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All Law-Abiding Citizens Have the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
BY TIM SCHMIDT - USCCA FOUNDER
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Like so many other stories involving gun rights, the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] Amendment, concealed carry or self-defense with a firearm, news out of Washington D.C. has me shaking my head and cheering at the same time this afternoon.
A three-judge panel of the D.C. Court of Appeals recently ruled that the District's "good reason" requirement for concealed carry permits is "unconstitutional."
Gun Owners of America (GOA), a "nonprofit lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise," submitted an amicus brief in the Wrenn v. D.C. case, arguing against that "good reason" clause in D.C.'s current stringent permitting process. (Consider for a second that even living — or working — in a high-crime area does NOT qualify as "good reason" to apply for a concealed carry permit in the District of Columbia.)
Erich Pratt, executive director of GOA, recognized the landmark victory as imperative in allowing honest, responsible Americans to carry guns.
"Americans everywhere — even those living in our nation's capital — should be able to defend themselves with a firearm," Pratt said in a press release. "GOA is happy to see the Court recognize the right to keep and bear arms and deal a blow to Washington's draconian carry laws."
While I applaud the court's ruling and likewise appreciate the incredible dedication and unrelenting work of Gun Owners of America, I can't help but feel a little fed up with the fact that ANY law-abiding citizen should have to provide "good reason" to exercise his or her God-given and constitutionally guaranteed right to keep and bear arms. As it stands — and as it has stood for more than 200 years — the 2[SUP]nd [/SUP]Amendment is "good reason" enough.
As Pratt so articulately pointed out, "These restrictive carry laws do nothing to stop criminals, but they do leave law-abiding citizens defenseless."
It's time to change the equation — for good. The latest ruling in D.C. is a small but sure step in the right direction.
Take Care and Stay Safe, 
Tim Schmidt
Publisher - Concealed Carry Report
USCCA Founder
P.S. - Activate your USCCA Membership today for your chance to win a brand-new ADCOR ELITE Gas Piston Carbine 5.56mm/.223 worth a whopping $2,295!
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