How would you go about proposing a bill?

[XCRmonger]

I had a thought. As a woman who has much scarier things to worry about than shoe prices, I got to thinking about keeping myself and fellow women safe. Currently, the age required to conceal carry is 21. I had a though to perhaps propose a bill to change that (for women) to 18.
Not that I have anything against you boys - but the likelihood of you getting raped in a dark alley is much smaller than us. That, and there are some women that couldn't swat a fly, let alone protect themselves with fists alone. I think changing said law to age 18 for women is a fair and prudent idea.

I am only 20, and alas cannot conceal carry. There have been many times I wished I had that option. Standing at an ATM at 1 in the morning and a car pulls into the parking lot behind me... walking my dog in the dark in a sparsly populated area...aggressive homeless or crazy people on the street... Honestly, there are times I feel quite threatened. I don't consider myself paranoid, but there are some crazies out there.

My dad has a good friend, now retired, who was once a police officer. There was an instance one night where he was attacked while on patrol. He had to shoot the guy four times to take him down. All four in the chest. Autopsy revealed the guy was on PCP.

So, while pepper spray and a knife on my keychain are all good... What if that cop was me? Or my sister? Or your daughter?

Basically, I would like to know where I can take this idea. Who do I need to talk to in order to make it a national ruling?

[berto]

Your local congress critter is the place to go. Women only isn't going to fly and shouldn't.

[csmintel]

I'd stop going to ATM's at 1 in the morning and stop going at homeless people and I'd also avoid "dark alleys". Common sense anyone?

[ocbruin]

I'd stop going to ATM's at 1 in the morning and stop going at homeless people and I'd also avoid "dark alleys". Common sense anyone?

I agree. Not that I disagree with the notion of dropping the age for CCW or making Cali a shall issue state overall, but self defense starts waaaay before you think of drawing a gun or shooting someone.

Also, the women only clause really wouldn't hold water, IMO. There are plenty of 18-20 year old young men who would fall into the same category of being unable to defend themselves against an armed or drugged assailant. Just because they're less likely to be raped doesn't mean they wouldn't get seriously injured or killed.

[macadamizer]

Not to mention to whole issue of needing to be 21 to own a handgun anyway.

[XCRmonger]

meh. it was just a thought.

[jammer2k]

2 answers

First, I wouldn't propose to anyone named Bill as I don't swing that way

Second, find out who your State rep is http://www.le.state.ut.us/, determine how 2nd friendly he is. If not very friendly, look at other and find one who is very 2nd friendly. Next make an appointment to meet with them. If you can get a meeting dress professionally and have a written outline of what you are desiring and a thorough backing of why it should be. It may help to wrangle help from any local/state groups.

If you remember This, the process won't be too disimilar.

Good luck and don't listen to the naysayers.

[Rivers]

Direct answer, speak to your local state legislators.

To the proposal, even I would shoot that down in a second. Here's why:
OK, you're female so you can carry at 18. What about gays? What about disabled? What about smaller young men? That won't fly on 14A grounds, equal protection... It discriminates against a variety of classes who deserve equal consideration under the law.

Personally, I'd love to see some high school level classes that teach how to avoid being victims. Teach the young how to not fall prey to computer spyware, identity theft, street crime, robbery, situational awareness, victim support (for when a friend or relative is victimized), child abuse, etc. Teach them how to not be a victim, encourage them to teach their families and show them (by video-chat with an incarcerated felon) what it's like to spend a day in prison. Don't use it as a how-to-commit-a-crime seminar.

[leitung]

We should lower the age to buy, own, & carry a handgun to 18. I am 19, I have a Level III reserve certificate, exposed firearms permit, and my own handgun gifted to me by a parent.
I should be allowed to, along with any adult over the age of 18 to buy, own and carry a handgun. We can go to war, vote, get tried as an adult, and smoke, but we can't own a handgun.
I will support any measure for a change in the law. If you need help let me know... I am more than willing to get a petition started, as well as spam our legislators about changing the law.

[Rivers]

To the proposal, even I would shoot that down in a second. Here's why:
OK, you're female so you can carry at 18. What about gays? What about disabled? What about smaller young men? That won't fly on 14A grounds, equal protection... It discriminates against a variety of classes who deserve equal consideration under the law.

I should explain that given a broad standard of maturity, responsibility, mental health, lack of criminal record... the legal age to carry should be 18. If you can go to adult prison, serve in the military, go financially bankrupt and all the other joys associated with screwing up as an adult, you should also be able to engage in all the upsides like getting married, buying a home or car, living on your own and carrying a concealed handgun.

Owing to the unique situation that an 18 year-old doesn't have an extensive criminal "life" to check, the law should be amended in THIS case to permit LE to view the previous FIVE years of anyone's criminal background. To pass the qualification for a CCW application, nobody should be able to hide behind a sealed juvenile record. Don't allow juvenile gang-bangers to now get armed legally just because they crossed the adulthood threshold.

[Andruski]

[ldivinag]

lol... first thing to pop into my head was that after school thingee...

[Ford8N]

I'd stop going to ATM's at 1 in the morning and stop going at homeless people and I'd also avoid "dark alleys". Common sense anyone?

You sound like a LEO that hands out CCW paper work. "Just call 911!"