Why no CA "shall issue" CCW legislation

[Rivers]

A couple of reasons:

1) the legislature is Democratic / anti-gun majority now. This isn't to say EVERY Dem is anti, but most are. It simply won't get the votes to pass now.

2) the Dem leadership has sent the message (behind closed doors) that after CCW reform almost passed in the 1990's, it would allow it to proceed, then amend it to kill CCW altogether.

3) the sheriffs have very few "perks" and controlling CCW issuance is one of those perks. That's why they cling so tenaciously to keeping that power.

My counter to those reasons:

1) Vote wisely. Each and every one of us needs to pay attention to how our representatives stand on important issues. Talk to your reps and let them know how YOU feel, and how your feelings will impact your support for their political aspirations.

2) The NRA is focusing on changing the balance of power in the legislature before pushing the issue. Personally, I think that such a ploy by the Democratic leadership would backfire. If all CCW was revoked, how would all those LA and SF celebrities, diamond merchants, jewelers, lawyers, etc. feel? I doubt they would stand for it, and their political campaign donations would dry up quickly.

3) To put the safety of the citizens under a perk of the job is a serious disservice to Californians. It's unequal protection under the law, with some citizens "more" or "less" than others, for no reason other than which county they live in. Sheriffs who play this game should be ashamed of themselves and voted out of office.

[GuyW]

2) the Dem leadership has sent the message (behind closed doors) that after CCW reform almost passed in the 1990's, it would allow it to proceed, then amend it to kill CCW altogether.

3) the sheriffs have very few "perks" and controlling CCW issuance is one of those perks. That's why they cling so tenaciously to keeping that power.


The current CCW law has "bought off" enough people (Sheriffs/COPs, CCW holders including judges, Dems, etc) that it will be difficult politically to push it off center in either direction.

That said, if Team Billyjack federal lawsuits, or new 2nd Amendment respect, don't cause wholesale improvements across the state, then I'd support upsetting the whole applecart by getting rid of CCWs entirely....which would be a VERY short-lived situation, because the influential CCW holders won't just sit and lose their privilege to carry.

[yellowfin]

1. Voting wisely has been sabotaged by gerrymandering. As individuals your vote and mine gets diluted so badly it virtually doesn't matter at the state level. Also, from what I am told there is a significant part of the legislature that isn't proactively anti, but they're too afraid to be actively aligned with the favorable side. The antis in the party apparently intimidate others to beat them in line with their agenda--this from a party that harps on "diversity" and "tolerance."

2. They would still have a way to get it. With money and influence you can get anything.

3. No kidding, but nobody credible runs against them, or they get sabotaged. The antis watch that like a hawk, and apparently somehow they're conceded to rather than fiercely opposed.

[bulgron]

That said, if Team Billyjack federal lawsuits, or new 2nd Amendment respect, don't cause wholesale improvements across the state, then I'd support upsetting the whole applecart by getting rid of CCWs entirely....which would be a VERY short-lived situation, because the influential CCW holders won't just sit and lose their privilege to carry.

Sometimes I wonder what we would have to do in order to get the US Marshall's office (or some other federal agency) to offer CCW on a shall issue basis.

Sorry, but what you said puts me in a funk. Not that I disagree with you. It's just that it depresses me to think that it would have to come to a nuclear option like that.

[sfwdiy]

Assuming a favorable Heller ruling, I think perhaps odds would be better for national CCW reciprocity. If firearms ownership is declared an individual right and certain states allow you to carry an item you have a constitutional right to own, it would seem to me that Heller would only strengthen the argument for enforcing full faith and credit for CCW permits. Anyone know a senator from Florida or Texas that would want to write the bill? :)