Position Statement: Firearms Carry and Defensive Use

“Castle Doctrine” Laws?  (Complex)

The Second Amendment Organization supports laws which explicitly provide protection from prosecution for individuals who use appropriate force to stop a physical threat to them or another victim inside of their home, place of work or residence (even when temporary).  The Second Amendment Organization does not generally support the use of lethal force to protect one’s home, per se, only to protect themselves or others that they care about.

 

Civil Disobedience in regard to existing Gun Laws? (Against)

The Second Amendment Organization does not support the clandestine violation of existing gun laws to be a legitimate way to fight the existence of illegitimate gun restrictions and does not advocate that responsible gun owners conduct such activities as a common practice or form of “Civil Disobedience”.

 

Dueling? (Against)
The Second Amendment Organization does not support the use of firearms in acts of “mutual combat” to settle disputes of honor or other issues.

 

Firearms and Alcohol/Drug Use? (Against)

The Second Amendment Organization does not support the use (or defensive carry) of firearms by individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol that to an extent that could impair their perception, judgement or motor skills. As a guideline, 2AO believes that the same rules as would govern a reasonable person’s decision to operate a motor vehicle should apply to their use of a firearm and that laws pertaining to the use of firearms while Under the Influence of drugs or alcohol should parallel those governing the operation of motor vehicles.

 

“Good Samaritan” Laws? (Supportive)

The Second Amendment Organization supports laws which explicitly provide protection from prosecution for individuals who use appropriate force to stop a physical threat to another person when the circumstances that person is under would allow for them to use similar defensive force themselves.

 

“Gun Free Zones” ? (Complex)

The Second Amendment Organization does not support the theory that banning firearms possession at specific locations within jurisdictions where people are otherwise legally able to carry firearms reduces the propensity for firearms violence or crime of any type.  However, the Second Amendment Organization does not advocate or support firearms owners violating “Gun Free Zones”, whether they are on public or private property and regardless of the penalties such a violation may bring.

 

National Reciprocity or National Right to Carry? (Complex)

The Second Amendment Organization supports a National Right to Carry plan which obligates all States to honor the Right to Carry of any individual who has met the requirements to carry a firearm for defense in their State of Residence.
The Second Amendment Organization does not support the establishment of a National Standard for Carry Permits beyond the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.

 

Mandatory Training for Carry Permit? (Against)

The Second Amendment Organization believes that, because there is no provision in the Second Amendment for a training requirement prior to exercise the right to keep and bear arms, the establishment of such a requirement to carry a firearm (especially for defensive purposes) would be a severe infringement on that right.

 

Obligation to Notify?(Against) (added 9/28/18)

The Second Amendment Organization does not support laws which require individuals legally carrying concealed firearms to notify law enforcement officers that they are carrying immediately upon contact, but we do recognize that such notification is considered a “best practice” for the safety of everyone involved in those interactions.

 

Open Carry Legality ? (Supportive)

The Second Amendment Organization supports the open carrying of a firearm being legal. This position specifically includes the belief that it should not be a crime if someone who is intending to legally carry a concealed firearm accidentally allows that firearm to be seen by another person in the public space.

 

Open Carry Activism ? (Against)
The Second Amendment Organization does not support confrontational activities while openly carrying a firearm that are intended to make a public display of the carrying of firearms without regard for the potential negative impact that such demonstrations have on relationships between gun owners and local law enforcement, the image of legal gun owners in the eyes of non-gun owners or how such activities may be characterized by the media.

 

Permit Required for legal defensive carry? (Against)

The Second Amendment states the our Right to Keep and Bear Arms  “…shall not be infringed…”.  Requiring a permit, which usually involves a fee and a waiting period, often requiring formal training (additional expense and time) is clearly an infringement of the free exercise of that right. These infringements are Secondary to the issues created by so-called “May Issue” laws in States where citizens must justify their request to have a permit to carry a defensive firearm, which is an even more clear obstruction to the free exercise of the right to keep and bear arms.

 

“Stand Your Ground” Laws? (Supportive)

The Second Amendment Organization does not support laws which articulate a “duty to retreat” on the part of an individual prior to any justified use of appropriate force to stop a physical threat to them or another victim.

 

Obligation to Notify? (Against)
The Second Amendment Organization does not support laws which require individuals legally carrying concealed firearms to notify law enforcement officers that they are carrying immediately upon contact, but we do recognize that such notification is considered a “best practice” for the safety of everyone involved in those interactions.

 

For more information about 2AO, please visit our web site at http://www.2ao.org.

Please direct any media inquiries to media@2ao.org

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