arrived in about half that time. The Better Half’s permit did not arrive yet, so we’re still waiting on hers. We hope it shows up within the next few days.

Even though Arizona is a Constitutional Carry state, The Better Half and I got our CCW training so we can carry in the 32 other states that recognize Arizona CCW permits. There are also several perks within Arizona, like being able to carry in restaurants that serve alcohol and the background check to purchase firearms is waived for permit holders.

This is the new Don Hume H715 IWB holster for my S&W 442 revolver, “Rosie the Riveter.” I am still in the process of getting the holster properly broken in and it is much nicer than the generic Bianchi soft leather IWB holster I have been using for the past couple of years.

Clickable image - Rosie in her new IWB holster

This is from the Don Hume on-line product description of the holster:

This inside the waistband holster is made of lightweight leather and form molded. The top opening of the holster is reinforced to aid in reholstering the weapon. The design works well strong side, crossdraw or behind the hip.

If all goes well, we will be trying out the holster up at the pistol range in a few days.

The Better Half and I are one step closer to obtaining our Arizona CCW permits. We went to the training class this morning which consisted of firearm handling and shooting safety, firearm parts and their operation, ammunition and its function, shooting fundamentals and firearm selection, cleaning and storage. They also briefed the class on Arizona firearms laws and interfacing with law enforcement for the last hour.

I asked if the reduced CCW training requirements would affect reciprocity with other states. The answer was it would not affect reciprocity for either states with formal agreements or states that informally honor Arizona permits. They admonished us to check the laws every time we venture into other states since things can change.

During the class, the staff called individuals to a podium where we got fingerprinted. We got all the forms and materials needed to mail to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. All that goes into the USPS on Monday. And then the wait begins for the permits to arrive.