Rep. Trey Gowdy on National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity

Published on September 13, 2011
Duration: 6:25

Congressman Trey Gowdy argues for national reciprocity of Second Amendment rights, likening it to other incorporated amendments like the First Amendment. He contends that if the Second Amendment is a fundamental right subject to strict scrutiny, it should not have 50 different state interpretations. Gowdy also highlights that concealed permit holders have lower crime rates than the general population, challenging arguments against reciprocity.

Quick Summary

Congressman Trey Gowdy advocates for national right-to-carry reciprocity, asserting that the Second Amendment, as a fundamental right, should not be subject to 50 different state standards. He points to the low crime rates among concealed carry permit holders as evidence against arguments that reciprocity would increase crime.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and National Standards
  2. 00:19The Importance of National Standards for Second Amendment Rights
  3. 01:22Addressing States Rights Arguments
  4. 02:13Opposition to Reciprocity and Crime Statistics
  5. 03:39Effectiveness of Gun Laws on Criminals
  6. 04:00Concealed Carry and Crime Rates
  7. 04:33Constitutional Right to Self-Defense
  8. 05:33Future of Reciprocity Legislation
  9. 06:01The Heller Decision and Second Amendment Interpretation

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should there be national reciprocity for the Second Amendment?

Congressman Trey Gowdy argues that if the Second Amendment is a fundamental right, it should have national standards, similar to the First Amendment. He believes states shouldn't have 50 different interpretations of this right, especially when concealed permit holders demonstrate lower crime rates.

What is the argument against national right-to-carry reciprocity?

Opponents, like Mayor Bloomberg's coalition and the Brady Campaign, argue that national reciprocity will put more guns into the hands of criminals. However, Congressman Gowdy counters this by citing statistics that show concealed permit holders have significantly lower crime rates.

How does the doctrine of incorporation relate to the Second Amendment?

The doctrine of incorporation suggests that amendments in the Bill of Rights, including the Second Amendment, apply to the states. This implies that states should not be able to create vastly different standards for exercising these fundamental rights.

What is the statistical evidence regarding concealed carry permit holders and crime?

According to Congressman Gowdy, studies and data presented by law professors indicate that individuals who have gone through the process of obtaining a concealed carry permit have crime rates that are significantly lower than the general population.

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