The Washington Times
published my piece on legal and illegal guns and the Concealed Carry
Reciprocity Act.
Last month former Washington
D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief and former Philadelphia Police Commissioner
Charles H. Ramsey offered his view of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of
2017 in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The bill will allow a qualified individual
to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another
state that allows individuals to carry concealed firearms.
According to the proposed
legislation currently working its way through Congress, a qualified individual
must: First, be eligible to possess, transport or receive a firearm under
federal law; second, carry a valid photo identification document; and third, carry
a valid concealed carry permit issued by, or be eligible to carry a concealed
firearm in, his or her state of residence.
… Mr. Ramsey is against the
bill, stating that it will have a disastrous impact on public safety and law
enforcement. He has a number of concerns and he began his commentary citing the
murder two years ago of Philadelphia Police Officer Robert Wilson.
Officer Wilson entered a
GameStop store to buy his son a gift and encountered two brothers holding up
the store. Officer Wilson attempted to stop the armed robbery and protect the
customers and store employees and he was shot dead by the two criminals.
What Mr. Ramsey omitted from
his article is that the guns used to murder Officer Wilson were purchased
illegally, carried illegally and discharged illegally. The two criminals did
not possess a concealed carry license, as they are ineligible as convicted
felons.
I respect Mr. Ramsey. I
believe he was a good police boss. I interviewed him in his office at Police
Headquarters in Philadelphia and I was impressed, but I disagree with his view
on concealed carry and its perceived threat to police officers and the public.
Many people who are in favor
of gun control — now called “gun safety” by advocates, as it sounds less
dictatorial — often fail to differentiate between legal gun ownership and
illegal guns used by criminals.
You can read the rest of the
piece via the below link:
