NRA-ILA :: Right-to-Carry 2009

The Supreme Court, in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), ruled that the Second Amendment protects \”the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation. This meaning is strongly confirmed by the historical background of the Second Amendment.\” 

Self-defense is a fundamental right. The U.S. constitution, the constitutions of 44 states, common law, and the laws of all states recognize the right to use arms in self-defense. RTC laws respect the right to self-defense by allowing individuals to carry firearms for protection. 

There are 40 Right-to-Carry states. Thirty-six have \”shall issue\” laws, requiring that carry permits be issued to applicants who meet uniform standards established by the state legislature. Three have fairly-administered discretionary-issue carry permit systems. Vermont respects the right to carry without a permit. Alaska, one of the \”shall issue\” states, has its permit system for the purpose of permit reciprocity¹ with other states, and has allowed carrying without a permit since 2003. Of the 10 non-RTC states, eight have restrictively-administered discretionary-issue systems, and two — Illinois and Wisconsin — have no permit system and prohibit carrying.