Preamble: We, the undersigned, believe that the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, guarantees the fundamental right of the people to keep and bear arms. The intent of this right is not only for personal defense and security but also to ensure the balance of power between the government and the governed, providing citizens with the means to resist tyranny and protect their other fundamental rights, including the freedom of speech, assembly, and expression.
The current system of concealed carry registration undermines the Second Amendment by introducing unnecessary restrictions and a framework that subjects citizens’ rights to arbitrary state control. This policy aims to remove the requirement for concealed carry registration across the United States, reaffirming that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Policy Statement: The right of the people to carry arms—both openly and concealed—is guaranteed by the Second Amendment and should not be subject to bureaucratic barriers or government mandates that infringe upon the exercise of this fundamental right. The Second Amendment was not established to provide the government with the power to regulate, limit, or register this right, but to protect the sovereignty of the people from encroachment by a potentially tyrannical government. As such, the current system of concealed carry permits, licensing, and registration undermines the spirit of the Constitution and the founding principles of our republic.
Key Provisions:
- Immediate Elimination of Concealed Carry Registration:
- All federal and state-level laws requiring individuals to register or obtain permission (through a permit or license) for the concealed carry of firearms will be repealed. This includes any registration systems or background checks specifically related to concealed carry permits.
- No state or local government will be authorized to impose mandatory concealed carry registration or licensing requirements.
- Affirmation of Sovereignty and Self-Defense:
- The right of the people to carry arms shall be recognized as an inherent and unalienable right, not subject to government approval or restriction.
- Citizens shall be free to carry firearms in any manner, concealed or open, for personal defense, protection of others, and the defense of the republic.
- Enhanced Privacy Protections:
- The removal of registration requirements ensures that personal privacy is upheld. There will be no government database tracking lawful concealed carry holders or any individuals who choose to exercise their right to carry arms.
- Citizens will retain the right to keep their private matters, including their use of firearms, free from government oversight unless otherwise constitutionally warranted (e.g., criminal conduct).
- Reaffirming the Interdependence of the Bill of Rights:
- The Second Amendment is foundational to the protection of all other rights contained within the Bill of Rights. The ability of the people to resist tyranny and protect their freedoms through the exercise of their right to bear arms underpins the free exercise of speech, assembly, religion, and other civil liberties.
- The government should not treat the exercise of the Second Amendment as conditional upon meeting bureaucratic requirements. Instead, it should be recognized as a right that is intrinsic to the liberty of the people.
- State Sovereignty and Local Autonomy:
- While the federal government will eliminate concealed carry registration requirements, individual states will retain the authority to regulate firearms as they see fit, so long as such regulations do not infringe upon the fundamental right to bear arms. This ensures that local communities can adopt measures to balance public safety with constitutional rights, but no state may impose mandatory registration or permits for concealed carry.
- Any state or local law that conflicts with the restoration of this fundamental right, including restrictions on concealed carry without registration, will be invalidated.
Rationale:
- Constitutional Integrity: The Second Amendment was written to ensure that the government would not have the power to disarm its citizens. The right to bear arms must be unimpeded by layers of government bureaucracy, which can erode the protections intended by our Founders.
- Security and Sovereignty: Concealed carry registration is an unnecessary infringement on personal freedoms. The people must have the unimpeded right to arm themselves for self-defense, whether in their homes or in public, to maintain their independence and sovereignty. History shows that disarmed populations are vulnerable to government overreach and the erosion of freedoms.
- Protecting the First Amendment: The Second Amendment exists in tandem with the First, ensuring that citizens are able to protect their voices, their right to protest, and their ability to challenge governmental overreach. Without the ability to defend themselves, citizens risk losing the freedoms granted by the Bill of Rights.
Conclusion: The Second Amendment Preservation Act seeks to return the fundamental rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution to the American people. By eliminating the requirement for concealed carry registration, this policy restores the balance of power between the state and the people, protecting personal liberty and ensuring that the government cannot infringe on the unalienable rights of individuals to defend themselves and their freedoms.
The time has come to reaffirm that the Second Amendment is not subject to registration or restriction. Let us trust in the people, as the Framers intended, and protect the rights of individuals to bear arms, both openly and concealed, free from unnecessary government oversight.
Action Required:
- Passage of federal legislation eliminating concealed carry registration and permitting requirements.
- Repeal of all state-level laws imposing concealed carry registration, with a transition period to ensure compliance.
Endorsements:
- Advocates for the restoration of constitutional rights.
- Civil liberties organizations.
- Constitutional scholars and historians.
- Local gun rights groups.