Opinion: Gun Laws and Carry Permits

To the Editor:

“Yes, Officer, I was driving down the Merritt Parkway at 75 mph, but I have a Utah driver’s license and that is our state speed limit.”  How silly is that argument?  Not as silly as that made in the Cheshire Herald op-ed of February 2 (“NYC Should Do the Right Thing and Drop Graves’ Case.”)

Mrs. Graves decided to carry a handgun in New York City, and specifically to the 9/11 Site.  Unless she was deliberately trying to score a political point (as others in the blogosphere are), or she is too irresponsible to be carrying a weapon.  Assuming she flew up to New York for her interview, I doubt she tried to carry the gun onto the airplane.  If she applied for or renewed her license on line, she would have seen the notice that Tennessee carry permits are not recognized in New York or several other states.  It is her responsibility to make herself aware of, and follow, the local regulations which even the Roberts Court did not deem unconstitutional.[1]

I suppose one  should no longer be surprised that avid supporters of “states’ rights,” suddenly forget them when guns are involved.

Martin E. Cobern

[1] “Because Heller conceded at oral argument that the D. C. licensing law is permissible if it is not enforced arbi­trarily and capriciously, the Court assumes that a license will satisfy his prayer for relief and does not address the licensing requirement. Assuming he is not disqualified from exercising Second Amendment rights, the District must permit Heller to register his handgun and must issue him a license to carry it in the home.” DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ET AL. v. HELLER” (p.1)