@Scot250 I believe you are a little confused about HR 822.
#1. The Tea Party does NOT have as part of their national platform, gun rights. Admittedly, MOST Tea Party members favor the 2nd amendment right, they ALL do not favor conceal/carry. (Scott Clement, Survey Research Analyst, and John C. Green, Senior Research Adviser, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life February 23, 2011)
#2. HR 822: According to govtrack.us which is a Congressional Research Service Summary, 'The following summary was written by the Congressional Research Service, a well-respected nonpartisan arm of the Library of Congress......... HR 822 is A bill to establish minimum standards for States that allow the carrying of concealed firearms.
The legislation would still require permit-holders carrying concealed guns in another state to follow that state's laws, particularly restrictions on where guns can be carried - universities, for instance, or bars or government buildings. But the bill wouldn't require them to meet all of that state's application qualifications, such as a minimum age requirement.'
I fight against this resolution for a different reason. Although the NRA (of which I've been a member for many, many years) supports a federal recognition, I don't as I, too, believe in States individual rights as granted in the 10th amendment of our Constitution.
I worry, given the governments ability to attempt to control every aspect of our lives, if we're required to carry a federal permit... the Fed govt would eventually say the individual state's permits are no longer valid, only the fed id is legal... therefore, it would allow the fed govt to greatly restrict private gun ownership in America, by denying more permits than it allows... that indeed would be a sad day for Americans as according to the FBI ..." According to the figures released today by the FBI, the estimated number of violent crimes in 2010 declined for the fourth consecutive year. Property crimes also decreased, marking the eighth straight year that the collective estimates for these offenses declined." (
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr....-2010/summary)
I believe if you compare the FBI stats state by state (those who favor conceal/carry vs those who do not) you'll see dramatic drop off in violent crimes in those states in favor. I believe in 2010, more people applied and received conceal/carry permits, and bought guns than any other prior year. Responsible gun ownership by individuals have helped to curb these violent crimes, as you would not be as likely to break-in a business/home if you knew there is a good possibility the person behind the counter or door is legally armed....